Ex-TV anchor Sorayuth freed from prison, to wear tag for two more years

Former Thai TV news anchor Sorayuth Suthasanachinda was released from prison this morning (Sunday), under a special imprisonment suspension program, but he is required to wear an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet for the next two years and four months, until the end of the prison term.

Sorayuth was sentenced to two terms, of 6 years and 2 years, by the Supreme Court in January last year, after he and a senior staffer of the Mass Communications Organization of Thailand (MCOT) were found guilty of cheating the state-run media organization of more than 100 million baht in advertising fees. His company, Rai Som, had agreed to pay 152 million baht in advertising fees plus interest to the MCOT.

The Criminal Court sentenced him to 13 years and four months on February 29th 2016, which was upheld by the Appeals Court on August 29th 2017.  He was granted Royal pardons twice, due to his good conduct in prison.

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/ex-tv-anchor-sorayuth-freed-from-prison-to-wear-tag-for-two-more-years/

 

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he is required to wear an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet for the next two years and four months, until the end of the prison term.

 Isn't this what they proposed for all farangs visiting the country?

Less than 2 years for stealing millions from taxpayers, and back in business again. You'd think punishments are supposed to be a lesson and a deterrent to the original offender, as well as an example to anybody else considering that path.

Looks in remarkably good health considering his time in prison.

Maybe in certain circumstances the Thai prison system is not as grim as it is painted...

4 hours ago, webfact said:

due to his good conduct in prison.

And the fact that he was rich from his illegality.  Thai Justice, the best money can buy.

1 hour ago, PostmasterGeneral said:

Less than 2 years for stealing millions from taxpayers, and back in business again. You'd think punishments are supposed to be a lesson and a deterrent to the original offender, as well as an example to anybody else considering that path.

Who said crime doesn't pay.... 

1 hour ago, herfiehandbag said:

Looks in remarkably good health considering his time in prison.

Maybe in certain circumstances the Thai prison system is not as grim as it is painted...

He looks thinner and even someone of his stature obviously couldn't get hair dye in prison. Probably looks healthier than he did before.

3 hours ago, PostmasterGeneral said:

Less than 2 years for stealing millions from taxpayers, and back in business again. You'd think punishments are supposed to be a lesson and a deterrent to the original offender, as well as an example to anybody else considering that path.

He had to pay 52 million baht + interest in addition to returning the the 100 million baht stolen.  At least it wasn't a 5,000 baht fine & perform a wai in apology type of punishment, -of course he stole money from the govt. and not ordinary people.

Looks like he lost most of his puppy fat. Used to enjoy watching his morning show back before he went to the big house. Nice to see him out, hope he can stay away from crime this time round.

5 hours ago, mikebell said:

And the fact that he was rich from his illegality.  Thai Justice, the best money can buy.

And the fact that he was rich from his illegality.  Thai Justice, the best someone else's money can buy. ????

10 hours ago, webfact said:

to wear tag for two more years

One like this perhaps??

9 hours ago, Don Chance said:

 Isn't this what they proposed for all farangs visiting the country?

No , they are going to inject a Chip like they do for Dog Registration and Other Animals to keep track .

17 hours ago, Don Chance said:

 Isn't this what they proposed for all farangs visiting the country?

Yeah.  Some bureaucrats, ministers, and MPs probably want it for all foreigners.  They have been pushing for methods to track foreigners for years.  The Covid 'pandemic' has given them the goose that lays the golden eggs in the form of the ability to legislate privacy infringing laws in the name of 'safety' or 'national security' of whatever is blowing in the wind.

So perhaps future GPS tracking bracelets for all foreigners in addition to reporting to Immigration every 90 days.  If you're married or retired and plan to spend your life here, that would mean wearing a tracker and reporting to Thai authorities every 90 days not including extensions - for life!

In two years and four months, Mr. Sorayuth's tracking is ended as well as any additional requirements to report to Thai authorities for parole.  - He'll be free.

So to authorities in Thailand, who's a bigger risk? 
1) A guy convicted of a 100 million THB fraud scheme? - or - 2) your average farang expat?  ????
 

18 hours ago, webfact said:

guilty of cheating the state-run media organization of more than 100 million baht in advertising fees.

sentence: to wear an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet for 2 years! that is what i call a bargain! that is why i'd like to apply for a job in a  thai state-run media organization.

Good behaviour! he hasn't been inside long enough for a kit change????