Share this @internewscast.com

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free

Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be freed after serving just six months of an eight-year jail term for graft and abuse of power, the government said on Tuesday.

It was the second concession granted to the former leader since his return from exile last year.

The 74-year-old Thaksin, who was ousted by the military in 2006, was included in a list of 930 people who were granted clemency and could be released as early as Sunday, media reported.

“Thaksin was prime minister for many years and did many good things for the country for a long time. After he comes out, he would be a normal citizen,” Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said, according to Reuters.

Thaksin has been a central figure in Thai politics for two decades and is an ally of Srettha, who belongs to the Pheu Thai party that is in effect controlled by the powerful Shinawatra family.

As prime minister Thaksin, a police officer-turned-telecoms magnate, was popular among the working class though reviled by the military and Thailand’s elite. Thaksin was a populist leader and accused of overseeing rights abuses including a bloody “war on drugs”.

He was ousted in 2006 while in New York and convicted in absentia in 2008 of corruption, conflict of interest and abuse of power — charges that he has denied.

His younger sister Yingluck Shinawatra won the 2011 election but was also ousted by the military in 2014.

Thaksin made a dramatic return to Thailand last year from a self-imposed exile amid months of uncertainty following a general election in May. His return was seen by analysts as part of a deal with the military, with his homecoming coinciding with the election of Srettha as prime minister by the country’s parliament.

Pheu Thai finished second in the general election behind the progressive Move Forward party, which won on the back of promises to reform the military and monarchy. But Move Forward’s leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, failed to win the backing of Thailand’s conservative military-royalist establishment.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Jelly Roll Nearly Swaps One Hit for Another

Jelly Roll and Shaboozey debut at No. 2 on the Digital Song…

NFL Quarterback Derek Carr Retires Following Shoulder Injury

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 23: Derek Carr #4 of the New…

Tampa Bay Rays Experience Historic Rain Delay in 27th Game at Steinbrenner Field

Members of the Tampa Bay Rays grounds crew roll a tarp over…

MIDAS INVESTMENT ADVICE: Three Undervalued Defense Stocks Set to Soar Amid Rising Tensions

My mother still remembers VE Day back in 1945. As celebrations erupted, she…

Get Up to 60% Discount on Office Essentials at Sam’s Club

Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think…

China and the US Begin Crucial Trade Discussions in Geneva

Unlock the White House Watch newsletter for free In Geneva on Saturday,…

Mastering Mental Clarity: A Guide to Finding Your Focus

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. In our rapidly evolving…

WWE Backlash 2025: Gunther Dominates Pat McAfee in a Crushing Victory

Gunther randomly attacked Raw announcer PAt McAfee after WrestleMania. (Credit: WWE/Getty Images)…

Elton John and Dua Lipa Call on Starmer to Support UK Artists in AI Copyright Dispute

Stay informed with free updates Sir Paul McCartney, Richard Curtis, and Dua…