Thai woman sentenced to death on cannabis smuggling charge

MONDAY, MAY 12, 2014
Thai woman sentenced to death on cannabis smuggling charge

A Thai divorcee was sentenced to death by the Alor Setar High Court here for trafficking 23,123 grams of cannabis two years ago.

Saowanee Srisar, 33, who is a former housekeeping staff of a hotel  in Bangkok, was found guilty of committing the offence under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, at the express bus terminal of Shahab Perdana, Lebuhraya Sultanah Bahiyah here at about 8.45pm on Jan 21, 2012. 

She was convicted of committing the offence under Section 39B(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction. 
Judicial Commissioner Datuk Mohd Zaki Abdul Wahab in his judgment on Monday, said the prosecution had proven that the accused was in possession of the cannabis kept in two bags  a black and a blue. 
"The accused had failed to raise doubt on the case presented by the prosecution," said Mohd Zaki. 
Saowanee, who was clad in white T-shirt and blue jeans, was calm and smiled after sentencing. She was also seen hugging with staff and police personnel of the court before being led away. 
The accused was represented by counsel Burhanudeen Abdul Wahid while DPP Norshuhada Mohd Yatim prosecuted.