Justice Minister Confirms Royal Pardon for Former Premier
The justice minister has confirmed that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s name is among those who have received a royal pardon. This development effectively terminates his remaining sentence immediately.
Legal Status and Immediate Release
Responding to inquiries about Mr. Thaksin’s legal standing and the completion of his sentence, officials stated that the former premier is released from his obligations at once. This is due to his remaining sentence being less than one year, aligning with Section 8 of the Royal Decree on Royal Pardons.
The decree, enacted in 2026, allows for the immediate release of individuals with less than a year left to serve. Previously, Mr. Thaksin was under a four-month probationary parole, which commenced on May 11 and was scheduled to conclude on September 9, 2026. During this parole period, he was required to report to his probation officer monthly.
The royal pardon instantly ends this probation, relieving him of the reporting requirement and the need to await the official expiry of his sentence.
Electronic Tag Removal
In addition to the sentence termination, officials confirmed that the former premier’s electronic monitoring tag will also be removed without delay.
Further procedural aspects of implementing royal pardons will be managed by provincial committees, according to Justice Ministry representatives.
Prime Minister’s Remarks
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul extended congratulations to Mr. Thaksin on receiving the royal pardon. Speaking at Sanam Luang, he indicated that he learned of the decision through news reports and wished his predecessor well.
“Today (June 3) is an auspicious day. We will not discuss other matters,” Mr. Anutin stated, focusing on the significance of the day.
Queen’s Birthday Celebration
The Prime Minister also invited the public to participate in a candle-lighting ceremony at Sanam Luang at 7 PM. This event is intended to honor Her Majesty the Queen on the occasion of her 48th birthday anniversary.
Mr. Anutin urged citizens nationwide to join the ceremony to offer well wishes for Her Majesty’s long life and good health.
Background of Imprisonment
Mr. Thaksin, aged 76, began serving his sentence on September 9 of the previous year. The Supreme Court had ordered him to serve a one-year term for abuse of authority and conflict of interest offenses committed during his tenure as prime minister before 2006.
The court had previously deemed his extended stay in a VIP ward at the Police General Hospital between 2023 and 2024 as not qualifying for time served. It also questioned the legality of his transfer from Bangkok Remand Prison to the hospital shortly after his arrival, following a complaint of chest pain.
The Supreme Court’s ruling on August 22, 2023, mandated that Mr. Thaksin serve the one-year imprisonment to which he had been sentenced two years prior.
