Samut Sakhon: Ex-Democrat MP sentenced to death

[webfact]

Ex-Democrat MP sentenced to death
Manop Preuttiwarodom
The Nation



Court finds POLITICIAN guilty of MURDER

BANGKOK: -- FORMER DEMOCRAT MP Khanchit Tabsuwan has received a death sentence for killing a prominent local politician in Samut Sakhon province in late 2011.

The Samut Sakhon Provincial Court convicted Khanchit and sentenced him to death yesterday.

According to the court, Khanchit opened fire at Udon Kraiwatnussorn - who was then president of the Samut Sakhon Provincial Administrative Organisation - at a petrol station in the province.

Udon, 49, sustained eight gunshot wounds to the head. The court found Khanchit guilty of four charges: premeditated murder, intimidation, carrying a gun, and firing it in a public place without any sound reason.

Also, the court said the victim's family could seek compensation for the crime committed against their loved one.

Udon is a son of Monthon Kraiwatnussorn, current president of the Samut Sakhon Provincial Administrative Organisation, and elder brother of Udom Kraiwatnussorn, a former secretary to a deputy minister. Udom is among the executives of the now-dissolved Thai Rak Thai party and recently completed a five-year political ban.

Both Monthon and Udom had been elected as Samut Sakhon MPs several times. Their family is widely known in the province.

"The wrongdoer must take responsibility," Udom said, "We are satisfied with the ruling".

To date, the body of Udon has been kept at a temple. After yesterday's court ruling, Udom said his family might either cremate or bury the body next year.

An informed source said Udon and Khanchit had a dispute over a woman. It was very likely that on the day of the shooting they quarrelled over the issue during their haphazard encounter in the petrol station's toilet zone.

Nearly 100 people showed up at the court yesterday in support of Udon, while no fewer than 50 showed up in support of Khanchit.

Khanchit's mother Tassanee Tabsuwan has assigned a lawyer to submit Bt1.4 million in assets to secure her son's temporary freedom.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Ex-Democrat-MP-sentenced-to-death-30247623.html


-- The Nation 2014-11-13

[Mango Bob]

All I can say is unbelieveable that they would let someone convicted of murder out on bail.

[KhunMoo]

Death row - and out on bail (cf. the 1.4mill bath)

T.I.T. is in its place here - does this actually happen anywhere else? There are heaps of overly corrupt places, in this world. But normally, these places, people don't face a judge, don't get arrested or don't get convicted, or a mix of it

I don't seem to remember reading about other places, where people are actually sentenced to eg. death/LONG prison sentences, and then.....out on bail?

Don't even get me started on the fines here: 100 THB or/and.....death.

Maybe they should take a short glimpse, at the criminal code here? While making a new constitution....

[Mr Muggles]

All I can say is unbelieveable that they would let someone convicted of murder out on bail.

I suppose he doesn't pose a flight risk.

[chooka]

All I can say is unbelieveable that they would let someone convicted of murder out on bail.

He promised to return for his execution after all he is an ex politician and you can trust his word.

They did the same for two police officers, not sure if they have been seen again.

Edited November 12, 2014 by chooka

[Pierrefun]

Ex-Democrat MP sentenced to death

Perhaps it might finally put to death the repeated claims that Democrats are never held accountable by the courts, but, probably, it won't

.

[h90]

All I can say is unbelieveable that they would let someone convicted of murder out on bail.

with a dead sentence.....rofl....

[RustBucket]

Well..... we won't be seeing him again.

1.4 million baht to get out of a death sentence. Not bad, but we need to add on the huge bribes that will get this bail granted by the judges. Probably in the tens of mill.

But they had to give him the 'pretend' death penalty to keep the reds happy.

I guess he will live out his life in luxury on his political graft gains. Wonder what country he will be living it up in?

[chooka]

Ex-Democrat MP sentenced to death

Perhaps it might finally put to death the repeated claims that Democrats are never held accountable by the courts, but, probably, it won't

.

Yes and the claims that only red politicians and public servants can act like this. People on both sides of the political arena are capable and actually do act in such a way.

[webfact]

Former Democrat MP sentenced to death for murder, bail denied



SAMUT SAKHON: -- The Samut Sakhon provincial court sentenced a former Democrat party’s MP for Samut Sakhon Kanchit Tubsuwan to death after finding him guilty of shooting dead his rival Udorn Kraiwatnusorn at a petrol station on December 25, 2011, and denied his bail.

The court said all circumstantial and forensic evidences and witnesses’ accounts produced by the state prosecutor have ascertained the judges to strongly believe the defendant, Kanchit, shot dead Udorn, the former president of the Samut Sakhon provincial administration office .

Udorn was a well-known local politician and a son of a former agriculture minister.

Adultery was suspected to be the motive of the shooting.

The court said Kanchit was guilty of premeditated murder, intimidating other with fear, firing gunshots in public place with no rational reason, and carrying gun into public place.

The court then handed down him death sentence and also ordered a compensation of 13.3 million baht be paid to the relative of the victim, plus interest counted from the day that the case was brought into the court.

The former Democrat MP was prosecuted in the Samut Sakhon provincial court (the court of first instance) on June 28, 2012, but he was granted temporary release on bail after he used his MP status to guarantee himself.

After handing down the death sentence, Kanchit’s lawyer tried to seek temporary release on bail from the court but was rejected.

The court reasoned that since the death sentence he received was the maximum penalty, temporary release on bail might force him to escape.

He was put into the Samut Sakhon prison pending appeal of the death sentence.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/former-democrat-mp-sentenced-death-murder-bail-denied/


-- Thai PBS 2014-11-13

[Pierrefun]

Ex-Democrat MP sentenced to death

Perhaps it might finally put to death the repeated claims that Democrats are never held accountable by the courts, but, probably, it won't.

Yes and the claims that only red politicians and public servants can act like this. People on both sides of the political arena are capable and actually do act in such a way.

There's certainly a disproportionate amount of the former claims when compared to the latter claims. Probably a 1,000 to 1 ratio.

[saakura]

Ex-Democrat MP sentenced to death

Perhaps it might finally put to death the repeated claims that Democrats are never held accountable by the courts, but, probably, it won't

.

This is not a political case. Just a personal rivalry over a woman between 2 hot headed guys, one of whom happens to be a politician.

[BSJ]

When I read he was allowed bail I nearly fell of my stool! It's unbelievable how this can happen! It's a poke in the eye for true justice.

[siampolee]

Why can't, or why aren't the two suspects in the vile Koh Tao crime be allowed out on bail?

They pose no runaway risk, they haven't even been convicted let alone sentenced yet, well officially that is

Oh I forgot there is no doubt a lack of funds and social connections in their case.

Edited November 12, 2014 by siampolee

[apetley]

When I read he was allowed bail I nearly fell of my stool! It's unbelievable how this can happen! It's a poke in the eye for true justice.

Read post #10

[casualbiker]

It seems bail after sentencing has been revoked .. good!

[Robby nz]

He is not out on bail the court denied him bail.

The bail was granted when he first appeared in 2012 because he was then an MP and had parliamentary immunity.

Read the full report.

[ezzra]

Here in Thailand either you will languished in jail for having few Ya-ba pills on you, or you be

out on bail while having found out guilty of a horrible murder and a death sentence hanging

over your head... not much in between,

either way, with the appropriate connections, this "death sentence is only for show, it will

be waterd down to 10 yeasr in jail like many case we have witnessed before....

[ramrod711]

Udon, 49, sustained eight gunshot wounds to the head. The court found Khanchit guilty of four charges: premeditated murder, intimidation, carrying a gun, and firing it in a public place without any sound reason.

Eight shots to the head, at what range? That is outstanding marksmanship!

[MJP]

. . . and firing it in a public place without any sound reason.

I don't understand this bit.

[garrya]

It's astounding that an argument ends up like this, and the perp is out on bail. Miracle Thailand.

[monkey4u]

1.4 m for bail

I guess the family wont be buying a new car this week

Some of the cash laying around the house has been spent

[exona]

Now there's no parliamentary privilege any word on the bloke that killed his ex on mothers day with the Uzi?

[ianf]

When I read he was allowed bail I nearly fell of my stool! It's unbelievable how this can happen! It's a poke in the eye for true justice.

When I read he was allowed bail the stool nearly fell out of me!

[jcisco]

. . . and firing it in a public place without any sound reason.

I don't understand this bit.

If you discharge a firearm in public to say, put down an animal that was injured or out of control. That would be a sound reason for firing a few other points to the contrary withstanding of course. On the other hand, to fire your gun as a warning of your intent to fire upon someone is not a sound reason to fire, also shooting a person 8 times in the head is not a sound reason in just about all circumstances.

I would imagine that particular law applies to all weapon discharges for civilians and the police alike.

[JOC]

It's astounding that an argument ends up like this, and the perp is out on bail. Miracle Thailand.

It's surprising how many posters, who don't read the thread before hitting the keyboard!!

Bail denied!!

[DLock]

Udon, 49, sustained eight gunshot wounds to the head. The court found Khanchit guilty of four charges: premeditated murder, intimidation, carrying a gun, and firing it in a public place without any sound reason.

Eight shots to the head, at what range? That is outstanding marksmanship!

Not if the other guys head was anywhere near the size of this guys melon.

Guy has an unusually large head.

Maybe the girl they were arguing over liked big headed men. Just a theory I have.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

All I can say is unbelieveable that they would let someone convicted of murder out on bail.

with a dead sentence.....rofl....

Happens all the time. Convicted, bail, appeal. First appeal denied, bail, second appeal. Rinse and repeat.

[FangFerang]

Ex-Democrat MP sentenced to death

Perhaps it might finally put to death the repeated claims that Democrats are never held accountable by the courts, but, probably, it won't.

Yes and the claims that only red politicians and public servants can act like this. People on both sides of the political arena are capable and actually do act in such a way.

There's certainly a disproportionate amount of the former claims when compared to the latter claims. Probably a 1,000 to 1 ratio.

The ratio you quoted is absolute proof.

You cannot count.

[Nickymaster]

All I can say is unbelieveable that they would let someone convicted of murder out on bail.

Did they release him on bail?

Of course you are not going to reply.......

Edited November 13, 2014 by Nickymaster