Blinded bomber gets 35 years
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A man blinded in his attempt to bomb the headquarters of the Bhumjaithai Party in 2010 was yesterday sentenced to 35 years in jail.
Anek Singkunthot was also ordered to pay a fine of Bt50.
The Criminal Court yesterday found Anek guilty of possessing bombs without permit, collaborating with five other accomplices in causing an explosion, and carrying weapons in a public place.
The explosion erupted in June 2010, damaging a part of the Bhumjaithai Party’s headquarters in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, a nearby food stall, and a car parked in the area.
The bomb went off prematurely and Anek was also injured in the blast and blinded in both eyes. He was arrested on the spot.
Anek later confessed he was hired to bring a cart containing the bomb to the Bhumjaithai Party’s headquarters. He and his accomplices filled the cart with fruit to avoid arousing any suspicion.
Because of Anek’s confession, the court yesterday found grounds for leniency. Without the confession, Anek would have been sentenced to life imprisonment.
Other suspects pleaded not guilty on the same charges as Anek. The court will rule separately on these cases.
