UDON THANI -- The Supreme Court on Thursday issued an arrest warrant for Kwanchai Sarakham, chairman of the red-shirt Khon Rak Udon group, after he failed to appear to hear its ruling.
Kwanchai was charged with attempted murder and other related offences for leading an attack against members of the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) at Prajak Silpakom public park in Muang districty on July 24, 2008.
Kwanchai Sarakham (Bangkok Post file photo)
About 700 anti-PAD demonstrators armed with knives and clubs stormed the rally site, attacking PAD supporters and pulling down their stage. Several people were injured, some seriously.
Following the attack, a group of seven PAD members filed a lawsuit against Kwanchai for attempted murder and assault.
In 2011, the Udon Thani provincial court found Kwanchai guilty and sentenced him to four years in jail without suspension and a fine of 350,000 baht. The jail sentence was reduced to two years and eight months due to his confession.
The Appeals Court, on Dec 17, 2012, upheld the lower court's ruling. Kwanchai brought the case to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court was originally scheduled to read out its judgement today, but Kwanchai did not show up. Only his wife and son, accompanied by lawyers, were seen at the court.
The court issued a warrant for the arrest of Kwanchai and rescheduled the reading of its judgement for June 28.