Former Thai premier Thaksin to be released from prison on Sunday at PM says
The 74-year-old billionaire political heavyweight Thaksin, who served as prime minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006 and made a stunning return home from a 15-year overseas self-exile in order to avoid going to jail, has been detained since August
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is expected to be arrested upon his return as he ends almost two decades of self-imposed exile, waves at Don Mueang airport in Bangkok, Thailand August 22, 2023. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo
Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced on Sunday that jailed former Thai Premier Thaksin Shinawatra would be released from hospital detention.
The 74-year-old billionaire political heavyweight Thaksin, who served as prime minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006 and made a stunning return home from a 15-year overseas self-exile in order to avoid going to jail for a conflict of interest, has been detained since August.
After his release, the King reduced his eight-year prison sentence to one year, and he spent six months in a hospital due to an unspecified medical condition.
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Thaksin was granted parole earlier this week but it was not certain until now when he would be freed. Sunday is the first day of his parole eligibility.
“It will be on the 18th,” Prime Minister Srettha told reporters on Saturday, adding that he did not know the details and that “everything would be in accordance to the law.”
Despite being granted parole, Thaksin could face further legal troubles as public prosecutors are considering charging him for insulting the monarchy during a 2015 media interview.
Thaksin’s return last year coincided with ally and political newcomer Srettha being chosen as prime minister on the same day, adding to speculation that both 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 that.
(with inputs from Reuters)
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