Thaksin Shinawatra. File photo courtesy of Thai Rath

 

Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand's ex-Prime Minister, has formally requested a royal pardon following a Supreme Court decision sentencing him to one year in prison. The move comes after the Ministry of Justice confirmed the request, noting that he had the right as a convict to apply for this individual pardon. Earlier this year, Thaksin's sentence was reduced from eight to one year, making him eligible for the pardon application.

 

The Supreme Court's decision on 9 September 2025 led to immediate action from Thaksin, who applied for a pardon the very next day. The Ministry of Justice, under Police General Tawee Sodsong, processed and forwarded the request to the Cabinet Secretariat. While a new Cabinet was appointed on 19 September and is yet to function fully, the process for reviewing Thaksin’s request has already commenced.

 

An inside source at the Ministry of Justice stated that submitting a pardon request is a standard right for all prisoners. This process allows individuals to petition the king for clemency and is a regular procedure within the justice system. The ministry outlined that once a request is submitted through the prison, it goes through a series of reviews and is sent to the Office of the Privy Council for a final decision.

 

Despite past reductions in his sentence, Thaksin continues to seek a royal pardon. According to the source, his understanding of his penal status might alter with each application. The Supreme Court's recent verdict necessitates a one-year term, and while Thaksin has been receiving medical care at the Police General Hospital, his situation does not involve leaving custody.

 

The Ministry of Justice's upper echelons confirm that no individual or department can withhold the request, ensuring it proceeds through the hierarchical steps. Each level either supports the pardon or maintains the appropriateness of the current sentence. Ultimately, the decision about granting a royal pardon rests with the monarchy, beyond interference from any official process.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Thaksin Shinawatra has requested a royal pardon after a one-year sentence.
• The Ministry of Justice is processing his request through the required channels.
• The final decision lies with the monarchy and involves multiple governmental steps.
   

Related Stories

 

Thaksin Sentenced to 1 Year in Prison Over Hospital Leave Case

Thaksin Might Serve Longer Prison Term After New Charges

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Daily News 2025-09-29

 

 

 A total farce, is this why the courts have delayed his other charges, all playing their part to earn the "bonus" offered by this criminal to try to keep him from having to serve his time, pathetic but typical of the way the rich get what they want in Thailand where corruption and bribery rules

Whats the fascination with this guy that hes always in the news? Let him rot in jail

The biggest criminal of Thailand will buy his way out again... A shame for the Thai justice

Groundhog Day.

Royal Decree: 

The pardon is granted by a royal decree, typically announced on national celebrations like the King's birthday. 

 

If this is the case, Thaksin has 10 more months to suffer in jail.

 

But as we all know, the rules may change slightly.

 

Shame on Thailand.

He apply only to his rights.

That's ok.

 

47 minutes ago, angryguy said:

Whats the fascination with this guy that hes always in the news? Let him rot in jail

Read about him. Google will help

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Thaksin has been receiving medical care at the Police General Hospital, his situation does not involve leaving custody.

Why is he back at the Police Hospital. He should be treated at the Prison Hospital like everyone else.

Fastest 12 months ever

do you know who I am

 

prison is beneath me, it's only for peasants

5 hours ago, angryguy said:

Whats the fascination with this guy that hes always in the news? Let him rot in jail

Only the.greatest PM Thailand has ever seen. 

22 minutes ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

Only the.greatest PM Thailand has ever seen. 

 

and you seems to be also the greates teflon toni fanboy an this forum ... 

Best he just shuts tfu and does his time in silence and with dignity methinks. He may even garner a bit of respect. 

And all the other prisoners are 40 to a cell...Hoping just to find a tiny bit of pork in their bowl of rice....

9 hours ago, anchadian said:

Royal Decree: 

The pardon is granted by a royal decree, typically announced on national celebrations like the King's birthday. 

 

If this is the case, Thaksin has 10 more months to suffer in jail.

 

But as we all know, the rules may change slightly.

 

Shame on Thailand.

A lot of prisoners are pardoned and released on December 5th,  the anniversary of King Rama 9's birthday and officially Father's Day in Thailand.

10 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

The biggest criminal of Thailand will buy his way out again... A shame for the Thai justice

No the biggest criminal in Thailand is Anutin. Have you seen the news today or watched the proceedings of Parliament today? The Peoples Party and the former Minister of Thailand provided conclusive evidence in Parliament that Anutin and his Blue Party engaged in money laundering concerning the last Senate vote. Damming evidence that hopefully will remove criminal Anutin and many of his Party members.  

He should tell him to f%*k off.

16 hours ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

Only the.greatest PM Thailand has ever seen. 

In who' eyes?!

Hopefully, the King will grant a pardon and hopefully this man will be left alone. He has endured enough.

What! another one? He's seriously using up a lot of mercy.

I think it should be granted AND, because he is such a law abiding citizen, the Govt should grant he 1 billion baht compensation for always hounding him. 

9 minutes ago, KwaiSabai said:

Hopefully, the King will grant a pardon and hopefully this man will be left alone. He has endured enough.

Good One!!

 

Thaksin has sought royal pardons at least three times: in 2023, reducing his eight-year sentence to one year; in 2024, shortening his parole; and now in September 2025, for a new one-year sentence from a September 9, 2025, conviction.

 

Maybe he is going for a record??

On 9/29/2025 at 8:31 AM, webfact said:

Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand's ex-Prime Minister, has formally requested a royal pardon following a Supreme Court decision sentencing him to one year in prison. The move comes after the Ministry of Justice confirmed the request, noting that he had the right as a convict to apply for this individual pardon. Earlier this year, Thaksin's sentence was reduced from eight to one year, making him eligible for the pardon application

Maybe he could take it  step further and ask to be absolved from any outstanding or future misdemeanours.

On 9/29/2025 at 8:31 AM, webfact said:

This process allows individuals to petition the king for clemency and is a regular procedure within the justice system.he ministry outlined that once a request is submitted through the prison, it goes through a series of reviews and is sent to the Office of the Privy Council for a final decision.

Maybe they could drag their heels or a year

Why is this moving so fast? Public services never move fast! This has to make it's way past countless beauracrats before it makes its way to the privvy council. Would normally have finished his 1 year prison term before his documents make it to the royal household 

13 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Maybe he could take it  step further and ask to be absolved from any outstanding or future misdemeanours.

That would be fair. This circus has gone on long enough. No need to hound the man until he dies.

6 minutes ago, KwaiSabai said:

That would be fair. This circus has gone on long enough. No need to hound the man until he dies.

He's getting what he deserves.

I hope it’s refused he already had one if he gets a second one every prisoner should also be considered