Thailand’s divisive ex-PM is out of jail, but is the Thaksin era over?

On Monday, as Thaksin walked out of Bangkok’s Klong Prem jail, hundreds of supporters dressed in red celebrated his release. He wore a white shirt and had short hair. Thaksin told the media he felt “relieved” and was in good health. His family, including his daughter and former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, welcomed him outside the prison. Despite Thaksin’s party, Pheu Thai, stating he would take a back seat from politics, many in the media are speculating about his potential influence. Since he rose to power in January 2001, Thaksin has shaped Thailand's political landscape, gaining both loyal supporters and fierce critics. Even after his ousting in a coup in September 2006, his parties continued to win elections. However, his ambition led to numerous court cases against his allies, violent protests, and another coup in 2014. Thaksin has remained active in politics from abroad and, following a supposed "grand bargain," he returned to Thailand in 2023 to guide his party back into government. His popularity was clear as supporters gathered outside the prison. One supporter, Maysa Lombuarot, traveled 700 kilometers (about 435 miles) to see him released. She brought him 20 kilograms of lychees, saying, “I know he likes them. Now that he’s free, I want him to eat something good.” She added that she hopes he will continue his political work, stating, “I want him to help the country, to help the people who are suffering so much right now… only he can deliver what he promised.” Thaksin seems unable to step away from politics, despite his claims of wanting to spend more time with his grandchildren. This time, however, the situation might truly be different. He was imprisoned last September after the Supreme Court determined that the six months he spent in a police hospital upon returning to Thailand was a ploy to avoid his sentence.