A scandal riddled former deputy leader of the Democrat Party, Prinn Panitchpakdi, has been sentenced to substantial jail time, this time for sexually harassing an 18-year-old female student in the year 2021. This devastating news was officially disclosed by the Office of the Attorney General. The reliable Deputy spokesman, Kosolwat Inthuchanyong stated that the sentence handed down by the esteemed Bangkok South Criminal Court on Aug 10 was two years and eight months of prison time, served without the chance of an early release.
Prosecutors presented evidence to the Bangkok South Criminal Court that showed the sordid details. It seems Prinn craftily lured the unsuspecting student into an encounter at a secluded rooftop restaurant ensconced in Soi Sukhumvit 11. That was where he set upon her, engaging in sexual molestation. This incident marred the year 2021. The hapless student bravely lodged a complaint to the vigilant Lumpini police as wake of April 2022 swept in.
The court, having been through the details thoroughly, delivered its verdict. Prinn was found guilty, much to his trepidation, and was awarded the aforementioned sentence of two years and eight months imprisonment, with no respite. It was but the start of a tumble for the fallen politician. There were many similar cases haunting his path.
As detailed by Mr Kosolwat, a date has been etched out for another verdict: Sept 25. This is when the Bangkok South Criminal Court will pass judgment in yet another sexual harassment case piling up against Prinn. Further cases are still very much alive with the examination of witnesses ticking ahead.
Once the gravity of the first case settled on the public perception, Prinn swiftly resigned from his position as the deputy leader. His charge was overseeing the Democrat Party’s economic team. Despite the decisive judgement from the court, he vehemently denied the accusations placed on him.
The floodgates were opened by Sittra Biabangkerd, a lawyer with high regard in the public eye. He led the series of complainants to file charges with the police, bringing these hidden, heinous acts to light. He put forth the harrowing claim that the number of women affected by the sexual transgressions of the suspect rose to as high as ten. Among these victims, at least five had been raped while the others had faced varying degrees of sexual molestation.
Prinn hails from a well-respected family. He is the son of the esteemed Supachai Panitchpakdi, the former deputy prime minister. The senior Panitchpakdi has had a star-studded career, having held positions such as the director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
In related news, the former Democrat is facing a raft of other charges. A fall from grace that has struck a sobering reminder of the prevalence of abuse in our society.
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