Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister of Thailand, was released on parole on 18 February 2024, after serving approximately six months in detention. He had returned to Thailand in August 2023 after 15 years of self-imposed exile and was initially sentenced to eight years in prison on corruption charges.
His sentence was later reduced to one year by a royal pardon. Thaksin, 74, was released from a police hospital in Bangkok, where he had been receiving treatment for health issues. His parole is subject to conditions, including restrictions on travel.
Thaksin remains a deeply polarizing figure in Thai politics. He was ousted in a military coup in 2006 and has faced multiple legal cases. His return and release have been seen as part of a political deal with the conservative establishment, though he has denied any such arrangement.
The news of his release has drawn mixed reactions. Supporters celebrated outside the hospital, while critics argue that his early release underscores a double standard in Thailand's justice system. Thaksin's political party, Pheu Thai, currently leads the government.
