Bangkok: The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases has sentenced Emeritus Professor Dr. Pirongrong Ramasut, a member of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), to two years in prison without suspension for violating Section 157. The court found that Dr. Pirongrong intended to harass True Digital Group Co., Ltd. by issuing a warning letter that allegedly caused damage to the company. The case centers around the insertion of advertisements on the TrueID platform, which the warning letter stated violated the Must Carry rule for television and digital TV operators.
According to Thai News Agency, the warning letter was not sent directly to True Digital Co., Ltd., but the company claimed it suffered damages as a result, leading to the court case. The court concluded that Dr. Pirongrong's actions were intended to cause harm to True Digital Group Co., Ltd., resulting in the guilty verdict under Section 157.
Before the court's decision was announced, Dr. Pirongrong expressed concern about the outcome but stated that he would accept the verdict regardless. He insisted that he had carried out his duties as an NBTC commissioner appropriately.
Following the court's decision, Dr. Pirongrong was granted bail set at 120,000 baht, with the condition that he not leave the country. He now faces an appeals process to contest the court's ruling.