Story perspectives

Thailand's Ex-PM Thaksin Freed on King’s Birthday

6/4/2026

Summary

Thaksin Pardoned

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was released on June 3, 2026 after a royal pardon from King Maha Vajiralongkorn for Suthida’s birthday.
Rutthapon Naowarat, Justice Minister, confirmed Thaksin’s name was on Gazette pardon list and that he had under a year left after eight months.
He was on parole from May 11, 2026 with a monitoring bracelet, which the pardon allows to be removed after a review that take days.

Summary

Thaksin Clearance

The royal pardon obliges Thaksin Shinawatra to obtain a clearance certificate to amend his criminal record.
He must present the certificate before officials remove his monitoring bracelet, while a three-member committee reviews eligibility within 120 days.
The clearance will let Thaksin travel internationally without the travel bans for convicted persons.
The decree applies to parolees with less than one year remaining, except those in undisclosed disqualifying categories.

History

Historical Context

On 19 September 2006 the Royal Thai Army, led by General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, overthrew Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, imposed a 1.5-billion-baht corruption fine and a two-year prison term that the Supreme Court upheld in 2008. The 2026 royal pardon by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, announced by Justice Minister Rutthapon Naowarat, echoes the monarchy’s historic role in resolving politically charged convictions after coups.

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Thaksin Pardoned

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was released on June 3, 2026 after a royal pardon from King Maha Vajiralongkorn for Suthida’s birthday.
Rutthapon Naowarat, Justice Minister, confirmed Thaksin’s name was on Gazette pardon list and that he had under a year left after eight months.
He was on parole from May 11, 2026 with a monitoring bracelet, which the pardon allows to be removed after a review that take days.

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