Following an order from Thailand’s Supreme Court sentencing former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to one year in jail, after the court deemed his previous hospital transfer unlawful, Thaksin’s official Facebook page issued a public statement at 11:30 AM on Tuesday.
Signed “Posted by Team,” the message began with an expression of deep gratitude to His Majesty the King for the royal pardon that reduced Thaksin’s prison term to just one year, calling it “an immeasurable act of royal benevolence” for both himself and his family.
Thaksin said he fully accepted the court’s decision and was ready to comply with the legal process. Reflecting on his tenure as prime minister from 2001 to 2006, he wrote that he had worked to improve people’s lives, transform Thailand’s political landscape, and foster real-policy competition and a functioning democracy—achievements that remain his greatest pride as a democratically elected leader.
He also noted that every legal case against him emerged after the 2006 coup, which ousted his government, but said he now wished to move forward and put past legal battles and related conflict behind him.
Concluding his message, Thaksin thanked his supporters, Pheu Thai Party politicians, and friends who had stood by him through all circumstances. He said he chose this path to encourage everyone to keep moving forward and continue working for the nation, religion, monarchy, and all Thai people with shared ideals and spirit until the day they might walk together again.
Thaksin finished by stating that while he may no longer have his personal freedom, he still retains freedom of thought and remains committed to serving the monarchy, the nation, and Thai citizens for the rest of his life, regardless of his circumstances.
