Thailand’s former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, a controversial billionaire, has been released on parole after spending six months in detention, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Thavisin highlighted Thaksin’s service to the country.
Thaksin, who is considered one of Thailand’s most influential politicians, returned to the country after 15 years of self-imposed exile in order to avoid imprisonment for a conflict of interest. He had his original eight-year jail term commuted to one year by the king, and has spent the last six months in hospital detention due to an undisclosed health issue, without ever stepping foot in prison.
“It’s official that he received parole. It’s in line with the corrections department regulations,” Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin stated. “Thaksin was prime minister for many years and did many good things for the country for a long time. After he comes out, he would be a normal citizen.”
Thaksin, who used to be a policeman and a telecoms magnate, has been at the center of a decades-long power struggle in Thailand. According to media reports, he was on a list of 930 prisoners who were considered elderly or sick and approved for parole.
He may be released after February 18, in accordance with the rules of the corrections department. Thaksin’s lawyer did not respond immediately to calls seeking comment. Despite being granted parole, Thaksin could still face detention as public prosecutors are considering charging him for insulting the monarchy during a 2015 interview.
Thaksin’s return to Thailand last year coincided with the appointment of his political ally, Srettha, as prime minister, leading to speculation that these developments were part of a behind-the-scenes deal between Thaksin and his powerful enemies in Thailand’s royalist-military establishment. Thaksin’s allies and the government, led by the Shinawatra-backed Pheu Thai Party, have dismissed these speculations.
On his first night in prison, Thaksin was transferred to a police hospital after experiencing tightness in his chest and high blood pressure.
(Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat and Chayut Setboonsarng, Edited by Kanupriya Kapoor, Ed Davies, Martin Petty)
