Justice Ministry Shuts Down Thaksin’s Pardon Plea
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra suffers another setback. His latest request for a royal pardon is thrown out by the Justice Ministry. The one-year prison sentence stands. Any hope for further leniency is now off the table.
Secret Letter Seals Thaksin’s Fate
A confidential letter dated 23 September 2025 spells it out. Then-Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong rejects Thaksin’s plea in writing. The letter, addressed to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, quickly returns to the Cabinet Secretary’s office.
Current Justice Minister Rutthapon Naowarat confirms the rejection. He orders a fresh legal review. Pongsawat Neelayothin, the ministry’s permanent secretary, is tasked with forming an expert panel. Their findings are due as soon as Monday.
Legal Experts Back the Tough Stance
Thaksin’s second pardon request was controversial from the start. Kaewsan Atibodhi, a former Thammasat University law professor, supports the ministry’s decision. He argues Thaksin can’t seek another royal intervention. The King already cut his original eight-year sentence down to one.
“The courts have ruled, and a verdict was given,” Kaewsan insists. “But Thaksin fled abroad for 17 years before coming back.” Since his return, Kaewsan claims, the reduced jail term hasn’t been fully enforced by prison authorities.
Political Shockwaves Still Felt
Thaksin’s saga continues to divide Thailand. The ex-PM fled into exile in 2008 after a corruption conviction. His surprise comeback and the dramatic sentence reduction triggered fierce debate.
Kaewsan says the Justice Minister made the right call. He believes the Crown Council would have rejected Thaksin’s plea anyway. The case highlights strict limits on repeat pardon requests, especially after a final verdict.
What’s Next for Thaksin?
The rejection leaves Thaksin’s legal status unchanged. His one-year jail term remains, but questions linger over how much of it he’ll actually serve.
This case lays bare Thailand’s deep political rifts and the tangled ties between the courts, government, and the former leader. Thaksin’s supporters had hoped for mercy. Critics see the rejection as a victory for the rule of law. Will this be the end of Thaksin’s legal battles—or just another chapter?
