https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/05/former-pm-thaksin-shinawatra-leaves-thailand-ahead-of-court-ruling-that-could-see-him-jailed-ntwnfb

Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra leaves Thailand days ahead of court ruling that could see him jailed

After questions over whether the former prime minister was going back into exile, Thaksin said he would return no later than Monday to attend court

I'm going to take the over on that. Maybe see you in a few years...hopefully never.


Thailand’s influential former prime miniser Thaksin Shinawatra flew out of the country on Thursday, police said, a day before a parliamentary vote for the next prime minister and ahead of a court ruling that could see him jailed.

Many in Thailand spent Thursday evening glued to flight tracking websites, avidly following the path of Thaksin’s private jet.

News that he was at Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport broke early on Thursday evening, with local media reporting he had been stopped by immigration. He planned to visit Singapore for two days for a medical appointment, Thai outlets reported.

His plane took off after authorities confirmed that he did not have any court order prohibiting him from leaving the country, police said in a statement.

As he left Thailand, social media was flooded with speculation. Many wondered if Thaksin might instead head to Dubai, where he previously lived in self-imposed exile to avoid legal charges for abuse of power and conflicts of interest.

There's a legal phrase used in these circumstances which is "Durrr! D'ya fuckin' think so?"