Bangladesh, June 4 -- Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is set to be released from the remainder of his prison sentence after receiving a royal pardon, bringing an early end to a legal saga that has shaped Thai politics for nearly two decades. The decision concludes a chapter that began with his dramatic return to Thailand in 2023 after 15 years in self-imposed exile and reignites debate over his enduring influence on the country's political landscape.

The royal pardon allows Thaksin to complete his sentence ahead of schedule, ending his parole months before it was due to expire in September. While supporters have welcomed the move as a humanitarian and legal decision, critics argue that it highlights long-standing con...