18-2-2024 (BANGKOK) Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand, has been released on parole, marking the conclusion of a contentious period of incarceration following his unexpected return to the country last year. Thaksin, aged 74, left the Police General Hospital in Bangkok early Sunday morning, where he had been staying since August 22, 2023.
The release garnered widespread attention, with banners expressing messages of welcome displayed outside his residence in western Bangkok. Thaksin’s return last year, after 15 years in self-imposed exile, raised eyebrows and led to his immediate detention and subsequent legal proceedings.
The decision to grant Thaksin parole aligns with an announcement by Thailand’s Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong, who disclosed that the Corrections Department recommended 945 individuals for parole, including Thaksin. According to the Corrections Act, eligibility for parole requires serving at least half a year or one-third of the sentence, with the remaining term not exceeding ten years.
Thaksin’s release was anticipated, with his daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, suggesting the possibility of his parole as early as Sunday. The broader parole initiative, which includes Thaksin, was reviewed and approved by the Justice Ministry’s parole committee.
Accompanied by his daughter and others, Thaksin, casually dressed in a printed shirt and wearing a mask, left the facility in a black van. His departure, although understated, holds significance for a political figure with a history of shaping Thai politics.
Thaksin’s political legacy is marked by both achievements and controversies. His tenure as Prime Minister from 2001 to 2006 saw the implementation of impactful policies, but it was also marred by corruption allegations and accusations of authoritarianism. His return and subsequent legal battles have kept him in the public eye, with health concerns and a royal pardon playing a role in determining his place of detention, primarily at the hospital rather than in prison.
