Justice Ministry names 10 inmates for release including ex-PM Thaksin
The Ministry of Justice confirmed that former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is among 10 prisoners set to be released on parole, with the release schedule expected to be finalised within the next two months.
Thaksin was sentenced to eight years in prison for several legal offences linked to his time in office. His prison term was later reduced to one year, citing the virtue he had done for the country during his duties.
After returning to Thailand from self-imposed exile, Thaksin served his sentence at Police General Hospital due to health issues. His stay there drew public criticism over alleged preferential treatment, prompting the court to reconsider the matter.
Thaksin later left the hospital. The court then considered that his time at the hospital had not yet counted as serving his sentence, resulting in his transfer back to Klong Prem Central Prison on September 9 last year. His family members visited him regularly and provided updates to the public about his life in prison.
In January, the Department of Corrections told the media that Thaksin met the criteria for parole consideration as be was considered a well-behaved inmate. Under the criteria cited, inmates sentenced to one year may apply for parole after serving two-thirds of their sentence, or eight months.
Based on those official remarks, Thai media outlets anticipated that Thaksin could be released on parole next month in May.
The latest update came yesterday, March 31, when the Ministry of Justice said Klong Prem Central Prison had reviewed inmate lists and related documents and confirmed that 10 inmates would be included in the next parole round, with Thaksin among them.
The ministry said the list of names would next be submitted to the Department of Corrections for further review, a process expected to take two months. The information would then be forwarded to the permanent secretary of the Justice Ministry for final approval.
After release, each inmate must report to local police officers to confirm the accommodation where they will stay.
Officials said the use of an electronic monitoring (EM) bracelet would depend on the Justice Ministry’s consideration of factors including an inmate’s health, age, and the environment and safety of their accommodation, as well as community conditions that could affect the risk of reoffending.
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