Convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will provide an opportunity for those who wish to meet him and offer him Songkran blessings tomorrow in Chiang Mai.

Thaksin, who was freed on parole from a prison sentence he was serving for corruption, travelled by private jet to his hometown of Chiang Mai yesterday.

Tomorrow’s event will take place at the residence of Yaowaret Shinawatra, his younger sister.

This visit to the province is his second since being granted parole on February 19. The Corrections Department approved his release, finding that he met the parole criteria, specifically relating to old age and serious illnesses.

Thaksin had left the Police General Hospital, where he had stayed for six months, wearing a neck support and an arm sling, and appeared at an event in a wheelchair.

Yesterday, however, he appeared fine and greeted people happily and without any apparent discomfort.

After arriving in Chiang Mai, he and his close relatives had lunch at Kiet-ocha, a Hainanese chicken rice restaurant.

Later, he celebrated Songkran day with his family and senior members of the Pheu Thai party at his residence.