BANGKOK — Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will become eligible for parole consideration on 8 May, according to his lawyer, as his family paid him another visit at Klong Prem Central Prison on Monday.
At 10:00 on 19 January 2026, Thaksin’s children visited him at the prison for the 33rd time. The delegation included his eldest son, Panthongtae Shinawatra, Panthongtae’s wife Nattiya Puangkam, his daughter Pintongta Shinawatra Kunakornwong, her husband Nattapong Kunakornwong, and Thaksin’s lawyer, Winyat Chartmontree.
After the roughly one-hour visit, Pintongta told reporters that the discussion went well and that her father had adjusted to prison life after more than four months in custody. She said Thaksin continued to offer moral support to Pheu Thai Party candidates ahead of the 2026 general election and had no special message beyond encouragement.
Regarding reports that Thaksin could be considered for general parole in May, Pintongta said she had discussed the matter with her father, who asked only that the process follow the rules and procedures properly. She added that, at over 70 years old, Thaksin should be eligible for consideration under existing regulations.
Winyat said reports pointing to May as a possible timeframe were consistent with legal requirements. He said Thaksin will have served eight months of his sentence on May 8, meeting Department of Corrections criteria for parole consideration, which apply when an inmate has served two-thirds of a sentence and has one-third remaining.
