A Royal Decree granting clemency was issued on the occasion of the grand auspicious celebration of Her Majesty the Queen’s 4th cycle birthday, providing an opportunity for prisoners to reform and become good citizens, which will benefit the nation.
On 2 June 2026, the Royal Gazette website published the announcement. The Royal Command of the Royal Decree on Granting Clemency, B.E. 2569 (2026). His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklao Chaoyuhua issued this on 28 May 2026, the 11th year of the current reign.
His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklao Chaoyuhua has graciously commanded the proclamation that, considering the grand auspicious celebration of Her Majesty the Queen’s 4th cycle birthday on 3 June 2026, a momentous and significant occasion, it is appropriate to grant clemency to prisoners to give them a chance to reform into good citizens, which will benefit the nation going forward.
By virtue of the powers under Sections 175 and 179 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand and Section 261 bis paragraph two of the Code of Criminal Procedure, as amended by the Ninth Amendment Act of 1974, His Majesty has graciously decreed the issuance of the following Royal Decree.
Section 1: This Royal Decree shall be called the “Royal Decree on Granting Clemency, B.E. 2569 (2026).”
Section 2: This Royal Decree shall come into force from the day following its publication in the Royal Gazette onward.
The decree states that those eligible for clemency must be under government custody or detained in places or residences designated by the court or authorities on the date this decree comes into effect continuously until the court issues an order to release or reduce the sentence or the Prime Minister issues an order to release or reduce the sentence as stipulated in this decree, except for those performing community service or public benefit work in lieu of fines and those released on probation.
Convicted prisoners receiving clemency under this decree, whether for a single or multiple offenses, must have served at least one-third of their sentence as per the final judgment or no less than eight years, whichever is greater, by the effective date of this decree. For multiple sentences, the longest sentence shall be the basis for consideration.
The Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Defence, and Ministry of Interior, together with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Public Health, and the Royal Thai Police, shall have the duty and authority to monitor, care for, and assist clemency recipients to prevent recidivism.
The provincial governor, a local court judge, or a military court judge, one person each, shall form a committee responsible for reviewing those eligible for clemency and submitting their names to the local court within 120 days from the effective date of this decree, to facilitate the court’s consideration of orders for release, sentence reduction, or cancellation of community service or public benefit work orders as appropriate. For those imprisoned under lawful orders eligible for clemency, the committee shall submit names to the Prime Minister within 120 days for consideration of release or sentence reduction orders.
Once release or sentence reduction orders or cancellation of community service or public benefit work orders are issued, the committee shall prepare a list of clemency recipients, keeping one copy at the prison or detention center, one copy sent to the court, one copy to the Ministry of Justice, and one copy presented to the King.
If any committee member is unable to perform duties, the Minister of Justice may appoint suitable officials to replace them. In cases of issues regarding duties under paragraphs one or two, a committee chaired by the Prime Minister, including the Ministers of Defence, Interior, Justice, and the Secretary-General of the Office of the Judiciary as members, shall resolve the matter.
Regarding prisoners under the military prison law, the Minister of Defence shall appoint suitable officials as a committee to review those eligible for clemency and submit names to the Bangkok Military Court or the military district court within 120 days from the effective date of this decree, to facilitate consideration of release, sentence reduction, or cancellation of community service or public benefit work orders as appropriate.
Section 21 paragraphs two and three shall apply mutatis mutandis.
In cases of issues applying this decree to prisoners under the military prison law not covered herein, the Minister of Defence shall consider and order equivalent application in accordance with this decree.
The Prime Minister, President of the Supreme Court, Ministers of Defence, Interior, and Justice shall perform their respective duties and powers as specified in this Royal Decree.
Royal Command Recipient.
Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul.
Prime Minister.
At the end, the decree states the rationale for issuance: On the occasion of the grand auspicious celebration of Her Majesty the Queen’s 4th cycle birthday on 3 June 2026, a momentous and significant event, it is appropriate to grant clemency to prisoners to give them the chance to reform as good citizens, benefiting the country henceforth. Therefore, the issuance of this Royal Decree is necessary.