PDRC's Leaders Sentenced for Nearly 11 Years behind Bars, 8 Incarcerated

        Bangkok, Thailand (Feb. 24) – The Criminal Court has sentenced leaders of People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC),protesting against self-exile-Yingluck Chinnawattra’s administration which left 600 billion baht damages in the Rice Pledging Scheme, for at most 9 years and 24 months in prison.

PDRC's Leaders appears at the Criminal Court on Wednesday.

        At the Criminal Court situated on Ratchadabhisek Road, Suthep Tuagsubun – the key leader of PDRC - and other leaders appeared at the court for judgement hearing as the Special Case Attorney – claimant – had filed a lawsuit against them on the accusation of rebellion, hampering general election process, shutting down Bangkok with 7 rostrums across the city. 

        Suthep Tuagsuban had said before entering the building that they will definitely respect the court’s ruling no one intends to eacape. He continued that the fight against Yingluck Chinnawattra’s administration and Taksin’s ruling system resulted in 29 dead and 900 injured. 

        The court stared had started the judgement process at 10.30 am local time and elaborated that the Yingluck Chinnawattra on Feb. 2, 2013 announced to dissolve the lower house and to set the election date but the defendants made attempts to administer the country, to illegally propose the cabinet for royal endorsement and to agitate people to hamper public transportation services, to damage government properties, and to install 7 rostrums across the capital.

        The defendants pledged that they are not guilty as they deny damaging the properties. They added that those were just symbolic action against Taksin’s ruling system.

        Consequently, the court has sentenced the leaders of PDRC behind bars e.g.:

    Suthep Tuagsubun, Thaworn Senniem for 5 years individually

    Sathit Wongnongtoey for 9 years

    Chumpon Chunlasai for 9 years and 24 months

    Issara Somchai for 7 years 

    Nattapon Teepsuwan, current Education Minister, for 6 years and 16 months

            Air Marshal Watchara Rittakanee for a year

            Admiral Akachai Suwannapap, Pichet Pattanachot, Manman Kakarndee, Wittaya Kaewbharadai and Akanat Promphan for a year with a 13 thousand baht fine each

            Sub Lieutenant Samdin Loetbut for 4 years and 16 months

            Satish Sehgal, Komsan Tongsiri, Sawit Kaewwan, Suriyasai Katasila for 2 years apiece

            Samran Rodpet for 2 years and 16 months 

            Amorn Amornrattananon for 4 years and 16 months

            Kittichai Saisa-ard for 4 months and Taya Teesuwan for a year with a 26 thousand bath fine

        Furthermore, the court has terminated political rights of Chumpon Chunlasai, Issara Somchai, Nattapon Teepsuwan, Suwit Thongprasert, Samran Rodpet, Sub Lieutenant Samdin Loetbut and Taya Teesuwan for five years each, expecting cabinet reshuffle in the current administration. 

        The latest report shows that 8 defendants including Suthep Tuagsubun and 3 ministers have been behind bars and the first try to ask the court to release them on bail is expected Thursday. They will have been detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison. Some information is applied from Thairath.