Thai king commutes former PM Thaksin's prison sentence to one year
Send a link to a friend
[September 01, 2023]
By Panarat Thepgumpanat and Panu Wongcha-um
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's king has commuted former prime minister
Thaksin Shinawatra's eight-year prison sentence to one year, the royal
gazette said on Friday, a day after the billionaire submitted a request
for pardon.
The country's most famous politician returned to Thailand last week in a
dramatic homecoming after 15 years abroad in self-exile to avoid jail
time after he was ousted by the military in 2006.
He arrived on a private jet and was transferred to prison to serve an
eight-year sentence on charges of abuse of power and conflicts of
interest from during his time in power. On the first night, he was moved
to a police hospital over chest pains and high blood pressure.
On Thursday he submitted a request for a royal pardon.
Thaksin "was a prime minister, has done good for the country and people
and is loyal to the monarchy," the royal gazette said on Friday.
"He respected the process, admitted his guilt, repented, accepted court
verdicts. Right now he is old, has illness that needs care from medical
professionals," it read.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2023/Sep/01/images/ads/current/beasonag_sda_FAIR_2023.png)
Despite being away for 15 years, Thaksin remains an influential figure
in Thai policies with parties loyal to him winning every election since
2001 until this year.
His return overshadowed a vote in parliament that installed political
ally Srettha Thavisin of the Shinawatra-backed Pheu Thai party, as prime
minister.
[to top of second column]
|
![](../images/090123PIX/news_x28.jpg)
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra, who is expected to be arrested upon his return as he
ends almost two decades of self-imposed exile, waves at Don Mueang
airport in Bangkok, Thailand August 22, 2023. REUTERS/Athit
Perawongmetha/File Photo
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2023/Sep/01/images/ads/current/chicagostreet_quarter_FAIR_2023.png)
Srettha, a real estate tycoon, received support from pro-military
and conservative parties connected to the same generals who ousted
Thaksin's governments in 2006 and 2014.
Thaksin's return and time in hospital have fuelled speculation that
he has struck a deal with those very rivals among the country's
powerful generals and conservative old money elites - something he
and the Pheu Thai party deny.
He remains hospitalised, with authorities citing the need for
specialists and advanced medical equipment for his treatment.
"It is his majesty's grace that showed Thaksin mercy," the former
leader's lawyer Winyat Chatmontri told Reuters, referring to King
Maha Vajiralongkorn.
"Thais should accept and not criticise this outcome because it could
be considered a violation of royal power," he said.
Thailand's strict royal insult law shields the monarchy from
criticism, carrying a prison sentence of up to 15 years.
(Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng, Panarat Thepgumpanant and Panu
Wongchu-um; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor)
[© 2023 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |