Thailand's former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, was released from a Bangkok prison on Monday after serving eight months of a one-year sentence for a corruption-related charge. The 76-year-old billionaire populist was greeted by approximately 300 supporters and political allies outside Klong Prem Central Prison, and later by a small group at his residence.
Background
Thaksin, who served as prime minister from 2001 until a 2006 military coup, had been in self-imposed exile for years. He returned to Thailand in 2023 to face his sentence. His original eight-year sentence was commuted to one year by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, and he was initially permitted to serve it from a suite in Bangkok’s Police Hospital on medical grounds before being moved to prison after public protests.
Probation Conditions
Following his release, Thaksin will be on probation for four months, requiring him to reside at his declared home, wear an electronic monitoring bracelet, and report to probation officials.
