Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was convicted of corruption, was released early from prison on parole. “He has left the police hospital,” said Thaksin's lawyer Winyat Chartmontri after the tycoon was seen in a vehicle today. He was released on parole.
According to the Court, the 74-year-old man met the parole criteria because he is over 70 years old, suffers from a serious illness and has served six months of a one-year prison sentence. According to reports, the Southeast Asian country's best-known politician is one of 930 prisoners granted parole.
Overthrown by the military
The former head of government returned to his homeland on August 22, 2023, after 15 years of exile – and was immediately condemned by the Supreme Court. He was immediately taken to prison, but shortly afterwards he was taken to the police hospital due to health problems.
Thaksin made his fortune in the telecommunications industry and was elected prime minister in 2001. He was deposed in a military coup in 2006 and later accused of corruption and abuse of power, as well as contempt for the monarchy. He fled the country in 2008 and has since lived mainly in Dubai to avoid arrest.