BANGKOK: Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Saturday (Feb 24) that ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra was happy and in a good mood but still weak after his recent release from hospital detention.
The 74-year-old billionaire, whose family’s party has regained power, was released on parole on Feb 18 after six months in detention, his first day of freedom in his homeland 15 years after he fled a military coup that had deposed him.
“There was not much talking. He’s still weak but his arm can move a bit,” Srettha told reporters, adding that Thaksin, who left hospital with his arm in a sling, was in a good mood and smiling.
“He’s happy to be home.”
Thaksin has been at the heart of a two-decade power struggle between his family and its coterie of capitalist upstarts, and a nexus of royalists, generals and old-money families that have long wielded influence over Thai governments and institutions.
He faced years in prison on his return from exile on charges of graft and abuse of power, which he denies as politically motivated. On his first night in jail, he was transferred to the luxury wing of a police hospital, where he served his detention. Doctors said he had experienced tightness in his chest and high blood pressure.
Thailand’s king in August commuted Thaksin’s sentence from eight years to one year, of which he served half.