Convicted former prime minister Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who recently began serving an 8-year prison term and is currently receiving medical treatment in the Police General Hospital in Bangkok, has already submitted a petition for royal clemency.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said today (Thursday) that he has already received the request and will examine the details before forwarding it to the prime minister.

Wissanu added that he does not know if it will be handled by this administration or the next. Procedurally, a prime minister will forward such petitions to the King.

On August 28, however, the Thai Pakdee party submitted a petition to Corrections Department’s director general, opposing any attempt by Thaksin to seek a royal pardon.

Anand Sakorncharoen, treasurer of Thai Pakdee, said that, the petition is based on the fact that Thaksin has four convictions for corruption, which gravely damaged the country’s governance and reputation.

“Thaksin also evaded punishment for long time by fleeing abroad, clearly showing that he does not respect the country’s justice system. “Therefore, Thaksin’s petition for a royal pardon would “bother” the King,” Anand said.

Thaksin’s petition, if granted, would be unjust and emphasise legal and social inequality in the country, he said. It would also confirm the axiom that, in Thailand, prison is just for the poor.

Furthermore, the party noted that there are two pending charges against Thaksin in court, so Thaksin should be tried on those charges before being able to seek Royal clemency.

Read : Petition submitted against Thaksin seeking Royal pardon