Disgraced ex-PM released from prison to crowds of waiting supporters in Thailand
Disgraced former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was released from prison to crowds of waiting supporters in Thailand this morning.
The country's former leader, 76, was released on parole today as hundreds of supporters chanted outside the Klong Prem Central Prison in Bangkok.
Footage shows followers, clad in Thaksin's signature red shirts, cheering as the politician emerged from the facility.
His family were present, including his daughter and Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra, his son Panthongtae Shinawatra, another daughter Pintongta Shinawatra Kunakornwong and her husband Nattapong Kunakornwong, as well as Supasek Amornchat, the son of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
Executives and MPs from the Pheu Thai Party also attended, including Phumtham Wechayachai, Wisut Chaiyarun, Phaopoom Rojanasakul, and Nattawut Saikua.
Thaksin appeared wearing a white shirt and white trousers before first embracing Paetongtarn and greeting other family members.
He later greeted party members and supporters who had been waiting overnight outside the prison. Thaksin stood for the national anthem in front of the prison before entering a vehicle to report to the probation office.
Supasek said he was happy that his uncle had received parole and was finally able to return home.
Conditions of Thaksin's parole include wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet at all times until his sentence expires on September 9.
He must attend all scheduled reporting appointments and is prohibited from travelling outside designated areas without prior permission.
He is also required to maintain lawful employment, refrain from misconduct, and avoid any involvement with narcotics or weapons.
The release marks his second parole following a court ruling on September 9, 2025, ordering his return to prison for one year.
After returning to Klong Prem Central Prison, Thaksin served a total of eight months, equivalent to two-thirds of the sentence.
This made him eligible for general parole under criteria set by the Ministry of Justice, resulting in his release.
Judges ruled last year that billionaire ex-Man City owner Thaksin must serve a one-year prison sentence for corruption, that he had previously dodged by claiming to be sick and serving only part of the sentence in a police hospital.
Thaksin had originally faced an eight-year sentence for three corruption cases before it was reduced to one year under a royal pardon.
But he was transferred out of Bangkok Remand Prison on the night of August 22, 2023, citing a sudden medical emergency, and was admitted to Police General Hospital.
A judge stated that sending him to the hospital was not legal because his illness was not an urgent matter, and time spent in the hospital could not be counted as a prison term. They said he must serve the term in full in a real prison.
Critics raised questions over whether he had ever spent a single night in prison.
