Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is in the process of preparing the necessary documentation for a royal pardon request, according to his lawyer. However, the timing of the submission of this request remains solely at Thaksin’s discretion.
Thaksin made a highly publicized return to Thailand last week after spending 15 years in self-imposed exile abroad. Upon his arrival via a private jet, he was promptly transferred to prison to serve an eight-year sentence stemming from charges of abuse of power and conflict of interest during his time in office.
In the hours following his return, Srettha Thavisin, a member of the Shinawatra family-backed Pheu Thai party, smoothly secured the position of prime minister through a parliamentary vote. This development fueled speculation that Thaksin may have struck a deal with his former adversaries, including elements of the conservative and royalist military that had ousted his governments in 2006 and 2014.
Both Thaksin and the Pheu Thai party have vehemently denied such allegations.
During his initial night back in Thailand, Thaksin was transferred to a police hospital due to complaints of chest pains and elevated blood pressure.
On Wednesday, Thaksin’s lawyer, Winyat Chartmontri, informed Reuters that the former prime minister was actively preparing a request for a royal pardon. “Thaksin is proceeding independently and is currently in the process of preparing the necessary documentation for the request,” Winyat stated, noting that the legal team has not yet reviewed the request.
The decision of when to submit the request will ultimately rest with Thaksin, as stated by Winyat.
Despite being absent from Thailand for 15 years, Thaksin continues to wield significant influence in the country’s politics, thanks to his legacy of populist policies, including universal healthcare and cash handouts. Parties aligned with him enjoyed electoral success for two decades until 2023.
Anti-Thaksin groups have taken action by petitioning the corrections department to prevent any efforts to secure a pardon, arguing that corruption-related cases should not be eligible for clemency.
