Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was released early from prison yesterday, an AFP journalist outside the Bangkok jail said.

The 76-year-old telecoms billionaire had been serving a one-year prison sentence for corruption since September and will be required to wear an electronic monitor during his four-month probation period.

Thaksin hugged his family members outside the jail where several hundred supporters wearing their signature red shirts had gathered, some shouting “we love Thaksin”.

His political machine has for two decades been a key foe of Thailand’s pro-military, pro-royalty elite who view his populist brand as a threat to the traditional social order. His Pheu Thai party was Thailand’s most successful political party of the 21st century, with the Shinawatra family producing four prime ministers.