Thailand: Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra completes prison term

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's lawyer announced that his client has been included in the Royal Pardon list and will officially complete his prison term on August 18.

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Photo: THE NATION

Thaksin Shinawatra's lawyer made the confirmation after the Thai Royal Palace announced that some prisoners would be pardoned on the occasion of King Maha Vajiralongkorn's 72nd birthday last month. The former Thai Prime Minister was among 7,500 prisoners who had shown good behavior and were pardoned on the occasion. Thus, the former Thai Prime Minister will complete his prison term two weeks ahead of the release date.

The news was announced just one day after Thaksin's daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was elected by the National Assembly as the new Prime Minister of Thailand. Thaksin, 75, returned to Thailand in August last year after 15 years in exile. Upon his return, he was sentenced to eight years in prison for abuse of power and conflict of interest. However, the sentence was reduced to one year under a royal pardon at the time. Thaksin was also released early in February due to his age and health and had served half of his sentence.

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Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/thai-lan-cuu-thu-tuong-thaksin-shinawatra-man-han-tu-post754590.html