Thaksin out in public for first time since release
Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra visited a Bangkok temple on Thursday in his first public appearance since being freed early from a jail sentence for graft and abuse of power. The controversial billionaire, twice elected premier and ousted in a 2006 military coup, went to the Bangkok City Pillar Shrine ahead of a three-day trip to Chiang Mai in the kingdom's north later in the day. Scores of media camped out in front of the shrine where Thaksin, wearing a blue shirt and a neck brace, prayed from around 5am, according to an reporter at the scene. Later today, he is due to fly to Chiang Mai – his home city and traditional political power base – to meet family and supporters and pray at the graves of his relatives. He was accompanied by his daughter Paetongtarn, now head of his Pheu Thai party, and her husband. The 74-year-old politician returned to the kingdom in August after 15 years of self-exile and was immediately jailed for eight years on charges dating back to his time in power. But his sentence was cut to one year by King Maha Vajiralongkorn within days of his return and last month, the government said Thaksin was eligible for early release because of his age and health. The former Manchester City owner's return to Thailand came shortly after his Pheu Thai took power at the head of a coalition government that includes parties close to his old foes in the military. The timing of his return led many to conclude a backroom deal had been struck to cut his jail time, a suggestion denied by the Pheu Thai-led government. Ramet Rattanachaweng, spokesman for the royalist Democrat party, said the public would be watching closely to see if Thaksin is being given special treatment. "He is on parole. If he gets something beyond regular regulations, the probation and corrections departments will have to explain themselves," Ramet said. (AFP)