Thai 'Popcorn Gunman' gets 37-year prison sentence

[webfact]

'Pop-corn' gunman given 37 years and 4 months jailterm



BANGKOK: -- The hooded “pop-corn” gunman who was seen battling with a group of gunmen terrorizing anti-government protesters at Laksi intersection on February 1, 2014 was sentenced to 37 years and four months imprisonment.

The defendant, 24-year old Mr Vivat Yodprasit, was found guilty by the Criminal Court of murder, possessing and using firearms in public for his role in battling the gunmen hiding at IT Square building in support of the protesters led by Phra Buddha Isara, the abbot of Wat Omnoi. One man was killed and three others were injured.

The court initially sentenced Mr Vivat to life imprisonment but commuted the sentence to 37 years and four months for his confession.

On February 1, 2014, Phra Buddha Isara led a group of protesters to Laksi district office to block another group of people attempting to bring election ballots out of the office. But police stopped the group fearing that they might run into the protesters resulting to violence.

Vivat and some friends eventually rushed to the scene to the rescue of the protesters who were pinned down at Laksi intersection by gunmen.

Vivat’s lawyer, Ms Puangthip, said she would appeal against the verdict.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/153474

-- Thai PBS 2016-03-04

[webfact]

Thai 'Popcorn Gunman' gets 37-year prison sentence
Associated Press

BANGKOK (AP) — A gunman in Thailand who wounded four people, one fatally, when he opened fire in front of scores of witnesses during a political confrontation in 2014 was sentenced Thursday to 37 years in prison.

Vivat Yodprasit attained iconic status as the "Popcorn Gunman" because he concealed his assault rifle inside a large bag with the logo of a popcorn company as he fired. He became a folk hero for the side he was supporting — a mob that sought to block an election called by the government of then-Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. T-shirts emblazoned with the popcorn logo became popular.

The Criminal Court found him guilty of murder, attempted murder and several weapons charges. The murder victim was a soft drink vendor who died seven months after being shot.

Vivat wore a balaclava to hide his identity as he shot, but that same day was photographed without it on, allowing him to be identified and arrested a month afterward. He was part of a crowd that was demonstrating against Yingluck's supporters, who were known as the Red Shirts.

The confrontation was one of several bloody incidents in months of unrest stirred up by opponents of Yingluck's government, who called themselves the People's Democratic Reform Committee. They succeeded in disrupting the election, and the confrontations they staged served as a reason for the army to take power in a coup d'etat that May. Thailand remains under military rule.


-- (c) Associated Press 2016-03-04

[halloween]

"Vivat and some friends eventually rushed to the scene to the rescue of the protesters who were pinned down at Laksi intersection by gunmen."

None of whom have been identified, along with the others inflicting murderous assault on the protesters of the corrupt regime.

Correction - i believe the occupants of the Honda sedan were identified, but deemed to be armed, including a hand grenade, for self-defence.

[jaywalker]

"Vivat wore a balaclava to hide his identity as he shot, but that same day was photographed without it on, allowing him to be identified and arrested a month afterward."

Not the sharpest tool in the shed was he?

[AlQaholic]

What was the four months for?

[condo bought]

Well, by the time he gets out, elections still won't have been allowed.

[Srikcir]

Phra Buddha Isara led a group of protesters to Laksi district office to block another group of people attempting to bring election ballots out of the office.

A shame the police didn't FIRST protect the people bringing election ballots out of the office. If they had maybe the PDRC wouldn't have been attacked in response to PDRC's attack on those people.

[Prbkk]

Well deserved 37 years, although really just a puppet of the crazed monk and his evil cronies.

[Prbkk]

"Vivat wore a balaclava to hide his identity as he shot, but that same day was photographed without it on, allowing him to be identified and arrested a month afterward."

Not the sharpest tool in the shed was he?

And his brother had the good sense to turn him in.

[Eric Loh]

The demonstrators were carrying "Respect my Vote" placards and were outnumbered by the PDRC supporters. Turned more chaotic and violent after the thugs from the Buddha Issara camp joined in the fray. The police failed badly in maintaining order and Issara for having these armed hooligans in his camp.

[condo bought]

The elite get really nasty when they fail at winning for 4 times in a row.

[GeorgesAbitbol]

And the "moron Phra Buddha Isara" does not have to face justice?

[robblok]

Great they got him, hope they get all who caused violence on both sides Many died, most on the anti government side. I wonder how they are with the Trad massacre (the one the red applauded about on stage). 2 kids dead.. grenades thrown..shooting in a crowd.

All those idiots on both sides killing each-other should be punished.

[thaihome]

The elite get really nasty when they fail at winning for 4 times in a row.

Care to explain this remark. Not sure you understand which side this guy is on.

TH

[smedly]

shouldn't be taking the law into his own hands but then again the authorities at the time were doing nothing to stop the attacks so there is a certain amount of blame on them too, this is what happenes when law enforcement breaks down

[whatproblem]

As he been to prison before ,if not ,does that mean he will get a suspended sentence same are jatuporn

[sungod]

The demonstrators were carrying "Respect my Vote" placards and were outnumbered by the PDRC supporters. Turned more chaotic and violent after the thugs from the Buddha Issara camp joined in the fray. The police failed badly in maintaining order and Issara for having these armed hooligans in his camp.

You may want to read Nick Nostiz's report (he was an eye witness), there were armed guys on both sides, however the PDRC had more firepower.

[Changwatchap]

My girlfriend was stuck in a van in the middle of when he was shooting (ten minutes total). She still gets nightmares. Surprised and glad he has gotten a real punishment .

[NCC1701A]

how much longer till the real shootin' starts?

[excalibur2000]

Well deserved 37 years, although really just a puppet of the crazed monk and his evil cronies.

why was the monk not also charged as an accessory before and after the fact ?

[Baerboxer]

Phra Buddha Isara led a group of protesters to Laksi district office to block another group of people attempting to bring election ballots out of the office.

A shame the police didn't FIRST protect the people bringing election ballots out of the office. If they had maybe the PDRC wouldn't have been attacked in response to PDRC's attack on those people.

AFAIK, the people who were legitimately attempting to move the ballot boxes were attacked by anti-Shin protesters trying to stop them. This led to some pro Shin supporters firing guns at the anti Shin mob. This guy and others then came and returned fire.

And while all this was going on where was the RTP?

Are they still investigating and going to bring all shooters to justice?

[seajae]

The demonstrators were carrying "Respect my Vote" placards and were outnumbered by the PDRC supporters. Turned more chaotic and violent after the thugs from the Buddha Issara camp joined in the fray. The police failed badly in maintaining order and Issara for having these armed hooligans in his camp.

yes, the ones that were there to protect the protesters as the reds were the ones that had started shooting at them while standing beside the police, supposed to be there to stop violence or did you forget that part. If you read the piece again you will see that this shooter went there only after the reds had stated shooting at the protesters to try to protect them the police simply let the reds shoot who ever they wanted and never once tries to stop or arrest them, in fact they were never even able to identify them even though pics showed these red shooters standing right beside the police, how fortunate the police all suffered eye sight problems at the same time.

[heybruce]

"On February 1, 2014, Phra Buddha Isara led a group of protesters to Laksi district office to block another group of people attempting to bring election ballots out of the office."

I'm glad the gunman faced justice. Any chance this fake monk will be charged with anything?

[heybruce]

The demonstrators were carrying "Respect my Vote" placards and were outnumbered by the PDRC supporters. Turned more chaotic and violent after the thugs from the Buddha Issara camp joined in the fray. The police failed badly in maintaining order and Issara for having these armed hooligans in his camp.

You may want to read Nick Nostiz's report (he was an eye witness), there were armed guys on both sides, however the PDRC had more firepower.

Funny, according to some posters it was the redshirts causing the violence, with the PDRC just defending itself.

[manarak]

who knows more about the gunmen in the IT square building ?

[TheCruncher]

The elite get really nasty when they fail at winning for 4 times in a row.

Care to explain this remark. Not sure you understand which side this guy is on.

TH

It seems that you are the one who don't understand.

The guy was on the side of the fake monk aka the elite.

[hgma]

What was the four months for?

Hiding the cartridges in the popcorn bag!

[candide]

What happens to the people who hired him and gave him an M16?

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/specialreports/focusthailand/thai-popcorn-gunman-says/1042628.html

Edited March 4, 2016 by candide

[jayboy]

What happens to the people who hired him and gave him an M16?

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/specialreports/focusthailand/thai-popcorn-gunman-says/1042628.html

I feel nothing but pity for this man though the sentence is just.Other hired thugs of the PDRC remain free.The feral monks and politicians who backed the popcorn gunmen remain free.The hiso and middle class who praised him on the social media are now silent.He has been "used" by the most repellent forces in Thai society - and this silly ignorant man must pay the price.

[Eric Loh]

What happens to the people who hired him and gave him an M16?

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/specialreports/focusthailand/thai-popcorn-gunman-says/1042628.html

I feel nothing but pity for this man though the sentence is just.Other hired thugs of the PDRC remain free.The feral monks and politicians who backed the popcorn gunmen remain free.The hiso and middle class who praised him on the social media are now silent.He has been "used" by the most repellent forces in Thai society - and this silly ignorant man must pay the price.

That can be considered a terrorist act and the people hiring him considered as a terrorist organization. That's a far cry from claims that the PDRC was a peaceful protest which many junta apologists here repeat like a mantra.