The Peaceful Society Promotion Act B.E. 2569 (2026) was royally endorsed to take effect on 24 August, granting amnesty for political cases involving protests and expressions over more than 20 years, giving the people and Thai society the chance to live together peacefully and harmoniously.
On 23 August 2026, the Royal Gazette website published the following. The Royal Command on the Peaceful Society Promotion Act B.E. 2569 (2026). His Majesty King Rama X graciously issued the Act on 18 August 2026, the 11th year of the current reign, with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul receiving the royal command. The document includes the following excerpts.
His Majesty King Rama X has graciously commanded that it is appropriate to have a law promoting a peaceful society by granting amnesty to those who participated in political protests or expressions motivated by political conflicts or causes committed between 1 January 2005 and 16 July 2025. Accordingly, His Majesty has graciously approved the enactment of this Act upon the advice and consent of the Parliament as follows.
Section 1: This Act shall be called "The Peaceful Society Promotion Act B.E. 2569 (2026)."
Section 2: This Act shall come into force on the day following its publication in the Royal Gazette (24 August 2026).
Section 3: This Act does not grant amnesty for offenses involving corruption or misconduct, violations under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or offenses causing death or serious injury under Section 297 of the Criminal Code, or offenses against private individuals or groups that are not government agencies, on a case-by-case basis.
Section 4: A committee called the "Peaceful Society Promotion Committee" shall be established, consisting of:
(1) The Prime Minister or a Deputy Prime Minister designated by the Prime Minister as the committee chair.
(2) The Minister of Justice as the vice-chairman.
(3) The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice as a committee member.
(4) The Secretary-General of the National Human Rights Commission as a committee member.
(5) One expert in law, human rights, or criminal justice approved by the House of Representatives Coordination Committee as a committee member.
(6) One expert in law, human rights, or criminal justice approved by the Opposition Parties Coordination Committee in the House of Representatives as a committee member.
(7) One expert in law, human rights, or criminal justice approved by the Council of University Presidents of Thailand as a committee member.
(8) One recognized expert from civil society organizations specializing in conflict management and justice facilitation, nominated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as a committee member.
(9) The Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister's Office as committee member and secretary.
Individuals appointed under (5), (6), (7), and (8) must have no vested interest under this Act.
The Peaceful Society Promotion Committee shall hold its first meeting within 30 days after this Act takes effect.
The rationale for enacting this law is that over nearly 20 years, Thailand has experienced political division and factionalism nationwide, with continuous political protests against opposing governments. This led to stricter government enforcement of laws regulating political gatherings, causing political protests and expressions to become legal offenses. Even citizens who participated peacefully or intended only the country's good were criminalized due to political conflicts dating from 1 January 2005 to 16 July 2025.
Another significant cause of such acts was inflexible law enforcement, which escalated confrontations between citizens and state officials, resulting in emotional clashes and violent dispersals that caused injuries and deaths among both citizens and officials. Many peaceful protestors were arrested and prosecuted in civil and criminal courts despite their genuine intent to express political opinions, not criminal wrongdoing.
Such phenomena have harmed the nation not only politically but also economically, socially, and in terms of national security. Although these acts have technically violated criminal laws, the perpetrators did not have malicious intent or criminal purpose but were motivated by political conflict and the desire to exercise their constitutional rights to free political expression and petitioning, not for personal gain or criminal objectives.
Therefore, it is appropriate to relieve these individuals from legal liability and stigma, providing an opportunity for the people and Thai society to reunite peacefully in national reconciliation and harmony once again. This also promotes human rights and civil liberties under democracy, protecting human dignity, enabling Thai society to live together peacefully, unite to build a peaceful society, and collectively develop the nation sustainably and securely. Hence, the enactment of this Act is necessary.