BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra formally completed all his obligations related to a prison sentence on Wednesday, 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.The decree by King Maha Vajiralongkorn was published in the Royal Gazette late Tuesday and became effective Wednesday. Thailand is a constitutional monarchy, giving the king the final word on pardons of convicted criminals.The king’s decision was made on the occasion of Queen Suthida’s birthday. It applied broadly to eligible convicts who met specific conditions. Thaksin qualified for full release because he had been released on probation and had less than a year remaining on his sentence.
Thaksin was a telecommunications magnate who founded his own political party in 1998 and served as prime minister from 2001 until a military coup ousted him in 2006 while he was abroad.
