31-8-2023 (BANGKOK) In a surprising turn of events, outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, who is also acting as the justice minister, has confirmed that an application for a royal pardon has been submitted on behalf of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Speaking to reporters at Government House on Thursday, Mr. Wissanu declined to reveal the identity of the applicant, stating only that it was an individual application and not part of a mass pardon or sentence reduction typically granted on special occasions.
When questioned about the scope of the application, Mr. Wissanu remained tight-lipped, refusing to disclose whether it covered all three cases in which Thaksin was ordered to serve eight years in jail. He maintained that the application would follow the standard procedure, which involves the justice minister, prime minister, and Privy Council before being presented to His Majesty the King for consideration.
Thaksin, who returned to Thailand on August 22 after 15 years of self-imposed exile, was sentenced to a total of eight years in prison for corruption and abuse of power while in office prior to 2006. Due to health concerns, he was admitted to Police General Hospital just hours after being sent to prison.
Mr. Wissanu defended the decisions made by corrections officials regarding Thaksin’s medical care, citing the former prime minister’s deteriorating health, high blood pressure, and depression. He also confirmed that Thaksin was still being treated at Police General Hospital.
The processing time for royal pardon applications is typically one to two months if all paperwork is in order. However, Mr. Wissanu believes that the application will be processed efficiently, despite the current caretaker government having only a few days left before a new administration led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and the Pheu Thai Party is sworn in.
Ultimately, the decision on Thaksin’s royal pardon application rests with His Majesty the King, and Mr. Wissanu emphasized that the procedure is purely based on royal grace and the length of consideration varies.
