Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was the center of controversy and polarization in Thai politics for decades, was released from jail in Bangkok today. Thaksin, 76, who was serving a one-year sentence in a corruption-related case, spent eight months in jail, after which he was released on parole.
About 300 supporters and political allies gathered outside Bangkok’s Klong Prem Central Prison to welcome him. Thaksin walked out of prison in a white polo T-shirt and blue pants, where he was embraced by his family. Supporters chanted We Love Thaksin and presented him with red roses. However, he did not interact with the media.
Thaksin’s political journey and allegations
Thaksin Shinawatra has been a billionaire businessman associated with the telecommunications business. He formed his own political party in 1998 and became Prime Minister of Thailand in 2001. In 2006, the army ousted his government in a coup. At that time he was on a foreign tour. After this, Thai politics remained a victim of deep political conflict and polarization for almost two decades.
Thaksin was accused of abuse of power, favoring his own business interests and irregularities in the government lottery project. He was convicted in absentia. However, in 2023 he returned home and appeared before the court. He was initially sentenced to eight years in prison, but Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn later reduced it to one year.
Citing health reasons, Thaksin was allowed to serve his sentence in a special room at the Police Hospital in Bangkok. Opponents accused this decision of giving them special facilities. After this, in September 2025, the Supreme Court ordered him to complete his sentence in jail.
Parole approved due to health reasons
Recently, a committee of the Justice Ministry approved his parole considering his good conduct, advancing age and low chances of recidivism. After his release, he will remain under observation for the next four months. He must remain confined to his home in Bangkok, wear an electronic monitoring bracelet and report regularly to authorities.
Thaksin’s daughter became the youngest PM
Thaksin’s daughter Paitongtarn Shinawatra was to become Thailand’s youngest prime minister in 2024, but was removed from office by the Constitutional Court in 2025 after a controversial phone call surfaced. The Thaksin-backed Pheu Thai party came third in this year’s general elections.