THE CORRECTIONS Department said altogether 103,613 inmates have received royal pardon on the auspicious occasions of His Majesty the King’s 70th birthday on July 28, 2022 and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother’s 90th birthday today, August 12, 2022. - Thai Newsroom

Royal pardon for 103,613 inmates

August 12, 2022  TNR Staff

THE CORRECTIONS Department said altogether 103,613 inmates have received royal pardon on the auspicious occasions of His Majesty the King's 70th birthday on July 28, 2022 and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother's 90th birthday today, August 12, 2022.

Mr. Ayut Sinthapphan, the department's director-general, said 22,822 inmates are being released on parole while 80,791 others benefit from reduction of their sentence.

However three prominent prisoners, namely former Democrat MP Thepthai Senpong, jailed  for two years for vote buying in 2014 local election, former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, jailed for 48 years for corruption in government-to-government rice contracts, and Pol. Col. Thitisan Uttanaphon, or Joe Ferrari, serving life in prison for the torture and killing of a drug suspect, were not among those pardoned.  

Ayut said they did not meet the criteria for a royal pardon to have served one-third of their sentence. It is clearly stated that inmates benefiting from the royal pardon must serve one-third of their sentence or eight years. Even if they are over 70 years of age they have to serve one-third of their sentence.

CAPTION:

Top: Three prominent prisoners, former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, centre, flanked by former Democrat MP Thepthai Senpong, left, and Pol. Col. Thitisan Uttanaphon, or Joe Ferrari, right.

Front Page: Some inmates in their cell. Both photos: Matichon

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Also read: Prominent prisoners granted second royal pardon this year

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