Thailand’s billionaire former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, has made a plea for a royal pardon, according to reports in local media citing the departing justice minister.
After 15 years of self-imposed exile, Thailand’s most prominent politician, Thaksin, was brought back last week and is now serving an eight-year prison term for abuse of authority and conflicts of interest.
74-year-old Thaksin’s spokesman declined to comment when contacted for confirmation on Thursday. On Wednesday, his attorney said Thaksin was preparing the request on his own.
A senior adviser to acting justice minister Wissanu Krea-ngam confirmed that Thaksin has requested a pardon for the eight years in prison he is now serving on convictions of corruption and abuse of power. According to Wissanu, the pardon request was made by Thaksin’s family.
The former telecommunications mogul had a dramatic homecoming last week, flying in on a private plane and meeting fans before being taken to prison. However, according to authorities, he was sent to a police hospital on his first night in jail due to chest problems and high blood pressure.
The justice minister must receive a request for a royal pardon via the department of prisons. The prime minister must then present it to King Maha Vajiralongkorn after giving it some consideration.
On the same day as Thaksin’s homecoming last week, Srettha Thavisin, a political friend and fellow business mogul who ran with the Pheu Thai Party, formed by the Shinawatra family, won a parliamentary vote to become prime minister with the support of pro-military parties.
The incidents fuelled rumours that Thaksin had made a pact with his strong rivals in the conservative establishment and royalist military, who ousted him in a coup in 2006 and accused him of corruption and betraying the mighty monarchy.
In addition to rejecting speculation of a pact with the generals, Thaksin refuted these accusations.
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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