absolutelyBangkok archive · Politics
Originally published Oct. 21, 2008
So far wife Pojaman Shinawatra is leading her husband Thaksin by 3:2 years in prison. On paper that is. The former has already been convicted and given a three year jail sentence by the Criminal Court for tax evasion amounting to 546 million baht.
Now the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions found the ex-premier guilty in the Ratchadaphisek land deal case and sentenced him by the narrowest of margins to two years in jail. His wife Khunying Pojaman was freed from all charges.
Thaksin had allegedly used his position as prime minister to aid his wife, who won the bid at one-third the price of the appraised value. Facing the spectre of jail time because the Supreme Court’s ruling will be final, Thaksin and his wife called it quits in time.
In absentia they’re unlikely to serve any jail time anyway, as CNN reports.
They skipped Bangkok in favor of London — where they applied for political asylum because he had been — quote — “politically framed.” Still, the verdict is basically a non-event for the ongoing political crisis. All sides will read the verdict the way they want.
The PAD diehards rejoice, sing & chant and shout we have won — without retreating. Whereas the government grins and bears it.
The only question remaining with Thaksin trailing his wife 2:3 — how much will he and can he win?
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