Pongpat associates get jail for encroachment on state land
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A woman associated with racketeering led by former crime-buster Pol Lt General Pongpat Chayaphan was sentenced to a further term in jail yesterday, together with her husband, a policeman who was also imprisoned - for their joint encroachment on state-owne
The Criminal Court originally handed a three-year term each to Sudathip Muangnual and Pol Colonel Kowit Muangnual, a former Samut Sakhon immigration police officer, but later halved the term because they had pleaded guilty.
They were also ordered to pay a Bt375,000 fine for a 500 square metre structure they built on state-owned land in Ratchaburi’s Suan Phueng |district. It was the first jail term for Kowit, an alleged member of Pongpat’s gang.
Sudathip had been given two and a half years for lese majeste and intimidation in catering deals, so this means she faces up to four years behind bars. Kowit was released on bail before the trial began while Sudathip has been serving the two and a half year term since February 2, when the earlier verdict was reached.
