reader Posted March 13 Posted March 13 From The Nation Members of the red-shirt movement held a motorcade in Chiang Mai on Wednesday to rouse supporters to join them in welcoming former PM Thaksin Shinawatra when he arrives on Thursday. Thaksin will be visiting Chiang Mai for the first time in 17 years, after spending more than a decade in self-imposed exile overseas. Joining the motorcade on Wednesday were red-shirt supporters from Lopburi, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani. More red-shirt supporters are expected to join them from other provinces, including Lamphun, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phitsanulok and Nakhon Sawan to name a few. Some of the supporters told local press that they had travelled from Lopburi to join the welcoming crowds on Thursday and had participated in the motorcade on Wednesday. They added that they had travelled to Chiang Mai on their own accord and were excited that Thaksin was returning home. When asked if they wanted him to return to politics, they said they preferred him in the position of adviser, so younger politicians can get a chance in the field. Thaksin will take his private jet to Chiang Mai on Thursday and will be staying in his home at the Summit Green Valley Chiang Mai Country Club. His family will be joining him the following day to make merit and pay respects to ancestors before the former leader returns to Bangkok on Saturday. Thaksin is being allowed to spend some time in his hometown despite being under parole for the rest of his one-year sentence. vinapu 1 Quote
reader Posted March 16 Author Posted March 16 From Thai PBS World Thaksin concludes visit to Chiang Mai with a Night Safari Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra wrapped up his three-day visit to his hometown of Chiang Mai today by taking his children and grandchildren for a tour of the Night Safari zoo, before returning to Bangkok this evening. Thaksin, who is now on parole, began his last day in Chiang Mai by having breakfast with his family at the Oasis coffee shop in downtown Chiang Mai at about 8.45am. Arriving at the coffee shop, he greeted a large group of reporters by asking them why they were not covering Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s activities today. He then invited them to join him for breakfast. When asked about his back pain, Thaksin said that he feels better today, but still uses an analgesic spray. He said that he had a great time at dinner last night with the prime minister, former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat and several other old friends. Thaksin said that the prime minister did not seek any advice from him, because Srettha did not have much time and had an appointment with officials to discuss forest fires. At the Night Safari zoo, Thaksin was asked by the management to name a white lion cub, which was born about a week ago. He named the cub “Only”, because it was the only cub born to the mother, which normally gives birth to several cubs at a time. In signing the zoo’s visitors’ book, Thaksin thanked the management and its staff for keeping the zoo in business, despite COVID19 pandemic. The night safari is a major tourist attraction in Chiang Mai and he urged the management to continue developing the zoo. Quote
