Thousands of prisoners granted clemency on the king's birthday anniversary, totaling over 81,000 inmates.
Thailand Grants Royal Clemency to Over 81,000 Inmates
In a significant gesture of benevolence and humanitarianism, the Thai government has granted royal clemency to over 81,000 inmates across the country on the occasion of His Majesty the King's birthday anniversary on July 28, 2025.
Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong announced this on Wednesday, detailing that the royal pardon would take the form of early release, sentence reduction, and commutation. Among the 216,522 inmates in the system, 81,333 will benefit from this act of leniency.
Of these, 12,739 inmates will be released immediately, 7,599 will have their sentences reduced to allow for imminent release, and 4,996 individuals detained due to unpaid fines will be freed. The remaining 55,999 inmates will have their sentences commuted but will continue serving time in prison.
The clemency also takes into account the parole status and remaining sentence length of the inmates. For instance, high-profile convicts involved in the fake government-to-government (G-to-G) rice deal, such as former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, are unlikely to be fully pardoned. Instead, their sentences will be reduced proportionally, as Boonsong has over three years remaining in his sentence.
The primary reason for this mass royal clemency is to honour the King’s birthday anniversary, a traditional occasion for such acts of leniency, reflecting royal benevolence and promoting humanitarian considerations within the justice system.
Sources: - The Star, July 30, 2025 [1] - The Nation Thailand, July 30, 2025 [2] - Official announcements via Instagram posts confirming the clemency [3][4][5]
The Thai government's decision to grant royal clemency to over 81,000 inmates on the occasion of His Majesty the King's birthday anniversary has been widely covered as a significant event in the general-news circuit, showcasing the country's political emphasis on humanitarian considerations. In the wake of this announcement, Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong outlined the forms of leniency, including early release, sentence reduction, and commutation for specific inmates.
