Former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom reported to the Office of Probation in Chiang Mai this morning, after being released from prison on Monday under an imprisonment suspension program.


Wearing sunglasses and walking with the aid of a stick, Boonsong was accompanied by his son Detnatthawit, who helped him to complete the probation forms. He was also briefed by probation officials on the procedures with which he will have to comply his reporting schedule.

While walking out of the probation office, Boonsong was approached by reporters, but he did not respond to their questions.


Detnatthawit said that he will accompany his father to the Mueang district office, to apply for a new ID card, and then they will return home.


Boonsong was sentenced to 48 years in prison by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders, after being found guilty of malfeasance in office in connection with the infamous rice pledging scheme, on August 25th, 2017.


He was granted Royal commutations four times, and his sentence was reduced from 48 years to 10 years and eight months.


He served seven years, three months and ten days in prison.


The remainder of the sentence will be served on probation.

Ex-commerce minister Boonsong reports to probation officials