Bangkok: The court sentenced Chuwit to 12 months in prison for defaming Santhana, later reducing the sentence to 8 months. At the Bangkok South Criminal Court on Charoen Krung Road, the court read the verdict in Case No. 1936/2566, in which the Bangkok South Criminal Court Public Prosecutor and Mr. Santhana Prayoonrat, a former Special Branch police officer, were joint plaintiffs suing Mr. Chuwit Kamolvisit, a famous former politician, for defamation by means of advertising.
According to Thai News Agency, the plaintiff's complaint summarized that on November 23, 2022, Mr. Chuwit defamed and insulted Mr. Santhana in front of the injured party, reporters, photographers, and the general public. This was done by making loud announcements and shouting insults while reporters and photographers of Voice TV Co., Ltd. were broadcasting live on YouTube. The defendant's actions, using vulgar language, were accessible to the public and broadcast throughout the Kingdom, causing damages to the co-plaintiffs. The defendant denied the allegations.
The court found that the defendant's use of vulgar language led to the belief that the plaintiff engaged in criminal activities, resulting in potential damage to the victim's reputation and exposing the victim to contempt. The court concluded that the defendant's actions constituted defamation through publicity, violating legal provisions. The defendant's actions were deemed insulting, humiliating, and damaging, thus blatantly defamatory.
Previously, the defendant had been sentenced to one month in prison for intentionally submitting a false statement of assets and liabilities, which led to his dismissal from office as a Member of the House of Representatives. He was released on July 21, 2018. Within five years of release, Mr. Chuwit committed another offense, which was not considered minor or negligent.
The court found him guilty under Sections 328 and 393 of the Criminal Code, sentencing him to nine months imprisonment for defamation. The sentence was increased by one-third, resulting in 12 months imprisonment. However, due to mitigating circumstances, the sentence was reduced by one-third, resulting in an eight-month prison term.
Later, Mr. Chuwit's lawyer filed a petition for temporary release pending appeal. The court granted Mr. Chuwit's temporary release while the appeal is considered.