BANGKOK: Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was released early from prison on Monday, raising the prospect of a return to the spotlight for the political heavyweight.

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 family members outside the Bangkok jail where several hundred supporters wearing their signature red shirts had gathered, some shouting “we love Thaksin,” according to an AFP journalist at the scene.

His political machine has for two decades been a key rival of Thailand’s pro-military, pro-royalty elite, who view his populist brand as a threat to the traditional social order.

Thaksin, who smiled and waved to the crowd of red-clad supporters, did not speak with journalists outside the prison before leaving in a car.

His Pheu Thai party and its earlier iterations have been the country’s most successful political outfit of the 21st century, with the Shinawatra family producing four prime ministers and drawing widespread support from the rural population.

The corrections department announced Thaksin’s parole last month, citing his age and the fact that he had less than a year left to serve as reasons for early release.

He was sentenced to eight years for corruption and abuse of power but was freed as part of an early release scheme for elderly prisoners.

The Supreme Court ruled in September that Thaksin had not been suffering from a critical health condition and his time spent in hospital could not count as time served, landing him in prison to serve his one-year term.

Thaksin’s daughter, former prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, told reporters on Thursday after meeting with Thaksin in prison that they had “not discussed anything about politics” and only spoken about family.

His political comeback remains uncertain due to the country’s divided political landscape.