More than 1,000 prisoners to be released on HM King's birthday

[Nicke]

BANGKOK, Dec 1 (TNA) - The government grants an amnesty to more than 1,000 prisoners to pay tribute to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King's birthday on December 5.
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will preside over a Ministry of Justice ceremony to release the prisoners at Klong Prem Central Prison here Sunday morning.
All the released prisoners are those having been detained in compensation of fines, Bt200 each daily, according to Deputy Permanent Secretary for Justice Kittipong Kittayarak.
"All the prisoners are poor who could not afford to pay fines for their minor wrongdoings and opted to be detained in compensation of the fines imposed by police or the court," Mr. Kittipong told journalists.
Some of the released prisoners are also sick or disabled inmates, as well as youths from juvenile observation centres who were on training by court orders, rather than detention, he noted.
The Government Lottery Office (GLO) has granted a financial support of Bt 30 million to the Ministry of Justice to pay remaining fines for the released prisoners, according to Mr. Kittipong.
The released inmated would also be presented some clothes and a Bt200 transport allowance each by the prime minister, he said. (TNA)