Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrived at his home in Bangkok's Bang Phlat district late Monday morning and said he felt only "relief" after being released from prison.
After being paroled and released from the Klongprem Central Prison in Chatuchak district on Monday morning, Thaksin arrived at Bangkok Probation Office 1 in Bangkok Noi district at 8.40am.
He emerged about 10 minutes later after being fitted with an electronic tag and briefed on parole regulations, and then travelled in his Mercedes-Maybach to his residence in Bang Phlat.
He arrived at his Chan Song La home on Charan Sanit Wong 69 Road about 9am. Reporters and red-shirt supporters were waiting for him in front of the house.
His car stopped. Thaksin lowered his window and smilingly greeted reporters and supporters. He was wearing a white-and-blue shirt, not the plain white shirt he had on when he was let out of Klongprem Central Prison at 7.44am.
Reporters asked him if he was happy to return home, he said he had been in "hibernation for eight months". That was how long he was imprisoned before being paroled and released on Monday.
A foreign reporter asked about his feelings. Thaksin raised both hands above his head and said, “Relief”.
Asked what he learned while in prison, Thaksin said he had “hibernated” and he did not remember anything.
Asked about his health, Thaksin smiled and gave a “wai”, but no answer.
The Probation Department requires that Thaksin stay at his residence, which was specified as his place of abode during parole. Any relocation needs prior permission. He must report to probation officials once a month.
He is prohibited from socialising with anyone who may lead him to repeat any wrongdoing.
Thaksin, 76, had been behind bars since Sept 9 last year, when the Supreme Court ordered him to actually serve his one-year sentence for abuse of authority and conflict of interest while serving as prime minister prior to 2006.
