Former Thai Prime Minister seeking royal pardon for corruption charges
2 Min Read
Thaksin Shinawatra was Thailand's prime minister from 2001 until 2006 when he was deposed in a military coup and fled the country to avoid accusations he claimed to be politically motivated.
-
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra during the wedding of his youngest daughter Paetongtarn "Ing" Shinawatra in Hong Kong on March 22, 2019. (AP)
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has sought a royal pardon after being convicted in absentia to eight years in jail for corruption, according to Thai PBS, quoting the Thai Justice Ministry.
Wissanu Krea-ngam, Thailand's caretaker justice minister, acknowledged to Thai PBS that he had received the 74-year-old politician's plea, adding that he would thoroughly review it. He was skeptical that the petition would be heard by either the existing or next administrations.
Thaksin, who returned to the nation after 17 years in exile, is presently being treated at Bangkok's major police hospital after having an asthma attack on the first day of his comeback aboard a private plane.
Read more: Thai opposition parties form coalition after electoral success
According to the article, the petition must travel through all levels of the Thai Justice Ministry before being delivered to the royal personal office of the Bureau of the Royal Household.
Thailand is presently forming a new administration following the May 14 general election. The new government, whose members have already been named, is scheduled to be sworn in soon. Wissanu, one of Thailand's most qualified attorneys and deputy prime minister for almost eight years, will step down after the new justice minister is sworn in.
Thaksin was Thailand's prime minister from 2001 until 2006 when he was deposed in a military coup and fled the country to avoid accusations he claimed to be politically motivated.
He returned to Thailand in 2008 and pleaded not guilty before the Supreme Court. Later that year, the lawmaker traveled to Beijing for the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics and did not return to hear the ultimate court sentencing, breaking his bail conditions. After his asylum application was denied in the United Kingdom, he began traveling to other countries.
Charges against Thaksin include covert real estate dealings made by his wife while he was in power, tax fraud, and facilitating foreign loans through the Bank of Thailand.
