Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin receives royal pardon after daughter becomes head of government

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been included in a royal pardon for prisoners, and his probation will end on August 18.

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin receives royal pardon. (Source: AFP)

This information was announced by Winyat Chartmontri - Mr. Thaksin's lawyer on August 17.

Thaksin’s probation was due to end at the end of this month, but the early end was part of a general royal amnesty for prisoners of good character to mark King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s birthday last month.

According to Reuters, 7,500 prisoners were also granted amnesty along with Mr. Thaksin for good behavior during this occasion.

Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra (75 years old) returned to Thailand in August 2023 after 15 years of exile to avoid trial. His return coincided with the time when the Pheu Thai party he founded returned to the top position of government after the election of the same year.

On the day he returned home, Mr. Thaksin was sentenced to eight years in prison for conflict of interest and abuse of power during his time in power from 2001 to 2006. The sentence was reduced to one year under a royal pardon.

On August 16, Mr. Thaksin called to congratulate his daughter, Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 37 years old, right after the National Assembly approved him as Prime Minister of Thailand, replacing Mr. Srettha Thavisin who was dismissed by the Constitutional Court on August 14. Mr. Thaksin's younger sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, was also Prime Minister of Thailand.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/former-prime-minister-of-thailand-thaksin-duoc-an-xa-hoang-gia-sau-khi-con-gai-tro-thanh-nguoi-dung-dau-chinh-phu-282975.html