Pursuant to questions from a number of foreign media regarding a statement made by Police Lieutenant Colonel Thaksin Shinawatra in his interview with The Japan Times that he had sent three petition letters to request for a royal pardon, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has verified the facts with the Office of His Majesty the King’s Principal Private Secretary and been informed that the Office of His Majesty the King’s Principal Private Secretary has not received any such petition. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also been informed that as provided for in the Thai Constitution, the royal prerogative in granting royal pardon is inseparable from the process of administration of justice and must be done in accordance with the law. After a case has become final, if the person sentenced by the court in that case, or a person related to him/her, files a petition for royal pardon, the Office of His Majesty the King’s Principal Private Secretary will refer the matter to the Ministry of Justice to seek the latter’s opinions. The Prime Minister, in every case, will submit such opinions for His Majesty’s perusal. The Office will then bring the matter to the Privy Council for consideration before presenting it to His Majesty the King.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th