Thailand Enacts Political Amnesty Law
Thailand's new political amnesty law, effective August 24, covers participants in political demonstrations and gatherings from 2005 to July 2025, but excludes corruption, lese-majeste, and violent crimes.
The Royal Gazette published the Promotion of Social Peace Act 2569 on August 23, 2025, following royal approval. The law grants amnesty to participants in political gatherings and demonstrations motivated by political disputes or grievances between January 1, 2005, and July 16, 2025, effective August 24, 2025. The amnesty does not apply to corruption charges, lese-majeste offenses under Section 112, or crimes causing death or serious bodily harm. A committee to administer the law has been established, chaired by the Prime Minister or a designated Deputy Prime Minister, with members including the Justice Minister, justice officials, the National Human Rights Commission secretary, legal experts, civil society representatives, and the Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister as secretary. The committee must convene within 30 days of the law taking effect.
