Thai Justice Ministry Confirms Legality of Thaksin’s Second Clemency Petition
The Permanent Secretary for Justice confirms the former PM is within his rights to submit a second Royal Pardon Petition, citing a two-year lapse since the first request.
- The Thai Ministry of Justice has confirmed that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is legally eligible to submit a second petition for a royal pardon.
- This eligibility is based on the Criminal Procedure Code, as more than two years have passed since his previous clemency request in 2023.
- A special committee is reviewing the case, after which the Minister of Justice will have the final discretion on whether to forward the petition to the Cabinet Secretariat.
The Thai Ministry of Justice has confirmed that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is legally permitted to submit a second individual Royal Pardon Petition, though the Minister has yet to receive a final report from the committee reviewing the case.
Pol Maj Gen Rutthapon Naowarat, the Minister of Justice, stated he is awaiting the findings of the committee that was established to review the legal framework concerning Thaksin’s submission of a second petition to the Palace.
The committee was given a three-day deadline (ending Monday, 6 October) to conclude its review before a decision is made on whether to forward the matter to the Secretariat of the Cabinet (SOC).
Minister Rutthapon explained that while he had discussed the matter with his Permanent Secretary yesterday (2 October), the committee’s official report had not yet been delivered to him.
Meanwhile, Pongsawat Neelayothin, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, clarified the legal position, stating that the committee is still deliberating the case.
When pressed on whether Thaksin could indeed submit a second petition, having already submitted an individual clemency request in 2023, Pongsawat asserted: "I would like to state that it is in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code, and we are currently considering it, relying entirely on all the legal provisions."
She specifically confirmed that because the current year is 2025—meaning more than two years have passed since the 2023 submission— Thaksin is eligible to file a new request.
"Yes, because if you look at the time, it has exceeded [two years]. However, other details must also be considered," she added.
Pongsawat confirmed that the committee, which is expected to conclude its review today, will provide supporting information, but the Minister of Justice holds the final discretion.
Once the legal review is complete, the summary report will be sent directly to Minister Rutthapon for his acknowledgement and recommendation.
"Yes, because the Minister of Justice will be the one to propose it back to the Secretariat of the Cabinet (SOC)," the Permanent Secretary confirmed.
When asked about the potential recommendation, which typically falls under either endorsing the current sentence or recommending clemency, Pongsawat reiterated: "The Minister of Justice will be the one to consider it again, and then it will be presented according to the normal procedures."
