On 23 August 2026, the Government Gazette published Peace Society Enhancement Act B.E.2569 (2026) Effective from the day following the proclamation, it is essentially an amnesty for those who participate in political rallies or express themselves politically based on conflict or political motives during the period from1 มกราคม 2548 ถึง 16 กรกฎาคม 2568
The reason for the legislation stated that long-standing political conflicts resulted in a number of people being prosecuted for participating in rallies or expressing themselves politically, thus creating legal mechanisms to resolve conflicts, build reconciliation, and contribute to a peaceful society.
Amnesty for Assembly Cases – Political Expression
The law provides that the acts of persons participating in political rallies or expressing themselves politically on the grounds of conflict or political motives between January 1, 2005 and July 16, 2025, if it is an offence specified in the annexed accounts, including an offence related thereto, shall not be an offence.
The right holder shall be relieved of the offence and shall not be deemed to have committed the offence and shall be relieved of any criminal and disciplinary liability that is not inconsistent with international legal obligations.
If the case is under investigation, the inquiry official or the public prosecutor must cease proceedings. The pending cases of the court shall cease hearings and dispose of the case from the directory.
In the case of a final verdict before the law comes into force, it shall be deemed that the person has never been convicted of an offence. If the sentence is pending, the punishment is terminated and released, and the relevant criminal record is determined to be final and the information of such offence deleted.
Establish a committee to strengthen the peaceful society.
Required by law"Committee for the Enhancement of a Peaceful Society"The Prime Minister or the Deputy Prime Minister designated as the President of the Minister of Justice is the Deputy Chairman along with representatives from justice agencies, human rights experts and civil society organizations.
The Committee has the power to decide whether a person is eligible for amnesty, accept requests from stakeholders, call for documents or persons to provide information, and prepare proposals on the creation of a peaceful society. The decision on receiving amnesty shall be considered final.
It does not cover many types of serious cases.
อย่างไรก็ตาม การนิรโทษกรรมครั้งนี้ ไม่ได้ครอบคลุมความผิดทุกประเภทThe accounts at the end of the Act set out several exceptions, such as election offences related to corruption or unfair elections, certain offences under the Criminal Code relating to public security, terrorism, officials, religion, public peace, causing harm to people, offences relating to life and body, freedom, and certain defamation offences.
There are also a number of specific offenses that are not amnesty, such as public assembly laws, ammunition control laws, typewriting laws, land traffic laws, highway laws, drug laws, firearms laws, ammunition, explosives, fireworks, and firearms artifacts, etc. The list of exceptions appears in the annex, page 6-7, of the document.
Enable youth under the age of 18 to take special measures.
Another important point is that if an action involves a rally or political expression,Not eligible for amnestyHowever, the offender is under 18 years of age at the time of committing the offence and the Committee deems it appropriate to create a peaceful society. A remediation, rehabilitation and rehabilitation plan can be developed and proposed to take special measures instead of criminal proceedings or submitted to the Court to take measures instead of adjudication.
Set a 180-day framework
The Act requires the Peace Society Promotion Committee to complete the law within180 วันนับจากวันประชุมครั้งแรกIf it is not possible to do so in time, it can be extended no more than 2 times, no more than 90 days at a time.
The Peace Society Enhancement Act B.E. 2569 (2026) was published in the Government Gazette, vol. 143, section 50a, dated 23 August 2026, and the Prime Minister is designated as the acting authority under this Act.
