Thai King Cuts Former PM Prison Sentence To One Year

Thailand’s King has reduced the eight-year prison sentence of Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to a year.

Mr Thaksin, who returned home last month after 15 years of self-imposed exile, was immediately sent to jail.

He was then moved to the luxury wing of a State hospital after complaining of heart problems.

Mr Thaksin has always said the outstanding sentences, over charges of corruption and abuse of power, were politically motivated.

Deposed by a military coup in 2006, Mr Thaksin, one of Thailand’s most influential and polarising personalities, left the Country two years later to avoid a prison sentence.

Thaksin clearly hoped for leniency and King Vajiralongkorn has responded quickly to his request for a pardon, reducing his eight-year sentence to just one. Mr Thaksin is likely to stay in hospital.

In response to his request for a royal pardon, the royal gazette on Friday noted his age and “illness”.

It added that Mr Thaksin “has done good for the Country and people and is loyal to the monarchy”.

BBC