Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand has submitted a request for a royal pardon, reported by local media, quoting the outgoing justice minister.
Thaksin is now serving an eight-year jail sentence for misuse of authority and disputes of interest after returning from 15 years of self-imposed exile last week.
A spokesperson of the former Thai premier refused to comment on Thursday when he was asked by Reuters for confirmation of reports.
While Thaskin’s lawyer said on Wednesday that the former PM was preparing the bid on his own.
Thaksin had requested a pardon over the eight-year prison period he is serving for charges of corruption and misuse of authority, the senior aide to caretaker justice minister Wissanu Krea-ngam confirmed to AFP.
The request for pardon was submitted by the family of Thaksin, Wissanu was mentioned as saying in local media reports.
Former Thai PM landed in Thailand last week in a dramatic homecoming, reaching on a private jet and welcoming supporters before being shifted to a jail. But on his first night in prison, he was shifted to a police hospital, with authorities mentioning chest pains and high blood pressure.
A pardon request must be submitted through the corrections department to the justice minister. It is then considered by the prime minister, who must then present it to King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
Thai tycoon’s return last week coincided with political supporter and fellow billionaire Srettha Thavisin succeeding in a parliamentary vote to become prime minister that same day, with pro-military parties supporting his Pheu Thai Party, founded by the Shinawatra family.
