Thailand’s Corrections Department Confirms Thaksin Shinawatra Will Be Eligible for Parole Review in May
Former prime minister qualifies for parole consideration after serving the required portion of his sentence, officials say
Thailand’s Corrections Department has confirmed that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will become eligible for parole review in May after completing the statutory requirement of serving two-thirds of his one-year prison sentence.
Thaksin has been incarcerated since September 9, 2025, following a Supreme Court judgment ordering him to serve a term stemming from the ‘14th floor’ case, in which his earlier hospital stay was ruled irregular and the sentence reinstated.
Under Thai correctional regulations, an inmate serving a one-year sentence becomes eligible for parole consideration upon completion of eight months behind bars, a threshold Thaksin is expected to reach in May. The Department of Corrections emphasised that while his inmate classification has not yet qualified for a higher rating that would make him eligible for royal clemency, the standard parole criteria based on time served and conduct still apply, making him eligible for review by the appropriate authorities.
Senior officials noted that parole eligibility is determined by established procedures and is contingent on assessment of behaviour, rehabilitation efforts and compliance with prison regulations.
Thaksin’s eligibility does not guarantee release but opens the formal process for the parole board and justice officials to examine his case.
Family members have maintained regular contact, with representatives visiting him in Klong Prem Central Prison, where he has continued to follow current affairs and political developments despite his detention.
The Corrections Department’s announcement has drawn public and political attention, as Thaksin’s legal status and potential release come amid Thailand’s broader political discourse with elections and party dynamics shaping the national landscape.
The announcement aligns with the department’s quarterly review cycle for inmate classifications, which occurs in March, April, August and December, although the parole review itself operates within a separate set of criteria tied to the proportion of the sentence served.
Should Thaksin’s parole be granted, mechanisms will be put in place to ensure compliance with any conditions imposed by the board, including supervision and restrictions designed to balance his reintegration and public safety considerations, officials said.
Thaksin has been incarcerated since September 9, 2025, following a Supreme Court judgment ordering him to serve a term stemming from the ‘14th floor’ case, in which his earlier hospital stay was ruled irregular and the sentence reinstated.
Under Thai correctional regulations, an inmate serving a one-year sentence becomes eligible for parole consideration upon completion of eight months behind bars, a threshold Thaksin is expected to reach in May. The Department of Corrections emphasised that while his inmate classification has not yet qualified for a higher rating that would make him eligible for royal clemency, the standard parole criteria based on time served and conduct still apply, making him eligible for review by the appropriate authorities.
Senior officials noted that parole eligibility is determined by established procedures and is contingent on assessment of behaviour, rehabilitation efforts and compliance with prison regulations.
Thaksin’s eligibility does not guarantee release but opens the formal process for the parole board and justice officials to examine his case.
Family members have maintained regular contact, with representatives visiting him in Klong Prem Central Prison, where he has continued to follow current affairs and political developments despite his detention.
The Corrections Department’s announcement has drawn public and political attention, as Thaksin’s legal status and potential release come amid Thailand’s broader political discourse with elections and party dynamics shaping the national landscape.
The announcement aligns with the department’s quarterly review cycle for inmate classifications, which occurs in March, April, August and December, although the parole review itself operates within a separate set of criteria tied to the proportion of the sentence served.
Should Thaksin’s parole be granted, mechanisms will be put in place to ensure compliance with any conditions imposed by the board, including supervision and restrictions designed to balance his reintegration and public safety considerations, officials said.
