Vietnam court upholds drug smuggler's death sentence

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Vietnam court upholds drug smuggler's death sentence

Published: 7 Oct 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Vietnam's Supreme Court has refused to commute the death sentence of a 24-year-old Thai woman who smuggled narcotics into the country, according to the Saigon Daily.

The Supreme People's Court in Ho Chi Minh City has upheld the lower court's death sentence against Preeyanooch Phuttharaksa, the newspaper said on its website.

Preeyanuch was arrested in October of last year after customs officials at Tan Son Nhut Airport found more than three kilogrammes of methamphetamine hidden inside her luggage. Before her arrest, Preeyanuch had sneaked drugs into Vietnam twice, according to the indictment.

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samut
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Discussion 48 : 08 Oct 2012 at 09.3148
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Legalizing drugs could be the answer to the problems; it would not eradicate drug use as there are losers und stupid one who think drugs are the solution (to their problems) but it would definitely eradicate the drug trade and the crime connected with and as there would be no money to make no one would be lured into using or carrying drugs and in the end we would have less drug problems as we have now. But since many people making a fortune from the illegal drugs including scrupulous business men, politicians, police, military and so on it might never happen.
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crunchy
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Discussion 47 : 07 Oct 2012 at 19.5747
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get the head and not the tail. nothing will change.
3 times been traveling to vietnam delivering drugs, life is so short. money is the root of all evil.
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spiceman
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Discussion 46 : 07 Oct 2012 at 19.0146
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Law and punishment must go hand-in-hand, otherwise, why it's not Law. Now, whoever is planning to smuggle drugs into Vietnam will have to think it over, whether it is worth his or her life or not. And I bet drugs' problem in Vietnam is a lot less serious than that in Thailand with our "Rubber Law, " which can be stretched, twisted, and turned in any directions imaginable, given that the money is right.
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opiner
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Discussion 45 : 07 Oct 2012 at 18.5645
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To khunbill @ 42, who said "as far as legalizing all hard drug and saving money, that also doesnt make sense. The hospitals and treatment clinics would be over flowing with addicts overdosed users. Who's going to pay for that."

If after decriminalisation there were more addicts needing treatment in hospitals, the money saved from the vast budget currently devoted to enforcement of the drug laws could be channelled into the health sector. I would estimate that 10% of that law enforcement budget would easily cover it, in any country in the world, and the rest of the money saved could go to good causes like education.
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vangvieng
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Discussion 44 : 07 Oct 2012 at 17.2644
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reading this makes me so angry that there are so many ready to condemn this poor girl to death. remember judge not lest thou shalt be judged. and like everything in this part of the world the people who are truly at fault are never arrested. to all those who judge her i judge you, may your life turn to shit.
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bigzvimbaz
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Discussion 43 : 07 Oct 2012 at 17.2143
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I knew this was going to be blamed on some small time African crooks.You cant even call those desperadoes, gangs.Not only has this made it difficult for honest and hard working Africans to enter Thailand but worse it has made it easier for any other person who happens to be white to make a killing smuggling drugs.Just visit any border post and see how anybody with a white skin is treated.Its like they can do no wrong.At the same time you will see how honest Africans who happen to be teaching in Thailand are treated like trash and drug smugglers.They are letting in losers running away from the economic meltdown in Europe,people not interested in work because they are coming from countries were they were actually paid for not working before the whole thing blew up.Thailand would be surprised if they screened these white folks the same way they screened any other ethnic group.
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khunbill
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Discussion 42 : 07 Oct 2012 at 17.1342
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felix

Your logic baffle me. How many moderate methanphatemine user are there out there. Not mamy. and yes i guess i am an ignorant about drug addiction since I have never been an addict. Do you speak from personal experience?

It has been proven by doctors that a glass of wine a day is healthy for the heart, check that fact. Agree with abbub a joint would be far more safer and as far as legalizing all hard drug and saving money, that also doesnt make sense. The hospitals and treatment clinics would be over flowing with addicts overdosed users. Who's going to pay for that.
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felixqui
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Discussion 41 : 07 Oct 2012 at 15.3941
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khunbill, re D.38,
You are also ignorant of basic facts about yaa baa and other drugs of addiction.
They can be used in moderation with no harm to others. I assure you that the millions of Thai users of this popular recreational drug are NOT in the habit of running wild and murdering those nearby after swallowing a single pill. Your average alcohol user is as likely to run amok after a glass of red wine. Check the facts.

It would help society far more, and save a fortune whilst reducing corruption, to legalise all drugs and treat those who want help with their addictions whilst severely punishing those who actually murder, rape, steal and otherwise actually harm others.
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abbub
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Discussion 40 : 07 Oct 2012 at 14.3840
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OldThai Hand D6....

While I agree with you the death penalty is barbaric, why do you leave out Thailand? Do you not know Thailand has a death sentence for drug-related crime?

I think this case can serve a higher purpose. Think of the fat this particular case involves a young woman we feel a certain compassion for. Well...anybody sentenced to death will have other people feeling compassion and sorrow for him or her too.

BARRY W D8 is absolutely right alcohol and tobacco kill fare more people than any drugs do, even hard drugs. But they are of course making money for rich socially accepted millionaires and that will not be touched. Personally I would rather see my people lighting up an occsional joint than drinking alcohol and smoking tobacco. If...that is...it were legal.
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zulu
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Discussion 39 : 07 Oct 2012 at 14.2639
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eg: in germny, if caught for the first time with a kilo you might get everything from parole up to two years in (german) prison. with three k's you probably can't avoid jail time, but they will get you the chance to learn a proper profession on taxpayers money. so you smuggle it to germany (but take care, NOT to france) , you get a better price and and the punishment is more like an educational leave.
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Vietnam court upholds drug smuggler's death sentence | Bangkok Post: news