Thailand’s former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, was released from a Bangkok prison on Monday after authorities approved parole for the remaining four months of his one-year jail sentence, according to state media reports.
Video footage broadcast by Thai PBS World captured the moment Thaksin walked out of Klong Prem Central Prison, where he was welcomed by cheering supporters and reunited emotionally with members of the Shinawatra family, including his daughter and former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the prison amid heightened security measures. Many wore red clothing, a color strongly linked to the ruling Pheu Thai party, as they waited to welcome the former leader.
Supporters waved party flags and chanted slogans as Thaksin emerged from the facility dressed in a white shirt and dark blue trousers. Smiling warmly, he embraced family members and acknowledged the crowd gathered outside.
Before his release, authorities fitted Thaksin with an electronic monitoring (EM) bracelet, which forms part of the conditions attached to his parole.
Under the terms of his release, he must report within three days to the probation office responsible for the area where his registered residence is located in order to formally acknowledge the parole conditions.
Thaksin, now 76, served two terms as Thailand’s prime minister after securing election victories in 2001 and 2005. His second administration ended following a military coup in 2006, after which he entered self-imposed exile in 2008.
He returned to Thailand in August 2023 and was immediately taken into custody to begin serving an eight-year prison sentence linked to three separate charges connected to his time in office.
The sentence was later reduced to one year after a request for royal clemency was granted.
