File photo : Jakrapob Penkair

 

Jakrapob Penkair, a former Prime Minister’s Office minister and red-shirt leader, is back in Thailand after 15 years in self-imposed exile under the shadow of lese majeste and other accusations following coups in 2006 and 2014.

 

Jakrapob also served as spokesman in the government of Thaksin Shinawatra, who returned from exile last year after the Pheu Thai Party returned to power. Thaksin is regarded as Pheu Thai’s patriarch.

 

Analysts say Jakrapob’s homecoming could trigger an influx of political exiles allied with Thaksin later this year. Jakrapob told reporters shortly after returning on March 28 that he would help arrange the repatriation of these “political refugees” so they could fight the criminal charges against them.

 

Jakrapob, 56, was arrested upon return and handed over to the Crime Suppression Division to be notified of his remaining arrest warrant for alleged involvement in an illegal group and possession of unregistered firearms and ammunition. He denied all charges and was released on a bail guarantee of 400,000 baht, according to his lawyer.

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2024-04-05

 

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3 hours ago, webfact said:

Analysts say Jakrapob’s homecoming could trigger an influx of political exiles allied with Thaksin later this year. Jakrapob told reporters shortly after returning on March 28 that he would help arrange the repatriation of these “political refugees” so they could fight the criminal charges against them

Well Thailand is making sure it doesn't go forward, so I guess it's more of the same or back to the old...

How sad.

At least he's got the guts to return and argue the case, including re LM.