The Department of Corrections has officially approved the parole of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Following a meeting on 29 April 2026, the subcommittee for parole consideration resolved to include Thaksin among 859 inmates granted “normal” parole. He is scheduled for conditional release on 11 May 2026.
The decision was made in accordance with the Corrections Act B.E. 2560 (2017) and subsequent regulations. The committee cited several specific reasons for granting the parole: Thaksin is over 70 years old, has less than one year remaining on his sentence, and has undergone behavioral rehabilitation. Furthermore, evaluations suggested a low risk of re-offending, with the committee considering his conduct, the reliability of his sponsors, and social safety impacts.
Despite his release, Thaksin must adhere to strict conditions. He is required to wear an electronic monitoring device and must follow all probation regulations until the full expiration of his sentence.
This development follows a prior Supreme Court ruling that sentenced the former leader to one year in prison. The Department’s decision was part of a broader review that saw 920 inmates considered, with 859 total individuals receiving approval for various forms of parole.
