Thaksin returns to freedom for the second time in two years, with his nephew, a deputy prime minister, as guarantor—this time he should really be out for good.
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin has been granted parole again.
The reason we say "again" is because he was previously released on parole in February 2024, only to be sentenced by the court last September to return to prison for one year, with his sentence set to end on September 9 this year.
Before this, Thaksin had to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet at all times, though it could be temporarily removed under special circumstances—for example, during medical procedures like MRI scans.
This time, however, Thaksin appears to be genuinely free. Thailand’s political situation has stabilized, and the new generation of leadership within the Thaksin family has taken over—the current Deputy Prime Minister, Ongchawat, is Thaksin’s nephew.
Petchara, the previous family prime minister, is now firmly in the past, reverting back to her role as “Daddy’s little darling.” On the day Thaksin was released, Petchara arrived at the prison gate to welcome him on behalf of the family. Father and daughter embraced, waving to their supporters.
With four former prime ministers and one deputy prime minister from the Thaksin family, calling them Thailand’s first political dynasty would not be an exaggeration.
Beneath the dazzling surface lies a well-known history of turbulent fate. While Thaksin enjoyed consistently high approval ratings during his tenure, he was forced into exile abroad after clashing with the military and royal interests. His sister, Yingluck, also fell victim to the same curse.
After Petchara took office, Thaksin was able to return home—but not without hardship. The Thai courts’ rulings have always followed the political tide: when the family lost power, so did Thaksin; when conditions improved, he could breathe easier again. He has shuttled repeatedly between prison, hospital, and home, earning himself the nickname “the Legendary Tough-to-Catch King” among the public.
Meanwhile, Yingluck remains in exile overseas, with no clear timeline for her return. Even if permitted to come back, she’ll likely face the same ordeal Thaksin did.
Notably, political turbulence hasn’t significantly affected the family’s wealth. After all, Thaksin left prison in a Maybach.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864879277513737/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.