THAILAND: DEATH PENALTY CONFIRMED IN ACTIVIST MURDER CASE

the Thai Court of Appeal upheld the death sentence handed down to Somyuth Phoomphakdee, a Samut Prakan local politician, for masterminding the assassination of activist Suwat Wongpiyasathit, who was campaigning against a garbage disposal project in Racha Thewa district in 2001. The disposal procedures were said to have been below standard and in violation of sanitary regulations, causing stench and allowing toxic discharge to contaminate waterways.