IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Thailand

New monarch pardons prisoners

Thailand's new King Maha Vajiralongkorn has pardoned tens of thousands of prisoners, a first act of "mercy" as monarch as he reaches out to his subjects following the death of his beloved father. King Bhumibol Adulyadej died in October, leaving the nation without its unifying figure. His only son, 64-year-old Vajiralongkorn, was proclaimed king in December. Pardons were annual events under Bhumibol.