Only six months after his return from a 15-year self-imposed exile, the government of Thailand announced on Tuesday that Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister of Thailand, will be released from prison this weekend.
After being deposed in a military coup in 2006, the notorious millionaire was imprisoned for eight years on allegations of graft and abuse of power upon his return to Thailand in August. However, King Maha Vajiralongkorn reduced his sentence to just one year a few days later.
On Tuesday, Tawee Sodsong, the minister of justice, announced that 930 convicts, including Thaksin, 74, would receive early release.
“He is in the group where they are in a critical condition or aged over 70. He will be released after six months automatically,” Tawee Sodsong told reporters.
Thai media reported that the former Manchester City owner’s release could come any day from Saturday.
When his Pheu Thai party returned to power in coalition with pro-military parties around the same time as he returned home, many assumed that a deal had been reached to shorten his prison sentence.
It is unclear if he has ever been in a prison cell, and the rumors intensified when he was moved to a police hospital due to ill health shortly after being convicted.
When Thaksin was admitted to the hospital, the local media stated he had high blood pressure and tightness in his chest. According to his family, he underwent two surgeries in the months that followed.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, of the Pheu Thai party, confirmed Thaaksin would be freed and insisted the move was in line with the law, saying “he already served his jail time”.
“Thaksin was our prime minister for many years,” Srettha told reporters, saying Thaksin was still “adored” by many people.
“I am sure that he can give us some great tips. I would like to reiterate that everything was done according to the law of the Department of Corrections.”
The exact details of Thaksin’s release are not clear, but he may be subject to monitoring — possibly with an ankle tag — and restrictions on his right to travel.
His daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the current head of Pheu Thai, welcomed the news.
“He already served his jail term for six months in a limited space,” she said.
“I think it’s time for him to live the rest of his life happily.”
