Jailed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has filed a formal application for a royal pardon, according to outgoing deputy prime minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.
Responding to reporters' questions, Mr Wissanu said on Thursday that he had already received Thaksin's royal pardon petition and that it will be handled according to procedural rules.
Mr Wissanu, a legal expert, explained that Thaksin submitted a petition for an individual royal pardon, not a collective one, which is granted to mark special or important occasions related to the monarchy.
"An individual royal pardon will be granted at the discretion of His Majesty the King," Mr Wissanu said.
Asked whether the procedure will take long, Mr Wissanu said that he was not sure whether the procedure will be completed before the outgoing government leaves office.
The new government has yet to be officially formed and sworn into office, Mr Wissanu added.
According to the Department of Corrections (DoC), there are two types of royal pardon -- a collective royal pardon and an individual royal pardon.
A collective royal pardon is granted with the promulgation of a royal decree, and the procedure is initiated by concerned authorities without the need for prisoners to submit any petitions.
Market meet-up: Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin bumps into national football team manager Nualphan Lamsam during his tour of Muang Thai Phattara Market on Ratchadaphisek Road on Thrusday. The two talked briefly, with Ms Nualphan offering Mr Srettha some shopping tips. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)
Those eligible to apply for an individual pardon are convicted prisoners, concerned people (such as parents, offspring, and spouses), and diplomatic representatives (in the case of foreign prisoners).
Lawyers are not regarded as concerned persons, according to the DoC.
They can submit a petition through official channels, including prison authorities, the Justice Ministry, the Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary, the Foreign Affairs Ministry and foreign embassies.
Prisoners who are given sentences other than the death penalty can submit a petition immediately after the case becomes final.
Prisoners sentenced to death must submit a petition within 60 days after the case is final.
Upon receiving the petition, the DoC will forward the petition to prison authorities to verify the information.
The department will then pass it on, with its recommendation, to the Justice Minister, who will then submit it to His Majesty the King through the cabinet's secretariat and the Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary.
Whether the royal pardon is granted shall be subject to His Majesty the King's discretion based on the recommendation of the justice minister. Once informed of the outcome, the DoC will notify the prisoner and take action accordingly.
Thaksin, 74, returned to Thailand after 15 years in self-exile and was sent to a quarantine area of Bangkok Remand Prison on Aug 22 after the Supreme Court sentenced him to eight years in prison. Within 13 hours, he was transferred to the Police General Hospital suffering from chest pain, hypertension, and low blood oxygen saturation.