Thaksin can seek royal pardon within 24 hours of starting jail time: Wissanu

When asked how many days Thaksin has to wait before applying for a royal pardon, Wissanu said: “That can be done within [the first] 24 hours. But I don’t know if he will do it. I can’t answer this for him.”

According to Wissanu, who is also serving as the caretaker justice minister, the process calls for convicts to submit their written appeal to His Majesty the King for a royal pardon. “But they have to wait for two more years to submit a new appeal if they are not granted a pardon [in their first attempt],” he said.

Wissanu, who is in charge of the government’s legal matters, explained that it is the right of every convict to seek a royal pardon.

Thaksin, who is regarded as the patriarch of the Pheu Thai Party, is expected to return to Thailand soon to serve his jail term for criminal cases stemming from his time in office.

His daughter Paetongtarn, who is one of…