To mark his coronation and give convicts a chance to turn over a new leaf, His Majesty the King has granted clemency to tens of thousands of inmates, who will either be released or see their sentences reduced.
Among the soon-to-be-released convicts are political prisoners such as Jatupat Boonpattararaksa, better known as Pai Dao Din, who was jailed in August 2017 for lese majeste, and five former leaders of the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy.
They are Chamlong Srimuang, 83, Pibhop Dhongchai, 72, Somkiat Pongpaibul, 68, Somsak Kosaisuk, 72, and Suriyasai Katasila, 45.
The Supreme Court found them guilty this February of storming Government House and damaging property there during their political protest against the government over a decade ago.
The 20-section royal decree that outlines the criteria and conditions for those eligible for a royal pardon or reduced sentence takes effect today, one day after it was published in the Royal Gazette.
According to the decree, royal pardons are granted on the occasion of His Majesty the King's coronation to help inmates reintegrate with society as good citizens.
Offenders who have been performing public service, those who are already out on probation, inmates with a year or less remaining on their sentence, and people with serious disabilities and illnesses, such as terminal cancer and HIV/Aids will be released, according to the royal decree.
The royal pardons also apply to women jailed for the first time who have served at least half their sentence, those aged 60 years and over with remaining terms of up to three years, and prisoners aged 70 and above.
Other beneficiaries include first-time prisoners younger than 20 years old who have served at least half of their sentence, and "excellent-grade" prisoners with up to two years remaining until their sentences are served.
Repeat offenders, bad prisoners and those formerly sentenced to death and the penalties reduced to life sentence are not eligible for the royal pardon.
Two high-profile inmates -- former commerce minister Boonsong Teyapirom and ex-Department of Special Investigation chief Tarit Pengdith -- are reportedly not eligible to be released based on the conditions specified in the royal decree.
Convicts for drug, human trafficking or corruption offences will receive fewer benefits under the royal decree, but can still have their sentences commuted, according to Pol Col Naras Savestanan, director-general of the Corrections Department.
Pol Col Naras said yesterday the royal decree will be announced at all 143 prisons nationwide and the process completed within 120 days.
