Thailand's parliament approved an amnesty bill on Wednesday aimed at benefiting hundreds of activists convicted over the past two decades, excluding those found guilty of corruption or offenses related to the country's lese majeste law. The legislation covers political activists from a broad spectrum, including members of the conservative royalist "Yellow Shirts" and the populist "Red Shirts," factions that have repeatedly clashed over the last 20 years.
The bill extends its scope to youth protesters involved in the pro-democracy demonstrations that took place in 2020 and 2021. According to Yutthaporn Issarachai, an analyst at Sutthothai University, the amnesty could apply to between 1,000 and 2,000 individuals. It spans cases dating back from January 1, 2005, through July 16, 2025, making it the largest political amnesty in the country’s recent history.
Despite its broad coverage, the law explicitly excludes individuals convicted under Thailand’s strict lese majeste statute, which criminalizes criticism of the monarchy. As a result, many leaders and participants in the 2020-2021 youth-led protests calling for monarchy reform are not eligible for amnesty under this legislation. Additionally, persons convicted of corruption offenses are also excluded. Notably, this means former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was recently released from prison in June after serving a royal pardon for a corruption and abuse of power sentence, will not benefit from the new measure.
The amnesty does not absolve recipients of civil liabilities either. For example, some Yellow Shirt protest leaders previously found liable for disrupting airports during demonstrations will remain responsible for compensation payments related to these actions.
Once formally endorsed by the king, the bill will halt ongoing trials of eligible political activists not involved in excluded offenses, although most affected individuals have reportedly already completed their sentences. Yutthaporn emphasized that the legislation does not erase convictions but reinstates political rights, such as eligibility to hold public office.
Thaksin Shinawatra, a tech billionaire turned politician, served as prime minister from 2001 until a military coup in 2006 ousted him. His Pheu Thai Party, along with its earlier forms, has been a dominant political force in Thailand, producing four prime ministers and maintaining considerable support among rural constituencies. However, the party experienced a significant setback in the February elections, finishing third for the first time, though it remains part of the ruling coalition led by conservative Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.