Former Thai PM Thaksin makes public appearance after release on parole

BANGKOK -- Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra made his first public appearance on Thursday since leaving detention on parole last month.

Thaksin visited the Bangkok City Pillar Shrine in the capital early Thursday morning before flying to his hometown in the country's northern Chiang Mai province for a three-day trip, local media reported.

Making his first journey back to his home province in 17 years, Thaksin arrived at Chiang Mai Airport with his daughter and ruling Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Upon arrival, they were greeted by family members, officials and supporters, according to public broadcaster Thai PBS.

The 74-year-old convicted former prime minister was released in February from a Bangkok police hospital, where he received medical treatment and served six months of his one-year prison sentence.

According to the Thai government, Thaksin was eligible for parole as he is over 70 years old and suffers from a serious illness.

Thaksin ended his exile of over 15 years and returned to Thailand in August last year, but was soon detained and faced an eight-year prison sentence on several charges.

Last September, Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn reduced Thaksin's prison sentence to one year following his request for a royal pardon.

Thaksin served as the Southeast Asian country's prime minister from 2001 to 2006 and had been in self-exile abroad since 2008.