Suthep’s son, three others get jail over encroachment charges
TAN THAUGSUBAN, the son of veteran politician Suthep Thaugsuban, and Suthep’s former secretary Banjerd Laopiyasakul, were yesterday jailed for three years for their role in the encroachment of 31-rai of land on Khao Phaeng mountain in Surat Thani’s Samui
Pongchai Fathaweeporn, 51, and Samart Ruangsri, 59, who sold the land, were also given a five-year jail term each.
Bangkok’s Ratchadapisek Criminal Court judge read the verdict yesterday for an encroachment lawsuit filed in September 2013 against the four. Banjerd, 61, worked as an authorised representative for Tan, 35.
Finding the defendants guilty, the court said that the forested land was the Kingdom’s important resource and changes made to the land for personal benefit was a serious violation and did not deserve a suspended sentence.
The court also ordered the four men along with their contractors, representatives or subordinates who occupied the land to move out.
After their lawyer put forward bank books and Nor Sor 3 title deeds as guarantee, the judge granted the defendants bail on condition they do not leave the country without the court’s permission.
While Pongchai and Samart’s bail had to be guaranteed with a collateral deposit worth Bt800,000 each, Tan and Banjerd’s bail required a guarantee of Bt500,000 each.
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