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HKPolitics6 days ago

Thailand’s Thaksin is out of jail, but can he ‘leave politics behind’?

Thaksin Shinawatra, former Thai Prime Minister, has been released from prison following a royal pardon. Neighbors in his hometown express mixed feelings, hoping he can retire from politics but doubting he will do so. Thaksin has faced numerous legal challenges, political turmoil, and personal threats over the years.

In Thaksin Shinawatra ’s hometown outside Chiang Mai, neighbours say they hope the royal pardon gifted to the tycoon offers Thailand ’s most loved – and quite possibly, most loathed – politician a chance to exit the kingdom’s bear-pit politics ahead of his 77th birthday.

But after eight months in jail, a coup against his government, a battery of legal cases, threats to his family, assets – and even his life – those hitched to the Shinawatra bandwagon since Thaksin won his first election in 2001 doubt he is destined for the political sunset just yet.

“He deserves to rest after fighting all this time. I really hope he does,” said Non, a 69-year-old resident of Thaksin’s home district of San Kamphaeng, a 30-minute drive from Chiang Mai in northern Thailand.

“But I don’t think he can leave politics behind,” he said, requesting to give only one name.

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Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra released after 8 months in prison

On June 3, Thaksin received a royal pardon after his release on parole from a Bangkok jail.

Read the full article at South China Morning Post →
Source document: Royal Pardon for Thaksin Shinawatra

1 reports

South China Morning PostParty-alignedCenter6 days ago
Thailand’s Thaksin is out of jail, but can he ‘leave politics behind’?

Thaksin Shinawatra, former Thai Prime Minister, has been released from prison following a royal pardon. Neighbors in his hometown express mixed feelings, hoping he can retire from politics but doubting he will do so. Thaksin has faced numerous legal challenges, political turmoil, and personal threats over the years.

Bias read (Center): The article presents perspectives from both supporters and critics of Thaksin, without overtly favoring one side. It includes quotes from local residents expressing hope and skepticism regarding Thaksin's future in politics, maintaining a balanced tone.

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