BANGKOK,
May 10 (TNA) – Five leaders of the now-defunct People’s Alliance for Democracy
(PAD) or the “Yellow Shirt” movement were released from jail on Friday under
the royal pardon granted to mark the coronation of His Majesty King Maha
Vajiralongkorn.
The
‘Yellow Shirt’ leaders led series of anti-government protests and were later
given imprisonment sentences for their roles in Government House seizure in
2008 when Somchai Wongsawat was prime minister.
Relatives
and supporters greeted four of them as they were freed from Bangkok Remand
Prison.
Another
key leader, Chamlong Srimuang, was released from a prison hospital.
The
five are among tens of thousands prisoners granted royal pardon which was
announced on the Royal Gazette on April 21, about two weeks before the
three-day coronation ceremony took place.
The
eligible prisoners have gradually been released from 148 correctional facilities
nationwide while others have had their sentences shortened.
The
Department of Corrections hosted an ordination ceremony for 20 ex-inmates to
enter monkhood at Bangkok Remand Prison.
According
to the Department, eligible inmates are those who have done community works or
are certified disabled, serious illness.
Other conditions include their behaviour and type of offence. (TNA)
