Thailand 's former Prime ‌Minister ⁠Thaksin ⁠Shinawatra was released from prison on parole ‌on Monday. In September 2025, the Supreme Court had ordered the 76-year-old telecommunications billionaire to serve one year in prison for a past corruption conviction . Thaksin walked free from Klong Prem Central Prison in Bangkok around 7:40 a.m. local time (00:40 UCT). He hugged waiting family members and greeted the several hundred supporters wearing the signature red shirts of Thaksin's Pheu Thai party who had gathered outside of the jail. Thaksin and parties tied to him have heavily influenced Thai politics for over two decades Image: Athit Perawongmetha/REUTERS The corrections department announced Thaksin's parole in April , citing his age and that he had less than a year left to serve as reasons for early release. He will be required to wear an electronic monitor during his four-month probation period.…