Court acquits Sondhi of lese majeste rap
The Supreme Court yesterday acquitted Sondhi Limthongkul, former leader of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), of lese majeste, overturning the Appeal Court’s ruling.
The case was filed by prosecutors who accused Sondhi of lese majeste following a speech he made to a PAD rally at Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge on July 20, 2008.
In the speech, Mr Sondhi quoted remarks Daranee Charnchoengsilpakul, alias Da Torpedo, had made earlier on July 18, 2008 in a speech at Sanam Luang. Daranee’s remarks were deemed to be offensive to the monarchy.
The Criminal Court acquitted him of the charge; prosecutors appealed against this decision.
The Appeal Court reversed the lower court’s decision, sentencing Sondhi to three years in jail, reasoning it was not necessary for him to repeat Daranee’s remarks in public.
Mr Sondhi took the case to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court yesterday reversed the Appeal Court’s ruling, acquitting Sondhi of the charge.
Suwat Apaipak, Sondhi’s lawyer, said the acquittal was based on the fact his client had no intention to insult the monarchy, but was calling for authorities to take legal action against Daranee.
Sondhi is now serving time in prison after he was sentenced by the Supreme Court in September last year to 20 years for falsifying loan guarantee documents for a 1.08 billion-baht loan from Krungthai Bank without approval from the Manager Media Group’s board of directors, in violation of the Securities and Exchange Act.