BANGKOK, May 11 — Loved and loathed in almost equal measure, Thaksin Shinawatra transformed Thai politics in the early 2000s with populist policies that won him and his party loyalty from the rural masses.

But that success came at a cost: the billionaire politician and his family were despised by Thailand’s powerful elites and a conservative establishment who saw his rule as corrupt, authoritarian and socially destabilising.

The ex-premier was released on parole on Monday after serving eight months of a one-year sentence for corruption during his time in office.

His political and legal travails — from being ousted by a coup to facing multiple convictions — could have ended his dynasty’s hold over Thai politics at any point in the last two decades.

But analysts say Thaksin remains the puppet master behind his Pheu Thai party, which suffered record losses at the polls this year but managed to join the new ruling coalition and land Thaksin’s nephew a cabinet position.

After his release, “Thaksin will take a more hands-on approach over Pheu Thai”, Southeast Asian politics expert Paul Chambers said.

But the 76-year-old is “too old to make a political comeback” as the formal party leader and would leave it to his family’s younger generation to be Pheu Thai’s public face, Chambers said.

Elected prime minister in 2001 and again in 2005, Thaksin was ousted by the army in 2006 and took himself into exile two years later, but never stopped commenting on national affairs.

He pledged repeatedly to return, despite being convicted on graft and abuse-of-power charges in his absence.

Thaksin finally made good on his vow in August 2023, touching down in Bangkok to a hero’s welcome from his supporters on the day that Pheu Thai returned to office.

He was immediately arrested and sentenced to eight years in jail, but was brought to a police hospital within hours on health grounds.

Within days, King Maha Vajiralongkorn cut his term to one year, and Thaksin returned to his Bangkok home in February 2024, having seemingly not seen the inside of a jail cell.

But the Supreme Court ruled in September that he had not properly served his sentence, and ordered him behind bars for a year.

Telecoms fortune

Thaksin was born in 1949 into one of the most prominent ethnic Chinese families in northern Chiang Mai province.

He worked as a police officer before amassing a vast fortune founding a series of data networking and mobile telephone firms that would become telecoms giant Shin Corp.

He launched his political party, Thai Rak Thai, in 1998, and became the first premier to serve a full term after being elected in 2001.

With the economy in a deep recession during the Asian financial crisis, Thaksin — one of Thailand’s richest people — promised to use his business savvy to lift rural villagers out of poverty.

His “war on drugs”, which Human Rights Watch says resulted in around 2,800 extrajudicial killings, brought international condemnation.

He was re-elected in a landslide victory in 2005, thanks to huge support from rural voters grateful for cash injections and debt relief.

The following year he was dogged by corruption allegations and mired in controversy over the tax-free sale of Shin Corp shares.

Months of mass protests culminated in the nullification of elections, and in September 2006, army tanks rolled into Bangkok and toppled Thaksin’s government while he was at the United Nations in New York.

Despite his Thai assets being frozen in 2007, he purchased the Manchester City football club and later sold it for a sizeable profit to an Abu Dhabi-backed group.

Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra hugs his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra upon his release at Klong Prem Central Prison in Bangkok on May 11, 2026. — AFP pic

Family business

Thai Rak Thai was dissolved by court order after the 2006 coup, but eventually evolved into Pheu Thai, which brought Thaksin’s sister Yingluck to the premiership in 2011.

Thaksin is seen by many as the true master of Pheu Thai, which came second in the 2023 general election but third in the last vote in February.

His decision to return to Thailand came after Pheu Thai made what many saw as a Faustian bargain to go into coalition with military-backed parties — including the ex-army chief who ousted Yingluck in 2014.

Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn, who took up the Pheu Thai mantle, became prime minister in 2024, but was dismissed by the Constitutional Court after about a year in office over her handling of a border row with Cambodia.

Anutin Charnvirakul of the conservative Bhumjaithai party succeeded her as prime minister and was re-elected in February, with some speculating that a political deal was made between Anutin’s party and Thaksin’s that saw them unite, with Thaksin’s release assured.

According to Chambers, Thaksin ceded his role as the “main enemy of Thailand’s vested elites” to the progressive People’s Party and its earlier variants, which have called for reforms to the monarchy and the military — especially after Pheu Thai showed its willingness to accommodate arch-royalists in its 2023-2025 coalition government.

“The aging Thaksin”, Chambers said, is now “a weakened force who represents a possible obstacle to the elites, but not the major challenge to them that he once was”. — AFP

SHAH ALAM, May 11 — The Selangor State Government aims to set a national record by assembling 666 statues of Prince Siddhartha in conjunction with the state-level Wesak Day celebration, which will be held on June 6 to foster multicultural harmony and deepen public understanding of Buddhist culture.

Selangor Non-Islamic Affairs Committee Chairman Ng Sze Han said the selection of the number of statues symbolises the unique date of this year’s celebration, which falls on June 6, 2026.

With the theme “Bridging Through Digital, Cultivating Wisdom Together”, this year’s celebration will take place over three days from June 5 to 7 at the Sugata Dharma Vihara Temple in Jenjarom and is expected to attract 5,000 visitors.

“Alongside the central bathing ritual, the festival will offer a comprehensive, family-friendly programme of activities, including spiritual and traditional blessing and chanting sessions by Mahayana and Theravada monks, Chinese and Sanskrit sutra-copying, and prayer wheel activities,” he said during a press conference at the State Secretariat Building Annex Hall here today.

Ng, who is also Selangor Investment, Trade and Mobility Committee chairman said the annual programme, organised since 2009, aims to foster multicultural harmony and aligns with the Visit Selangor Year 2026 campaign to promote cultural tourism.

He said the opening ceremony is expected to be officiated by Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari on the highlight day, June 6, at 9am.

“In addition to religious rituals, we are also providing interactive craft workshops such as woodblock printing, Bodhi leaf crafting, and Dharma-quote canvas bag making. Another unique feature this year is the Buddhist Stamp Exhibition by the World Buddhist Stamps Gallery, which showcases the life story of the Buddha through a unique collection of postage stamps,” he said.

Meanwhile, Organising Committee chairman and Kajang assemblyman David Cheong Kian Young said various family-oriented activities have also been arranged to attract visitors of all ages.

“It is designed to guide the public back to the core significance of Wesak, the Triple Celebration commemorating the Buddha’s birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana, thereby enhancing society’s accurate understanding of the faith,” he said.

He said complimentary health screening services, including bone density, cholesterol and muscle mass checks, will also be provided for the local community.

The celebration is organised in collaboration with the Malaysian Buddhist Consultative Council (MBCC) and is supported by the Malaysian Buddhist Association Kuala Lumpur/Selangor Branch and the Maha Karuna Buddhist Society. — Bernama

JOHOR BAHRU, May 11 — The Ministry of Education (MOE) is improving the Safe School Management Guidelines to align with current challenges and remain relevant in protecting students and school staff.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said that this effort has already been initiated through the Education Institution Safety Reform Committee, which includes representatives from various parties, including the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

“Various non-governmental representatives and community representatives are also a part of the committee to ensure that issues related to school safety are given attention,” she said while speaking at the launching ceremony of the national-level MyLesen B2 Sekolah (MyB2S) 2026 here today.

Also present were the Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Road Transport Department (JPJ) director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli.

On April 12, a first-year student was killed when hit by a car in front of the girls’ surau at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tanjong Mas in Kota Bharu, Kelantan.

In Johor, a second-year female student died after being hit by a van in front of the main gate of Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Seri Maimon, Parit Sulong in Batu Pahat on May 5.

Meanwhile, in a press conference, Fadhlina said that the MOE has also directed all principals and school administrators to take safety measures strictly and consistently every day.

She said there is no compromise on student safety issues and all parties must play a role in ensuring that the school environment is always safe.

She said that the implementation of safety programmes and initiatives today is part of the follow-up actions resulting from the discussions of the special committee that thoroughly examined student safety issues.

Fadhlina also said the government is drafting the MyLesen B2 and MyB2S programme to ensure that students who ride motorcycles to school have valid licences.

The MOT, through the JPJ, aims for 60,000 students to benefit from the special MyB2S 2026 programme, involving an allocation of approximately RM18.5 million. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 — Ancom Nylex Bhd’s 42.2 per cent-owned subsidiary, Nylex (Malaysia) Bhd has received a letter of intent (LOI) from the government in relation to a proposed public-private partnership (PPP) project in Iskandar Malaysia.

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the company said the government has granted its approval in principle to a consortium comprising DOM Industries (M) Sdn Bhd, MMC Engineering Sdn Bhd, BTS Group Holdings Public Company Ltd, and Nylex to undertake the proposed Iskandar Malaysia Public Land Transport Development Project.

The agricultural and industrial chemical manufacturing company said the project involves the development of a medium-capacity rail system under a PPP model.

The consortium will now enter negotiations with the government on the terms and conditions of the project. — Bernama

LONDON, May 12 — London’s Heathrow Airport announced today that passenger numbers dropped in April as the Middle East war disrupted global air travel.

The airport handled 6.7 million passengers last month, down 5.3 per cent from one year earlier, Heathrow said in a statement.

Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, said that the decline reflected “the ongoing impact of the Middle East conflict on some markets and short-term adjustments to travel plans.”

“While we have seen some short-term disruption linked to the Middle East conflict, demand for travel remains strong with current fuel supplies stable,” said the airport’s chief executive, Thomas Woldbye.

“April was still our busiest month so far this year, underlining the strength of a global hub airport that can adapt quickly in times of uncertainty,” he added.

The number of transit passengers, however, rose 10 percent year-on-year in April, matching a similar increase recorded in the previous month, as passengers rerouted through London.

Gulf airlines Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways have built their business model on connecting passengers on long-haul flights across the globe.

But following the outbreak of the war on February 28, Iran fired missiles and drones at Israel and US allies in the Gulf, reaching airports and other key infrastructure.

The operations of the Gulf airlines were severely disrupted, and some passengers chose to avoid travel through the Gulf region and opt for alternative transit routes. — AFP

SYDNEY, May 11 — Australian tennis great Mal Anderson, the first unseeded player to win the United States (US) Championships – now the US Open – has died at 91, Tennis Australia said today, reported Xinhua.

Anderson was part of Australia’s golden postwar era, winning the US Championships singles title in 1957 and three major doubles titles.

He also helped Australia win the Davis Cup in 1957 and 1973.

After retiring, Anderson mentored young players, including Pat Rafter, Scott Draper, Wally Masur, and John Fitzgerald.

“I was really sad to hear of Mal’s passing. He was one of those people who helped shape my tennis from very early on,” Rafter was quoted as saying.

Draper said Anderson taught him and other players how to give back to the sport and understand that the game was bigger than themselves.

“Mal was someone I looked up to from a very young age. I had my first tennis lesson from Mal at five,” he said. — Bernama

JOHOR BAHRU, May 11 — Police detained three people yesterday to assist investigations into the fatal shooting of a man outside an entertainment outlet in Taman Industri Jaya, Skudai, on May 9.

Johor acting police chief DCP Hoo Chuan Huat said the suspects, aged between 26 and 29, comprise two local men and a woman. No weapons were found during the arrests.

“They have been detained to assist in the investigation, and only one of the male suspects has a prior criminal record,” he told a press conference at the Johor Contingent Police Headquarters (IPK) here today.

Hoo said police are still determining the motive for the murder of the 27-year-old victim, who worked at a warehouse in Singapore. Investigators are also looking into possible links to underworld activities or organised crime.

He said another 27-year-old man who was shot during the incident was a friend of the victim.

Yesterday, Iskandar Puteri police chief, ACP M. Kumarasan, said the department received a report regarding the shooting at 11pm from a 27-year-old local woman.

He confirmed that the victim was pronounced dead at the scene due to gunshot wounds, while his friend was injured in the incident.

The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder. — Bernama

JOHOR BAHRU, May 11 — Police crippled two drug trafficking syndicates following the arrest of six local men and the seizure of various narcotics worth RM4.77 million in two separate operations on May 7 and 8.

Johor acting police chief DCP Hoo Chuan Huat said five men, aged between 27 and 50, including the syndicate mastermind, were arrested during the first operation launched by the Johor Contingent Police Headquarters (IPK) Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department at three locations from 11am.

He said two suspects were arrested during a raid at the first location, a house in Bandar Baru Permas Jaya, where police seized 20.47 kilogrammes (kg) of suspected methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 14,800 Erimin 5 pills, 1.44 kg of ecstasy powder, 1,055 ecstasy pills, and 146 grammes of ketamine, along with various packaging equipment.

Hoo said another suspect was apprehended in a second raid in Bandar Seri Alam without any seizures, while a third bust at a car park in Permas Jaya led to the arrest of two more individuals and the seizure of 4.40 grammes of ketamine.

“The total market value of the seized drugs is estimated at RM3.65 million. The syndicate is believed to have been active since March, using rented apartments in gated and guarded communities as storage and repackaging hubs for the local market,” he told a press conference at the Johor IPK today.

He said police also seized four cars, a motorcycle, RM7,750 in cash, 308 Singapore dollars, and jewellery, including two rings and a gold chain with a pendant.

Hoo added that preliminary urine tests showed four suspects tested positive for methamphetamine and one for ketamine. All five, who have previous criminal records, have been remanded for seven days from May 8.

In the second operation, he said a 21-year-old man was arrested at a house in Taman Perling on May 8. He is believed to have operated a solo drug distribution ring.

Police seized 23 plastic bottles and 21 cartridges with 11.54 litres of suspected liquid ketamine, 3.61 kg of MDMA powder, 150 grammes of ecstasy powder, 40 ecstasy pills, and 19.30 grammes of ketamine. The drugs are valued at RM1.12 million.

“The suspect, who tested positive for ketamine and has a prior record, is believed to have been active since January and allegedly used a terrace house for storing and repackaging drugs,” he said.

The suspect has been remanded for seven days from May 9.

Both cases are being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty, life imprisonment and whipping upon conviction. — Bernama

JOHOR BAHRU, May 11 — The issue of congestion involving heavy vehicle lanes on the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link at the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB), which is alleged to be due to mandatory scanning inspections, will be brought to the attention of the Ministry of Home Affairs, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

Loke said that matters related to KSAB, including the operation of scanning machines, fall under the jurisdiction of the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS), which is under the Home Ministry’s purview.

“The scanner is under the Customs Department and was previously a standard operating procedure (SOP), and is now taken over by the AKPS. So this is something that we always pay attention to. The Ministry of Transport will provide feedback to the Home Ministry,” he said.

He said this at a press conference after the launching ceremony of the national-level MyLesen B2 School Programme (MyB2S) 2026 here today.

Loke said that the issue of congestion at the Johor Causeway and Second Link is indeed a concern for the government, and a special mechanism has been established through the Johor Causeway Congestion Cabinet Committee to address the issue comprehensively.

“All operational issues will be discussed, implemented, and managed through this platform,” he said.

Previously, the media reported that lorry drivers wanting to enter Singapore were stranded for up to four hours at the Second Link.

The congestion on the heavy vehicle lane has reportedly been occurring since mid-February, causing distress among lorry drivers who have had to face the situation until now.

The congestion was also reported to have occurred following the implementation of mandatory scanning inspections on all heavy vehicles.

The lorry drivers described the measure as a temporary solution, with some of them needing to walk about 500 metres after parking their vehicles to deliver documents at the KSAB before returning to their lorries to undergo the scanning process. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 — The prosecution has filed an application to forfeit a Range Rover Sport SVR vehicle and jewellery seized from the wife of former Army Chief Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan, Salwani Anuar @ Kamaruddin.

The prosecution filed the application at the High Court here on May 4, naming 27-year-old Salwani Anuar as the respondent.

The prosecution is seeking to forfeit to the government a Range Rover Sport SVR, a 916-gold bracelet weighing 15.10 grammes, and three gold rings weighing 1.33 grammes, 1.41 grammes and 1.35 grammes respectively.

Also included in the forfeiture application is a pair of gold earrings weighing 6.640 grammes, valued at an estimated RM10,930, which were seized from the respondent.

According to the application notice, the assets were seized under Section 45(2) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA) and are now being held by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Deputy Public Prosecutor Natrah Fareha Rahmat told reporters that during proceedings before High Court Deputy Registrar Zaridah Y Abdul Jaapar today, the court set May 19 for case mention.

Meanwhile, Deputy Public Prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat told Sessions Court Judge Rosli Ahmad that the prosecution had filed an application to forfeit 23 Rolex watches and 15 pieces of jewellery seized from Muhammad Hafizuddeain’s sister-in-law, Nor Shahira Atirah Anuar @ Kamaruddin.

Mahadi said the prosecution was also seeking a court order to publish a gazette notice requiring any party with an interest in the assets to come forward and appear in court, under Section 41(2) of the MACC Act 2009.

Lawyer Aizul Rohan Anuar said the defence had no objection to the prosecution’s application.

The court then set June 26 for case mention for the attendance of third parties.

On May 4, the prosecution filed the notice against Nor Shahira Atirah, seeking to forfeit to the government 23 luxury watches and 15 pieces of jewellery seized from the respondent.

The application was made because the prosecution, under Section 41(1) of the MACC Act, read together with Section 376 of the Criminal Procedure Code, was satisfied that the movable assets seized by the MACC should be forfeited, as the prosecution alleged that the assets were obtained from, or are linked to, an offence under Section 165 of the Penal Code. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 — Thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds are expected to affect 10 states until 9pm today. 

In a statement, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said the areas expected to be affected are Kuala Muda, Sik, Baling and Kulim in Kedah; Larut, Matang and Selama, Kuala Kangsar, Kinta and Kampar in Perak; Gua Musang, Kelantan, as well as Hulu Terengganu, Dungun and Kemaman in Terengganu. 

Similar weather is also expected in Pahang, affecting Cameron Highlands, Lipis, Raub, Bentong, Kuantan and Pekan; Selangor (Hulu Selangor); Negeri Sembilan (Jelebu, Seremban, Kuala Pilah, Rembau and Tampin); and Johor (Segamat, Kluang, Kulai, Kota Tinggi and Johor Bahru). 

In Sarawak, the affected areas include Samarahan (Simunjan), Sri Aman, Betong (Pusa, Betong and Saratok), Sarikei, Sibu (Kanowit), Kapit (Song and Belaga), Miri (Beluru, Telang Usan, Miri and Marudi) and Limbang. 

In Sabah, the affected areas include Pedalaman, Pantai Barat (Papar, Putatan, Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran and Kota Belud) and Tawau, as well as the Federal Territory of Labuan. — Bernama

MADRID, May 11 — An American citizen and a French woman evacuated from the cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak have tested positive, officials said, as the repatriation operation continued today. 

Following the positive test results, Spain defended the rigour of its sanitary measures during the complex evacuation yesterday of 94 people of 19 different nationalities from the MV Hondius, which is moored in the Canary Islands.

The Dutch-flagged vessel has been at the centre of global concern after three passengers died following an outbreak of the rare virus, which usually spreads among rodents and for which no cure exists.

Health officials have insisted that the risk to global public health is rare and dismissed comparisons to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The French woman, one of five evacuees from France placed in isolation in Paris, started to feel unwell on Sunday night, and “tests came back positive”, Health Minister Stephanie Rist said today. 

The US health department said one American national evacuated from the ship had “mild symptoms” and that another had tested positive for the Andes virus, the only hantavirus strain that is transmissible between humans.

Spain’s health ministry said “all measures” had been taken to stop the virus spreading during the evacuations, in which medical teams escorted passengers from the ship to an airport on the island of Tenerife under close supervision and following health checks.

It said the French patient “started to feel unwell during the flight and not while she was on the ship”.

The US citizen who tested positive “did not show symptoms when they were in Cape Verde”, where the MV Hondius stopped before reaching the Canary Islands, the ministry said.

“However, the US authorities have decided to treat the case as positive. For that reason, they requested a separate evacuation, which was carried out in a separate boat.”

Final flights to leave 

In all, eight cases have been confirmed in the outbreak, and two more are listed as “probable”, according to the World Health Organization and national health authorities, with citizens of six countries affected.

Other suspected cases and potential close contacts with infected people are being investigated, with health authorities in several countries tracking passengers who had already disembarked from the ship, plus anyone who may have come into contact with them.

Rist said 22 more close contacts had been identified among French nationals, including eight people who had travelled on an April 25 flight between Saint Helena and Johannesburg, and 14 more on a flight between Johannesburg and Amsterdam.

A Dutch woman passenger of the MV Hondius who died of hantavirus was on the flight to Johannesburg and later briefly boarded a flight to Amsterdam but was removed before take-off.

Two more repatriation flights to Australia and the Netherlands are planned on Monday to complete the evacuation of most of the ship’s almost 150 passengers and crew.

After refuelling, the ship is scheduled to leave Tenerife for the Netherlands at 7 pm with a skeleton crew.

“There are still some citizens from the Netherlands and Australia, and hopefully we can even finish before the scheduled time,” Spanish minister Angel Victor Torres told public radio RNE.

The MV Hondius left Argentina, where hantavirus is endemic, on April 1 for a cruise across the Atlantic Ocean to Cape Verde.

The World Health Organization believes the first infection occurred before the start of the voyage, followed by transmission between humans on board the vessel.

But Argentine health officials have questioned whether the outbreak originated in Ushuaia, based on the virus’s weeks-long incubation period and other factors.— AFP