Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is now a free man who can travel overseas without having to seek permission from the authorities and is no longer required to wear an electronic monitoring (EM) device, following the granting of a royal pardon on the Her Majesty the Queen’s birthday today.
The Royal Pardon was countersigned by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and published in the Royal Gazette yesterday, taking effect today.
Justice Minister Rutthapon Naowarat said today that Thaksin, whose remaining commuted prison term is less than one year, is now a free man, adding that the ankle bracelet, which he has been required to wear since he was released on probation on May 11, can be removed immediately. Officials from the Probation Department are expected to carry out the removal today or tomorrow.
Thaksin’s daughter, Pintongta, also speaking today, said that she was so excited that she could barely speak when her father was granted a Royal pardon, like many other prisoners, adding that, from now on, they can travel together again without restrictions, though they have no current plans to do so.
Pintongta said that her father spends most of the time at home in peace, with his grandchildren making regular visits.
Many other convicts currently on probation and in prisons with good behaviour records will also benefit from the royal pardons, in accordance with regulations of the Corrections Department.
For instance, prisoners serving life sentences will have the sentence commuted to 50 years and further reduced depending on the status of their behavior; ‘outstanding’ - term cut by one-eighth, ‘very good’ - term cut by one-ninth and ‘good’ - term cut by one-tenth.
