Former Thai PM Thaksin Released, Electronic Monitoring Device Not Yet Removed Directly

Thaksin Shinawatra. (Wikimedia Commons DoD/Helene C. Stikkel)

JAKARTA - Former Prime Minister (PM) of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra is officially free from punishment after receiving a royal pardon. However, his administrative affairs are not yet completely finished.

According to a Xinhua report from Bangkok quoted on Wednesday, June 3, Thai Justice Minister Rutthapol Naowarat said Thaksin qualified for a royal pardon decree published in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday.

With the decision, Thaksin no longer has to serve his probation until September 9. The release is immediate because his remaining sentence is less than a year.

Thaksin previously left Klong Prem Central Prison on May 11. He served the remaining four months of his one-year sentence through parole. During that time, he was required to report every month to the supervisory office and wear an electronic monitoring device.

This electronic monitoring device is usually installed to monitor the movements of a person who is still under legal surveillance.

Although it is legally free, the device has not been automatically released. Xinhua reported that its release is still pending a review by a three-member committee based on the amnesty decree.

The committee has up to 120 days to examine the eligible pardon recipients and process the necessary documents.

Thaksin must also receive a certificate of release. This document is legal proof that he has been legally released. The certificate also affects his criminal record and possible international travel.

After the documents are in order, Thaksin can be scheduled to come to the parole supervision office to remove the electronic monitoring device.

With this full freedom status, Thaksin's legal process enters the administrative stage, especially regarding the release and release of electronic monitoring devices.