The Thai Royal Gazette announced that Maha Vajiralongkorn, the King of Thailand, has granted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra a royal pardon, commuting his eight-year prison sentence down to just one. This act of clemency, which can take the form of an unconditional release or reduction in punishment, is left solely to the king’s discretion.
Thaksin, who served as Thailand’s Prime Minister from 2001 to 2006, returned to his homeland after a 15-year self-imposed exile in London and Dubai. He was initially sent to Bangkok Remand Prison but was moved to a public hospital due to chest pains and high blood pressure experienced on his first night. There, he submitted a request for a royal pardon.
The Royal Gazette, controlled by the government, justified the royal pardon, emphasizing Thaksin’s service to the country and his loyalty to the monarchy. His respect for due process, admission of guilt, repentance, and acceptance of court verdicts were also considered. Thaksin’s older age and ongoing health issues were cited as factors in the decision as well.
Moreover, upon serving his much-reduced sentence, the Gazette suggested that Thaksin will be encouraged to leverage his knowledge, experience, and skills for the benefit of Thailand. Thaksin’s attorney, Winyat Chatmontri, stated that the pardon illustrated King Vajiralongkorn’s kindness and called for the public to accept this determination.
Thailand operates as a constitutional monarchy under head of state Vajiralongkorn and head of government Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Inmates in Thailand may submit a pardon application to the Minister of Justice via the Department of Corrections. Then, it moves through a bureaucratic process: from the justice minister to the prime minister, followed by the Privy Council, and finally to the King, who has the ultimate authority to grant royal pardons.