Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been released from prison after serving eight months of a reduced sentence linked to corruption charges.⁣ ⁣ Hundreds of supporters gathered outside Bangkok’s Klong Prem Central Prison to welcome the billionaire politician, whose rise and fall shaped nearly two decades of political turmoil in Thailand.⁣ ⁣ The 76-year-old political heavyweight, who returned from 15 years in exile in 2023, had originally been sentenced to eight years for abuse of power and conflicts of interest during his 2001–2006 premiership. His sentence was later reduced to one year by the king. After returning, he spent months in hospital rather than prison, but Thailand’s Supreme Court later ruled that stay had been improperly prolonged and ordered prison time to be served.⁣ ⁣ His release comes after his daughter, former prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was removed from office last year. ⁣ ⁣ Under parole terms, Thaksin must wear an electronic ankle monito...