BANGKOK: Thailand’s billionaire former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been granted a royal pardon that reduces his parole by two weeks, his lawyer announced on August 17. This development follows the election of his daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, as premier by the Thai parliament.
Thaksin has been a central figure in a two-decade-long political struggle between the Shinawatra family and a coalition of royalists, generals, and old-money elites who have historically influenced Thai governance.
After returning from self-imposed exile in August 2023 to avoid jail time following his 2006 military coup ousting, Thaksin served six months in hospital detention due to health issues. He was released on parole in February 2024. Initially sentenced to eight years in prison for abuse of power and conflicts of interest during his tenure from 2001 to 2006, his sentence was reduced to one year by King Maha Vajiralongkorn in September 2023.
According to his lawyer, Winyat Chartmontri, Thaksin is among those who received a royal pardon in honor of the King’s birthday in July. This pardon will take effect on August 18, shortening the parole period that was set to end at the end of August.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin’s 37-year-old daughter, was elected as Thailand’s second female prime minister on August 16, securing nearly two-thirds of the parliament’s votes.
This election followed the dismissal of Thaksin ally Srettha Thavisin from the position of prime minister on August 14 by the Constitutional Court for ethical violations.
Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, previously served as prime minister from 2011 to 2014.
