Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra emerged in public for the first time since his release from detention, starting his day with a visit to a shrine in Bangkok before heading to his hometown of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand.
The billionaire, a prominent figure in Thai politics and a fierce opponent of the conservative elite, was ousted in a coup in 2006 but continues to wield influence in the country. Accompanied by his daughter, who leads the governing Pheu Thai party, Thaksin arrived at the City Pillar in Bangkok before sunrise to offer prayers.
Thaksin had spent years in exile to evade a corruption conviction, which he consistently denied. Upon his return to Thailand, his political allies formed a coalition government with military-backed parties linked to the coups that had previously removed him from power. Despite being swiftly sent to prison upon his return, Thaksin was later transferred to a hospital in the city center due to a serious illness diagnosis. His eight-year sentence was subsequently reduced to one year, and he was granted parole last month.
His release without serving time behind bars raised questions of preferential treatment, with speculations suggesting a political agreement between Thaksin and his former adversaries in the military and royalist circles to prevent the progressive Move Forward Party from assuming power after the recent general election.
Thaksin, aged 74, appeared at the shrine wearing a neck brace but seemed to be in good spirits as he engaged in prayer rituals. He refrained from making any statements to the media present at the site. He has announced plans for a series of public engagements during his visit to Chiang Mai, where his party faced electoral setbacks against the rival Move Forward Party in the previous election.
