Thaksin granted parole, to be released May 11
The decision was reached yesterday (Apr 29) following a meeting of a Ministry of Justice parole committee, which reviewed more than 500 eligible inmates nationwide who meet the criteria under general parole regulations…
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was granted parole on April 29 and is set to be released on May 11 after a Ministry of Justice committee found he met the legal threshold for early release, according to the Bangkok Post. The decision in Bangkok carries national political significance and drew attention in Phuket because Thaksin, 76, will leave Klong Prem Central Prison without an electronic monitoring bracelet.
The parole committee reviewed more than 500 eligible inmates nationwide under general parole regulations. Officials said Thaksin was exempted from wearing an EM ankle bracelet because he is over 70 and has underlying medical conditions.
Prison time calculation and eligibility
Thaksin has been in custody since Sept 9 last year, when the Supreme Court ordered him to serve a one-year sentence for abuse of authority and conflict of interest during his time as prime minister before 2006.
The court also ruled that his extended stay in a VIP ward at Police General Hospital in 2023-24 would not count as time served in prison.
By May 11, he will have completed two-thirds of his sentence, the minimum requirement for parole eligibility.
Release process and probation conditions
The April 29 meeting lasted more than three hours and was chaired by deputy permanent secretary Tharinee Saengsawang. Representatives from the Department of Corrections, Department of Probation, Department of Rights and Liberties Protection, Office of the Attorney-General and Royal Thai Police attended.
Corrections officials said the resolution would be forwarded to the commander of Klong Prem Central Prison and probation officers to prepare for his release on May 11. He will remain under probation supervision for the final four months of his sentence.
Under standard parole terms, he must report regularly to probation officers, live at an approved address, obey the law and avoid conduct that could lead to reoffending. Travel outside designated areas requires prior approval, and violations can lead to parole being revoked.
Source: https://www.thephuketnews.com/thaksin-granted-parole-set-for-release-on-may-11-100081.php
