The Supreme Court sentenced both to a year in jail without suspension for libel. However, as first-class prisoners, they were granted parole and their jail term was commuted to nine months and 16 days.

They were found guilty of libel after allegedly telling the media that Wasant met Democrat Party representatives on a personal basis while his court was hearing a party dissolution case.

Pheu Thai Party leaders led by Phumtham Wechayachai, Pongthep Thepkanchana, Chusak Sirinil and former Pheu Thai ministers showed up at the Bangkok Remand Prison to welcome and provide them with moral support.

Prompong thanked the Justice Ministry for granting parole, adding that life in prison was like at a boarding school. He said he and Kiatudom had strictly followed the prison’s regulations and completed chores. He has lost 12 kilograms, while Kiatudom lost 22kg.

Prompong also refused to talk politics as he is under parole, only saying that he would spend time with his family.

A source said that parole was granted as per normal procedure and that theirs was not a special case. The committee in charge of granting parole met on March 31 and decided to grant them parole. They were also entitled to early release as they have both served more than six months.

The two are still required to report to the Probation Department every month until their prison term is over.