A politician from Geneva helped him move: the convicted ex-prime minister of Thailand moved to Valais

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Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (74) is said to have lived in the Valais mountain town of Crans-Montana in the municipality of Lens until recently. Explosive: He was sentenced to eight years in prison last summer for corruption. The king later reduced Shinawatra’s sentence to one year.

When Shinawatra moved to Switzerland – first to Arbaz USA, eventually to Lens – a Swiss politician is said to have had a hand in it, as the “SonntagsZeitung” reports: the controversial politician from Geneva and co-founder of the Mouvement Citoyens Genevois (MCG) Eric Stauffer (59).

Stauffer unsuccessfully ran for the Grand Council of Geneva in 2018 with his new movement “Genève en Marche”. His campaign is said to have been partly financed by Shinawatra.

Just a “friend of the family”

Stauffer denies his role in Shinawatra’s move. He claims he was only involved as a “family friend.” He invited Shinawatra to Valais, who then decided autonomously about his new home. He had nothing to do with a flat-rate tax, the Geneef told the ‘SonntagsZeitung’.

However, the mayor of Arbaz recalls in the article how he was approached by Stauffer: “He said a rich Thai wanted to move here with a flat tax. He organizes the influx.”

The former Thai prime minister acquired his wealth through his telecom company, which became the country’s largest provider thanks to an exclusive government contract. His tenure was marked by controversial measures, including the fight against drug-related crime, which was criticized by NGOs.

It is unclear whether Shinawatra will return to Switzerland

Shinawatra, who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, fled a military coup and is said to have lived for a time in England, Germany and Dubai before settling in Switzerland.

Despite a conviction for corruption and an arrest warrant for terrorism in 2010, Swiss authorities granted Shinawatra a residence permit. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) does not comment on individual cases, but emphasizes that the implications for domestic and foreign policy are being investigated. For example, applicants may not have any connection with organized crime. The status is assessed annually.

In August 2023, Shinawatra returned to Thailand, was arrested and held in hospital for health reasons. It remains unclear whether he will return to Switzerland after serving his prison sentence. (oco)

Source:Blick