Bangkok [Thailand]: Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn on Saturday (local time) revoked royal decorations awarded to toppled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra after he was convicted for corruption.
“King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun issued a royal command to revoke royal decorations, because Thaksin Shinawatra was sentenced to jail by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders, in addition to many other accusations, and he fled the kingdom, which is a highly inappropriate behavior,” a statement from the Royal office read.
The development came less than a week later Thailand conducted its first election since the 2014 military coup.
Thaksin has fled the country in 2008 and since then is living in exile to avoid conviction in corruption cases.
He was convicted in absentia and was awarded two years of jail.
The King’s order could be considered as a severe blow to pro-Thaksin parties as Pheu Thai party is struggling with the ruling military-backed Phalang Pracharat party to form a government. Thaksin has called the recent election “rigged”.
[source_without_link]ANI[/source_without_link]