Convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, like other inmates, will be eligible for further royal clemency on important occasions, out-going Justice Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam told Thai PBS.

Thaksin’s eight-year prison term on three convictions has already been reduced from eight to one year, by virtue of a commutation granted by HM the King.

Wissanu said that, on important occasions, many well-behaved and severely ill prisoners serving only one year are granted Royal pardons and Thaksin could be one of them.

He quickly added, however, that he has no idea whether the Thaksin will be among those granted royal pardons.

Thaksin is currently being treated at the Police General Hospital, to which he was transferred on the night of his return to Thailand after about 17 years of living in exile abroad. Wissanu said that Thaksin will be returned to the Bangkok remand prison if his condition improves. If not, he will remain at the police hospital, he added.

Meanwhile, a Corrections Department source said that, after serving two-thirds of his one-year jail term, Thaksin might have the remaining term suspended and be conditionally released.

In response to the royal commutation, Thaksin’s three children expressed their gratitude, saying that their father will serve the monarchy loyally and will use all his accumulated knowledge and experience for the good of the country and its people.