The decree granting Thaksin, 74, royal clemency said the action was taken so he could use his knowledge and abilities to help the nation and its people.
Thailand's king reduces prison term of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to a single year
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It is widely believed that Thaksin returned out of hope that a new government friendly to him would reduce his sentence and that he may have made a deal with authorities, although he has said his decision had nothing to do with the Pheu Thai party’s bid for power.
Thaksin Shinawatra, former Thai leader, jailed after returning from exile, requests a royal pardon
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