BANGKOK, Aug 22 — Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who was given an eight-year prison sentence today, can seek a royal pardon and the process might take one to two months, said deputy director general of the Department of Corrections Sitthi Sutivong.
He said that as soon as he arrived in prison, Thaksin submitted an application for a royal pardon.
“The process can take one to two, depending on the number of sufficient documents you submit,” he said at a press conference here today.
He added that the application for the royal pardon will be submitted to a committee of the Corrections Department.
“The committee will hand it to the Justice Ministry, and then the prime minister will forward it for consideration by the Privy Council,” he said.
Earlier today, the Supreme Court sentenced Thaksin to eight years in prison after his return to the kingdom from a 15-year self-imposed exile. He was later taken to the Bangkok Remand Prison.
Meanwhile, director general of the Corrections Department Ayuth Sintoppant said Thaksin is being closely monitored for his health conditions, including heart and lung problems, hypertension, degenerative spine, and herniated discs.
He said Thaksin is placed in a private room on the medical ward at the Bangkok Remand Prison, and he will meet family members on the fifth day.
