Bangkok: Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister, has been granted parole and will be released on May 11, 2026. However, he will be required to wear an Electronic Monitoring (EM) bracelet until his sentence is completed.
According to Thai News Agency, the decision came following the final meeting of the Ministry of Justice's parole committee. The Department of Corrections issued a document detailing the conditions of his release, emphasizing the necessity of the electronic monitoring device. The meeting, chaired by Ms. Tharininee Saengsawat, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, involved relevant agency committee members who reviewed and approved eligible prisoners for the general parole program.
Thaksin, who has been incarcerated at Klong Prem Central Prison since September 9, 2025, is nearing the completion of his one-year sentence. With just 12 days remaining to fulfill two-thirds of his jail term, the parole committee resolved to grant him parole on May 11, 2026.
The resolution, which followed a meeting lasting over three hours, will be communicated to the Klong Prem Central Prison commander and probation officers. Subsequently, the prison will initiate the process for Thaksin's release, marking the start of his four-month probationary period.
The Sub-Committee for Parole Consideration Meeting No. 4/2569 of the Department of Corrections approved parole for 10 individuals, including Thaksin, citing special circumstances. The condition for Thaksin's parole is the mandatory use of an electronic monitoring device until he is fully released.