Overview
- Justice Minister Rutapong announced on Wednesday that King Vajiralongkorn's royal pardon will take effect immediately and formally release former prime minister Thaksin from custody.
- Thaksin had been paroled from a Bangkok prison in May and was living under probation before the royal pardon changed his legal status.
- The royal pardon was issued on June 2 by King Vajiralongkorn and was cited by the Justice Ministry as the basis for the immediate release.
- Japanese media outlets reported the development by carrying a Kyodo News dispatch from Bangkok that relayed the ministry announcement.
- Reports focus on the legal change itself and say further coverage is needed to assess political, social, or practical consequences of Thaksin's formal release.