Thailand’s parliament has passed an amnesty bill benefiting hundreds of activists convicted over the past 20 years, while excluding people found guilty of corruption or breaching the country’s lese majeste law. Get today's headlines by email The bill was approved on Wednesday, July 8, and could benefit between 1,000 and 2,000 people, according to Yutthaporn Issarachai, an analyst from Sukhothai University. It covers political activists from rival movements, including the conservative royalist Yellow Shirts and the Red Shirts who supported former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The amnesty period covers offences committed from Jan. 1, 2005, to July 16, 2025. Yutthaporn described it as Thailand’s largest amnesty because of the 20-year timeframe. Many of those affected have already served their sentences, but the legislation removes restrictions preventing them from holding political office, according to Yutthaporn. The bill also covers young protesters involved in the pro-democracy demonstrations in 2020 and 2021. However, the measure does not apply to anyone convicted under Thailand’s strict lese majeste law, which protects His Majesty the King and the Royal Family from criticism. As a result, many leaders of the 2020-2021 youth-led demonstrations calling for monarchy reform will not benefit. The legislation also excludes those convicted of corruption, meaning it would not benefit Thaksin Shinawatra. He was released from prison in June after receiving a Royal pardon following eight months served of a one-year sentence for corruption and abuse of power. Yutthaporn said the bill would also not affect civil lawsuits. “This bill will not cover civil lawsuits, for example, Yellow Shirts who were found guilty of closing the airports will still have to pay compensation for their actions,” he said. Thainewsroom reported that the bill will end trials of political activists not connected to the excluded offences once it receives approval from His Majesty the King. Yutthaporn said most of those eligible had already completed their sentences. “The bill does not mean to erase their guilt but will return their political rights,” he said. Join the discussion? 10 July 2026
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