In a stunning political development, Thailand's controversial former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, has been granted a royal pardon, slashing his initial eight-year prison term to a single year.
The news broke just days after the 74-year-old billionaire made a dramatic return to Bangkok, ending 15 years of self-imposed exile. His homecoming coincided with a pivotal vote in parliament that saw his Pheu Thai party ally, Srettha Thavisin, elected as the new Prime Minister.
A Swift Judicial Turnaround
Mr. Shinawatra was swiftly imprisoned upon his arrival on August 22nd after the Supreme Court confirmed his sentence for multiple counts of corruption and abuse of power. However, his time behind bars was short-lived. Due to his age and health concerns, he was almost immediately transferred from a Bangkok prison to a police hospital.
The royal command, published in the Royal Gazette on Friday, stated that the former PM had expressed remorse and accepted his crimes. It cited his past service as prime minister and his contributions to the country's development as factors in the decision.
Political Turmoil and a Controversial Homecoming
Thaksin's return and subsequent pardon mark the latest chapter in Thailand's deeply divisive political saga. A polarising figure, he is adored by his rural poor supporters but reviled by the country's royalist and pro-military establishment, which ousted him in a 2006 coup.
His homecoming and the rapid reduction of his sentence have sparked accusations of a backroom deal, a claim vehemently denied by the ruling Pheu Thai party. The move is seen by many analysts as a deft political manoeuvre that could potentially ease the country's two-decade-long political rift.
The situation continues to develop, with the world watching to see how this significant event will reshape Thailand's political landscape.
