Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (75 years old) is on the second day of a three-day trip to Chiang Mai city (Thailand), according to AFP.
"I feel better. Happiness depends on family... Happiness is at home," Mr Thaksin told reporters after visiting the graves of his relatives.
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (center) at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple in Chiang Mai (Thailand) on March 15.
Also on March 15, Mr Thaksin visited Warorot market, where a small number of supporters gathered. "I am happy that he is here. I am speechless and do not know what to say. I want to tell him that he can be with all Thais forever," supporter Parncheun Suriya, 68, told AFP.
Earlier, at around 5am on March 14, Mr. Thaksin went to pray at the Temple of the Pillar in Bangkok before returning to his hometown in Chiang Mai that day. This was his first public appearance since being pardoned.
Mr. Thaksin returned to Thailand in August 2023 after 15 years of exile and was immediately sentenced to eight years in prison on corruption and abuse of power charges from his time in power.
However, Mr Thaksin's sentence was reduced to one year by King Maha Vajiralongkorn shortly afterwards. Last month, the Thai government said Mr Thaksin was eligible for early release due to his age and poor health.
In October 2023, officials confirmed that while detained in the prison hospital, Mr. Thaksin underwent five surgeries.
Former Prime Minister Thaksin is believed to still have great influence over the Pheu Thai Party. And when he was released from prison last month, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said that "every member of the government is ready to listen" to the former leader.
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