FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Royal pardon cuts jail time for red shirts, ex-commerce minister

Royal pardon cuts jail time for red shirts, ex-commerce minister

The Royal Gazette has announced that 30,000 prison inmates will be freed after being granted a Royal pardon to mark King Bhumibol’s birthday anniversary on December 5.

Another 200,000 convicts will have their jail terms reduced by the Royal pardon, including certain political convicts.

Red shirt leader Nattawut Saikua will gain early release after being jailed for organising the siege of Gen Prem Tinsulanonda’s residence in 2007 but will face further investigations by police.

Former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyaphirom has won early release from his 48-year jail term for corruption in the Yingluck-led government’s rice-pledging scheme.

Royal pardons have also been granted to red-shirt leaders Samrerng Prachamrua and Singthong Buachum, who were jailed for disrupting the 2009 Asean Summit in Pattaya. Both will have to attend a 15-day rehabilitation programme.

Meanwhile, former news anchor Sorayuth Suthassanachinda, in jail for embezzlement, was granted early release in March 2021.

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