Thailand’s ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra returns home, after being released on parole after serving 6 months in hospital

Thaksin was released from Police General Hospital, where for the last six months he had been serving time for corruption-related offences

The two-time prime minister was sentenced to eight years in jail on corruption charges on his return from exile. He was granted a partial royal pardon in September

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Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrives at his family compound with his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra after he was released from a police hospital in Bangkok on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Published: 8:05am, 18 Feb 2024Updated: 3:00pm, 18 Feb 2024

Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrived back at his Bangkok home from police hospital early on Sunday, just six months after his dramatic return to the kingdom from 15 years of self-imposed exile.

The controversial billionaire, twice elected premier and ousted in a 2006 military coup, was jailed for eight years on graft and abuse-of-power charges upon his return in August.

But his sentence was cut to one year by King Maha Vajiralongkorn within days of his return, and the government said last week the 74-year-old was eligible for early release because of his age and health.

Thaksin – wearing a neck brace and sitting next to his daughters Paetongtarn and Pintongta – was driven away on Sunday from the police hospital in central Bangkok, where he has spent the last half year.

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, centre, sits in a vehicle with his daughters Paetongtarn and Pinthongta after being released on parole on Sunday. Photo: AP

A handful of people protesting his release had gathered in front of the hospital.