Thailand: former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to be released from prison
In Thailand, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, an influential political figure within the ruling party, who was due to serve a prison sentence for corruption, will finally be released, announced the Ministry of Justice. Favorable treatment for his detractors.
In Thailand, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (our photo), who was due to serve a prison sentence for corruption, will finally be released. REUTERS - Edgar Su
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With our correspondent in Bangkok,
Carol Isoux
The release of Thaksin Shinawatra, which should take place within a few days, will be the epilogue of a soap opera whose end
everyone in
Thailand
anticipated. The former Prime Minister, convicted in corruption cases, remained in exile in Dubai for fifteen years to escape his sentence before returning to Thailand in August 2023, the same day his daughter Paetongtan Shinawatra's party acceded officially in power.
New alliance
The Pheu Thai party had, a few days earlier, abandoned its ally, the reformist party, winner of the elections, to turn towards a new alliance with pro-military parties, their historical political enemies. It was enough for the Thais to consider that this political betrayal was the price to pay for Thaksin's return.
Old age
He was arrested when he got off the plane and taken to prison where he did not even spend the night, before being transferred to a suite in a private hospital. A week later his sentence was reduced from eight to one year in prison by royal decree. The government assures that his release is due to his old age, 74, and his state of health, high blood pressure.
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