Royal pardon for ex-PM Thaksin?

The unseated ex-Prime Minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, is eligible to request a royal pardon upon his return to the country. When he returns, he would be imprisoned but can request a pardon, according to the acting Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-Ngam in an announcement yesterday.

According to the deputy premier, who also holds the interim role of justice minister following the resignation of Somsak Thepsuthin in March, each inmate is allowed to call for a royal pardon, but only after they start serving their prison term.

“All inmates have the right to seek a royal pardon on the first day of imprisonment because this right is available during the time of punishment.”

Wissanu cautioned though that if the appeal for the royal pardon isn’t granted upon submission, the petitioner can only reapply after waiting a two years period.

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