Convicts charged with lese majeste, along with protestors, granted royal amnesty

On Wednesday, a series of prisoners, including several activists linked to the "Three-Finger Movement" and individuals convicted under Section 112 (lese majeste law), were released from various correctional institutions across Thailand.

The release of these prisoners was a result of receiving royal pardons earlier this year. Among those freed was Thanayut Na Ayutthaya, a hip-hop artist known as "Book", who had been imprisoned since September 22, 2023, for possessing explosives during the "Thalu Gas" movement protests. He served nearly 23 months in prison before qualifying for the royal pardon and was discharged from Thonburi Women's Correctional Institution at 10.20am on Wednesday.

Another inmate released was Sombat Thongyoi, who was also a Section 112 prisoner. No further details about Sombat's imprisonment term were provided, but he was freed from Bangkok Remand Prison on Wednesday.

The Corrections Department confirmed the release of inmates who qualified for the royal pardon. This includes Kanun Poomphuengphut, who had been detained since March 25, 2024, for a speech about the monarchy, and was freed from Bangkok Remand Prison on Wednesday, as reported by iLaw.

In a separate case, Anchan Preelert, a former civil servant sentenced to 43 years and six months in prison for distributing defamatory audio clips, was released from the Central Women’s Correctional Institution in Bangkok after serving eight years, four months, and 19 days. Anchan spent 458 days, or just over 15 months, in prison while pregnant and with her newborn.

The source of the information about Thanaporn's release is from Internet Law Reform Dialogue (iLaw), while the release of Thai prisoners, including Kanun and Sombat, was also confirmed by iLaw. The royal pardons for persons imprisoned due to violations of lese majeste laws and other criminal laws related to street protests were issued by the King of Thailand.

These releases mark a significant step towards reconciliation and justice in Thailand, providing hope for those still incarcerated under controversial laws.