Thai activist gets suspended jail sentence in Gulf Electric case

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Activist gets suspended jail sentence in Gulf Electric case
Kesinee Taengkhieo
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE SUPREME Court has given a two-year suspended jail term to an environmental activist for violating the liberty of Gulf Electric Co employees during their area observation for the Bo Nok and Hin Krud coal-fired power plant projects in Prachuap Khiri Khan province in 2001.

The judge at Ratchadaphisek Criminal Court yesterday read the final verdict to imprison the case's fifth defendant, Chaiyot Khanthong, for one year and six months along with a Bt3,000 fine. The court then suspended Chaiyot's imprisonment.

As the appeal to the Supreme Court only concerned Chaiyot, the sentences of four other defendants as ruled by the Appeals Court were maintained. The Appeals Court suspended a two-year jail term that a lower court had given Ladda Singlek and Korn-uma Phongnoi, while acquitting another male defendant, and dropped the case against the late activist Charoen Wat-aksorn because of his death.

Three Gulf Electric Co employees had filed a lawsuit in 2002 against five members of the Bo Nok and Hin Krud environmentalist group alleging they had been detained and harmed when they were on an observation visit in tambon Bo Nok on October 13, 2001. The plaintiffs said the defendants used fishing vessels to block their boat during the seaborne observation and forced them to stop the operation and return to the shore.

Chaiyot also allegedly entered the plaintiffs' boat and drove it back to shore.

Korn-uma, leader of the environmentalist group, said after the verdict reading that the group was pleased with the sentences, which allowed them the freedom to work and campaign for environment preservation.

"We are glad that no one was imprisoned as we need everyone on the mission to protect the public interest," she said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Activist-gets-suspended-jail-sentence-in-Gulf-Elec-30275092.html


-- The Nation 2015-12-17

[worgeordie]

A suspended sentence,for a poor activist,they are usually kept

for politicians and the rich.

regards Worgeordie

[bangon04]

"and dropped the case against the late activist Charoen Wat-aksorn because of his death."

You see?? Poor people can get justice through the courts if they try hard enough......