Subject: THAI KING "OPPOSES DEATH PENALTY"
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BANGKOK, April 14 (Reuter) - Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej has granted
amnesty to more than 10 prisoners on death row and has not replied to pleas
from
others facing the same sentence, apparently indicating his opposition to
capital
punishment, the Bangkok Post reported on Thursday.
Corrections Department director general Kamol Prachuabmoh told the paper
there were less than 60 persons facing the death penalty in Thailand after
the
most recent royal amnesty.
Kamol said prisoners with a royal amnesty plea pending cannot be executed
so
the king's decision not to answer the petitions indicated his opposition to
capital punishment.,
The Corrections Department was also opposed to the death penalty, he said.
Capital punishment is still in force for various crimes, including murder
and heroin trafficking, but there have been no executions in Thailand for
five years.
