Thailand’s billionaire former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been pardoned by the royal government and his parole period reduced by two weeks, his lawyer announced on Saturday, a day after his daughter became the third family member to be elected prime minister.
Thailand’s controversial former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been pardoned by the royal government, his lawyer said on Saturday, a day after his daughter became the kingdom’s new prime minister.
The 75-year-old billionaire is one of thousands granted amnesty by King Maha Vajiralongkorn on the occasion of his birthday.
Thaksin was sentenced to eight years in prison on charges of corruption and abuse of power dating back to his time in power when he returned to the kingdom nearly a year ago after 15 years in self-imposed exile.
However, his sentence was reduced to one year by the king and he was later released on parole due to his age and poor health.
The amnesty was announced in the official Royal Gazette and Thaksin’s lawyer Winyat Chatmontree said the two-time prime minister had benefited from it.
“Thaksin Shinawatra is one of those who received the royal pardon,” he said on his personal Facebook account.
“Later he will receive a document from the prison stating that he is a free man.”
The Royal Gazette, published on Saturday, said that “the King has given people the opportunity to develop themselves and benefit their country.”
AFP
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