Most of those released from prison on parole immediately return home, while only a few become stranded or end up as vagrants, Corrections Department chief Naras Savestanan said on Wednesday.
He was commenting on claims by a homeless advocacy group that many ex-convicts had joined the ranks of the homeless.
The department earlier said it was releasing about 8,000 inmates early on suspended sentences to ease overcrowding in jails during the pandemic.
Pol Col Naras said most of the people released from prison immediately travel to their hometown, adding they are usually accompanied by their family or relatives.
In those cases where a former inmate's home is far away, or those released on bail are unable to get to their home before the 10pm curfew, he said the department had prepared accommodation for them.
Pol Col Naras also said the Department of Probation had measures in place to officer them support. Prisoners who have no relatives are a different story.
"Although they have money provided for travel expenses, as well as clothes donated to them from outside agencies, they might have nowhere to go," Pol Col Naras said.
He added that it is possible they will live alone. "There might be some ex-prisoners without relatives who do end up as vagrants. But that does not happen in large numbers.
"Some ex-prisoners accompanied by their relatives back home do not stay, as they are rejected by society and unable to find work," said Pol Col Naras, adding that such cases are not common.
Food as well as accommodation under the Department of Probation and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security are available for those who need to travel long distances, or otherwise need a place to take shelter during the curfew period.
Moreover, an ex-inmate who does not have travel expenses can also use money from the inmate welfare fund or Phibun Songkhro Foundation to get home, he said.