Phuket news: 26,000 prisoners get Royal Pardon

PHUKET: In a show of compassion, HM The King today issued a royal command pardoning some 26,000 prisoners nationwide. The decree, signed by His Majesty, was based on the one initiated last year by the Democrat Party-led government.

In a statement published in the Royal Gazette, His Majesty said the convicts should be given a second chance. This year’s pardon includes inmates convicted on drug charges whose sentences were not longer than eight years.

The first batch of 12,000 will be released on Thursday and the rest will be freed gradually, said the director-general of the Department of Corrections, Pol Colonel Suchart Wonganantachai.

In a Dusit Poll released on the occasion of HM the King’s birthday, pollsters asked people what aspect of the HM The King’s kindness they most appreciated.

A clear majority (60.2%) cited his Sufficiency Economy theory, followed by Royal Donations (21.2%) and Royal Initiative Projects (18.5%), respectively.

Asked what activities they would like the public to participate in on the occasion of His Majesty’s birthday, most respondents (61.4%) said “lighting candles and singing songs wishing HM well”. This was followed by donating blood and supplies to foundations related to him (22.7%) and participating in activities organized by state agencies (15.8%).

When asked what they thought most upset His Majesty, a clear majority (73.2%) answered “lack of unity”. This was followed by: flood management (11.0%), destruction of environment (9.5%) and corruption (6.1%).

— The Nation