Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was released from prison on parole on Monday after serving part of his one-year jail sentence linked to corruption and abuse of power charges.
The billionaire politician, who remains one of Thailand’s most influential and controversial political figures, was seen leaving detention early Monday morning, according to Reuters witnesses.
Thaksin returned to Thailand in August 2023 after spending nearly 15 years in self-imposed exile, mainly in Dubai, to avoid imprisonment following his removal from power in a 2006 military coup.
Upon his return, he was immediately taken into custody to begin serving an eight-year prison sentence over several convictions tied to abuse of authority, conflict of interest and corruption cases during his administration.
However, Thailand’s King later reduced the sentence to one year through a royal pardon.
During his detention, Thaksin spent much of his sentence receiving treatment at the Police General Hospital in Bangkok due to health concerns, sparking criticism and political debate among opposition groups who questioned whether he had received special treatment.
Despite years away from active politics, Thaksin continues to wield major influence over Thai politics through the Pheu Thai Party, which is currently leading the coalition government.
His daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is also a key political figure and leader within the ruling party, further cementing the Shinawatra family’s dominance in Thai politics.
Thaksin served as Thailand’s prime minister from 2001 until he was ousted by the military in 2006. He remains deeply popular among rural and working-class voters, particularly in northern and northeastern Thailand, due to his populist economic policies and healthcare reforms. -MalayaDailyToday
