“I am grateful for His Majesty’s kindness,” Chuwit said. “Long Live the King.”

The former convict also pledged to be a good citizen from now on.

Chuwit was sent to jail in late January for the 2003 demolition of bars and shops at Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Square night entertainment area. Back then, he was widely known as a massage-parlour tycoon.

Despite that scandal, he had managed to transform himself into a successful politician.

“I have defended myself in legal battles and gone through the judicial process. So, when I lost the legal battle, I was willing to go to jail,” he said before saying that people should not shirk their legal responsibility by ignoring court orders or getting ordained.

Chuwit said even though he had lost about 10 kilograms behind bars, he would like to thank the judicial process for allowing him to fight to the end and to pay for his wrongs.

He said he had volunteered at a prison hospital while jailed and had collected about 80 bodies.

“I will make merit in dedication to those deceased people soon,” Chuwit said.

Asked whether he would return to politics, the colourful figure said: “No. As for now, I think I won’t engage in politics again.”

He said it was possible that when he wanted to say something more publicly, he might give an interview to Sorrayuth Suthassanachinda.

Sorrayuth stopped his TV-host role in March in the wake of a court’s guilty verdict against him in a bribery scandal.

When told Sorrayuth was not on TV, Chuwit said: “I may give an interview to others then.”

Commenting on his future, Chuwit said he would look for an honest occupation. “I may apply to media outlets. I can boost their ratings,” he said. “Or perhaps I will write a book on my life in prison.”

Chuwit walked out of jail at about 5pm yesterday. He paid his respects to a spirit house outside the prison before speaking to the media there.

Asked what he would like to do first, Chuwit said: “To jump into a pool and swim.”

He also disclosed that he would board a flight to the United States tomorrow to attend the graduation ceremony of his daughter.