Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a prominent and influential figure in the country’s political landscape, is set to be released from hospital detention on Sunday, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.
Thaksin, a billionaire political heavyweight, has been detained since August following his return to Thailand after 15 years in self-imposed exile abroad. His homecoming, marked by controversy, was prompted by the looming threat of imprisonment due to a conflict of interest conviction during his tenure as prime minister from 2001 to 2006.
Initially sentenced to an eight-year jail term, Thaksin’s sentence was reduced to one year by the King upon his return. He has spent the past six months in hospital detention due to undisclosed health concerns.
While Thaksin was granted parole earlier this week, the exact timing of his release was uncertain until Prime Minister Srettha confirmed it for Sunday, the first day of his parole eligibility. Srettha emphasized that all proceedings would adhere to legal protocols.
However, Thaksin’s freedom may be short-lived as he could potentially face additional legal challenges. Public prosecutors are contemplating charging him for allegedly insulting the monarchy during a media interview in 2015.
Thaksin’s return to Thailand last year coincided with the ascension of his ally, Srettha, to the position of prime minister, fueling speculation about potential backroom negotiations between Thaksin and his adversaries within Thailand’s royalist-military establishment.
Despite accusations of political maneuvering, Thaksin’s allies and the government, predominantly supported by the Shinawatra-backed Pheu Thai Party, have vehemently denied any clandestine agreements.
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