KUALA LUMPUR — Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was released from prison on parole this morning, after serving eight months of his one-year sentence for corruption while holding office.
Thaksin, 76, who was among more than 800 inmates approved for general parole, left the Klongprem Central Prison in Bangkok in a Mercedes-Maybach. Upon stepping outside the prison, he was greeted by family members and a crowd of supporters from the Pheu Thai Party .
As of today, he has served two-thirds of his sentence, the minimum threshold required for parole eligibility, reports the Bangkok Post.
He was charged with abuse of authority and conflict of interest while serving as prime minister prior to 2006, and was imprisoned since September 9, last year.
He is required to wear an electronic monitoring (EM) bracelet during his parole period, which is until Sept 9.
Thaksin also has to report to the probation office within three days of his release, as well as to conduct monthly reporting throughout his parole period.
Pheu Thai leader Julapun Amornvivat has said that Thaksin will not be given any formal advisory role during his parole. Julapun however acknowledged his “ideological influence” in the party. – May 11, 2026