In a stunning political development that has captivated Thailand, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been granted a royal pardon and released on parole, mere hours after his dramatic return from a 15-year exile.
The 74-year-old billionaire, once one of Asia's most prominent political figures, touched down in a private jet at Bangkok's Don Mueang airport on Tuesday morning to a hero's welcome from hundreds of fervent supporters. His return coincides with a pivotal moment in Thai politics, as the Pheu Thai party—founded by his own family—seeks to form a new coalition government.
A Swift Judicial Process
Thaksin was immediately taken into custody to serve an eight-year sentence from previous convictions, which he has long decried as politically motivated. However, in an extraordinary turn of events, the country's Supreme Court the very same day announced a reduced sentence of just one year.
The Royal Palace then confirmed that King Maha Vajiralongkorn had subsequently commuted this sentence further, citing Thaksin's past service as prime minister and his expressed loyalty to the monarchy. The Attorney General's office has now confirmed his release on parole.
A Political Earthquake
Thaksin's return and almost instantaneous release are seen by many analysts as part of a delicate political bargain. The move potentially reconciles the nation's pro-military and royalist establishment with the powerful Shinawatra family, whose parties have won every election since 2001 but have been repeatedly removed from power by coups or court rulings.
His daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, now leads the Pheu Thai party and is at the heart of the current negotiations to form a government. The party has recently forged a controversial alliance with its former military-backed rivals, a move that has shocked many of its own supporters but appears to have paved the way for Thaksin's safe return.
The coming weeks will reveal whether this marks the end of a two-decade-long political feud or simply a new chapter in Thailand's turbulent governance.
