Potjaman acquitted in tax evasion case

Potjaman acquitted in tax evasion case

The Appeals Court on Wednesday acquitted Khunying Potjaman na Pombejra, ex-wife of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, of tax evasion, overturning the lower court's conviction and three-year jail term.

In this case, the lawsuit was filed by the prosecution against her half brother Bannapot Damapong, Khunying Potjaman and her secretary Kanjanapa Honghern as the first, second and third defendants.
The three defendants were charged with evading tax payments amounting to 546 million baht in the transfer of 4.5 million shares in Shinawatra Computer & Communications Plc.
The Criminal Court on July 31, 2008 found them guilty of giving false statements and producing false evidence concerning the shares transaction, and of fraud, under Article 37 (1) of the Revenue Code as well as Articles 83 and 91 of the Criminal Code.
Khunying Potjaman and Mr Bannapot were each given a three-year jail term, and Ms Kanjana was sentenced to two years imprisonment.
They appealed.
The Appeals Court, in its verdict delivered today, said Mr Bannapot is still guilty of tax evasion.
However, since he is only a businessman, not an influential person, had made useful contributions to the public and is a former government official with record of wrongdoing, the court reduced his jail term to two years, suspended for one year.  The court also ordered him to pay a fine of  100,000 baht.
As for Khunying Potjaman and Ms Kanjanapa, the Appeals Court ruled that the two were not obliged to pay the tax.  They were acquitted of the tax invasion charges.
Khunying Potjaman arrived at the court to hear the verdict at 9am along with the two other defendants.  She was also accompanied by her children Panthongtae, Paethongtan and Pinthongta.
Seen at the court to give her moral support were Pheu Thai list MP Weng Tojirakan and his wife Thida Thawornseth, chairwoman of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorhship.
No red-shirts showed up at the court, which was jam-packed with reporters from all news media.