BANGKOK (ANN/THE NATION) – Senator Somchai Swangkarn stated on Tuesday that former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra could return to Thailand at her discretion, and the public might be willing to forgive her. However, he emphasised that any “special steps” taken by the judiciary, similar to those with her brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, could lead to a “trust crisis.”
Senator Swangkarn highlighted Thaksin’s case, where he did not spend a night in jail and was later taken to Police General Hospital due to an unidentified illness. Thaksin’s sentence was reduced from eight years to one, and he was granted parole 180 days later. The senator noted that Yingluck, being younger and healthy, might not be eligible for parole.
Despite being acquitted in two cases, Yingluck still faces a five-year prison term for her government’s controversial rice subsidy scheme. The recent dismissal of charges related to a 2020 roadshow project and the transfer of Thawil Pliensri did not affect the sentence. Yingluck has consistently denied all charges, attributing them to political motivations.
Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong mentioned that he has not received any pardon requests for Yingluck and did not elaborate on the steps she would need to take for a potential return. Political analysts express skepticism about her comeback.
Yingluck fled Thailand in 2017, three years after being ousted in a coup led by then-Army chief Prayut Chan-o-cha.
