Udon Thani’s Red-shirt chieftain Kwanchai given two years jailterm without suspension

THAILAND -- Former Red-Shirt chieftain of Udon Thani Kwanchai Sarakham (Praipana) has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment in absentia by the Supreme Court after he was found guilty of attempted murder and assault charges.

He was also fined 350,000 baht while his guarantor was fined 500,000 baht.

The Supreme Court’s verdict which was lighter than that imposed by the Appeals Court was read today (Tuesday) by Udon Thani provincial court. Present at the verdict-reading session were Kwanchai’s wife, Mrs Arporn and his lawyer, Mr Pin Thaksin, among others.

The case was instituted to the court by Mr Charoen Mookachornpan, a member of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, who accused Kwanchai of badly beating him up. The incident took place at Nongprachaksilpakhom park in Udon Thani municipality on July 24, 2008.

In deliberating the case, the Supreme Court decided to shorten the imprisonment for Kwanchai from two years and eight months to two years as it felt that the jailterm imposed by the Appeals Court was too heavy, said lawyer Pin. The jailterm was however not suspended.

Mrs Arporn told the media that she felt grateful to the court’s mercy for reducing the jailterm for her husband. She said she would try to contact him but didn’t know where he is.

However, she added that Kwanchai was heard speaking to a radio station on June 13 which coincided with his birthday. He reportedly said that he was fine but would not return to Thailand because of the absence of democracy in the country.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/udon-thanis-red-shirt-chieftain-kwanchai-given-two-years-jailterm-without-suspension/

-- Thai PBS 2016-06-28

"He reportedly said that he was fine but would not return to Thailand because of the absence of democracy in the country."

How convenient. Reminds me of the PTP member that was voted into the Senate in the North of Thailand despite the fact that she smuggled her husband across the border to escape the law. Escape democracy. Did Mrs Apron do the same? Being a red shirt affiliate breaking the law is not against the grain.

​Reminds me of the red shirt leaders that hid from the law while a court decision was made and when in favour of them they miraculously recovered from their illnesses. Another escape from democracy. They where back in the spot light spewing their toxic rhetoric quicker than a demagogue on steroids.

Kwainchai had no problem with "democracy" when his work peer was telling the voters that if they protest they will be dealt with by the RCM51 (a violent terrosit groups from Chaing Mai).

Without suspension? Hope so. The red shirt criminals have had a great run and accountability can be a bitch.

Edited June 28, 201610 yr by djjamie

So he has joined the Thailand International Absentia Club. There are many familiar names in that exclusive Club.

Don't worry too much, the next red democracy will include his pardon with Thaksin's in their amnesty..

Edited June 28, 201610 yr by halloween

Two years for attempted murder and assault.

Compare with the 5 years threatened should anyone be caught using an e-cigarette.

Annnnnnnnnnnnnnd another one. ha ha ha he he he ha ha ha!!

Two years for attempted murder and assault.

Compare with the 5 years threatened should anyone be caught using an e-cigarette.

100 or so community hours for killing 6 people wow. Methinks all red shirts will be taken off the market so other colors may flourish. Now I know where the term "seeing red" comes from.

Two years for attempted murder and assault.

Compare with the 5 years threatened should anyone be caught using an e-cigarette.

e-cigarette could be argued lethal, Kwan attempted to be lethal and failed

I wonder where he is, maybe he joined the monkhood at a certain temple we are all familiar with recently

And just like every other fugitive no effort will be spared to bring him back to face justice !

Sorry, that should read NO EFFORT WILL BE MADE to bring him back.

when the government will decided to ban once and for all the Red Shirts terrorist group

when the government will decided to ban once and for all the Red Shirts terrorist group

Perhaps you haven't noticed .... effectively, they have already.

I almost feel sorry for the yellow junta supporters. Almost.

Hardly ever seen unless the name Yingluck or redshirt appears.

Now even the yellows have joined in the outrage of no voice and realised they with all their sucking u they have got it wrong. But a few old die hearts on here still carry on the fight.

Reminds of that movie And then there were none.

I almost feel sorry for the yellow junta supporters. Almost.

Hardly ever seen unless the name Yingluck or redshirt appears.

Now even the yellows have joined in the outrage of no voice and realised they with all their sucking u they have got it wrong. But a few old die hearts on here still carry on the fight.

Reminds of that movie And then there were none.

One might hope that a self-claimed democracy lover would applaud the sentencing of the thug who led a vicious assault on a group of citizens peacefully protesting their government's illegal actions and excesses. Perhaps not.

Of course it was silly of them do do so in Udon, or CM, or anywhere else in the "red heartland" where extreme violence is considered legitimate political expression.

The courts are slowly working their way through the red morass. Here a thug, there an ex-Minister, UDD should be coming up soon, then either locked or running away. Hopefully, soon there will be none.

Halloween you seem like a fair minded bloke on other topics and I respect your comments.

When it comes to politics we certainly differ and have a jibe at other . Fair play.

My problem is with these court cases, verdicts etc are all done in a country now where the power base took over the country illegally copping the condemnation of the world and even today you surely can see the power and control they are exercising on all pillars over society on the upcoming referendum .

That's why even the other camp have even come out in protest.

Sure we all want thugs and murderers and corruption gone but it's a two way street and demroracy is never going to be perfect but it beats the hell out of whatever comes second.

My concern is the tentacles.

Halloween you seem like a fair minded bloke on other topics and I respect your comments.

When it comes to politics we certainly differ and have a jibe at other . Fair play.

My problem is with these court cases, verdicts etc are all done in a country now where the power base took over the country illegally copping the condemnation of the world and even today you surely can see the power and control they are exercising on all pillars over society on the upcoming referendum .

That's why even the other camp have even come out in protest.

Sure we all want thugs and murderers and corruption gone but it's a two way street and demroracy is never going to be perfect but it beats the hell out of whatever comes second.

My concern is the tentacles.

I just don't get how you connect a case from so long ago that has been running in the court system with the junta. He is just a scumbag politician using violence and his case came up and he is now going to jail. (if they can find him)

Why do you defend the guy ? Because he is a red shirt ? Violence is far more common with the red shirts as with the other side. Even a blind man can see that. Not that I would mind yellow shirts going to jail (and they have) for beating people up during the protest. I really don't care what politician is corrupt or has to go to jail. I am happy there is finally some justice too many escape justice all the time.

I actually not defending the guy I'm stating that it's quite clear that with the current illegal so called caretakers have clearly shown that they intend to muzzle any form of protest on the referendum and so if they can do that they certainly influence other parts of the legal system.

Eg you have a clear example of two monks right at this moment snubbing their nose at this so called authority while 7 student protestors are languishing in jail who knows where for trying to have a voice.

One rule for some.....

I actually not defending the guy I'm stating that it's quite clear that with the current illegal so called caretakers have clearly shown that they intend to muzzle any form of protest on the referendum and so if they can do that they certainly influence other parts of the legal system.

Eg you have a clear example of two monks right at this moment snubbing their nose at this so called authority while 7 student protestors are languishing in jail who knows where for trying to have a voice.

One rule for some.

http://ericpetersautos.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/obey-pic.jpg

Edited June 29, 201610 yr by Wilsonandson

The junta's rules are simple.

Nice the junta bashing, but in the mean time Kwanchai is still on the loose probably in Cambodia. Seems for some self-exiles Cambodia has the form of democracy they really like. Combined with casinos of course.

Nice the junta bashing, but in the mean time Kwanchai is still on the loose probably in Cambodia. Seems for some self-exiles Cambodia has the form of democracy they really like. Combined with casinos of course.

His cards are numbered, not his days, you mean ?

But I must admit, it's the Wild West East nature of Thailand which I enjoy, we have the laws but they're not enforced, or they're applied to people who've already done-a-runner !

I actually not defending the guy I'm stating that it's quite clear that with the current illegal so called caretakers have clearly shown that they intend to muzzle any form of protest on the referendum and so if they can do that they certainly influence other parts of the legal system.

Eg you have a clear example of two monks right at this moment snubbing their nose at this so called authority while 7 student protestors are languishing in jail who knows where for trying to have a voice.

One rule for some.....

I agree, rule of law is not clear here, the students are treated far worse then the two monks. Though only one monk is really bad and that is the one defrauding. At the moment Buddha Isara is not causing much trouble he is only campaigning to get the other monk in jail (and he is right)

But it has always been like this, the red shirts advocating the burning of BKK on video are still free while many of their foot soldiers are in jail. If you are higher up you have more power unless you really cross the line. So I am happy with whatever justice I see done even if it means that some get off free. I rather have it this way then everyone getting off. That is also why I did not mind the junta taking over. Red shirts are never convicted when the PTP is running the show. In reality the only way to go after the PTP is when they are not in power. Same goes for the other side, the side that is in power protects their own. So I dislike any prolonged period of power by any 1 side.

But my point was that the junta had little to do with Kwanchai his case as it started long before the junta was in power, it just reached the highest level in this period. No connection to the junta what so ever.

Halloween you seem like a fair minded bloke on other topics and I respect your comments.

When it comes to politics we certainly differ and have a jibe at other . Fair play.

My problem is with these court cases, verdicts etc are all done in a country now where the power base took over the country illegally copping the condemnation of the world and even today you surely can see the power and control they are exercising on all pillars over society on the upcoming referendum .

That's why even the other camp have even come out in protest.

Sure we all want thugs and murderers and corruption gone but it's a two way street and demroracy is never going to be perfect but it beats the hell out of whatever comes second.

My concern is the tentacles.

What I see is an attempt to change Thai democracy to a true multi-party system, and I fully understand that the Democrats as well as PTP don't want that. And why.

Democracy is all well and good, but what I have witnessed here this century is more like a farce version with a criminal billionaire buying his way to office/power by bribing MPs to join his party, and a party list used to appoint scum and criminals to high office. Then he proceeds to enact legislation for his own direct benefit, and use position influence to prevent prosecution for blatant corruption. If you want to claim it bore any resemblance to democracy in your country, consider how many crimes have been committed and how quickly they would have been prosecuted there.

It appears that the court did not consider the fact that he has done a runner

when reducing his sentence by eight months due to 2 years and 8 months being too long.