Ruling says reds must do time
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The Khon Kaen Appeals Court yesterday reversed suspended jail sentences for eight red-shirt protesters who burned a Bangkok Bank branch in the northeastern province during the political mayhem of 2010.
The court sentenced them to serve prison time and pay Bt36.5 million in compensation to the bank.
The seven men and one woman were found guilty of trespassing and causing property damage at the Pracha Samoson branch on May 19, 2010. The Criminal Court had suspended the one- and two-year jail terms for the eight defendants due to their confessions and the fact that they had been misled during the political turmoil to commit the arson attack.
The Appeals Court said it decided not to suspend the sentences because the crime could be copied in the future and that would cause confusion in society and possibly harm to innocent people.
One defendant was sentenced to 18 months in jail; four received terms of six months; and three were sentenced to one year.
One was ordered to pay Bt8.3 million to the bank, one to pay Bt1.8 million, three to pay Bt5.3 million each and three to pay Bt3.5 million each.
The eight convicted red shirts appeared disheartened upon hearing the verdict. They were released on bail pending appeal to the Supreme Court.
Dozens of fellow red shirts attended the session but no leaders were spotted.
