BREAKING NEWS: Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra granted royal pardon, sentence reduced to 1 year

Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been granted a royal pardon, effectively reducing his punishment to a one-year sentence.

According to the announcement published in the Royal Gazette this afternoon, King Rama X extended royal clemency to the 74 year old Thaksin, slashing his previous sentence of seven years, eleven months, and 20 days down to one year.

The royal proclamation makes a compelling case for the decision to give a royal pardon, citing Thaksin’s dedication to the role of prime minister and his contributions to the country’s administration, which were deemed beneficial.

The royal pardon also highlights Thaksin’s unwavering loyalty to the monarchy and his willingness to cooperate with the judicial process during his prosecution, as he returned to Thailand to face the charges.

Furthermore, Thaksin is at an advanced age and has health problems…