Justice Minister Pol Lt Gen Rutthapol Naowarat said any request for parole for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra must pass through three committees before a final decision can be made, stressing that the process must strictly follow legal procedures.
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Speaking at Government House on 10 March 2026, Rutthapol said authorities have not yet received a formal request from Thaksin or his representatives. He noted that neither prison authorities, the Director-General of the Department of Corrections, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Justice nor the minister himself had received any documentation so far.
His remarks came after reports that the Shinawatra family intends to submit a parole request later this month. Rutthapol said once the request is submitted, the matter would be processed through a clearly defined legal framework.
He explained that the procedure requires approval from three committees before any decision can be reached. These include the prison committee, the Department of Corrections committee and finally a committee within the Ministry of Justice.
The minister emphasised that he had instructed all relevant agencies to strictly adhere to the law throughout the process. He said the procedures were standard and must be followed regardless of the individual involved.
The issue has drawn public attention as Thaksin, a former prime minister, has been in custody for about six months. Political figures close to the Shinawatra family have recently indicated that a parole request may be submitted within March.
Rutthapol reiterated that no consideration can begin until the formal request reaches the relevant authorities. He said officials would review the application according to established legal criteria once it is submitted.
Amarin reported that the next step will depend on when the parole request is officially filed and forwarded to the relevant committees for review. Authorities will then proceed through the required stages before any final determination is made.
Picture courtesy of Amarin
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 11 Mar 2026
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