Thaksin first appearance since freedom

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra visited a temple in Bangkok, marking his first public appearance since being released from prison early.

Today, Mr. Thaksin, along with his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra and son-in-law Pitaka Suksawat, visited a famous temple in the capital Bangkok. He wore a blue shirt, a neck brace and prayed in the temple from around 5am.

The former Thai prime minister plans to travel to the northern city of Chiang Mai later today to visit the graves of his relatives. Chiang Mai is Mr Thaksin's hometown and traditional political power base.

Mr. Thaksin (center) with his children at a temple in Bangkok, Thailand on March 14. Photo: PBS World — Mr. Thaksin (center) with his children at a temple in Bangkok, Thailand on March 14. Photo: *PBS World*

This is the former Thai prime minister's first public appearance since his early release from prison last month. The trip to Chiang Mai is also his first return to his homeland in 17 years.

Thaksin, 74, returned to Thailand in August 2023 after 15 years in exile and was arrested shortly afterwards. He was sentenced to eight years in prison for abuse of power and pardoned by the Thai royal family, reducing his sentence to one year. Hours after arriving at a prison in Bangkok, Thaksin was hospitalized and transferred to the Police General Hospital.

He was discharged from the hospital on February 18 after his early release from prison was completed. The Thai government said Mr. Thaksin was eligible for early release because of his age and health.

Many anti-Thaksin groups have accused him of preferential treatment and pointed out that he has not spent a single day in prison since his return. The Department of Corrections has previously said that Thaksin suffers from serious health conditions and would be in danger of death if he were to return to prison.

However, Mr Thaksin is still at risk of being arrested again, as prosecutors are considering indicting the former prime minister on charges of insulting the monarchy in an interview in 2015.

Huyen Le (According to AFP, PBS World )

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