Thailand fully frees Thaksin Shinawatra after royal pardon
What's new: Officials removed his electronic monitor, ending parole conditions after he served 8 months of a 1-year sentence.
Thailand has fully released former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra after a royal pardon ended the remaining conditions on his sentence. The Department of Corrections said Tuesday that prison officials removed his electronic monitoring device and issued discharge papers, leaving him no longer subject to punishment or supervision. Thaksin, 76, had served eight months of a one-year term for corruption and abuse of power before he was paroled last month because of his age and health. He became eligible for the Jun. 3 pardon marking Queen Suthida's birthday because he had less than a year left on his sentence. The move closes a legal chapter for one of Thailand's most influential political figures.