Thailand to pardon thousands of inmates for king’s 80th birthday News
Thailand to pardon thousands of inmates for king’s 80th birthday

[JURIST] Thailand will pardon [statement, in Thai] as many as 25,000 prisoners in honor of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 80th birthday, Thai Department of Corrections [official website] Director Wanchai Roujanavong told AFP Tuesday. Approximately 25,000 inmates are eligible for pardons and a number of other prisoners will have their sentences reduced, though Wanchai said that a final number has not been set. Royal pardons [DOC backgrounder, PDF] will be issued for prisoners convicted of minor crimes, inmates over the age of 60, and prisoners who have less than a year left to serve. AFP has more.

The Bangkok Post reported Tuesday that the King has begun the pardon process for 10,000 prisoners. The Bangkok Post has more.

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