Supporters of an Irishman who has spent nearly eight years in one of Thailand's most notorious prisons are confident he will be released within the next 48 hours.
Mr Colin Martin is understood to be among 25,000 prisoners scheduled for release over the next 60 days in honour of the Thai queen's 72nd birthday celebrations.
According to a spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs, up to 900 foreign nationals are expected to receive pardons over the coming days. She added the Department was "hopeful" Mr Martin would be one of those prisoners.
It is seven-and-half years since Mr Martin was jailed for the alleged murder of New Zealander, Mr Brett Holdsworth. In July 2000 he was controversially sentenced to 13 years imprisonment but has always maintained his innocence.
The Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas, which has followed Mr Martin's case, said it is "confident" he will be released shortly.
Ms Grainne Prior, a spokeswoman for the organisation, which provides support for Irish nationals held in foreign jails, said she could not comment further because of the danger of jeopardising Mr Martin's release.
It is understood Mr Martin has a greater chance of receiving a royal pardon because his offence is not drug-related.
Most of the pardons have so far been granted to prisoners who only had only one year remaining in their sentences or who were imprisoned for minor offences or who had shown good behaviour.
There are more than 250,000 inmates at prisons across Thailand. Most are seriously overcrowded due to a huge influx of drug convicts in recent years.