Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra says he accepts the Supreme Court’s decision, ordering him to serve one year in prison, saying that “although every case against me arose after the coup that ousted my government in 2006, today I choose to look forward, to bringing closure to what has passed, both the legal battles and the conflicts connected to me.”
The message was posted by his team on his social media platforms, after the Supreme Court ruled that his six-month stay in the Police General Hospital could not be counted as time served.
He also claimed that, during his tenure as prime minister, from 2001 to 2006, he pushed for policies aimed at improving the quality of life of the people and transforming Thailand’s political landscape.
“This remains my greatest source of pride as politician elected by the people,” he said.
He also conveyed his thanks to the people for their constant support, to politicians and members of the Pheu Thai party and to friends and allies who have stood by him through both good times and bad.
His decision to accept this path, he said, is intended to encourage everyone to move forward together, working for the nation, religion, monarchy and the people, until the day they can walk side by side again.
“From today, although I may have lost my physical freedom, I still hold freedom of thought for the benefit of the nation and its people. I will keep my body and spirit strong, so that I may devote the rest of my life to serving the monarchy, our homeland and the Thai people, whatever my status may be from now on,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude for the royal mercy of His Majesty the King, who commuted his prison sentence from eight to one year, a grace that extended to his family as well.
