The Bangkok Post reports on the not unexpected early release from prison of former People’s Alliance for Democracy boss Sondhi Limthongkul, only three years into his 20-year fraud sentence.
Sondhi Limthongkul (right) in royal yellow
As the Post has it, “Sondhi, 72, was among prisoners granted a royal pardon by … the King on the occasion of his royal wedding with Her Majesty the Queen on May 1. He had demonstrated good behaviour during the jail term and was more than 70 years old, which are among qualifications needed to seek a royal pardon.” He also got special dispensation:
Corrections Department director-general Naras Savestanan said on Wednesday a meeting comprising judges, state prosecutors and himself was held on Tuesday to clarify Sondhi’s legal status. They agreed to his release because his company was not a financial institution.
Naras “explained” that “there were no political motives behind the decision to release him.” Right…
Political Prisoners in Thailand 
[…] familiar? It should. Nothing much has changed in this royalist-rightist agitation since recently-released Sondhi Limthongkul and the People’s Alliance for Democracy signed up with the monarchy for ousting Thaksin […]