Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has signed a formal order to create an independent committee looking into the Department of Corrections' criteria for selecting who will receive reduced prison terms via royal pardon.
The order came after mounting criticism of the department's controversial inclusion of convicts in high-profile corruption cases on the list of inmates who had their terms shortened courtesy of previous royal pardons.
Signed by Gen Prayut on Thursday, the order endorses the appointment of an eight-member panel headed by Khemchai Chutiwong, a former attorney-general and chair of the committee on national reform in justice affairs, said government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana.
Chiraphat Phanthawi, secretary-general of the Office of the Judiciary, is among the other seven members, he added.
"The committee is being given a full month to wrap up its investigation," the spokesman said, adding Gen Prayut has "stressed the need for the committee to carefully examine the matter, be precise in concluding its probe, and ensure transparency and fairness for all sides involved".
Earlier this week, the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand issued a statement opposing reduced sentences.
This came after it was revealed that figures convicted in the controversial rice-pledging scheme under the former government of Yingluck Shinawatra were among those who benefited from a royal pardon marking the birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great on Dec 5.
Two inmates who reportedly benefited from this royal pardon were former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom and his deputy Poom Sarapol.
Boonsong, who was sentenced to 48 years in jail by the Supreme Court, has since had his prison term commuted to 10 years and eight months.
He will be freed in April 2028. Poom was sentenced to 36 years in jail by the Supreme Court.
He will have his prison term reduced to five years and is set to be released in August 2025.
Meanwhile, Ravee Maschamadol, a list MP for the New Palangdharma Party, pointed to the need to amend the law to separate corruption cases and extreme serious criminal cases from general criminal cases when it comes to discussing the possibility of reduced prison terms.