Ex-mayor’s sentence for pant-stripping assault commuted
The Supreme Court on Wednesday commuted the jail sentence of a veteran Khon Kaen politician found guilty of indecent assaulting a journalist to two months in detention.
Former Ban Phai mayor Premsak Piayura and his aide Buathong Lokan locked several reporters in his office in July 2016, berated them for staining his honour and stripped one to his underpants.
The attack came after the Daily News reporter questioned Premsak, then 51, over rumours and evidence he was engaged to a schoolgirl and had paid the bride price of a car and Bt400,000.
The court commuted Premsak and his aide’s sentence on grounds that this was their first criminal offence and they had agreed to pay compensation of Bt100,000.
Media representative Pramote Sribura said Wednesday's decision was satisfactory, though he had expected stronger punishment for the attack.
Premsak’s Bt100,000 compensation offer was refused by reporters, who said they would not be bought off and should not be harassed for doing their journalistic duties.