Jailed former Thai premier Thaksin to be released today

 
Jailed former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra will be released from hospital detention on Feb 18, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Feb 17. Billionaire political heavyweight Thaksin, 74, who was Thailand's prime minister from 2001 to 2006, has been in detention since August 2023, after a dramatic homecoming from 15 years in self-exile overseas to avoid prison for a conflict of interest.

He had his eight-year jail term commuted to a year by King Maha Vajiralongkorn after his return and has served six months in hospital detention because of an undisclosed health condition.

Thaksin was granted parole earlier this week, but it was not certain until now when he would be freed. Feb 18 is the first day of his parole eligibility.
"It will be on the 18th," Mr Srettha told reporters on Feb 17, adding that he did not know the details but that "everything would be in accordance with the law".

Despite being granted parole, Thaksin could face further legal troubles as public prosecutors are considering charging him for insulting the monarchy during a 2015 media interview.

His return in 2023 coincided with ally and political newcomer Mr Srettha being chosen as prime minister on the same day, adding to speculation that both developments were part of a behind-the-scenes deal between Thaksin and his powerful enemies in Thailand's royalist-military establishment.
Thaksin's allies and the government, led by the Shinawatra-backed Pheu Thai Party, have dismissed that speculation.