Thailand to Free Jailed Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra on Parole After Serving Partial Sentence
• Thailand’s jailed former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to be freed after parole approved • Thaksin was prime minister from 2001-2006 before being ousted in a coup; returned from exile in August 2022 • Was sentenced to 8 years in prison for corruption charges, later reduced to 1 year by the King • Thaksin retained influence in Thai politics even during exile; political parties allied with him have dominated • Release comes amid political tensions as opposition, youth-backed parties face charges for seeking reforms