Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been released from prison.
The 74-year-old left the police hospital in the Thai capital Bangkok.
Shinawatra returned to Thailand last year after 15 years in exile and was immediately arrested.
The Thai Ministry of Justice announced on Tuesday that Shinawatra was among a group of over 900 prisoners who would be released because of their advanced age or critical condition.
Experts believe his release represents a step toward reconciliation with his opponents in Thailand’s conservative elite, who saw his popularity and populist politics as a threat to the monarchy.
Shinawatra, who made his fortune in the telecommunications industry, was elected prime minister in 2001. In 2006 he was overthrown in a military coup. He was accused of corruption and abuse of power as well as contempt for the monarchy and sentenced to eight years in prison. In 2008 he fled the country into exile. Upon his return in 2023, Shinawatra was imprisoned. King Maha Vajiralongkorn ultimately reduced Shinawatra’s prison sentence from eight years to one year.
SRF 4 News, February 18, 2024, 02:00; agencies, saga; closing
Receive all news highlights directly via browser push and always stay up to date.
Close
Always well informed!
Receive all news highlights directly via browser push and always stay up to date. More
Push notifications are short notices on your screen with the most important news – regardless of whether srf.ch is currently open or not. If you click on one of the notes, you will be taken to the corresponding article. You can deactivate these communications at any time. Fewer
Push notifications
activate
You have already hidden this notice about activating browser push notifications several times. Do you want to hide this notice permanently or be reminded of it again in a few weeks?
Hide
Hide
Remember later
Remember later
Scroll left
Scroll right
Social login
For registration we need additional information about you.
The maximum number of codes for the specified number has been reached. No further codes can be created.
Confirm email address
We have sent you an email to the address {* emailAddressData *} Posted. Please check your email inbox and confirm your account using the activation link you received.
Didn’t receive a message?
If you have not received an email after 10 minutes, please check your SPAM folder and your email address.
We have sent you an email to the address {* emailAddressData *} Posted. Please check your email inbox and confirm your account using the activation link you received.
Didn’t receive a message?
If you have not received an email after 10 minutes, please check your SPAM folder and your email address.
You can now log in to the article with your new password.
Create a new password
We did not recognize the code to reset the password. Please re-enter your email address so we can send you a new link.
{* #resetPasswordForm *} {* signInEmailAddress *}
{* /resetPasswordForm *}
Create new password
You will shortly receive an email with a link to renew your password.
Didn’t receive a message?
If you have not received an email after 10 minutes, please check your SPAM folder and your email address.
Deactivate account
Your account will be deactivated and you cannot reactivate it. Posted comments will not be deleted.
Are you sure you want to deactivate your account?
{* deactivateAccountForm *}
{*/deactivateAccountForm *}
Account deactivated
Your account has been deactivated and can no longer be used. If you would like to register for the comment function again, please contact SRF customer service.
Social login
For registration we need additional information about you.
existing_provider_emailAddress existing_provider_lowerCase existing_createdDate