BANGKOK, Feb 14 (NNN-Bernama) — Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said former premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s parole is compliant with the Department of Corrections regulations.
“Thaksin has already served his time,” he told reporters Tuesday.
Having served as prime minister, Srettha said Thaksin’s contributions to the country remain significant.
“He (Thaksin) is considered by many to be the most popular leader in Thai political history,” he said.
He said Thaksin could give “good advice” to his youngest daughter Paetongtarn to serve the country.
Earlier Tuesday, Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong said Thaksin qualified for early release because he is in the eligible category of inmates who have serious illnesses, are disabled or are over the age of 70.
Thaksin, 74, returned to Thailand on August 22 last year after a 15-year self-imposed exile to serve a prison sentence for misdeeds committed while in office.
On the same day the Supreme Court sentenced the former prime minister to eight years in prison.
He was hospitalised at Police General Hospital for health problems few hours into his first night in the Bangkok Remand Prison. Thaksin complained of chest pains, high blood pressure, low blood oxygen level and insomnia when detained at the prison medical ward.
On September 1, his jail term was reduced to one year by royal clemency.
— NNN-BERNAMA