Thousands of Prisoners Receive Pardons on Monarch's Birthday Anniversary
Thailand to Grant Royal Clemency to Over 81,000 Inmates
On Wednesday, Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong confirmed that more than 81,000 inmates will receive royal clemency on the occasion of His Majesty the King's birthday. The royal clemency will take the form of early release or sentence reduction for these inmates.
Among those eligible for the clemency are inmates already on parole, who will be granted immediate release. However, the eligibility for others, such as high-profile convicts involved in the fake government-to-government (G-to-G) rice deal, will depend on the length of their remaining jail terms.
Two such convicts, Boonsong Teriyapirom and Apichart Chansakulporn, may be among those receiving clemency, but they are unlikely to be freed due to unspecified reasons related to their remaining jail terms. Instead, they will benefit from the clemency through sentence reduction rather than full or early release. Boonsong Teriyapirom, who has three years and five months remaining on his sentence, will have about one-third of his sentence reduced, but he will not be fully pardoned or released immediately.
In addition to the inmates, 4,996 individuals held in lieu of unpaid fines will also be freed as part of the royal clemency. The exact number of recipients is yet to be confirmed, but it is estimated to exceed 80,000 nationwide.
The Department of Corrections official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that 7,599 inmates will have their sentences reduced to allow for imminent release, while 55,999 inmates will have their sentences commuted but must continue serving time in prison. Furthermore, 12,739 inmates will be released immediately as part of the royal clemency.
Reporters specifically inquired about Boonsong Teriyapirom and Apichart Chansakulporn, both convicted in the G-to-G rice scheme. The G-to-G rice deal, which involved corruption and fraud, has been a major scandal in Thai politics in recent years.
The royal clemency is a significant move towards reducing overcrowding in Thai prisons and offering a second chance to those who have served their time. It is a testament to the King's compassion and his commitment to justice and rehabilitation.
The details of the royal clemency are still being finalised, and more information is expected to be released in the coming days.
Politics in Thailand took an unexpected turn as the government announced a royal clemency for over 81,000 inmates, a move that could significantly impact health services, given the release of a large number of individuals. This General-news development is likely to influence the nation's politics, particularly in the context of the ongoing discussions surrounding prison overcrowding and rehabilitation. The fate of high-profile convicts like Boonsong Teriyapirom and Apichart Chansakulporn, involved in the G-to-G rice scandal, might affect the political landscape in the coming days.
