Department of Corrections Dismisses Claims of Favoritism in Thaksin's Sentence Reduction, Denies Double Standard
Thailand's Department of Corrections rejected claims of favoritism in reducing Thaksin's sentence, saying the decision followed standard legal criteria applied nationwide with no disciplinary violations on record.
On May 9, 2025, the Department of Corrections issued a statement addressing the SNTR's petition to the Justice Minister requesting intervention to halt the sentence reduction for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, which claimed incorrect application of law and distortion of Supreme Court orders.
The Department of Corrections stated that determining eligibility for sentence reduction must be based on facts, law, and case status as clearly shown in court verdicts or orders, along with official corrections department records. Currently, no final verdict or order has determined that Thaksin engaged in disciplinary violations or criminal conduct while detained—requirements that would disqualify him under corrections law and regulations.
Review of the subcommittee's proceedings and supporting documents for Thaksin's sentence reduction petition revealed no evidence of disciplinary violations. Consequently, the subcommittee found him qualified under the Corrections Act B.E. 2560, ministerial regulations on prisoner benefits B.E. 2562, and its 2021 amendment.
The department rejected the petitioner's reference to a corrections announcement regarding disciplinary violations as inapplicable to sentence reduction decisions. The Department of Corrections affirmed that this sentence reduction decision involved no special favoritism toward any individual but followed identical standards applied nationwide, strictly adhering to evidence and legal provisions.
