Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Thursday began a three-day visit to his home province of Chiang Mai, his first trip outside Bangkok since his release on parole last month.
Accompanied by his daughter and Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra, her husband Pitaka Suksawat and their daughter Thitarn, Thaksin arrived by private jet at Wing 41 in Chiang Mai at 9.28am. It was his first trip to his native province in 17 years.
The visit had every appearance of an official VIP inspection tour, with ministers and civil servants fussing over their guest as they delivered updates on various public works projects.
Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn was on hand to oversee security for the occasion.
Away from official-looking business, the 74-year-old parolee also had time to mingle with members of the public who greeted him warmly.
The former police officer turned telecommunications tycoon was dressed casually in blue shirt and jeans. Wearing a neck brace and a face mask, he held his daughter’s hand throughout the trip, while a nurse closely attended to his needs.
Ms Paetongtarn kept a protective eye on her father, seeking to keep physical contact to a minimum. She asked people not to tug at his arms because they still hurt.
“Missed you,” one supporter told the former premier, who offered a wai before she took a selfie with him.
“Prime Minister of our hearts,” read the caption under a picture of Thaksin emblazoned on the jacket of another well-wisher.
Thaksin’s health was the big question on the minds of many who came out to see him, given his well-publicised six-month stay at Police General Hospital before his release last month.
While he declined to answer questions from reporters, he said simply that he was gradually getting better.
Thaksin Shinawatra greets the public as he boards a black Lexus to travel to the Royal Park Rajapruek in Muang district of Chiang Mai on Thursday. (Photo: Panumet Tanraksa)
Thaksin’s long day began at the auspicious time of 5.19am Thursday, when he paid his respects to the City Pillar Shrine in Bangkok before leaving for Chiang Mai.
His first stop in his home province was Royal Park Rajapruek, a 200-acre botanical garden built in Muang district in 2006, when he was prime minister.
Phudit Insuwan, a former MP of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party, was among the waiting supporters, and presented Thaksin with a Buddha statue as a token of respect.
Accompanying Thaksin were former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat and his wife Yaowapa, who is Thaksin’s sister; Chatuporn Burutphat, the permanent secretary for natural resources and environment; and Chiang Mai Governor Nirat Wongsitthithavorn.
Also on hand were Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow and Prayoon Insakul, the ministry’s permanent secretary.
Other stops on Thaksin’s itinerary were the Nong Khiao reservoir behind the Chiang Mai provincial hall, Mae Sa water management centre in tambon Don Kaew of Mae Rim district and Khlong Mae Kha canal village in Muang district.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, just back from an official visit to Europe, is scheduled to arrive in Chiang Mai on Friday. The main purpose of his visit is to get an update on forest fires and pollution in the North, but he has indicated that he and Thaksin might get together.
Ramet Rattanachaweng, a spokesman for the opposition Democrat Party, said the public would be watching closely to see if Thaksin is being given special treatment while in Chiang Mai.
“He [Thaksin] is still on parole and if he gets something beyond regular regulations, the Department of Probation and the Department of Corrections will have to explain themselves,” Mr Ramet said.
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, centre, listens to a briefing by Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow, second from left, during his trip to Chiang Mai on Thursday. (Photo: Panumet Tanraksa)