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New Thai king grants amnesty to around 30,000 prisoners

Broad amnesty has been declared in Thailand to celebrate King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s accession to the throne

King Maha Vajiralongkorn EPA/ROYAL HOUSEHOLD BUREAU

King Maha Vajiralongkorn

© EPA/ROYAL HOUSEHOLD BUREAU

BANGKOK, December 12. /TASS/. Around 30,000 prisoners are eligible for the amnesty declared in Thailand to celebrate the new king’s accession to the throne, Corrections Department Chief Kobkiat Kasiwat said on Monday.

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"The prisoners will start to leave the jails in the coming three days. However, rapists and drug dealers are not eligible for amnesty," Kasiwat elaborated. According to him, former parliament member Chuwit Kamolvisit is one of the most known prisoners to be granted amnesty. Kamolvisit, a businessman and a politician who founded several political parties in the past, is famous for his scandalous reputation. In early 2016, he was sentenced for two years in jail for destroying 60 bars in central Bangkok to establish a park that was named after him.

Broad amnesty has been declared in Thailand to celebrate King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s accession to the throne. The amnesty decree, issued by the royal house bureau on Sunday, takes effect on Monday. According to the document, prisoners with disabilities, prisoners suffering from cancer, mental illnesses and other serious deceases, including HIV, are eligible for the declared amnesty.

Besides that, prisoners over the age of 60 will be also granted amnesty provided they have served out at least one-third of their prison terms. In addition, prisoners sentenced for minor offences are also eligible for the amnesty. Death sentences will be commuted to life imprisonment.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) ascended on the throne on the 50th day after the death of his father King Bhumibol Adulyadej who had ruled Thailand for 70 years.

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