Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra remains legally eligible to seek a royal pardon, as no prior petition has been rejected, Deputy Prime Minister Borwornsak Uwanno confirmed on Thursday.
Borwornsak explained that Section 259 of the Criminal Code grants all convicted prisoners the right to petition for a royal pardon. Only if a previous request has been denied must two years pass before submitting a new one, as stipulated in Section 264. He emphasized that the process falls entirely under His Majesty the King’s royal discretion, with recommendations from the Privy Council following standard legal procedures.
The deputy prime minister also clarified that no current petitions from Thaksin have been rejected and that he retains full eligibility to apply. Thaksin, who received a royal pardon in August 2023 reducing his sentence to one year, has already served part of his term after being found guilty of corruption-related charges.
Thaksin’s ex-wife, Khunying Potjaman Damapong, visited him at Klong Prem Central Prison, assuring the public that he was “fine, just a little unwell.” The decision on any future petition, Borwornsak said, remains a matter of royal prerogative beyond political influence.