Jailed ex-Thai premier Thaksin to be released on Feb 18, says PM

FILE PHOTO: Ex-Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra waves at Don Mueang airport in Bangkok, Thailand, on August 22, 2023. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said Saturday, February 17, 2024, that the former Prime Minister will be released from hospital detention on Sunday. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo

BANGKOK — Jailed former Thai Premier Thaksin Shinawatra will be released from hospital detention on Sunday, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said.

Billionaire political heavyweight Thaksin, 74, who was Thailand’s prime minister from 2001-2006, has been in detention since August, after making 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 the King after his return and has served six months in hospital detention due to an undisclosed health condition.

READ: Jailed former Thai leader Thaksin granted parole, PM says

Thaksin was granted parole earlier this week but it was not certain until now when he would be freed. Sunday is the first day of his parole eligibility.

“It will be on the 18th,” Prime Minister Srettha told reporters on Saturday, February 17, adding that he did not know the details and 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.

READ: Convicted Thai ex-PM Thaksin facing possible royal insults charge

Thaksin’s return in 2023 coincided with ally and political newcomer 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.