The Corrections Department insists it was not ordered to discharge former agriculture minister Chucheep Hansawat and his former secretary, Witthaya Thienthong, from prison, saying the two merely met the criteria for parole.
Department chief Naras Savestanan said on Thursday that the duo, who served under the government of Thaksin Shinawatra, were discharged two or three months ago.
Their circumstances met the parole criteria and their release was approved by a committee that considered their parole, chaired by permanent secretary for justice Wisit Wisitsora-at.
Their parole requests were also sent to Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Prajin Juntong for approval.
"ACM Prajin never gave instructions on the matter," said Pol Col Naras.
Referring to the duo's qualifications for parole, he said both had served at least one third of their prison term based on the original rulings. In addition, they were over the age of 70.
To meet the parole conditions, inmates must either prove they have a chronic disease in which they are no longer able to care for themselves, and that authorities believe they have no chance of committing offences or causing a threat to society once released, Pol Col Naras noted.
He said several other big names, who are also old or unwell, are still in detention as their qualifications do not meet the stipulated criteria.
They include former Krung Thai Bank president Viroj Nualkhair, former bank chairman Suchai Jaovisidha, Rakesh Saxena, a former adviser to the Bangkok Bank of Commerce (BBC), and Paijit Thammarojpinij, better known as Por Pratunam.
He said another high-profile detainee who met the criteria for parole was Wichai Krisdathanon, an executive of the Krisdamahanakorn (KMN) real estate company. The man, who is chronically ill and elderly, has been released in relation to the Krungthai Bank (KTB) loan scandal but is facing a charge from another case.
In June 2016, Mr Chucheep and Mr Witthaya were sentenced to six years in jail after they were found guilty of malfeasance and price collusion over a compost procurement scheme in 2001-2002.
They were in charge of approving the procurement of the fertiliser, worth 367 million baht, which was to be distributed to farmers affected by floods. The contract was allegedly processed by Mr Witthaya and signed by Mr Chucheep, both core members of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party.
The Cooperatives Community of Thailand won the contract to supply the compost amid an alleged lack of transparency. Farmers also complained the supply was a mixture of muddy soil and burnt sugarcane bagasse, lacking essential nutrients and minerals for plants.
The duo were sent to Bangkok Remand Prison to serve their sentences but later transferred to the Correctional Hospital for treatment of their illnesses.
