BANGKOK – Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was handed an eight-year prison sentence yesterday, can seek a royal pardon and the process might take one to two months, said Department of Corrections deputy director-general Sitthi Sutivong.
He said as soon as he arrived in prison, Thaksin submitted an application for a royal pardon.
“The process can take one to two, depending on the number of sufficient documents you submit,” he said at a press conference here yesterday.
He added that the application for the royal pardon will be submitted to a committee of the Corrections Department.
“The committee will hand it to the Justice Ministry, and then the prime minister will forward it for consideration by the privy council.”
Earlier, the Supreme Court sentenced Thaksin, 74, to eight years in prison after his return to the kingdom from a 15-year self-imposed exile. He was later taken to the Bangkok remand prison.
Meanwhile, Corrections director-general Ayuth Sintoppant said Thaksin is being closely monitored for his health conditions, including heart and lung problems, hypertension, degenerative spine, and herniated discs.
He added that Thaksin is placed in a private room on the medical ward at the remand prison, and will meet family members on the fifth day. – August 23, 2023
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