Appeal Court sentences ex- PAD leaders for Government House invasion

BANGKOK, July 24 (TNA) - The Appeal Court today handed down eight-month jail terms to six former leaders of the now-defunct People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) for invasion of the Government House in 2008. The defendants are Maj-General Chamlong Srimuang, Sondhi Limthongkul, Pipop Thongchai, Somsak Kosaisuk and Somkiart Pongpaibul and Suriyasai Katasila. All of them, including Sondhi, who is now serving a jail term in another case, showed up at the court to hear the verdict. The six were charged with organising the raid and seizing Government House compound during their protest to press the then-prime minister Samak Sundaravej to resign. The seizure caused damage to state properties such as the lawn, surveillance cameras, electronic system and water sprinklers. Lawyers said the defendants would seek bail to petition the Supreme Court. In 2015, the Criminal Court sentenced the six defendants to two years jail for occupying government spaces. All of the defendants were released on bail pending the appeal. (TNA)