Thai King commutes sentence of former prime minister

King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand has commuted the prison sentence of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thaksin Shinawatra was convicted of abuse of power in 2010, but he had been sentenced in absentia as he had already fled to Dubai. He did not return to Thailand until last week, when he was immediately arrested. However, he was admitted to the hospital later that night due to medical issues.

Thaksin Shinawatra applied for a pardon after his return, which was partially granted as his sentence was lowered to just one year. The Royal Household released a statement saying Thaksin Shinawatra had “done good work as a prime minister for the country and its inhabitants, and he is loyal to the monarchy. He has admitted his guilt, offered apologies and accepted the verdict.”