Eight years for murder of "win" rider - Does this send a message to Thailand's "hotheads"?

[webfact]

Daily News Thai Caption: This will happen to "hotheads"

 

Daily News carried a story after a court judgment in Bangkok suggesting that a lawyer was pleased that a murderer of a motorcycle taxi rider was jailed.

 

It was claimed that this sent a strong message to Thailand's out of control "hotheads" who resort to gun violence to settle arguments.

 

Yet the murderer got just 8 years three months for murder. Halved because he admitted it and paid off the mother of the victim about 660,000 baht.

 

The judgement at the South Bangkok criminal court was against Khanaporn "Nu" Meuang-iam, a meat trader at Klong Toei market in the Thai capital.

 

On 10th December 2019 he shot "win" rider 21 year old Somchai "Best" Yortpetch dead. The victim was shot in the head.

 

A cousin of the deceased - Phitak Hormjit - was also hit in the attack outside a pork processing plant.

 

Khanaporn was given 16 years for the murder, and six months for weapons offences and other charges. 

 

This was reduced to 8 years 3 months because he had admitted the crimes and proved helpful in the investigation.

 

He was ordered to pay the mother of the deceased 659,333.34 baht plus 7.5% interest up to April 2021 and 5% interest thereafter until the money is all paid.

 

He also paid 7,000 baht to the cousin. 

 

Lawyer Ananchai told the media this sent a message to Thailand's "hua rorn" or hotheads that settling arguments with a gun was not the way to go. 

 

So what is your opinion? Is eight years sufficient deterrent to would be murderers or does it confirm what many people online claim:

 

That Thailand is soft on gun crime and murder. 

 

Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans

 

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2022-02-12

 

- Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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

 

Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

[ronster]

Pretty much a joke. Gets halved because admits it ! Easy job police and lawyers have if they can offer that all the time and then not forget you can pay the family of injured or deceased and it reduces it further as your so kind ! ????

Was the second guy shot also ? If so then surely there should be similar charges brought for attempted murder of second person. 
Too many guns in the hands of too many low IQ idiots here !

[Wiggy]

Should be a minimum of 30 years for murder. We deserve protection from these maniacs. 

[chickenslegs]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Khanaporn was given 16 years for the murder, and six months for weapons offences and other charges. 

 

This was reduced to 8 years 3 months because he had admitted the crimes and proved helpful in the investigation.

16 years for murder seems very lenient to start with.

Halving it to 8 years because he admitted the crime, makes the sentence ludicrously short (IMO).

Also, I believe that he may be eligible for the King's pardon after he serves half his sentence (someone will correct me if I am wrong).

Edited February 12, 2022 by chickenslegs

[OneMoreFarang]

How many guys who shoot somebody think first how long they will go to jail for that crime?

I guess it's more like: "I will kill him now" and not other thought at the same time.

[Denim]

Does this send a message to Thailand's "hotheads"?

 

Oh yes it does. The message is ' Money talks , justice walks '

 

[KhunLA]

Yep, pretty sad.  Same sentence (18 yrs halved to 9) was given to the Nazi up at Udon Thani that brutally stabbed his girlfriend 17 times while daughter watched.  Might even be out by now as that happened 2012.  https://www.thairath.co.th/content/258789

[ukrules]

He's lucky he didn't have a small bag of drugs in his pocket or he'd be looking at a far longer prison sentence.

 

The priorities of the courts here are very clear and murder is nowhere near the top.

[Will B Good]

Wife's uncle (by marriage) murdered his next door neighbor whilst paralytic. Served five years and is now back living next door to his widow and children.

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

This was reduced to 8 years 3 months because he had admitted the crimes and proved helpful in the investigation.

What... yes i did it?

Half sentence?

[Bangkok Barry]

3 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

Also, I believe that he may be eligible for the King's pardon after he serves half his sentence (someone will correct me if I am wrong).

They don't pardon everyone, so I doubt a murderer will receive a get put of jail free card. But this is Thailand so who knows.

[Nkpjed]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

So what is your opinion? Is eight years sufficient deterrent to would be murderers or does it confirm what many people online claim:

 

That Thailand is soft on gun crime and murder. 

Executing murderers would send the correct message.

[Golden Triangle]

Bloomin ridiculous, no wonder there is so much crime here, one day the authorities will wake up.

[Dumbfounded]

If found guilty of 1st degree murder, with irrefutable evidence and a confession, then the death sentence should be mandatory