FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Rapists, others not eligible for pardons

Rapists, others not eligible for pardons

CONVICTED rapists, robbers and abusers of authority are among the inmates not eligible for royal pardons on two important occasions.

Pardons will be granted to mark the 70th anniversary of His Majesty the King’s accession to the throne and Her Majesty the Queen’s 84th birthday this year, but criminals jailed for many offences do not have the right to apply.
“Inmates convicted of sexual assaults are ineligible,” permanent secretary of the Justice Ministry Chanchao Chaiyanukij said yesterday, regarding the royal decree promulgated in the Royal Gazette on Monday. The decree identifies those entitled to seek royal pardon on the two special occasions.
Chanchao said he could not specify the number of inmates who will receive royal pardons now, as the royal decree had also set many other conditions.
“For example, drug offenders given a jail term of no fewer than eight years shall not be able to get royal pardons either,” he said.
Chanchao said provincial governors, judges and public prosecutors would help review the qualifications of inmates at provincial prisons in their respective areas to determine individuals eligible to ask for royal clemency.
“As for the [Klong Prem] Central Prison, its chief warden will take part in the review,” Chanchao said. The review process must be performed within 120 days.

Panel to review if Chonsawat is eligible
Asked if jailed local politician Chonsawat Asavahame would be eligible for a royal pardon, Chanchao said a panel would review if Chonsawat was qualified before a decision could be made.
Chonsawat, who was sentenced to a jail term last year for electoral fraud, has already petitioned to be released from prison. But Samut Prakan Prison chief Wuttichai Jenwiriyakul reconsidered the proposal that the Corrections Department should let Chonsawat be released.
Meanwhile, Panadda Wongphudee, an actress and former beauty queen, said yesterday she was glad rapists will not be eligible. Panadda campaigns for the death penalty for rapists who murder their victims.
 

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