Thailand's former premier Thaksin Shinawatra (left) with his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra arrives at Don Muang airport in Bangkok, Thailand, Aug 22, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

BANGKOK - The daughter of Thailand's jailed former premier Thaksin Shinawatra on Tuesday said any move to seek a royal pardon for her father would be entirely "up to him" and such a process would take time.

In her first comments on the topic since her father's dramatic return last week from 15 years of self-exile, Paetongtarn Shinawatra said Thaksin, who must serve eight years for abuse of power and conflicts of interest, would be the one to pursue the matter himself.

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"Drafting (a pardon request) takes time and it is up to him to choose the time and process," Paetongtarn told reporters.

"He is doing it on his own, I have not seen it," Paetongtarn said of a pardon, adding it was at his discretion.

An anti-Thaksin group has lodged a complaint at the corrections department seeking to block Thaksin from seeking a royal pardon, arguing corruption cases should not be entitled to clemency

Paetongtarn, a senior member of the Pheu Thai Party leading the incoming government, was speaking a day after visiting her father in hospital and said she concerned about his heart.

Thaksin, 74, was transferred from prison to a Bangkok police hospital last week just a few hours into his first night in jail, complaining of chest pains and high blood pressure.

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His critics have dismissed his hospitalization as a stunt and demanded proof of his illness.

"Doctors are monitoring everything," Paetongtarn said, adding that he was stressed and fatigued.

The long-awaited return of Thaksin coincided with ally Srettha Thavisin being elected prime minister in a parliamentary vote that same day.

Srettha is in the process of forming a cabinet for the government led by Pheu Thai, the political vehicle of the Shinawatra family.

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Speculation has been rife that the influential Thaksin had brokered a deal with his enemies in the military and royalist establishment to allow his return and possibly, early release. He has denied that.

An anti-Thaksin group has lodged a complaint at the corrections department seeking to block Thaksin from seeking a royal pardon, arguing corruption cases should not be entitled to clemency.