The Appeal Court on Monday sentenced five red-shirt members to 2-4 years in prison for trying to bomb Bhumjaithai Party headquarters in 2010.
Sentences were handed down to vendor Dejpol Phutthajong, 60, motorcycle-taxi driver Kampol Khamkhong, 46, vendor Kobchai Boonplod, 47, interior decorator Warisriya Boonsom, 47, and folk-rocket maker Suriya Phumwong, 43.
They were charged with having and transporting a bomb and causing an explosion next to Bhumjaithai headquarters in Chatuchak district, Bangkok, on June 22, 2010.
The Appeal Court sentenced bombing masterminds Dejpol, Kampol, Kobchai and Warisriya to four years in jail and a fine of 66.66 baht. Suriya, the bombmaker, got two years and eight months. The jail terms were shortened for their useful answers during police interrogation.
Warisriya was released on bail of 500,000 baht. Suriya did not show up at the Criminal Court to hear the Appeal Court's ruling, so his bail guarantor was fined 500,000 baht, and the Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest.
Lower-court ruling
In 2013, the Criminal Court found the five defendants were members of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship who ordered Anek Singkhunthod, 31, to push a rambutan cart carrying a bomb hidden in a cooking-gas cylinder in front of the headquarters for the Democrat Party coalition partner.
However, the bomb exploded before it reached its target and Anek was blinded. The impact damaged a vehicle, a food stall and the rear wall of the headquarters building.
Dejpol, Kampol and Kobchai initially were sentenced to six years and eight months for possessing the bomb and causing the explosion and fined 66.66-baht fine for transporting the bomb. Suriya, the bombmaker, was given three years and four months. Warisriya was acquitted.
In response to their appeal, the Appeal Court on Monday found the four men and the previously acquitted Warisriya guilty because she made repeated phone calls to check on the situation relating to the explosion.
For Anek, who pushed the cart, the Appeal Court in 2013 shortened his jail term from 35 years to five plus a 50-baht fine because of the limited property damage. He is appealing with the Supreme Court.