ASEAN
4 June 2026 6:47 AM• 2 hours ago• Lim_Rothanaksambath
Thaksin Shinawatra Receives Royal Pardon, Set for Full Release
BANGKOK – June 4, 2026 – Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is among the prisoners granted a royal pardon to mark Queen Suthida's birthday on June 3, according to an official royal gazette announcement.
Thaksin, 76, was released on parole last month after serving eight months of his one-year sentence. He had just over three months remaining on his sentence, which was due to expire in September.
Justice Minister Rutthaphon Naowarat confirmed that Thaksin is among those receiving the pardon, though he noted that administrative procedures remain before his formal release and the removal of his electronic ankle bracelet.
Thaksin's lawyer, Winyat Chartmontri, said he could not immediately confirm the decision but stated that Thaksin appears to meet the criteria for the pardon.
Thaksin returned to Thailand in August 2023 after 15 years of self-imposed exile to serve an eight-year sentence for conflicts of interest and abuse of power committed during his tenure as prime minister from 2001 to 2006. He returned on the same day a party allied with him secured enough parliamentary support to form a government.
Within hours of arriving at prison, Thaksin was transferred to a hospital citing heart and chest ailments. His sentence was later reduced to one year by royal clemency, and he spent six months in hospital before being granted parole. In 2025, the Supreme Court ordered Thaksin back to prison, ruling that his prolonged hospital stay was not justified and that the remainder of his sentence should be served in custody.
Source: Reuters, June 4, 2026.
Reported By The Khmer Daily Desk
Thaksin, 76, was released on parole last month after serving eight months of his one-year sentence. He had just over three months remaining on his sentence, which was due to expire in September.
Justice Minister Rutthaphon Naowarat confirmed that Thaksin is among those receiving the pardon, though he noted that administrative procedures remain before his formal release and the removal of his electronic ankle bracelet.
Thaksin's lawyer, Winyat Chartmontri, said he could not immediately confirm the decision but stated that Thaksin appears to meet the criteria for the pardon.
Thaksin returned to Thailand in August 2023 after 15 years of self-imposed exile to serve an eight-year sentence for conflicts of interest and abuse of power committed during his tenure as prime minister from 2001 to 2006. He returned on the same day a party allied with him secured enough parliamentary support to form a government.
Within hours of arriving at prison, Thaksin was transferred to a hospital citing heart and chest ailments. His sentence was later reduced to one year by royal clemency, and he spent six months in hospital before being granted parole. In 2025, the Supreme Court ordered Thaksin back to prison, ruling that his prolonged hospital stay was not justified and that the remainder of his sentence should be served in custody.
Source: Reuters, June 4, 2026.
Reported By The Khmer Daily Desk