The Ministry of Justice in Thailand has confirmed that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is among 10 inmates being considered for parole, with the final decision expected to be completed within the next two months.
Thaksin was previously sentenced to eight years in prison for offences linked to his time in office, though his sentence was later reduced to one year on grounds related to his contributions to the country during his leadership.
After returning to Thailand following years in self-imposed exile, Thaksin began serving his sentence but was initially placed at Police General Hospital due to health concerns. The arrangement sparked public debate and criticism over alleged preferential treatment, prompting legal scrutiny into whether the time spent in hospital should count as part of his imprisonment.
He was later transferred to Klong Prem Central Prison after the court ruled that his hospital stay would not be counted towards his sentence. Since then, he has been serving his term under standard prison conditions, with regular visits from family members reported.
Authorities had earlier indicated that Thaksin met the eligibility criteria for parole consideration, as inmates serving one-year sentences may apply after completing two-thirds of their term if they are deemed well-behaved.
Following internal reviews, prison authorities have now confirmed that 10 inmates, including Thaksin, will be submitted for the next parole assessment phase. The list will be reviewed by the Department of Corrections before being forwarded to the Justice Ministry’s permanent secretary for final approval.
Officials noted that the approval process is expected to take around two months, after which a final decision will be made. If approved, released inmates will be required to report to local authorities and declare their place of residence.
The use of electronic monitoring devices will also be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on factors such as health, age, accommodation conditions, and potential risks to public safety.
