Thailand to Release Inmates Early to Ease Prison Overcrowding

BANGKOK – Thailand’s cabinet on Tuesday (Oct 2) approved an amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, allowing those charged with offences punishable by less than 10 years imprisonment to get a temporary release without having to post bail in a bid to ease overcrowding in Thai prisons.

The Government Spokesman, Lt. Gen. Sansern Kaewkamnerd, said suspects for the offences punishable with five to nine years in jail must fulfill other requirements ordered by the court, such as reporting regularly to court officials.

Lt. Gen. Sansern said those with offences punishable with more than a 10-year jail term must post a bail deposit.

Previously, those facing charges punishable by more than a five-year jail term needed to post a bail deposit, prompting many to lament that only poor people who cannot afford bail deposit are jailed, while rich people stay away from remand prisons.

Source: The Nation