Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra freed early from parole after receiving royal pardon
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been released from parole after receiving a royal pardon, completing his legal obligations. The pardon, issued by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, came on the occasion of Queen Suthida's birthday. Thaksin, who served as Prime Minister from 2001 until his ousting in 2006, remains a significant figure in Thai politics despite speculation about his future involvement.
- ▪Thaksin Shinawatra completed his obligations related to a prison sentence on June 3, 2026, after a royal pardon.
- ▪He was released from a Bangkok prison on May 11 after serving eight months of a one-year sentence for corruption-related charges.
- ▪The royal decree was published in the Royal Gazette and became effective immediately, allowing for his early release.
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Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra formally completed all his obligations related to a prison sentence on Wednesday (June 3, 2026), when a royal pardon ended his four-month probation early.The 76-year-old billionaire populist, who was a dominant force in Thai politics for more than two decades, was released from a Bangkok prison last month to cheering crowds. There has since been speculation that he might continue to exert his strong influence over the Pheu Thai Party, which is part of the governing coalition, though his family has said he may want to step back from politics. Thailand's former PM Thaksin released from prisonThe decree by King Maha Vajiralongkorn was published in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday (June 2, 2026) and became effective on Wednesday.
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