Thaksin Shinawatra: Thai govt announces early release of Ex-PM from prison

Only six months after his return from a 15-year self-imposed exile, the government of Thailand announced on Tuesday that Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister of Thailand, would be released from prison this weekend.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn reduced the controversial billionaire’s eight-year sentence to just one year in August after he was found guilty of graft and abuse of power. The billionaire was twice elected premier and overthrown in a military coup in 2006.

On Tuesday, Tawee Sodsong, the minister of justice, announced that 930 prisoners would be granted early release, including the 74-year-old former owner of Manchester City.

“He belongs to the group of people who are either over 70 or in a critical condition. After six months, he will be automatically released,” Tawee Sodsong informed the press.

Thaksin was jailed on August 22 last year, and Thai media reported that his release could come any day from Saturday.

His homecoming coincided with his Pheu Thai party returning to government in alliance with pro-military parties, leading many to conclude that an agreement had been struck to cut his jail time.

The rumours grew stronger when he was transferred to a police hospital within hours of being sentenced because of his poor health, and it is not clear that he has spent any time in a prison cell.

Local media reported Thaksin had been suffering from chest tightness and high blood pressure when he was admitted to hospital, and in the following months, his family said he had undergone two operations.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, of the Pheu Thai party, confirmed Thaksin would be freed and insisted the move was in line with the law, saying “he already served his jail time”.

“Thaksin was our prime minister for many years,” Srettha told reporters, saying Thaksin was still “adored” by many people.

“I am sure that he can give us some great tips. I would like to reiterate that everything was done according to the law of the Department of Corrections.”

The exact details of Thaksin’s release are not clear, but he may be subject to monitoring — possibly with an ankle tag — and restrictions on his right to travel.

– Divisive figure –

Former telecoms tycoon Thaksin is one of the most influential but divisive figures in modern Thai history.

Loved by millions of rural Thais for his populist policies in the early 2000s, Thaksin is reviled by the country’s royalist and pro-military establishment.

Much of Thai politics over the past two decades has been coloured by the tussle for power between the establishment and Thaksin and his allies.

When he landed home in Bangkok, his supporters gave him a hero’s welcome, and his first public act was to prostrate himself in homage before a portrait of the king at the airport.

Last week, police laid lese-majeste charges against him over comments he made in South Korea almost a decade ago, though it is not clear whether prosecutors will take the case to court.

Thaksin denies the charge and has written to the attorney general asking for fair treatment.

(with inputs from AFP)