Supporters of disgraced ex-PM and Man City owner wait outside prison for his release
Supporters of disgraced former prime minister and ex Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra waited outside a prison in Bangkok ahead of his release.
Thaksin's followers set up camp outside the Klong Prem Central Prison on May 10 as they awaited his scheduled parole today, May 11.
Fans from several regions arrived with handheld fans, signs, umbrellas, food, and a life-size cutout of Thaksin as they pitched tents and laid out mats along the pavement, where they planned to stay overnight.
Many were wearing red shirts - a signature symbol of support for the former Thai PM who was overthrown in a 2006 military coup.
The crowd played lively music in celebration while stationed outside the prison.
More than 500 officers from police stations and correctional facilities, including both uniformed and plainclothes personnel, were deployed to provide security in the area.
At around 7 pm, Prompong Nopparit, former spokesman of Thaksin's Pheu Thai Party, arrived to join supporters.
Prompong said he felt like a ‘student' counting down to the release of Thaksin because he understood the experience of imprisonment after previously serving time in prison and undergoing a four-month parole period that required monthly check-ins.
He said he understood the feelings of people who had fought political battles and endured difficult periods behind bars.
He added: 'It is time for all parties to forgive each other. Forgiveness is not a sign of weakness, but rather the strength of Thai society to move forward. I want to remind everyone that resentment never solves economic problems, never lowers electricity prices, or improves the quality of life for the people.'
Prompong said that Thaksin continues to receive strong moral support from both his family and supporters even after more than two decades.
He added: 'Thaksin has not served as prime minister for over 20 years, but many citizens still remember his achievements and continue to hold him in their hearts.'
Judges ruled last year that billionaire ex-Man City owner Thaksin must serve a one-year prison sentence for corruption, which 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.
