Thai Appeals Court upholds acquittal of three ex-PDRC leaders, fourth sentenced to 8 months

[webfact]

Sonthiyan Chuenruthainaitham

 

The Appeals Court sentenced a former core member of the now defunct People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) to eight months in prison without suspension today (Wednesday), after finding him guilty of obstructing voting at Sukhothai School, in Bangkok’s Dusit district during the general elections in 2014.

 

Sonthiyan Chuenruthainaitham, former Bangkok deputy governor Sakoltee Pattiyakul, former National Institute Development Administration (NIDA) president Prof. Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong and Dr. Seri Wongmontha, a former Thammasat University lecturer, and a marketing guru, were charged by public prosecutors with sedition, incitement of unrest, being members of an illegal association, illegal assembly and assault for their collective involvement in the attempt to topple the then government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

 

On July 25th, 2019, the Criminal Court acquitted all except Sonthiyan, who was found guilty of obstructing the election operations at Sukhothai School. He was sentenced at that time to one year in prison, suspended for one year.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-appeals-court-upholds-acquittal-of-three-ex-pdrc-leaders-fourth-sentenced-to-8-months/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-10-20

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[hotchilli]

Farcical.

[zzaa09]

1 minute ago, hotchilli said:

Farcical.

As such things usually are.

Truly surprised that this trio [et al] didn't receive a harsher sentence, considering the politically suppressed and paranoid time that we live in.

[Srikcir]

What were the grounds to acquit 3 PDRC leaders?

As seems typical the Thai courts just make verbal pronouncements without any written* public legal decision explaining its decision and foundation for a decision.

Realize Thailand uses common law that may allow the court to ignore statutory law and regulations, but in a democracy shouldn't there be transparency of the court decision process? 

 

*based on my perceived lack of any such publications even for Charter Court decisions. 

[Eric Loh]

2 hours ago, zzaa09 said:

As such things usually are.

Truly surprised that this trio [et al] didn't receive a harsher sentence, considering the politically suppressed and paranoid time that we live in.

I wouldn't be surprised when the appeal court acquit Sutherp and 4 key PDRC leaders who have been sentenced in Feb and out on bail. As you said, such things usually are. A sad dichotomy of the connected and others in Thai politics. 

[Scott Tracy]

22 hours ago, webfact said:

being members of an illegal association, illegal assembly and assault for their collective involvement in the attempt to topple the then government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

And nothing for anyone that took part in the coup that followed shortly therafter...

[candide]

The yellow/green network always takes care of its members....

[Denim]

4 hours ago, zzaa09 said:

Truly surprised that this trio [et al] didn't receive a harsher sentence, considering the politically suppressed and paranoid time that we live in.

Simple. They were batting for the right team.

 

Prayuths useful poodles.