Former Thai PM Shinawatra to be released on parole tomorrow.
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Many factors influenced the commuted sentence given to the former PM, such as his old age, the presence of severe chronic diseases, and the fact that February 18 marks half of the one-year sentence he was given.
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Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra greets supporters on his arrival at Don Muang airport in Bangkok, Thailand, on August 22, 2023. (AP)
Former Prime Minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, is confirmed to be released on parole on February 18, according to incumbent PM Srettha Thavisin on Saturday.
During a briefing broadcast by the Thairath TV channel, Thavisin said, "Ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be released on parole on February 18. His release takes place in full accordance with the law and legal procedure in force under the Justice Ministry's system."
The parole decision took into consideration factors such as his old age at 74, the presence of severe chronic diseases, and the fact that February 18 marks half of the one-year sentence he was given, which is more than a third of the imprisonment required by the law on parole.
Shinawatra returned from 15 years of self-imposed exile.
Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong confirmed last week that the former Manchester City owner would be among 930 prisoners provided early release, and it is reported that Shinawatra may be subject to possible monitoring with an ankle tag and restrictions on travel.
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He was Thailand's prime minister from 2001 until 2006, when he was deposed in a military coup and fled the country to avoid accusations which he claimed to be politically motivated.
He returned to Thailand in 2008 and pleaded not guilty before the Supreme Court. Later that year, the lawmaker traveled to Beijing for the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics and did not return to hear the ultimate court sentencing, breaking his bail conditions. After his asylum application was denied in the United Kingdom, he began traveling to other countries.
Charges against Thaksin included covert real estate dealings made by his wife while he was in power, tax fraud, and facilitating foreign loans through the Bank of Thailand.
