Former Thai prime minister Thaksin to be freed after royal pardon

(Reuters)

BANGKOK, June 3- Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is set to be released from the remainder of his prison sentence under a royal pardon, the country’s justice minister ​told reporters on Wednesday.

Thaksin, who was released on parole last month after ‌serving eight months in prison, had just over three months remaining on his one-year sentence, which was due to expire in September.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn granted pardons to selected prisoners to mark ​Queen Suthida’s birthday on June 3, the official royal gazette said late ​on Tuesday.

When asked whether Thaksin was among those receiving the pardon, ⁠justice minister Rutthaphon Naowarat told reporters that he was, but said there were still some administrative ​procedures to be completed before he is formally released and allowed to remove his electronic ankle bracelet.

Thaksin’s lawyer ​Winyat Chartmontri said he could not immediately confirm the decision.

“Based on his qualifications, he appears to meet the criteria to receive the benefit of a royal pardon and release,” Winyat told Reuters.

The ​76-year-old billionaire returned to Thailand in August 2023 after 15 years of self-imposed exile to ​serve an eight-year sentence for conflicts of interest and abuse of power committed while he was ‌prime ⁠minister from 2001 to 2006.

He returned on the same day a party allied to him secured enough parliamentary support to form a government.

Within hours of arriving at prison, however, Thaksin was transferred to a hospital, citing heart and chest-related ailments.

His sentence was ​later reduced to ​one year by ⁠royal clemency, and he spent six months in hospital before being granted parole.

Last year, the Supreme Court ordered Thaksin back to ​prison, ruling that his prolonged hospital stay was not fully ​justified and ⁠that the remainder of his sentence should be served in custody.

For two decades, Thaksin remained one of the most influential and divisive figures in Thai politics, shaping successive populist ⁠governments ​led by or aligned with the powerful Shinawatra ​family.

His legal troubles deepened after the collapse of the Pheu Thai-led government last year and the rise of ​former ally-turned-rival Anutin Charnvirakul to the premiership.