Key facts
- Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was released on parole on June 3.
- He had been serving an eight-month sentence for corruption and abuse of power convictions.
- Thaksin, 76, was greeted by supporters and family members upon his release.
- His party, Pheu Thai, is now a junior coalition partner after a poor election showing.
- Speculation persists about Thaksin's potential future influence on Thai politics.
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been released on parole after serving eight months of a one-year sentence for corruption and abuse of power convictions. The 76-year-old tycoon, who spent most of the past two decades in exile, emerged from Bangkok's Klong Prem prison on Monday to cheers from hundreds of his 'red shirt' supporters and greetings from family, including his daughter and protege, Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
Thaksin's return to the public eye comes as the political landscape in Thailand has shifted. His once dominant party, Pheu Thai, is now a minority coalition partner in the government led by Anutin Charnvirakul's Bhumjaithai party, having secured its worst-ever election result in February. This diminished standing presents a new challenge for Thaksin and his party.
Despite his claims of wanting to spend more time with his grandchildren, speculation is rife about Thaksin's potential future role in Thai politics. His influence has been a defining feature of the country's political history since he first won power in 2001 with pro-poor policies, leading to periods of intense political division, street clashes, and coups. His continued popularity, evidenced by supporters travelling long distances to see him, suggests his political relevance may not have entirely evaporated, even as the courts and establishment have repeatedly intervened in his allies' political fortunes.