Nattawut Saikua Defends Thaksin Shinawatra’s Amnesty Petition
Nattawut Saikua has dismissed rumors of a political deal involving former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s request to clear his criminal record.
On November 2, 2026, Nattawut Saikua, a former leader of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), addressed public speculation regarding former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Reports had suggested that Thaksin was pressuring the Committee for Strengthening Social Peace to approve his amnesty petition in exchange for Pheu Thai Party votes during a no-confidence debate. Nattawut rejected these claims as 'fake news' and a 'fake deal.' According to Nattawut, Thaksin’s petition to clear his criminal record is a legal right available to all Thai citizens, as he argues the cases against him originated from coup-related authorities. He clarified that Thaksin currently faces no remaining prison sentences. Regarding the ongoing lèse-majesté (Section 112) case, Nattawut noted that it remains in the Court of Appeal and must proceed through the standard judicial process, as it is explicitly excluded from the scope of the Social Peace Strengthening Act. For residents and observers, this situation highlights the ongoing complexities of Thailand's reconciliation processes. The Committee for Strengthening Social Peace is currently reviewing various petitions, including Thaksin's, through a sub-committee. The final outcome of these deliberations remains to be confirmed, and the committee is expected to eventually disclose its findings to the public, as the process is not intended to be confidential.
