Prosecutors Urged to Apply Amnesty Act Uniformly Nationwide
Natthawut Saiyuek has asked the Attorney General to issue nationwide guidelines for prosecutors to ensure uniform application of the newly enacted National Reconciliation (Amnesty) Act. He warns that inconsistent interpretation across agencies could undermine the law’s goal of reducing political conflict and granting equal rights. Coordinated action from investigation through corrections is needed for the law to work effectively and heal Thailand’s social divisions.
The National Reconciliation Act, also known as the Amnesty Act, came into force on August 24 and covers political activities from January 1, 2005 to July 16, 2025. Cases that meet the criteria and are not exempt will receive different legal outcomes depending on their stage—investigation, prosecution, court, or imprisonment. The law’s core principle is not about partisan colors but ensuring equal rights under the law without discrimination, a principle that must be evident at every step of the justice process. The Judicial Office has issued guidance for courts, while the National Reconciliation Commission has begun drafting implementation rules. Prosecutors have been ordered to review cases under their jurisdiction and prepare a circular instructing all prosecution offices nationwide to follow a unified approach. Consistent application is vital; divergent practices would raise doubts about equality before the law, contrary to the act’s aim of reducing conflict and moving society forward. Each case must be assessed strictly according to the statute and its exemptions, but when a case clearly qualifies, those involved should receive the legal result without delay caused by differing practices. Therefore, the justice system—investigation, prosecution, courts, and corrections—must coordinate and adopt the same guidelines so that the law truly delivers its intended effect, restoring liberty to beneficiaries and healing the long‑standing wounds of Thai social conflict.
