The Corrections Department clarifies the procedures for considering sentence suspension. “Thaksin Shinawatra” Former Prime Minister, following reports that he will be granted sentence suspension release in May 2026, emphasizing strict compliance with legal frameworks and no discrimination.
On 20 Jan 2026, the Corrections Department issued a statement responding to news reports. Regarding the consideration of sentence suspension for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He is currently incarcerated at Klong Prem Central Prison under the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders, sentenced to one year starting 9 Sep 2025, with release scheduled for 9 Sep 2026. Regarding sentence suspension under the Corrections Act B.E. 2560 (2017), Section 52(7), and ministerial regulations specifying benefits and conditions for prisoners eligible for sentence reduction or suspension and release, B.E. 2562 (2019) with amendments (No. 2) B.E. 2564 (2021), Thaksin qualifies only after serving two-thirds of his sentence and may receive suspension benefits up to one-third of the sentence. Approval must come from the subcommittee reviewing sentence suspensions, qualifying him for normal release on suspension around May 2026.
1. Submit the list of eligible prisoners for suspension to the prison’s working committee, which includes the prison commander as chairman, representatives from the Department of Provincial Administration, Probation Department, Office of the Narcotics Control Board, Royal Thai Police, and two prison officers appointed by the commander, with one officer serving as secretary. The committee will review and verify the list and related documents of prisoners deemed suitable for suspension. Upon approval, the prison commander will forward the list to the Corrections Department.
2. The Corrections Department will screen and verify the completeness of documents according to established criteria and conditions, then forward recommendations to the subcommittee for sentence suspension consideration.
3. The subcommittee appointed by the Corrections Committee is authorized to approve or revoke sentence suspensions, set probation conditions, establish suspension criteria, and make decisions in accordance with the Corrections Act B.E. 2560 Section 52(7). The subcommittee includes the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice as chair, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Head of Behavioral Development Task Group, Directors-General of the Probation Department, Department of Rights and Liberties Protection, Corrections Department, Department of Special Investigation, Secretary of the Narcotics Control Board, representatives from the Ministry of Public Health, Judiciary Office, Attorney General’s Office, Royal Thai Police, Department of Provincial Administration, Department of Social Development and Welfare, Deputy Director-General of the Corrections Department overseeing the Execution Division, who also serves as a subcommittee member, the Director of the Execution Division as subcommittee and secretary, and the Head of Sentence Suspension Workgroup as subcommittee and assistant secretary.
4. The subcommittee considers approval or disapproval of sentence suspension for prisoners based on factors including the nature and circumstances of the offense, prior offenses, duration of probation, credibility and suitability of the guardian responsible for supervising the prisoner’s compliance with conditions until full sentence completion, conduct during incarceration demonstrating reformation, social safety impact, and completion of rehabilitation, therapy, and behavioral development within the prison, as specified in Clause 44 of the ministerial regulation on prisoner benefits B.E. 2562.
5. Once the subcommittee or Minister approves the suspension and release of the prisoner, the approval is communicated to the prison commander. Notification is also sent to probation officers and local administrative or police authorities where the released prisoner will reside. The prisoner must report to probation officers within the designated period and comply with conditions specified in Chapter 9 of the ministerial regulation on prisoner benefits B.E. 2562 concerning conditions for prisoners released before completing their sentence.
Therefore, the consideration of sentence suspension for prisoners follows legal frameworks, ministerial regulations, related procedures, and human rights principles strictly, with no discrimination or actions beyond what the law prescribes.