Thaksin filed amnesty request on October 8, lawyer says
Thaksin’s lawyer says the former Thai prime minister wants to clear his name and leave politics, while officials must first assess his eligibility
- Lawyer Winyat Chatmontree confirmed that former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra filed a petition for amnesty on October 8.
- The request seeks to clear Thaksin's name and release him from all liability for cases his lawyer describes as political.
- According to the lawyer, Thaksin's motivation is to live a peaceful life, pursue business, and stay out of politics as he gets older.
- The application was submitted to the Committee on Promoting a Peaceful Society and will be screened to determine if it meets the criteria for consideration.
Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has applied for amnesty under Thailand’s law on promoting a peaceful society, seeking to clear his name over cases his lawyer describes as political, lawyer Winyat Chatmontree said on October 12, 2026.
Winyat said Thaksin had authorised the submission of a petition on October 8 through the joint service centre at the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office. The petition was addressed to the chair of the Committee on Promoting a Peaceful Society.
According to Winyat, the petition seeks a ruling on Thaksin’s entitlement to amnesty and release from all liability under the law. The request covers all cases relevant to the amnesty application, without separating them into individual cases.
Lawyer says Thaksin wants a peaceful life outside politics
Winyat said Thaksin wanted to clear his name, pursue business and live peacefully, adding that the former prime minister was getting older and did not wish to be involved in politics.
“Thaksin is submitting this application to clear his name and demonstrate that everything he did was for the people and the country, and that all these matters were political,” Winyat said.
“Thaksin wants to earn a living and live peacefully. He is getting older and does not wish to become involved in politics or enter political life,” Winyat added.
Winyat acknowledged that the decision rested with the committee. The lawyer said he hoped the law would be interpreted broadly, without discrimination and in accordance with its intended purpose, following a thorough examination of the application.
Official must confirm receipt before screening
Chatchai Bangchuad, permanent secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office and secretary of the peace-building committee, said he first needed to check whether Thaksin’s petition had actually been submitted.
Chatchai said Thaksin had the right to apply. If the petition had been received, it would be referred to a screening subcommittee chaired by the permanent secretary for justice to determine whether the matter fell within the criteria for consideration.
According to Chatchai, a petition found to qualify for consideration would then be forwarded to the main committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt.
Application prompts political criticism
Nation TV reported that Winyat’s disclosure echoed earlier predictions by unnamed political commentators that Thaksin would seek to use the amnesty process to clear his record. Those commentators had suggested that doing so could allow Thaksin to regain his rank and positions and participate fully in politics.
Nation TV also reported that political activists posted opposition to Thaksin’s application after Winyat disclosed it. The report did not identify the activists or reproduce their posts.
