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Many legal systems have a concept of early release/parole, especially with good behavior or humanitarian reasons; a reduction in sentence may bring this substantially forwards as well. (I can't speak for how Thailand specifically handles this, though.)

The main way people get out of these cases is to appeal to the king for clemency. Pleading guilty is the first step on that path once it becomes clear you'll get a defacto life sentence otherwise.

Fundamentals of judicial process are constructed so at to evoke respect of the indicted.

While mathematical analyses tend to treat lawsuit as a pure game, most people would disagree on the moral grounds.