ID :
181162
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 13:18
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http://m.oananews.org//node/181162
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Court rules on PAD seizure of passenger bus
BANGKOK, May 10 (TNA) - The Thai Criminal Court has sentenced members of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to three years in jail for hijacking a passenger bus to break into Government House.
While the court decided to commute their jail term to two years for benefit of confession, the punishment was not suspended.
The convicted, named Teeradet Wanna, Chaiwat Thabthong, Thanee Artsawang, Somchai Thongkiat, Pongpan Kachan and Somchai Hongsa, used firearms to hijack a passenger bus on Bangkok service number 53, together with its driver, on November 24, 2008. They then, forced the driver to head for Government House, but police were able to arrest the six, freeing the bus and its driver before they reached their destination.
The court considered the case which was presented by a public prosecutor and found that the six had definitely committed the crime. The defendants did not deny the charges of illegally carrying firearms in public places or of coercing and detaining another person. The court first sentenced the six to three years in jail and a fine of 100 baht. In return for cooperation with the courts, the punishment was commuted to a two-year jail term without any suspension and a fine of 66 baht each.
The court discharged the case of Mr Thanee who died on April 2 this year. The other five defendants will appeal and have been released on bail of 200,000 baht each.
PDA leaders including Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang reported to the Crime Suppression Division on Tuesday in relation to the PAD’s seizure of Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports in 2008.
Their lawyer said that there were 114 suspects and that 74 of them will report to the police on Tuesday, while the rest, including Sondhi Limthongkul, will do so later. Charges against over 10 suspects on this case have already been brought to court. Public prosecutors will announce their indictment decision on the rest of the suspects on June 9. (TNA)
While the court decided to commute their jail term to two years for benefit of confession, the punishment was not suspended.
The convicted, named Teeradet Wanna, Chaiwat Thabthong, Thanee Artsawang, Somchai Thongkiat, Pongpan Kachan and Somchai Hongsa, used firearms to hijack a passenger bus on Bangkok service number 53, together with its driver, on November 24, 2008. They then, forced the driver to head for Government House, but police were able to arrest the six, freeing the bus and its driver before they reached their destination.
The court considered the case which was presented by a public prosecutor and found that the six had definitely committed the crime. The defendants did not deny the charges of illegally carrying firearms in public places or of coercing and detaining another person. The court first sentenced the six to three years in jail and a fine of 100 baht. In return for cooperation with the courts, the punishment was commuted to a two-year jail term without any suspension and a fine of 66 baht each.
The court discharged the case of Mr Thanee who died on April 2 this year. The other five defendants will appeal and have been released on bail of 200,000 baht each.
PDA leaders including Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang reported to the Crime Suppression Division on Tuesday in relation to the PAD’s seizure of Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports in 2008.
Their lawyer said that there were 114 suspects and that 74 of them will report to the police on Tuesday, while the rest, including Sondhi Limthongkul, will do so later. Charges against over 10 suspects on this case have already been brought to court. Public prosecutors will announce their indictment decision on the rest of the suspects on June 9. (TNA)
