Pattaya court grants amnesty to red-shirt leaders

Three red-shirt leaders have been granted amnesty over their role in disrupting the 2009 Asean Summit in Pattaya. Two men have been released, while an arrest warrant for a third has been cancelled.

The Pattaya Provincial Court issued its order for Nopporn Namchiangtai and Nisit Sindhuprai to be freed. It also revoked the warrant for the arrest of Pol Maj Saignam Tarnarm.

The cases arose from the forcible entry of red-shirt protesters into the Royal Cliff Beach Resort in Pattaya in April 2009, where the Asean Summit was being held.

Charges linked to summit disruption

The three had faced allegations including offences against state security, public disorder, property damage, trespassing and traffic violations.

Images of protesters entering the resort became one of the defining moments of Thailand's political unrest at the time. The disruption forced the summit to be abandoned.

Defence lawyers submitted an amnesty petition on August 28 under the 2026 Peaceful Society Promotion Act. They argued that the defendants' actions were linked to political gatherings or expression and had arisen from political motives.

Prosecutors opposed the request, arguing that the case involved ordinary criminal offences and should instead be considered by the Peaceful Society Promotion Committee.

Court ruled it could hear petition

Following a hearing, the Pattaya Provincial Court ruled that it could consider the amnesty request without first referring it to the committee.

The court found that the actions of all three defendants were politically motivated and qualified for amnesty under Section 7 of the Act.

The decision applies to the three named red-shirt leaders and the charges connected with the Pattaya summit disruption. The court's order released Namchiangtai and Sindhuprai, while ending the outstanding warrant against Pol Maj Saignam.

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1 October 2026