Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra could be freed as early as this weekend

Thai Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong said on February 13 that detained former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be released, possibly as early as this weekend.

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. (Source: Reuters)

“About 930 prisoners, including (Mr. Thaksin), will be released. He is in the group of those in critical condition or over 70 years old. He will be automatically released after six months,” Tawee Sodsong told reporters.

Mr. Thaksin, 74, returned to Thailand in August 2023 and was arrested shortly afterward. He was sentenced to eight years in prison for abuse of power and later pardoned by the Thai royal family, reducing his sentence to one year. Hours after arriving at the Bangkok prison, Mr. Thaksin was hospitalized and transferred to the Police General Hospital. The former prime minister remains in the hospital.

Mr Thaksin returned to Thailand when a new government was formed under the Pheu Thai Party, which is linked to his family. Mr Thaksin had been prime minister since 2001 but was ousted in a military coup in 2006. He then left the country and has lived in exile since 2008.

(according to Reuters, AFP)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/cuu-thu-tuong-thai-lan-thaksin-shinawatra-co-the-duoc-tu-do-ngay-tu-cuoi-tuan-nay-260764.html