Thaksin Shinawatra, the imprisoned former prime leader of Thailand, has asked for a royal pardon, a government source told AFP on Thursday.
An eight-year prison sentence for bribery and abuse of power that Thaksin is currently serving was verified to AFP by the senior advisor to acting justice minister Wissanu Krea-ngam. Wissanu was directly quoted by Thai media as stating that Thaksin had requested the pardon.
Thaksin Shinawatra, the billionaire former prime leader of Thailand, has submitted a plea for a royal pardon, according to reports in local media citing the departing justice minister.
After 15 years of self-imposed exile, Thailand’s most prominent politician and powerful figure, Thaksin, was brought back last week and is now serving an eight-year prison term for abuse of authority and conflicts of interest.
74-year-old Thaksin’s spokesman declined to comment when contacted by Reuters for confirmation on Thursday. On Wednesday, his attorney said Thaksin was writing the request on his own.
An eight-year prison sentence for corruption and abuse of power that Thaksin is currently serving was verified to AFP by the senior advisor to acting justice minister Wissanu Krea-ngam. According to Wissanu, Thaksin’s family submitted the plea for a pardon, according to local media reports.
The former telecoms mogul had a dramatic homecoming last week, flying in on a private jet and meeting fans before being taken to a prison. He was sent to a police hospital on his first night in jail due to chest problems and excessive blood pressure, according to the authorities.
A request for royal pardon must be submitted through the corrections department to the justice minister. It is then considered by the prime minister, who must then submit it to King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
