The Corrections Department issued a statement today, insisting that the release on parole of convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra this morning is complies with the law and that Thaksin qualified for parole.

The department said that Thaksin was included on a list of convicts who qualified for parole as a special case, because they are over 70, seriously ill or are disabled and they have spent at least six months in prison or one-third of their sentence, whichever is longer.

It said that a parole committee, headed by the commandant of the prison and comprised of representatives of the Probation Department, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, the Provincial Administration Department and the Royal Thai Police, considered who should be granted parole and a list of those eligible was submitted to the Corrections Department and then to the parole subcommittee to consider.

The list of qualified convicts was then submitted to the justice minister for approval and sent back to the Corrections Department for implementation.

In January, 930 convicts were approved for parole, including 913 formal cases, eight special cases and nine other special cases under the job creation and skill training program.

The Corrections Department said it hopes its clarification will promote public understanding of Thaksin’s release.

Meanwhile, Paetongtarn Shinawatra posted a photo of his father on Instagram, revealing that Thaksin was sitting outdoors after not being exposed to sunlight and the open-air for 180 days while being in hospital within the confines of the Police General Hospital.