Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra gave a special lecture on illegal drug suppression today, at the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, marking his first public appearance in nearly two weeks.
He briefly addressed the media waiting outside saying, “I’m still here. No escape to anywhere else.”
Thaksin, known for his openness to the public and media since returning from over a decade of self-imposed exile last year, had been absent from the public eye since late April.
His absence followed the Supreme Court Criminal Division for Holders of Political Office setting a June 13th hearing, to determine whether the prison sentence, previously imposed on him, had been enforced.
Thaksin has been subpoenaed to give testimony.
Arriving in his black Rolls-Royce, Thaksin, the father of current Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was greeted by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong, and National Police Chief Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet.
His lack of public appearances had fuelled speculation that he may flee the country to avoid attending the upcoming court hearing.
Rumours intensified after the Medical Council of Thailand decided, on May 8, to penalise three doctors involved in Thaksin’s controversial extended stay at the Police General Hospital.
The disciplinary action increased skepticism that Thaksin was not seriously ill during his six-month hospital stay.
Despite the controversy, Paetongtarn continues to assert that her father was genuinely ill during that time.
Meanwhile, Thaksin’s lecture on illegal narcotics suppression evoked memories of his controversial "war on drugs" policy, during his own tenure as prime minister.
Initiated in 2003, the campaign aimed to eliminate drugs from every corner of the country within three months, but it resulted in the deaths of more than 2,500 people, including innocent civilians.
