Thailand’s former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, once regarded as a formidable figure challenging the country’s elite, has been released on parole after serving only a fraction of his original eight-year prison term, largely spent in a hospital.
Following his removal from power in a coup and subsequent years of exile, Thaksin made a dramatic return to Thailand last year. Despite being convicted in absentia for corruption and abuse of power, his sentence was quickly commuted to one year by the king, leading to speculation of backroom deals with powerful royalists. Last week, authorities announced his impending parole.
A billionaire businessman, Thaksin remains influential in Thai politics. While he’s not expected to formally re-enter politics, his sway within the ruling party, Pheu Thai, is significant. His release on Sunday, accompanied by his daughters, was met with a warm reception from supporters at his residence in Bangkok.
Critics view Thaksin’s parole as emblematic of a two-tier justice system favoring the wealthy. The Move Forward Party, in opposition, highlighted concerns of double standards and privileging certain individuals over the rule of law.
Questions persist about Thaksin’s influence on the current government. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin emphasized that only one prime minister is permissible under the constitution but hinted at future interactions with Thaksin.
Thaksin’s legacy has long polarized Thailand, with tensions between pro-Thaksin “red shirt” supporters and anti-Thaksin “yellow shirt” factions. Despite his ousting in 2006, his parties consistently garnered electoral support, particularly from rural communities appreciative of his economic policies.
His recent return to Thailand coincided with Parliament’s selection of Prime Minister Thavisin. However, he was promptly incarcerated due to previous convictions, although his sentence was reduced to one year by the king.
Despite his release, Thaksin’s legal battles persist, including a defamation charge related to comments made in 2016. The attorney general is yet to decide on further indictments.
Thaksin’s release marks another chapter in Thailand’s complex political landscape, stirring debates over justice, power dynamics, and the rule of law.
