Thaksin Shinawatra, a former prime minister of Thailand, has been let out on parole and has returned home after spending six months in a police hospital.
This comes after his dramatic comeback to Thailand following 15 years of staying away.
Thaksin, who is a controversial billionaire and served twice as prime minister before being ousted in a military coup in 2006, was imprisoned for eight years due to corruption and abuse-of-power charges after he came back to Thailand in August.
“His sentence got reduced to one year by King Maha Vajiralongkorn shortly after his return, and now, due to his age and health condition, he’s eligible for early release,” stated the government last week.
Accompanied by his daughters Paetongtarn and Pintongta and wearing a neck brace, Thaksin left the police hospital in central Bangkok early on Sunday.
A small group of people protested his release outside the hospital.
Then, he was driven to his home where a banner welcoming him was hung across the gates.
Details about his release conditions are not entirely clear, but there might be some form of monitoring, such as an ankle tag, and limits on his ability to travel freely.
Coincidentally, his release happened on the same day his political party, Pheu Thai, formed a government alliance with pro-military parties, leading to speculations of a behind-the-scenes agreement to shorten his jail time.
Thaksin’s transfer to a police hospital immediately after his sentencing due to health issues fueled rumors of such a deal.
He was reportedly experiencing chest tightness and high blood pressure and had undergone two operations during his hospital stay.
The government denies any secret agreement, with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin stating, “He has already served his jail time,” though it’s uncertain if Thaksin spent any time in an actual prison cell.
Thaksin, a former telecommunications magnate, has been a polarizing figure in Thai politics, adored by many rural Thais for his populist policies but despised by the country’s royalist and pro-military factions.
The power struggle between the establishment and Thaksin and his allies has dominated Thai politics for the past twenty years.
Last week, Thaksin faced charges of lese-majesty over remarks he made in South Korea nearly a decade ago, but it’s unclear if prosecutors will pursue the case.
Even during his exile, Thaksin’s influence in Thailand remained strong, particularly in Dubai, where he spent most of his time.
Thaksin’s sister Yingluck Shinawatra, who also served as prime minister for Pheu Thai, was ousted in a coup in 2014.
His daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, now leading the party, was prominent in its recent electoral campaign and is considered a potential future prime minister.
In last year’s general election, Pheu Thai lost its long-held majority to the progressive Move Forward party.
However, conservative forces in the senate prevented Move Forward’s leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, from becoming prime minister, leading to Pheu Thai forming a coalition with military-linked parties to retain power.