Information that former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is expected to be released was announced by the Thai Minister of Justice on June 3.
Mr. Thaksin was conditionally released last month after serving an 8-month prison sentence. The former Thai Prime Minister is only more than 3 months away from serving his 1-year sentence, expected to end in September.
Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn has pardoned some selected prisoners on the occasion of Queen Suthida's birthday on June 3, according to an official announcement from the Thai royal family on the evening of June 2.
When asked if Mr. Thaksin was among those granted amnesty, Thai Justice Minister Rutthaphon Naowarat confirmed that former Prime Minister Thaksin was on the amnesty list but there are still some administrative procedures to be completed before being officially released and having his digital toe buckle removed.
Mr. Thaksin returned to Thailand in August 2023 after 15 years of exile to serve 8 years in prison for conflict of interest and abuse of power during his tenure as prime minister from 2001 to 2006.
A few hours after arriving at the prison, Mr. Thaksin was transferred to the hospital on the grounds of heart and lung-related illnesses.
Later, his sentence was reduced to 1 year thanks to royal pardon, and he spent 6 months in the hospital before being pardoned.
Last year, the Thai Supreme Court ordered Mr. Thaksin to return to prison, ruling that his prolonged hospitalization was not entirely justified and the rest of the sentence must be served in prison.
