Thaksin welcomed by officials, higher- standing authorities
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra made his first journey to his home county of Chiang Mai on his personal flight on Thursday night. He was released on parole last quarter.
Thaksin, accompanied by his youngest daughter and Pheu Thai Party chief Paetongtarn Shinawatra, her father Pitaka Suksawat and their daughter Thitarn, arrived at Wing 41 in Chiang Mai at 9.28am.  , It was Thaksin’s first journey to his native territory in 17 years.
During Thaksin’s attend, police led by deputy federal police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn to manage protection.
The 74- yr- ancient convicted former prime minister next visited the Royal Park Rajapruek, a 200- acre floral garden built in Chiang Mai’s Muang district in 2006, when Thaksin was perfect minister.
Upon his appearance, Phudit Insuwan, a previous MP of the now- former Thai Rak Thai Party, who were among the waiting followers, presented him a Buddha monument as a token of appreciation.
The former police officer turned communications billionaire waved his followers while sporting a blue shirt and pants. Thaksin kept his daughter’s hands on him throughout the journey while a nurse attentively looked after him while he continued to use a chest brace.
On Thursday, Thaksin Shinawatra greets the people as he boardeers a dark Lexus to the Royal Park Rajapruek in the Muang city of Chiang Mai. ( Photo: Panumet Tanraksa )
Joining his journey were former prime minister and Thaksin’s nephew- in- rules Somchai Wongsawat, his younger girl Yaowapa Wongsawat, Permanent Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Chatuporn Burutphat and Chiang Mai Governor Nirat Wongsitthithavorn.  ,
In the north state, Thaksin was welcomed by Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thamanat Prompow and Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Permanent Secretary Prayoon Insakul.  ,  ,
Before setting off for Chiang Mai, Thaksin paid respects to the City Pillar Shrine in Bangkok on Thursday night.
Ramet Rattanachaweng, spokeswoman for the criticism Democrat Party, said the government would be watching carefully to see if Thaksin is being given special treatment.
” 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.