Thaksin Released on Parole, Supporters Greet Him Outside Prison

 Thaksin (center) shakes hands with longtime waiting "Red Shirt" supporters outside the prison before leaving by car. Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin was granted parole and released from Khong Prem Prison in northern Bangkok on Monday, leaving the prison amid cheers from large numbers of supporters.

According to comprehensive reports from Bloomberg and AFP, 77-year-old Thaksin was released on parole after serving 8 months. At the prison gate, he embraced his family; hundreds of supporters dressed in red gathered at the scene, chanting "We love Thaksin."

Zantana, a 70-year-old restaurant chef, took special leave to welcome him. She believes Thaksin will not withdraw from politics and says he may just be taking a short break.

After waving to his supporters, Thaksin left by car and did not speak to the media.

Thaksin returned to the country in 2023 after 15 years of exile and was sentenced to 8 years in prison for corruption and abuse of power. On the first day of his imprisonment, he was transferred to a hospital on health grounds.

Afterwards, he received a royal pardon from King Vajiralongkorn, reducing his sentence to one year. After being hospitalized for six months, he was granted parole in February 2024. However, because he had not actually served his sentence in prison, this sparked controversy.

The Thai Supreme Court ruled last year that his time in hospital could not be counted towards his sentence, ordering him to serve another year in prison. Thaksin was incarcerated again in September 2024.

On May 10 this year, he completed two-thirds of his sentence and became eligible for parole. The Thai Ministry of Justice Parole Committee confirmed in April that he would be released on May 11.