Thailand’s Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to be Released from Jail After Eight Years
Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has been serving an eight-year jail term for abuse of power, is set to be released on parole after a royal pardon reduced his term to one year. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confirmed the news to reporters on Tuesday, emphasizing that Thaksin will return to being a normal citizen upon his release.
Thaksin, 74, returned to Thailand last August after spending more than 14 years in exile. However, he was immediately taken to court and sentenced to eight years in prison. After only one night in jail, he was transferred to a hospital due to a spike in his blood pressure. Shortly thereafter, the king granted him a royal pardon, resulting in the reduction of his sentence to one year.
The Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong stated that Thaksin, along with 930 other inmates, has been granted parole, primarily due to his age and Health reasons. His release is expected after February 17.
Thaksin Shinawatra rose to power in 2001 with a populist campaign that resonated with rural Thais who felt marginalized by the ruling elite. He won a landslide victory in the Election five years later, but his tenure was short-lived as the military staged a coup and seized power. Thaksin faced allegations of human rights abuses and was later convicted of abuse of power, prompting him to go into exile, mainly in Dubai.
Srettha Thavisin, from the Pheu Thai Party led by Thaksin’s youngest daughter, acknowledged Thaksin’s contributions to the country and hinted that he could provide valuable advice to his daughter in serving the nation.
The impending release of Thaksin Shinawatra marks a significant development in Thai Politics and has implications for the country’s future trajectory.
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