Firebrand Rak Thailand Party leader Chuvit Kamolvisit was freed under a royal pardon yesterday after serving a jail term in connection with razing bars and shops in the capital in 2003.
His early release came after His Majesty the King issued a royal decree on Dec 10 granting a pardon to minor offenders and those with health problems to mark his accession to the throne.
The decree was published in the Royal Gazette the following day and took effect on Dec 12.
Mr Chuvit, 65, was among the high-profile inmates to walk free. The leader of the Rak Thailand Party was sentenced to two years in jail in January for knocking down bars and shops on the Sukhumvit Square night strip in 2003.
Earlier, his jail term was reduced by six months by a pardon under the recent royal decree. He was set to be released on June 30 next year.
After being freed from the Corrections Department's hospital yesterday, Mr Chuvit, who was met by his wife and daughter upon his release, said he had never had any privileges during his time in the prison.
He said he also strictly complied with correctional rules and worked as an assistant to the prison warden inside jail.
Mr Chuvit added he does not plan to get involved in politics again, which could put him at risk of being charged with other offences. He did not elaborate.
He will depart for the US today to attend his daughter's graduation ceremony.
It was reported that Duangtrakarn Kamolvisit, Mr Chuvit's youngest daughter, had been waiting for her father to be freed under a royal pardon in front of the Medical Correctional Hospital.
Ms Duangtrakarn embraced Mr Chuvit when he was released.
She then took her father to pay homage to a Luang Phor Sothon Buddha image standing in front of the hospital.
Speaking to reporters who had been waiting to interview him for more than 10 hours after being freed, Mr Chuvit said he was most grateful for His Majesty the King's generosity and kindness.
The sharp-tongued former politician admitted he was guilty of the crime that landed him in jail, saying he will be turning over a new leaf and asked people to give him a chance.
During his time in prison, Mr Chuvit said he had helped authorities at the Medical Correctional Hospital with taking care of the bodies of prisoners who died in jail.
He claimed he handled more than 80 dead bodies.
Mr Chuvit said the first thing he wanted to do after being freed was pay a visit to the Davis Bangkok Hotel in Sukhumvit Soi 24, which he owns, and take a swim in the pool there.
He told the media he will step down as a politician but he is interested in becoming a news anchor or a programme host.
For now, he plans to spend about a week in the US.
Meanwhile, Corrections Department chief Kobkiat Kasiwat said the exact number of inmates who were freed under the royal pardon is yet to be confirmed as the releases depend on approval from the court.