Thaksin to be officially released with innocence certificate in August

The Department of Corrections is preparing to issue a certificate of innocence to former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, marking the official and legal release of the former politician after the completion of his sentences.

The legal proceedings began after the 74 year old ex-PM arrived in Thailand in August of last year. He initially faced eight years in prison for three legal charges issued against him. However, due to the good work he had done for the country, he received a royal pardon, reducing his punishment to only one year.

The former Thai premier was later released on parole in February of this year after six months in the Police General Hospital in Bangkok. Despite the controversy over his privileges, Thaksin went on a tour of several provinces to meet his supporters, starting from his home province of Chiang Mai.

While on parole, Thaksin had to report to the Corrections Department and follow the rules, including staying at a reported address, refraining from travelling outside of the country, and avoiding carrying weapons.

Recently, a director of the Corrections Department, Sahakarn Phetnarin, stated that the former PM would complete his sentence by August.

The department would then issue a certificate of innocence to Thaksin as a document to confirm his legal release. Thaksin would no longer be required to report to the authorities.

The ex-PM insisted in an interview with The Standard yesterday, July 14, that he did not want to get involved in Thai politics. Thaksin was asked to share his opinion on the realignment of a major Member of Parliament of the Pheu Thai Party, Wan Yubamrung. However, he refused to get involved with any controversy.

“It’s better for me not to get involved in Thai politics. Let’s ask the leader of the Pheu Thai Party.”

However, the Deputy PM and Minister of Commerce, Phumtham Wechayachai, revealed in an interview yesterday that it was possible Thaksin could become an advisor of the Pheu Thai Party after he is cleared.

According to Phumtham, the former PM once expressed his desire to use his knowledge and skills to benefit the country. Phumtham urged reporters to ask Thaksin himself about how he might help the party.