Thai king reduces former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s prison term to one year
Thailand’s king Friday reduced the prison term of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from eight years to one following the divisive politician’s return from 15 years of self-imposed exile.
Thai media, citing Justice Ministry sources, reported that Thaksin can apply for parole after serving one-third of his sentence, or four months. They said the former leader, who was transferred to a hospital after a brief prison stay because of reported frail health, could remain there for that period with permission from the Thai Correction Department’s chief.
The decision by King Maha Vajiralongkorn was published in the Royal Gazette, making it effective immediately.
Thaksin was ousted as prime minister in a military coup in 2006 and accused of corruption, abuse of power and disrespecting the monarchy. He fled Thailand in 2008 when he faced prison time for charges that he described as politically motivated.
It is widely believed that Thaksin, 74, returned out of hope for a reduced sentence from a friendly new government and that he may have made a deal with authorities.
Hours after Thaksin’s return to Thailand, Srettha Thavisin of the Thaksin-affiliated Pheu Thai party won enough votes in parliament to become prime minister, ending more than three months of uncertainty after May’s general election. Pheu Thai was able to cobble together a majority by forming a coalition with pro-military parties linked to a 2014 coup that ousted a government formed by Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra.
Election results in Thailand show that voters have overwhelmingly opted for change after nine years under a former general who took power in a coup.
The decree granting Thaksin royal clemency said he had acknowledged his guilt. It said Thaksin had worked to benefit the country and was loyal to the monarchy, and could use his knowledge and abilities to help the nation and its people.
After returning to Thailand, Thaksin was sent to prison but was quickly transferred to a state hospital because of what the prison described as high blood pressure and low oxygen, difficulty sleeping and tightness in his chest.
Thaksin became prime minister in 2001 by promoting populist policies and using his telecommunications fortune to build his own political party, and was easily reelected in 2005.
Thailand’s traditional royalist ruling class felt threatened by his popularity. His ouster set off years of sometimes-violent confrontations between his supporters and opponents. Political parties with his backing continued to win elections, but were forced from power several times by the courts and the army, both bulwarks of royalism.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, who is also acting justice minister, dismissed speculation that Thaksin was being treated with special leniency. He said in a telephone interview Friday that Thaksin would be treated as a normal convict and would be returned to prison to serve his term once his health issues cleared up. Wissanu will soon lose his positions when Srettha’s government takes office.
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