Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is released on bail

On February 13, Thai media reported that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will soon be released. Thai Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong said that Mr. Thaksin is on the list of 930 prisoners eligible for release due to poor health or being over 70 years old.

Thaksin, 74, returned to Thailand on August 22, 2023, after 15 years of exile abroad, to face punishment for corruption and abuse of power while in office before 2006. The former Prime Minister Thaksin was transferred from the Bangkok detention center to the Police General Hospital on the night of August 22 for health reasons and is believed to have been treated at the medical facility since then. His prison sentence was reduced from 8 years to 1 year by the Thai Royal Family.

According to the Bangkok Post, Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong confirmed that the convicted former Prime Minister will be pardoned on February 18 because of his old age and serious illness.

However, despite being released on parole, the former leader could still be detained as prosecutors are considering charging him with lese majeste over an interview in 2015.

KHANH MINH