Former Thai leader Thaksin faces early release in February on parole

The Thai king had commuted Thaksin’s eight-year sentence to a year, but he could be released sooner on parole for prisoners older than 70 or those who are ill

Thaksin was transferred to a police hospital, where he remains, during his first night back in Thailand and treated for chest pains and high blood pressure

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Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra flanked by his son Panthongtae and daughter Paetongtarn at Bangkok’s Don Mueang airport on August 22. Thailand’s most famous politician made a dramatic homecoming last month, 15 years after he entered self-exile, having been ousted by a military coup in 2006. Photo: Reuters

Published: 7:53pm, 18 Sep 2023

Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra could be released on parole as early as late February, having already had an eight-year prison sentence commuted to one year following his return from self-exile, a senior corrections official said on Monday.

Thailand’s most famous politician made a dramatic homecoming last month, 15 years after he entered self-exile, having been ousted by a military coup in 2006. While abroad, Thaksin was found guilty in absentia in three cases involving abuse of power, conflict of interest and malfeasance.

His return to Thailand coincided with the emergence of his ally Srettha Thavisin as the country’s new prime minister, following months of uncertainty in the wake of an election in May that resulted in defeat for the ruling pro-military party.

Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra prepares to bow in homage to the king’s portrait. King Maha Vajiralongkorn commuted Thaksin’s eight-year sentence to one year, but he could be released sooner. Photo: AFP

Parties aligned with Thaksin have won every election since 2001 up until this year’s poll when Pheu Thai, the party backed by his family, came second.

The telecommunications billionaire, whose brash personality and populist policies appealed to poorer Thais, clashed with the country’s old money elites and royalist military, which also ousted his sister’s government in 2014.

There was speculation that Thaksin reached some deal with his old foes, after the pro-military parties gave the Pheu Thai candidate Srettha their backing to form a new government.

Thaksin and Srettha deny this.