Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand who had been living in self-exile for over 15 years, has submitted a formal request for a royal pardon to King Maha Vajiralongkorn. This move comes shortly after his highly anticipated return to Thailand.
Thaksin, a prominent figure in Thai politics, held the position of Prime Minister from 2001 until he was deposed in a military coup in 2006. After a brief return to Thailand in 2008, he fled the country due to a corruption conviction.
Outgoing Justice Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam confirmed the receipt of Thaksin’s letter seeking a royal pardon and assured the public that the request would be processed in accordance with established protocols. He emphasized that the decision ultimately rests with the King.
Thaksin’s return to Thailand occurred on August 22 when he arrived via a private jet and was greeted by his family and supporters in Bangkok. Shortly after his arrival, the Supreme Court sentenced him to eight years in prison on charges including conflict of interest, abuse of power, and corruption during his time in office. Notably, these convictions were made in absentia during his exile.
Following a medical examination, Thaksin was initially taken to prison but was later transferred to a hospital due to health issues, including chest tightness, high blood pressure, and low oxygen levels. The Thai Corrections Department stated that his underlying heart condition required specialized care, which could not be provided in a prison hospital. As a result, the likelihood of Thaksin being incarcerated in the near future appears low, according to analysts.
Shortly after Thaksin’s return, the Thai parliament selected Srettha Thavisin from the populist Pheu Thai party as the country’s 30th Prime Minister. Pheu Thai formed a coalition with two military-backed parties, which had been involved in the overthrow of the democratically elected government led by Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, nearly a decade ago. The Shinawatra political dynasty, founded by Thaksin, has wielded significant influence in Thai politics for the past two decades.
Some observers speculate that Thaksin may have negotiated an arrangement with the conservative and royalist establishment in exchange for his return, potentially involving a reduced prison sentence, lenient treatment, or even a pardon. However, Thaksin has reportedly denied such claims.
The timeline for the royal pardon application process remains unclear. In Thailand, prisoners can request a royal pardon through the justice minister, who then forwards the application to the Prime Minister and ultimately the King for final approval. With the caretaker government’s term coming to an end and the incoming government, led by Thaksin ally Srettha, set to take office, the situation remains dynamic.
Thaksin Shinawatra is a billionaire. He remains a divisive figure in Thai politics, having amassed substantial wealth as a telecommunications mogul and implementing policies favored by the rural population but criticized by the country’s elite and conservative segments for alleged populism and corruption.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
