Bangkok: The Criminal Court denied bail to "Kothorn," the seventh defendant in the shooting death of Provincial Administrative Organization member Tong, after an attempt was made to secure bail with a land title deed valued at 3.6 million baht. The court cited the serious nature of the case, which involves a high penalty, as the reason for its decision. Concerns were raised that if released, the defendant might flee or interfere with evidence.
According to Thai News Agency, at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road, Mr. Santhana Prayoonrat, acting as the attorney for Mr. Sunthorn Wilawan, also known as Koth, submitted a petition for temporary release. The petition was backed by a land title deed covering 5 rai, 1 ngan in Sikhio District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, valued at 3,620,100 baht. Mr. Sunthorn Wilawan, the former president of the Prachin Buri Provincial Administrative Organization, is the seventh defendant in the case of the shooting death of 'Sor. Tong,' officially registered as Case No. 629/2568, with the Office of the Attorney General 5 as the plaintiff.
The charges involve Mr. Thanasarankorn, Mr. Saksith, Mr. Thanapat, Mr. Aphisit, Mr. Sittichai, Mr. Phatthanon, Mr. Sunthorn Wilawan, and Ms. Minchayarat, who are the first to eighth defendants, respectively. They are accused of jointly killing others in an incident that took place on the evening of December 11, 2024, at Mr. Sunthorn's residence in Na Mueang Subdistrict, Prachin Buri Province.
All defendants have denied the charges and have decided to contest the case. Subsequently, Mr. Sunthorn and his eight associates have been detained at the Bangkok Special Prison and the Central Women's Correctional Institution.
Mr. Santhana argued in his request for temporary release that the case investigation is complete, and there is no further evidence to be tampered with. Additionally, he pointed out that the seventh defendant has consistently denied the charges since the arrest and poses no threat to witnesses or others. He proposed that if the court feared a flight risk, measures such as an electronic bracelet or a travel ban outside the kingdom could be implemented. He assured that the defendant would comply with all conditions and court orders.
The Criminal Court, after evaluating the severity of the charges and the circumstances, concluded that the case is serious due to the high penalty involved. The plaintiff's objection to bail was also noted. The court found reasonable grounds to believe that granting bail could result in the defendant fleeing or tampering with evidence. Consequently, the bail request was denied, and the decision was communicated to the petitioner.