KHON KAEN, May 8 (TNA) – Nearly 190 former prisoners in
Khon Kaen province see their freedom after being granted royal pardon on the
occasion of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s coronation.
The Royal Decree issued on April 21 grants a royal pardon
for tens of thousands of prisoners nationwide.
Some will be freed while others have their sentences shortened.
Hundreds of relatives arrived at Khon Kaen Central Prison to
give warm welcome to 187 prisoners released from the prison on Wednesday
morning.
Khon Kaen Governor Somsak Changtrakul who witnessed the
releases said the royal pardon aimed to allow inmates the chance to become good
citizens.
About 3,000 more inmates also had their sentences reduced,
he said.
Those eligible include inmates who have done community work,
certified disabled or suffered serious illness, among other conditions based on
behavior, type of offence and on the corrections department’s regulations.
The royal pardon requires the eligible prisoners to be freed
within 120 days. (TNA)