The Supreme Court on Thursday issued a warrant for the arrest of former Democrat Party MP Pracha Phothipipit, alias Kamnan Sia, after he again failed to appear to hear its judgement in a bid-rigging case.
The court had scheduled the reading for Nov 19 after Mr Pracha earlier sought a postponement on medical grounds. When Mr Pracha failed to appear today the court issued an arrest warrant and rescheduled the final verdict for Dec 22.
In this case, Mr Pracha, his wife Khemporn Tangjaiyen, Wanna Lorpaiboon, 43, and Thawil Sawat were charged with preventing Wassadu Centre Company representatives from tendering a bid to sell steel cable to the Wang Yao Reservoir Project in Phetchaburi between 1999-2001.
Pracha Phothipipit, also known as Kamnan Sia. (file photo)
They were arrested by Crime Suppression Division police in 2003.
They were indicted in the Criminal Court on charges of extortion, confinement and bid-rigging.
In 2005, the Criminal Court found them guilty as charged and sentenced Mr Pracha to five years in jail and his three accomplices to four years each.
The Appeals Court, however, reversed the lower court's decision, acquitting all four of them. The prosecution took the case to the Supreme Court.
Only Mrs Khemporn showed up on Thursday. She submitted a request for the court to again postpone the reading of the decision. She said her husband was still being treated for rib injuries sustained in a road accident on Aug 1. Mrs Khemporn also submitted a doctor's letter, certifying to Mr Pracha's ill health.
The court ruled Mr Pracha had been undergoing medical treatment for over three months. The rib injuries could no longer be cited as a reason to seek a further postponement.
The court issued a warrant for Mr Pracha's arrest and rescheduled the reading of the final judgement in the case for Dec 22.