HONG KONG prisoners serving life for drug offences in Thailand could see their sentences commuted and may serve out their terms in the territory if a royal mandate goes ahead as expected this year.
In the past, drug offenders, particularly drug traffickers, have not been deemed eligible for royal pardons because they had committed 'international crimes', but Thai officials say this stance may have softened.
Of the 88 Hong Kong people in Thailand jails, most are drug offenders.
But news of a royal pardon in June to celebrate King Bhumibol Adulyadej's ascension to the throne, prompted families of Hong Kong prisoners to petition the king last year asking for an extension of the pardon to include drug traffickers.
A Thai consulate-general spokesman in Hong Kong confirmed that a similar letter was received several weeks ago renewing the plea.
'It has always been the case that drug traffickers would not be included in these pardons and the families have of course had this explained to them in the past,' he said.