An elderly woman has been given a six month prison sentence for verbally abusing former PM, Prayut Chan-o-cha. The incident happened in March, while the then-PM was visiting the western province of Ratchaburi.
While in the Ban Pong district, he was approached by the woman, known locally as “Pa Na Ban Pong”. She began cursing at Prayut and was quickly subdued by two female police officers, who covered her mouth and attempted to push her out of the way. However, she continued shouting and cursing, forcing other officers to drag her away to an area behind a parked van.
Yesterday, October 10, the Ratchaburi District Court sentenced her to 6 months and 10 days in prison without suspension, and fined her 1,000 baht, according to a Thai PBS World report. The court ruled that the woman had breached the security zone around Prayut and his delegation.
According to police reports, the woman ignored officers’ requests that she leave the area. The court found that she had shown no remorse for her actions but had instead threatened the authorities with legal action.
In refusing to suspend the woman’s sentence, the court said it was strictly enforcing the law, in order to deter other individuals from doing likewise. However, it did grant the woman temporary release after 3,000 baht was paid by the Ratsadon Prasong Fund.
Following her release on bail, Pa Na Ban Pong shaved her head in protest, in front of the courthouse. She says she won’t give up fighting for justice, asking if insulting the Thai PM really justifies a six-month prison sentence.
SOURCE: Thai PBS World
