BANGKOK: Former Thai Prime Minister
Thaksin Shinawatra
has been
released
on
parole
after
serving
a six-month sentence for corruption-related offences. Thaksin left the Police General Hospital in Bangkok early Sunday morning and is believed to be heading to his residence in western Bangkok. A homemade banner with the words 'Welcome home' and 'We've been waiting for this day for so long' was displayed at the front gate of his house.
Thaksin, a controversial figure in Thai politics for the past two decades, served as prime minister from 2001 until he was overthrown in a 2006 coup. He was later convicted of abuse of power and other misconduct while in office. In August, he returned from over a decade of self-imposed exile to begin his prison sentence.
Originally sentenced to eight years, King Maha Vajiralongkorn commuted Thaksin's sentence to one year on September 1. Thaksin has consistently maintained that his convictions were politically motivated.
Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong confirmed the approval of Thaksin's parole last week, citing his serious illness and age. Thaksin, who is now 74 years old, was confined to a hospital during his sentence, which sparked criticism from his opponents who viewed it as a special privilege.
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