A medical doctor has formally asked the Prime Minister to review the approved parole of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, arguing the decision may breach Thailand’s Corrections Act. On 5 May 2026, Dr Tulya Sitthisomwong submitted a petition at the government complaints centre, requesting a reassessment of the order to suspend Thaksin’s sentence, which would allow his release on 11 May 2026.
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The request follows a 29 April 2026 resolution by the Ministry of Justice’s parole consideration committee, which approved a suspension of Thaksin’s imprisonment under ministerial regulations governing inmate privileges. Thaksin, who was sentenced to one year in prison beginning on 9 September 2025, is classified as a repeat offender, placing him in the “medium-class prisoner” category under current regulations.
Dr Tulya argued that the decision may conflict with Section 52 of the Corrections Act B.E. 2560 (2017), which stipulates that inmates eligible for such benefits must be classified as “good-class prisoners” or higher. While ministerial regulations allow some flexibility for medium-class prisoners to receive sentence suspension in certain cases, he claimed these provisions may contradict the primary law.
He called on Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who also serves as Interior Minister, to instruct the Justice Minister to review and suspend the parole order to prevent any action that could violate the law. “Thaksin does not yet meet the qualifications for parole, and the process may be inconsistent with relevant legislation,” Dr Tulya said.
At 10:40am, the petition was formally submitted through Sompas Nilphan, an official responsible for receiving complaints, for further procedural handling. The move adds to ongoing scrutiny and debate surrounding the legal basis and timing of Thaksin’s potential release.
The issue has drawn wider political attention, with related discussions focusing on the timeline for Thaksin’s release and the conditions attached, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device. Some political figures have publicly supported his impending release, while others continue to question its legality.
Amarin reported that authorities are now expected to review the petition and determine whether further action is required. Any decision could influence both the scheduled release date and broader interpretations of parole eligibility under Thai law.
Picture courtesy of Amarin
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 6 May 2026
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