Red Shirt activist Kwanchai gets prison for Udon Thani assault

UDON THANI, Dec 28 –Red Shirt activist Kwanchai Praipana was sentenced to four years imprisonment by the Udon Thani Provincial Court here today after being found guilty for bodily assault inflicting serious injuries to others and vandalising public property.

Seven members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), the Yellow Shirt movement and a staunch rival of the Red Shirts, filed a criminal lawsuit against Mr Kwanchai, a leader of the Udon Lovers Group, and Uthai Sankaew, for attempted murder, seriously assaulting others, premeditated assault and vandalising public property during clashes at Nong Prachak Silapakom park in this northeastern province.

Mr Uthai is the brother of former agriculture minister Thirachai Sankaew.

The incident took place on July 24, 2008.

The court acquitted him of charges of attempted murder and premeditated assault but nonetheless handed down a four-year prison term to Mr Kwanchai for the remaining charges.

Mr Uthai reportedly settled the case with the plaintiff outside the court.

The jail term has been halved to two years and eight months and a fine of Bt350,000 with a monthly interest payment of 7.5 per cent because of the defendant's confession.

Mr Kwanchai said he accepted the court's ruling, but will prepare additional evidence to file an appeal. He then lodged a bail request with a title deed valued at Bt300,000 as collateral.

The Udon Lovers Group leader said he would appeal the verdict.

The clashes between red- and yellow-clad demonstrators in 2008 resulted in many injuries.

The court last year sentenced Kularb Yos-on, a Red Shirt supporter known as Disc Jockey Hongthong, to a year and eight months in jail. Thirty-two other Red Shirts each received eight-month jail terms.

Two PAD members also received eight-month jail terms. Their case is now pending appeal. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-12-28

Appeal after appeal and then a suspended sentence.

De ja vu

so is he in jail, or at home at the moment?

Edited December 28, 201114 yr by jaidam

Appeal after appeal and then a suspended sentence.

De ja vu

It's even weirder than that if I understand the artcle correctly. He confessed to get a lighter sentence. How does one appeal a confession?

Appeal after appeal and then a suspended sentence.

De ja vu

It's even weirder than that if I understand the artcle correctly. He confessed to get a lighter sentence. How does one appeal a confession?

Good point.

But bear in mind who is in power now. With them all things are possible.

Appeal after appeal and then a suspended sentence.

De ja vu

It's even weirder than that if I understand the artcle correctly. He confessed to get a lighter sentence. How does one appeal a confession?

He's appealing the punishment, he thinks the punishment should be lighter. Hopefully the appeals court will increase the jail time on this thug.

I love Udon far more than this self appointed idiot.

Another peaceful Red Shirt convicted for merely leading a pack of brothers to a little pick-nick, and a game of 'kick those guys head in'. So unfair.

a fine of Bt350,000 with a monthly interest payment of 7.5 per cent

that cannot be right An annual interest rate of 90% ???

There should have been a 1 in front of the 4 in the verdict. Unconditional.

Surely this cannot be the case. How on earth could a Red Shirt be jailed for thuggery? Especially when they form the government? Not right at all.

Appeal after appeal and then a suspended sentence.

De ja vu

It's even weirder than that if I understand the artcle correctly. He confessed to get a lighter sentence. How does one appeal a confession?

An excellent point.

I suspect he is appealing his sentence and not the charges.

Edited December 29, 201114 yr by animatic

I suspect he is playing the lottery here - maybe hoping that an appeal will be heard by a new, shall we say "sympathetic" judge.

weak or nonexistence penalties, means escalation of criminal activity and no justice