Thailand’s new King Maha Vajiralongkorn will pardon or commute the sentences of up to 1,50,000 prisoninmates, including some jailed under one of the world’s toughest laws against royal insult, officials said on Tuesday.
King Vajiralongkorn ascended the throne on December 1 after the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, on October 13.
“This is the first opportunity since his majesty’s ascension to show his mercy,” the Royal Gazette said in a statement, announcing that 1,50,000 inmates could be eligible for release or to have sentences cut, under the pardon.
Officials do not have a figure for the number of inmates who will benefit from the pardon, with decisions to be made by different prisons depending on factors including the inmate’s age, how much of the sentence has been served and behaviour.
Prisoners jailed for insulting the monarchy and drug offences will be eligible, said Kobkiat Kasivivat, director general of the Department of Corrections.
“Prisoners convicted of 112 and prisoners convicted of drug offences will be included for consideration for release or commuting of sentence,” Kobkiat said, referring to the royal insult law by its article number in the criminal code.
