Thailand’s convicted former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, was released from a police hospital in Bangkok after a short six months early Sunday morning.
Following the coupe that ended his reign and fifteen years in exile, Thaksin returned to Thailand last August. He was detained and convicted on charges of corruption and abuse of power.
Speculations of a royal bargain rose when the king shortened Thaksin’s original eight-year jail sentence down to one year.
However, the billionaire businessman never spent a night in jail. Instead, he served six months in a police hospital due to heath-related complaints.
Many Thais grew furious over the privileged treatment, BBC reported.
In a statement, Thailand’s Move Forward Party said “Thailand needs a democratic system where the rule of law and justice system is applied in the same way for everyone, without double standards for privileged people.”
Thaksin is one of the richest and most influential men in Thailand.
Senator Somchai Swangkarn said, “Very sick? Parole? What disease?”
On Sunday, Thaksin left the hospital in a neck brace.
He returned to his mansion in Bangkok with a warm welcome. Banners that read “Welcome home” and “We’ve been waiting for this day for so, so long” hung from the mansion’s gates.
Government adviser Pichai Naripthapan took to social media “Congratulations to PM Thaksin on returning home.” He continued, “I hope he will have good health and much happiness and warmth from his beloved family.”
Authorities have not said if any stipulations exist. However, they said that his age and health concerns made him parole-eligible.
Current prime minister Srettha Thavisin plans on meeting with Thaksin soon, as residents are starting to question the future leadership in Thailand, The New York Times reports.
Thavisin said that Thaskin could have a role in the government after his release. “The Thai constitution only allows one prime minister at a time,” Thavisin added.
However, Thaksin may be in more legal trouble. In 2016 he allegedly defamed the Thai monarchy in an interview. Although Thaksin still faces these charges, it is unknown if he will be indicted.
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