About 300 supporters and political allies gathered outside Klong Prem Central Prison to welcome former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
His three children, including former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and other family members, were also present early to welcome him.
Mr. Thaksin wore a white shirt and blue pants, stepped out of the prison gate and was warmly welcomed by his family. He smiled brightly as he walked around greeting his supporters, who shouted "We love Thaksin" and gave him red roses. Then, he left without sharing with the press.
Mr. Thaksin is charged with abuse of power with charges including taking advantage of his position to profit from personal business activities and illegally approving a state lottery project that caused damage to the government.
Mr. Thaksin was sentenced in absentia, but returned to Thailand to receive his sentence in 2023 when the Pheu Thai Party formed the government. Initially, he was sentenced to 8 years in prison, but was reduced by King Maha Vajiralongkorn to 1 year, and was allowed to serve his sentence in a private room in Bangkok Police Hospital for health reasons.
After objections that Thaksin had received particularly unjust treatment, in September 2025, the Thai Supreme Court ordered Thaksin to serve his prison sentence.
Last month, a council under the Thai Ministry of Justice agreed to grant him a suspended sentence within the framework of a review of sentence reduction for more than 900 eligible prisoners thanks to good prison discipline, seniority and low risk of recidivism.
After being released, Mr. Thaksin will be subject to probation for 4 months, during which time he must reside in the declared residence in Bangkok, wear an electronic surveillance bracelet and report regularly to officials.
