Former Thai PM Thaksin Released From Prison

Former PM Thaksin walked out of the prison, greeting the crowd | Photo from Voice TV

In an article for Mekong Independent, Prachatai writes about former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been released from prison after eight months and has been granted parole for the remainder of his one-year jail sentence.

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been released from prison after serving eight months of a one-year prison sentence for corruption and abuse of power, which was passed on him while in self-exile.

Hundreds of people, including members of his family, MPs from the Pheu Thai Party and supporters gathered to greet the former PM at the Klong Prem Central Prison on May 11.

Thaksin, dressed in a white shirt, was seen walking out of the prison. He hugged his family and greeted the crowd before heading home.

The former PM gave his first interview after being released, saying, “I was in hibernation; I cannot remember anything now”. He also added that he remains in good health. It was also reported that he was to undergo a health check-up on May 12 after being detained for eight months.

76-year-old Thaksin qualified for parole on the condition that he wears an electronic monitoring bracelet (EM) and stays at the Ban Chan Song La residence until the end of his one-year sentence on 9 September. He was also prohibited from travelling abroad unless granted permission.