Nattawut to be released today: Corrections Department news source
Update: Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin said today that Nattawut's release was already processed but he has not signed the document yet, therefore Nattawut will not be released today, but he will be "soon".
Red-shirt leader Nattawut Saikua is to be released from the Bangkok Remand Prison in Chatuchak district on Thursday (December 17), a news source from the Department of Corrections revealed.
He was among five red-shirt leaders who were handed jail sentences by the Supreme Court on June 26 for bringing together more than 10 people, allegedly creating chaos in the city and fighting the authorities.
In 2007, the leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, also known as red shirts, had led a march to late Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda’s Si Sao Thewes resident to pressure him to step down as chief royal adviser.
Nopparut Worachitwutthikul was given two years and eight months jail time, while Veerakarn Musikapong, Wiputhalaeng Pattanapoom, Weng Tochirakarn and Natthawut were each given four years and four months.
In 2010, Natthawut was detained in prison after the military crackdown on demonstrators on May 19, and remained incarcerated for nine months before being bailed out.
The source added that Natthawut’s release is due to him receiving a royal pardon under Royal Pardon Decree BE 2563. He will be monitored under parole and would therefore have to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet.