28 June 2001 :

Foreign prisoners' chances of clemency under a Royal Pardon from Thailand's King may have ended under a tougher government stance against drug traffickers.
Western diplomats also say it is just a matter of time before a convicted westerner in Thailand is executed by firing squad under the tougher policy on trafficking. A European consular officer said individually initiated pleas for Royal pardons would now be almost impossible. Only cases where the prisoner has the foreign government's backing will pleas stand a hope of acceptance.
However comments by senior prison officials indicated there would be no discrimination between prisoners who may be facing the death penalty for drugs trafficking, the diplomat said.
A pardon from King Bhumipol Adulyadej has been a source of hope for many convicted drug traffickers faced with jail sentence of up to 50 years or life. King Bhumipol told an audience of judges of how he favoured the "stern punishment" of drug offenders, as the drugs trade was wreaking havoc on Thai society.
Of 318 inmates given death sentences 23 are foreigners. Of the 288 men and 30 women slated for a firing squad 180 are drug offenders.
The death penalty applies in Thailand to heroin or amphetamine drug trafficking and especially where the prisoner is found guilty after pleading not guilty at the start of their trial. A guilty plea allows judicial leniency - 25 years to life in jail instead of execution for heroin trafficking and export.