King Commutes Thaksin's Jail Term To One Year, Prawit To Resign Give Up MP Seat

Wires report that Thailand's King commuted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinavatra's jail sentence to one year in response to Thaksin's plea for a royal pardon. The ex-PM was detained on his return to the country. Local press reported that Thaksin was allowed to return as part of a truce between the Pheu Thai Party (PTP) and pro-junta parties, which saw them form a new governing coalition.

• Despite his immediate arrest, Thaksin was quickly moved to a hospital due to ill health and it was clear that he would not serve the full eight-year prison sentence handed to him by the court on several charges. Note that Thaksin remained a dominant figure in Pheu Thai, even during his self-exile.
• Meanwhile, the formal change of guard in pro-junta parties continues, as outgoing Deputy Prime Minister and Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader Prawit Wongsuwan announced his imminent resignation as a party-list MP (albeit he intends to remain party leader and focus on party work). This comes after outgoing Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha announced his departure from politics.