THE Criminal Court on Ratchadapisek road today (Aug. 2) sentenced Ms. Worawan Sae-ang, or Aunt Pao, 67, and seven other defendants in the case arising from the “August 11 Chase the Tyrant” protest to one year in jail and 20,000 baht fine each but this was suspended for three years with two-year probation imposed plus 24-hour community service, Matichon newspaper.
The other seven defendants are Mr. Noppadon Sinboonchuen, Mr. Thana Kampoon, Mr. Ekanat Sombat Yingwattana, Mr. Weerawat Khampeetool who skipped bail, Mr. Krisana Mina, Mr. Papangkorn Phocharoen and Mr. Kanthaka Promto.
All face several charges including joining a gathering of more than 10 persons, both using and threatening to use force, obstructing officers from performing their duty, having or using weapons and risking the spread of Covid-19.
The prosecutor has said that the eight defendants together with approximately 200 protesters participated in the “August 11 Chase the Tyrant” activity last year to pressure Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to resign. The protesters, accompanied by motorcyclists and cars fitted with loud speakers burned straw effigies, gave speeches attacking the government and blasted the crowd control police for breaking up protests. Their protest blocked the traffic and when police moved in to clear it the protesters flung objects at them.
However the court said their one-year sentence is being suspended and the defendants being placed on two-year probation because this is their first offence and some of them were still studying.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Aunt Pao being dragged to the police van during last year’s protest. Photo: Voice TV
Front Page: Aunt Pao at the court today Photo: Matichon
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