Key events in his political life

July 14, 1998: Thaksin sets up the Thai Rak Thai Party.

January 6, 2001: Thaksin leads Thai Rak Thai to victory with 248 House seats.

February 9, 2001: Thaksin becomes Thailand’s 23rd prime minister. His government becomes Thailand’s first elected government to complete its four-year term (Feb 17, 2001 – March 11, 2005).

February 6, 2005: Thai Rak Thai records a landslide win, sweeping 377 House seats, and becomes the first party to form a one-party government.

March 11, 2005: Thaksin becomes the prime minister for the second time.

September 19, 2006: Thaksin is toppled in a coup following months-long protests by the People’s Alliance for Democracy. Thaksin takes political refuge abroad.

May 30, 2007: Thai Rak Thai is dissolved by a court order

February 28, 2008: Thaksin returns to Thailand after the People Power Party, a reincarnation of Thai Rak Thai, wins the…