Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra granted full pardon by King

Bangkok (ANTARA) - Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been granted a full pardon from his sentence after receiving royal clemency via a decree, as confirmed by Thailand’s Minister of Justice, Rutthapol Naowarat, on Wednesday. Speaking to the media, Rutthapol stated that Thaksin has met the requirements set out in the royal pardon decree, which was published in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday (2/6). Consequently, Thaksin is no longer required to undergo parole until 9 September.

Rutthapol noted that, under the decree which came into effect the day after its publication, Thaksin was immediately released as his remaining sentence was less than one year. Thaksin was previously released from Klong Prem Central Prison on 11 May to serve the remaining four months of his one-year prison sentence under parole status. During this period, he was required to report monthly to the probation office and wear an electronic monitoring bracelet.

According to Thai media reports, the removal of the electronic monitoring device is still awaiting the completion of a review by a three-person committee established under the decree. This committee has up to 120 days to verify eligible recipients and process the necessary documentation. Several reports indicate that Thaksin must first obtain a certificate of release—legal proof of his lawful release—which will also impact his criminal record and international travel. Following this, he can be scheduled to visit the probation office to have the monitoring device removed.