Jailed 'Red Siam' leader gets added jail term for lese majeste

Published : April 28, 2012 :: 10:04:20 [ 1,930 views ]

Jailed ‘Red Siam’ leader gets added jail term for lese majeste

BANGKOK, April 27 – Thailand’s Criminal Court on Friday sentenced 68-year-old Surachai Danwattananusorn to another two years six months after being found guilty on lese majeste charges, bringing his total jail term to 10 years.

The political activist, also known as Surachai Sae Dan, is now serving seven and a half years jail for speeches judged to have insulted the monarchy.

The court handed him down another five years jail but the sentence was commuted to two and a half years due to his confession in similar case.

In late February, the court found Mr Surachai guilty of lese majeste under Article 112 of the Criminal Code for speeches on several occasions that were considered insulting to the monarchy.

Mr Surachai pleaded guilty to three counts of lese majeste involving his speeches at rallies in Chiang Mai, Udon Thani and Bangkok during the 2008-2010 political upheavals.

The Criminal Court sentenced him five years in jail for each count, in total 15 years, but the sentence was halved to seven years and six months after he pleaded guilty to the offences.

However, the court issued its verdict without any suspensions as they were serious offences with severe punishment and he had repeatedly committed the same act.

Report by : MCOT