Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin released on parole

Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was released from prison on parole on Monday, raising the prospect of a return to the spotlight for the political heavyweight.The 76-year-old telecoms billionaire has been serving a one-year prison sentence for corruption since September. He is required to wear an electronic monitor until his probation ends in four months.His hair closely cropped and in a simple white shirt, Thaksin walked out of prison around 7.40am and was immediately surrounded by family members, including his daughter and protege, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was sacked as prime minister by a court order ⁠last August, weeks before his incarceration.