'Poh' graft verdict postponed again
The Supreme Court yesterday agreed to postpone reading its verdict on a corruption charge against Thailand's most notorious godfather, Somchai Kunplome, better known as Kamnan Poh, to April 7.
Yesterday was the second occasion that the highest court has delayed reading its verdict in the case, which involves two other people. The court warned it would immediately issue arrest warrants for the defendants and fine their bail guarantors if the defendants failed to show up in the courtroom on April 7. The three defendants are Somchai, Winai Somsap and Wiriya Boonkul. The lower courts sentenced them to five years and four months in jail for their role in corrupt land deals worth Bt93 million. Only Wiriya was present at the courtroom yesterday. Somchai's lawyer Sa-nga Thanasa-nguanwong brought Phyathai Hospital Sri Racha's director Thanakhom Manthananon, and Winai's lawyer Saksit Thammachatporn brought specialist Suthin Jantima from the same hospital to the court to testify that the two defendants were too ill to attend. The lawyers asked the court to postpone the verdict reading. Thanakhom said Somchai was suffering from a severe form of emphysema and bronchitis, and needed to be given medication and oxygenated regularly. He said it was impossible for Somchai to appear in court because his life would be at risk. He said he gave Somchai a check-up at his home on Tuesday. Suthin said Winai was rushed to Phyathai Hospital Sri Racha on Wednesday with difficulty breathing and was then referred to Phyathai 2 Hospital in Bangkok the following day due to his serious condition. "A detailed check-up showed that his heart stenosis has been worsening and will need an urgent operation," Suthin said. The Supreme Court resolved to reschedule the verdict reading as it believed the doctors' statements given the fact that they did not have any interest in the court ruling. The lawyers said they would do their best to bring the defendants to the courtroom on April 7. However, Sa-nga expressed concern Winai might not be able to make it given the fact he would need at least four weeks to recuperate. Somchai is also accused of hiring hit men to murder Prayoon Sitichote, a rival businessman involved in construction. In 2004, Somchai was sentenced to 25 years in prison for hiring the hit men to kill Prayoon. A year later, the Appeals Court upheld the lower court's decision. The Supreme Court has yet to set a date for its ruling in the case. Somchai is now free on Bt20 million bail. The Nation Chon Buri
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