Man Receives 8-Month Jail Term for Vandalizing Temple Wall with Spray Paint

[snoop1130]

 

On Thursday, a 26-year-old man was ordered by a Criminal Court to serve 8 months in jail for defacing the wall of the Emerald Buddha Temple in Bangkok with anti-112 graffiti. The event took place on March 28, 2023.

 

The man, Suttawee Soikham, who also goes by the name "Bang-ern," was nabbed after he was spotted spray painting, then crossing out the number 112 on a wall outside the temple. In Thailand, the number 112 is often used by protesters to symbolize the country's law against royal defamation – Section 112 of the Criminal Code.

 

 

After reviewing the evidence, the court found Soikham guilty under both the country's law protecting ancient monuments and national museums, and the law maintaining city cleanliness and order. Since his crime broke multiple laws but was considered as a single act, he was charged under the law with the most severe punishment – the Ancient Monuments Act.

 

Initially, Suttawee was sentenced to 1 year in prison without any possible suspension. However, thanks to his helpful testimony, his sentence was cut by a third, leaving him with 8 months imprisonment. The cans he used for spray painting were seized while other charges against him were dropped.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-07-04

 

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[Skeptic7]

Good...vandals should be punished. NOW if only this crazy place would enforce laws and stricter punishments for much more serious crimes. 

[Classic Ray]

I thought a guilty plea usually resulted in a 50% reduction in sentence?

[ChipButty]

Good job that wasn't a farang, it would have been 8 years, 

[soalbundy]

1 hour ago, Classic Ray said:

I thought a guilty plea usually resulted in a 50% reduction in sentence?

112 is different.

[Burma Bill]

21 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

defacing the wall of the Emerald Buddha Temple

 Apart from 112, I wonder what else he sprayed "Monks Go Home"