By Thai Newsroom Reporters
FORMER FUGITIVE RED SHIRT leader Jakrapob Penkair confirmed upon return from self-exile today (Mar. 28) that other like-minded activists abroad would likely follow suit sooner or later.
The former minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office/former Red Shirt leader who was today released under bail upon his homecoming after 15 years in self-exile overseas told reporters not only a number of former Red Shirt activists but former Pheu Thai leader Jarupong Ruangsuwan who had fled the country since the last decade would likely return home.
Jakrapob quoted de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convict on parole Thaksin Shinawatra as earlier telling him that the country’s political climate has now favourably unfurled so he could come back safely.
Jakrapob had been earlier charged with illegally possessing war weapons which might have otherwise armed Red Shirt protesters in a non-existent revolt against the military-led regime in 2009. He had categorically denied the charges lodged by police.
The former cabinet member admitted he had decided to return since the Pheu Thai became core of the current coalition government following last year’s election and that the former Pheu Thai leader as well as ex-Red Shirt activists who are still staying in self-exile abroad may follow suit sooner or later now that he has apparently returned to safety.
Jakrapob had been earlier named government spokesman in the time of the Thai Rak Thai government under Thaksin’s premiership and named a minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office in the time of the People’s Power government under the late prime minister Samak Sundaravej.
Without elaborating, he said he would willingly agree to work for the Pheu Thai-led government.
CAPTION:
Former Red Shirt leader Jakrapob Penkair talking to reporters and being greeted upon returning home after 15 years of self-exile. Photos: Thai Rath
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