(Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)Anyone who believes fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will return to Thailand on Aug 10 to face prison time is mistaken, according to political whistleblower Chuvit Kamolvisit. Exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra gestures while being interviewed by reporters in Hong Kong on March 25, 2019. “To petition for a royal pardon for a personal crime, it is left to the royal prerogative,” Mr Chuvit wrote. “No one has ever received a royal pardon, except for Section 112 (lese-majeste) offences.”Those who have committed crimes like corruption, robbery and fraud have never been granted a royal pardon, he said. Thaksin is retreating and has cancelled his plans to return to Thailand.

Source: Bangkok Post July 29, 2023 19:36 UTC