Former prime minister and de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra was granted a royal pardon, becoming a free man following a royal decree issued to mark Her Majesty Queen Suthida’s 48th birthday on 3 June 2026..

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The pardon applies to a number of inmates and parolees and has resulted in Thaksin’s remaining legal restrictions being lifted. His electronic monitoring (EM) bracelet will be removed and his obligation to report monthly to a Bangkok probation office was automatically terminated.

Thaksin had previously been released on parole and was residing at his Chan Song Lah residence on the Thonburi side of Bangkok. He had served an eight-month prison term at Klong Prem prison and was due to complete a further four months on parole before becoming fully free in September.

The former prime minister had been convicted of misconduct during his previous premiership and was sentenced in absentia to eight years in prison. Following his return to Thailand after 17 years in self-imposed exile overseas, his sentence was reduced to one year under an earlier royal pardon.

Thaksin did not serve time in prison immediately after his return and instead spent six months at Police Hospital as a patient before being released on parole. His stay at the hospital later became the subject of controversy.

Thaksin was subsequently returned to prison following an order by the Supreme Court. Several senior officials from the Corrections Department and Police Hospital were charged with duty negligence and misconduct over allegations of conspiring to improperly favour him and circumvent relevant laws and regulations.

The ThaiNewsRoom reported that the royal pardon granted on 3 June brings an immediate end to Thaksin’s parole conditions and completes his legal sentence ahead of the original September timetable.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Thainewsroom 3 June 2026

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Fantastic news, Congrats P 'Thaksin.

The bigger criminal you are the more protection you get....Thaksin convicted and fled the country, lived in exile for the thread of being jailed in Thailand, came back as an hero, was convicted for 1 year, got reduced sentence with ankle bracelet and now the royal pardon and he is free again and can go on with interfering in the government.

Sadly enough people who are sentenced for less are not granted.. Wondering if Thailand is the country that loves criminals,,,,

Smelling of roses again?

5 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

The bigger criminal you are the more protection you get....Thaksin convicted and fled the country, lived in exile for the thread of being jailed in Thailand, came back as an hero, was convicted for 1 year, got reduced sentence with ankle bracelet and now the royal pardon and he is free again and can go on with interfering in the government.

Sadly enough people who are sentenced for less are not granted.. Wondering if Thailand is the country that loves criminals,,,,

They're all criminals at that level. They presume too much when they judge and imprison one of their own.

Ok, noted! Maybe this can be the end of the 150 news articles story!

That's 2 royal pardons then for this gentleman ... did that ever happen before? He must be loved and appreciated.

Who is really surprised. C’mon it was always bound to happen.

I nearly fell of my chair reading the news, a pardon to a crook, and in Thailand? who would have thought?

And let's not forget, Thaksin is still facing a further legal problem namely, a B17 billion tax debt.

I'll say no more.

Edited June 3Jun 3 by anchadian

I am just glad he got the final pardon, so we don't have to hear any more fake stories about Tony actually wearing the electronic monitoring (EM) bracelet.....

Now Tony can get back to doing what he does best, sticking his nose into things where his opinion is not needed...And increasing the family's $$$$......

Edited June 3Jun 3 by redwood1

46 minutes ago, anchadian said:

And let's not forget, Thaksin is still facing a further legal problem namely, a B17 billion tax debt.

I'll say no more.

He only has to hold back the wolves till mid 2027... then the matter goes dead.

This 👆

To the surprise of no one.

Post breaking forum rules removed.

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6 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

The bigger criminal you are the more protection you get....Thaksin convicted and fled the country, lived in exile for the thread of being jailed in Thailand, came back as an hero, was convicted for 1 year, got reduced sentence with ankle bracelet and now the royal pardon and he is free again and can go on with interfering in the government.

Sadly enough people who are sentenced for less are not granted.. Wondering if Thailand is the country that loves criminals,,,,

Have to be home grown criminals

Farang criminals are frowned upon.

Thaksin is as slippery as an eel.

No prison could hold him for long.

An early demise is the best that can be hoped for.

After that, the Shinawatra clan will lose whatever political clout they have left.

Not one of them could fill his shoes.

Actually this is good news for Thailand as the very corrupt and sleazy Anutin has gained power as the PM of Thailand by the very inept People's Party. I just hope Thaksin has enough influence left to expose Anutin and his corrupt Blue Party Senate and their money laundering scheme.

5 hours ago, anchadian said:

And let's not forget, Thaksin is still facing a further legal problem namely, a B17 billion tax debt.

I'll say no more.

He will get a pardon being his third. No problems when it involves Thailand. Money talks and sh,,t walks!

Thaksin is one of a very few wealthy and connected HiSo to be imprisoned in Thailand. He only went to prison because the majority of the really HiSo business establishment and his enemies wanted him in jail. Most well-connected and wealthy Thais will never spend a night in prison - regardless of what crime they've committed. Murder in broad daylight, huge fraud scandals, etc. Hence they'll never need pardons.

11 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Sadly enough people who are sentenced for less are not granted

The pardons only apply to prisoners in selective categories, eg. first-time offenders, the elderly, or those nearing the end of their sentences. Obviously, there are plenty of prisoners who do not qualify, that doesn't mean that Thaksin didn't qualify.

he's already working on the Yingluck file, she will be here (free) soon .... clowns and circus or circus and clowns, same same no different

Edited June 3Jun 3 by Mavideol

4 hours ago, thecyclist said:

Have to be home grown criminals

Farang criminals are frowned upon.

Total nonsense. Foreign prisoners are also eligible for Royal pardons.

13 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Former prime minister and de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra was granted a royal pardon, becoming a free man following a royal decree issued to mark Her Majesty Queen Suthida’s 48th birthday on 3 June 2026..

Get today's headlines by email

The pardon applies to a number of inmates and parolees and has resulted in Thaksin’s remaining legal restrictions being lifted. His electronic monitoring (EM) bracelet will be removed and his obligation to report monthly to a Bangkok probation office was automatically terminated.

Thaksin had previously been released on parole and was residing at his Chan Song Lah residence on the Thonburi side of Bangkok. He had served an eight-month prison term at Klong Prem prison and was due to complete a further four months on parole before becoming fully free in September.

The former prime minister had been convicted of misconduct during his previous premiership and was sentenced in absentia to eight years in prison. Following his return to Thailand after 17 years in self-imposed exile overseas, his sentence was reduced to one year under an earlier royal pardon.

Thaksin did not serve time in prison immediately after his return and instead spent six months at Police Hospital as a patient before being released on parole. His stay at the hospital later became the subject of controversy.

Thaksin was subsequently returned to prison following an order by the Supreme Court. Several senior officials from the Corrections Department and Police Hospital were charged with duty negligence and misconduct over allegations of conspiring to improperly favour him and circumvent relevant laws and regulations.

The ThaiNewsRoom reported that the royal pardon granted on 3 June brings an immediate end to Thaksin’s parole conditions and completes his legal sentence ahead of the original September timetable.

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

Adapted by ASEAN Now Thainewsroom 3 June 2026

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Wow shock horror 😱 never saw that happening. 😤