A Thai court sentenced 14 drug dealers, including three...

A Thai court sentenced 14 drug dealers, including three women, in four separate trials, to death despite criticism from international human right organizations that the court has become an assembly line of death. These sentences bring to 33 the number of traffickers sent to death row in barely a week.
More than 250,000 speed tablets and 29 kilograms of heroin were confiscated in the cases finalised on the day, which all involved trafficking during the first three months of 2001, Criminal Court Judge Vichit Leethammachayo said.
The Thais sentenced to death were Chirawat Poompruek, 36, Bundit Charoenvanich, 44, and Somkhuan Phayakruang, 29, Pichai Chompoo-ngam, 49, Tiew Chompoo-ngam, 47, Duangchan Chaiwasilp, 30, Poonthawee Chompoo-ngam, 23, Yupin Piengchanta, 48, Tham Piengchanta, 55, and Somros Puangmatha, 43, Wallapa Sriwilai, 29.
The court also sentenced to death three Burmese men: Samchuen Tasaeng, 27, Boonraud Nanthawong, 26, and Soi Tahwong, 57. They were arrested in the northern border province of Chiang Rai while smuggling methamphetamines into Thailand.