Thailand’s former PM Thaksin Shinawatra released from prison on parole

Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was released early from prison on Monday, a move that could mark his return to political prominence and reshape the country’s shifting power landscape.

The 76-year-old telecom billionaire had been serving a one-year sentence for corruption since September. He will remain under electronic monitoring during a four-month probation period following his release.

Thaksin emerged from a Bangkok prison to cheers from hundreds of supporters dressed in his trademark red shirts, embracing family members before leaving without speaking to reporters.

“I don’t think he will leave politics,” said one supporter gathered outside the jail, reflecting widespread expectations that the veteran political heavyweight could soon reassert influence.

A dominant force in Thai politics for more than two decades, Thaksin has long been viewed as the chief rival of Thailand’s conservative military-royalist establishment, which sees his populist appeal as a challenge to the traditional power structure.

His Pheu Thai Party has been Thailand’s most successful political force of the 21st century, with the Shinawatra family producing four prime ministers and maintaining strong support in rural regions.

However, the party suffered its worst-ever electoral performance in February, finishing third and prompting questions over the future of the Shinawatra political dynasty.

Still, Pheu Thai’s place in the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has kept open the possibility of a political comeback for Thaksin.

Political analysts say his release could energise the party’s support base, though it may also galvanise conservative opponents wary of his renewed influence.

The corrections department had approved Thaksin’s parole last month, citing his age and the limited time remaining on his sentence.

His legal troubles deepened after Thailand’s Supreme Court ruled last year that he had improperly served a previous sentence in a hospital suite instead of prison.

Thaksin, who served as prime minister from 2001 until being ousted in a 2006 military coup, returned from self-imposed exile in 2023 and was initially sentenced to eight years for corruption and abuse of power. That sentence was later reduced to one year by royal pardon.

His transfer to hospital shortly after his return — coinciding with Pheu Thai’s formation of a new government — sparked allegations of preferential treatment and speculation over a political deal.

His daughter, former prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, said after visiting him in prison last week that their conversation focused only on family matters, not politics.

Whether Thaksin remains in the background or re-enters Thailand’s political arena now looms as one of the country’s key unanswered questions.