The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders sentenced Boonsong to 42 years in jail, Poom to 36 years, former director-general to the Foreign Trade Department Manas Soiploy to 40 years, his ex-deputy Tikaporn Natvorathat to 32 years, ex-director of the Foreign Rice Trading Office Akrapong Theepvajara to 24 years, and rice dealer Apichart Chansakulporn to 48 years. Looking stressed, Boonsong walked to the prison truck without speaking to reporters. Prior to hearing the verdict, he said he had prepared cash for bail as well as a plan to appeal the ruling if it went against him. “I’ve done my best to fight in the case,” he said. However, there was no disturbance from those in the crowd, who merely booed when the prison truck drove by.

Source: The Nation Bangkok August 25, 2017 10:41 UTC