Myanmar’s ambassador expects some of the Myanmar prisoners in Thai jails will be granted amnesty or penalty reductions on His Majesty King Bhumibol’s 86th birthday this coming December.
Speaking to Mizzima earlier this week, Ambassador Myo Tint said, “I have submitted this request twice to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs which has responded positively.”
Myo Tint said that officially there are some 3,000 Myanmar prisoners in Thai jails on a range of different charges. However, unofficial estimates say there could be more than 10,000 in total.
U Myo Tint said that many of the said prisoners had been charged with drugs offences, and that he would not seek release for those particular criminals.
He said the government of Thailand is considering lessening some sentences and granting amnesty to others, an occasion usually announced on Dec 5, the King’s birthday.