THAILAND: DEATH SENTENCE UPHELD IN MURDER OF RATCHABURI MP

The Supreme Court of Thailand confirmed the death penalty for Anantasak Srisawat, alias Sor Tor Tai, for the murder of former Thai Rak Thai MP Korbkul Nop-amornbodi in 2006.
The court upheld the death sentence passed on Anantasak, formerly a member of the Ratchaburi Municipal Council, by the two lower courts.
Anantasak and two other men, Winyoo Rattanawannee, 30, and Anont Phanrat, were convicted of collaborating in the murder of Mrs Kobkul on May 27, 2006, when they opened fire at her car with two M16 rifles at Khao Ngu intersection in tambon Chedihak in Muang district of Ratchaburi.
Mrs Korbkul was killed. Two other people in the car with her, Chatree Suparanant, her driver, and Pol Sgt Maj Saichol Kaewsaithong, were wounded in the attack.
The three men were arrested a few days later.
On March 31, 2011, the Ratchaburi Court sentenced Anantasak to death and handed down life sentences for Winyoo and Anont. The three were also ordered to pay 300,000 baht in damages. All three appealed.
The Appeals Court upheld the lower court's ruling.  Anantasak appealed to the Supreme Court. Anont did the same but withdrew his appeal before the court read its decision.
The Supreme Court upheld the death sentence for Anantasak. The judgement was read in his absence as he is being held at Khao Bin Prison in Ratchaburi.
The full judgement will be sent to Anantasak at the prison.
The lower courts were told the motive for the murder was a business conflict.