Over 20,000 Prisoners Benefited From King’s Birthday

BANGKOK, December 4 (TNA) - More than 20,000 prisoners nationwide have received royal clemency during this year’s His Majesty the King’s 84th birthday which falls Monday, said Corrections Department director-general Pol. Col. Suchart Wongananchai. Pol. Col. Suchart said about 12,000 good behavior prisoners would be released immediately while more than 10,000 others would see their jail terms reduced. Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will preside over a ceremony on releasing prisoners at Bangkok’s Khlong Prem Central Prison on December 8. A similar ceremony will be held the same day at prisons upcountry where prisoners will be released. A new jail term for prisoners who have their imprisonment terms reduced will be issued within 90 days. The royal clemency for prisoners is announced in the Royal Gazette on December 3. A similar practice is made in the past years on His Majesty the King’s birthday. (TNA)