Bangkok: The Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road is set to deliver its verdict today in a prominent fraud case involving Mr. Sittha Biabangkerd, widely known as "Lawyer Tum," his wife Ms. Panita Biabangkerd, and his wife's sister Ms. Pintira Kariwan. The charges against them include fraud, habitual fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, stemming from accusations of defrauding Ms. Jatuporn Ubollert, or "Jae Aoy," of substantial financial sums.
According to Thai News Agency, the Public Prosecutor's Office, along with Ms. Jatuporn, has brought these charges against Lawyer Tum and his associates. The case details allege that the defendants deceived Ms. Jatuporn out of 71 million baht for an online lottery investment, 13 million baht for a Mercedes-Benz purchase, and 39 million baht transferred to a Chinese artist via Bitcoin. Although Mr. Sittha argued in court that the money was a gift and represented himself during the trial, the proceedings have been closely followed due to the case's complexity and the involvement of several individuals.
The court's decision today will address three distinct defendant groups: Lawyer Tum and his immediate family, close associates Mr. Nuwat Yongyuth and Ms. Sarinee Nuchanart, and showroom employees. While some involved have confessed, resulting in suspended sentences and partial compensation, the spotlight remains on the primary defendants. The verdict is awaited amidst prior civil court dismissals of asset seizures related to the case, which were deemed state property due to insufficient evidence of fraud.
The court has already delivered a guilty verdict for Lawyer Tum, sentencing him to a total of 5 years and 12 months in prison and ordering him to repay approximately 72.5 million baht with interest. The charges found credible include fraud related to the online lottery platform and money laundering activities. However, the court dismissed charges related to forged documents in a car transaction, viewing them as created false receipts rather than criminal forgery.
Mr. Panthep Puapongsak, representing the Guardians of the Land Foundation, expressed a degree of satisfaction with the verdict, acknowledging the extensive efforts by legal teams and law enforcement throughout the trial. He highlighted the significance of the evidence, particularly the financial transactions and communication logs, in establishing the fraudulent activities.
Despite the mixed outcome, the legal team plans to appeal, particularly regarding the habitual fraud charges, while the court has dismissed the cases against Lawyer Tum's wife and her sister. The ruling has garnered public attention, partly due to Lawyer Tum's previous challenge to a public figure, which added a layer of intrigue to the proceedings.