PUBLISHED: 26 Jul 2024 at 12:54
Bangkok was abuzz on Friday as Thaksin Shinawatra, the convicted former prime minister, celebrated his 75th birthday at his family mansion.
Arriving in the morning, Pheu Thai Party leader and his daughter, Paetongtarn, welcomed select guests to the Ban Chan Song La residence located in the Bang Phlad district. The celebration attracted substantial media attention, although reporters were not allowed inside the event.
Event organizers showcased shirts emblazoned with Thaksin’s image and the slogan: “75, No Place Like Home.”
A commemorative shirt featuring Thaksin Shinawatra with the message: “75, No Place Like Home.”
Supporters flooded social media to express birthday wishes, with Pheu Thai list MP Adisorn Piengkes stating, “Happy birthday to the prime minister, who is always in the hearts of all Thais.”
In a related celebration, a video surfaced showing King Power CEO Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha hosting a joint birthday party for himself and Thaksin at the Pullman Bangkok King Power Hotel, highlighting their shared celebration despite differing birth years.
Notable attendees at the celebration included Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul and Palang Pracharath Party secretary-general Thamanat Prompow, both of whom were recently seen golfing with Thaksin in Nakhon Ratchasima.
This year’s birthday marked Thaksin’s first celebration in Thailand since his return in August, following a 17-year self-imposed exile. During a visit to his hometown of Chiang Mai in March, Thaksin had remarked, “Happiness is at home.”
