The Department of Corrections (DoC) on Wednesday confirmed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be eligible for parole on May 9 after serving two-thirds of his one-year prison sentence.
The clarification followed comments a day earlier by Justice Minister Pol Lt Gen Rutthaphon Naowarat, who said Thaksin will have completed eight months in prison on May 9 -- equivalent to two-thirds of his one-year sentence -- meeting conditions for parole.
Under regulations, inmates who have served two-thirds of their sentence may apply for parole, subject to approval by prison, corrections and Justice Ministry committees. DoC spokesman Yutthana Nakreungsri said the Klong Prem Central Prison committee has not yet finalised the list of inmates eligible for parole.
Normally, such lists are prepared one to two months in advance. He estimated that fewer than 500 inmates at the prison may qualify. A committee will make its decision before forwarding its recommendation.
