Sondhi gets two years in jail on libel suit

Sondhi Limthongkul, owner of Manager newspaper, was sentenced to two years in prison after the Criminal Court found him guilty of making libelous statements against a former Thai Rak Thai executive member.

Sondhi, a strong critic of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is also ordered to pay compensation of Bt200,000 to Phumtham Vejjayachai, a former TRT deputy secretary. Court also dismissed the same charges on other defendants.

Phumtham told court that Sondhi made the defamation during his television talk show conducted in Wat Pa Ban Tat Temple in Udon Thani province in November 25, 2005.

After hearing the sentence, Sondhi's lawyer submitted a bail request to the court.

The Nation

Quote:After hearing the sentence, Sondhi's lawyer submitted a bail request to the court.

How can he apply or get bail if hes already been sentenced for 2 years. Isn't bail for when your first arrested not after the conviction?

Sonthi Limthongkul, owner of Manager newspaper, makes a gesture in a detention room in the Criminal Court on Thursday after being sentenced to two years in jail on a libel suit. He is submiting a bail request.

Photo by Wanchai Kraisornkhajit

Bail subject to appeal I imagine.
Its not over yet. Perhaps a symbolic gesture agreed to before hand by the courts and their political masters to give some sembelance of justice. After all, TIT.