Thailand’s ex-PM Thaksin released early from prison
BANGKOK — Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was released early from prison on Monday, an AFP journalist outside the Bangkok jail said.
The 76-year-old telecoms billionaire had been serving a one-year prison sentence for corruption since September and will be required to wear an electronic monitor during his four-month probation period.
Thaksin hugged his family members outside the jail where several hundred supporters wearing their signature red shirts had gathered, some shouting “we love Thaksin”, an AFP reporter said.
READ: Thai top court orders ex-PM Thaksin jailed for one year
His political machine has for two decades been a key foe of Thailand’s pro-military, pro-royalty elite who view his populist brand as a threat to the traditional social order.
His Pheu Thai party, and its earlier iterations, was Thailand’s most successful political party of the 21st century, with the Shinawatra family producing four prime ministers and drawing widespread support from the rural masses.
But Pheu Thai had its worst election result ever in February, slipping to third place and raising questions about the future of Thaksin’s political dynasty.
READ: Thai ex-PM Thaksin begins first full day in prison
Yet Pheu Thai’s inclusion in the ruling coalition of conservative Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has left open the possibility of a political comeback. /dl
