About 30,000 prisoners to receive Royal Pardon in Thailand

BANGKOK, August 12 (TNA) - Approximately 30,000 prisoners will be released from prisons nationwide on Royal clemency to celebrate this year’s birthdays of Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, said Pol. Col. Suchart Wonganandchai, director-general of Corrections Department. The director-general said an announcement published in the Royal Gazette on Saturday said on the occasions of Her Majesty the Queen’s 80th birthday on August 12 and the 60th birthday of Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn which was celebrated on July 28, the Royal clemency was granted for the release of about 30,000 prisoners. Prisoners who are entitled and received the Royal pardon are aged, sick and those having less than one-year left for imprisonment, said Pol. Col. Suchart. Of the total, about 10,000 prisoners will be set free next week while the rest will be released within 60 days after the announcement was published in the Royal Gazette. Prisoners are usually released or have their terms reduced on birthday celebrations of the Royal family members in the past years. (TNA)