BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thaksin Shinawatra has been pardoned by a royal decree on June 3, 2026, on the occasion of Queen Suthida’s 48th birthday, effectively ending his remaining legal restrictions. The former Prime Minister is now free from electronic monitoring and probation requirements, officially regaining his status as a free citizen.
Royal Decree and Immediate Effect
The royal decree, issued on June 3, 2026, encompassed a series of pardons, including that of Thaksin Shinawatra. This measure took immediate effect, instantly altering Thaksin’s legal standing.
The pardon concluded his outstanding obligations and extended to other incarcerated individuals and those on probation.
Electronic Tag Removed, Reporting Duty Ended
Thaksin’s electronic monitoring bracelet was promptly removed. Concurrently, his obligation to report monthly to the probation office in Bangkok ceased.
His legal sentence is now officially considered fully served, ahead of its original September completion date.
Return After 17 Years of Exile
After 17 years of self-imposed exile, Thaksin had returned to Thailand, residing at the Chan Song Lah residence in Bangkok’s Thonburi district.
Initially sentenced to eight years in prison in absentia, a prior royal pardon had reduced his term to one year.
Imprisonment, Hospital Stay, and Court Order
Upon his return, Thaksin spent eight months at Klong Prem Prison and an additional six months as a patient at the Police Hospital before being granted probation. His hospital stay later drew controversy.
The Supreme Court had, at one point, ordered him back to prison before the recent pardon provided him relief.
Investigations Against Corrections and Hospital Staff
Several senior officials from the Corrections Department and the Police Hospital are currently under investigation. They face allegations of dereliction of duty and misconduct.
Investigators indicate that the accusations are linked to purported preferential treatment and procedural bypasses for Thaksin.
Practical Consequences for Thaksin and Unresolved Issues
The outcome is that Thaksin Shinawatra is now a free man, with his electronic monitoring concluded and reporting requirements lifted. Formally, his sentence is now deemed fully served before the originally planned September date, while investigations into officials are ongoing.
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Source: AseanNow Thailand