This case has attracted significant public attention regarding the conclusion of Poo Mantana Himathongkham. Recently, she arrived with her legal team at the Bangkok South Criminal Court to hear the verdict in the case where lawyer Kung Amnuayporn Maneewan filed a defamation lawsuit by advertising. The court sentenced Poo Mantana to two years in prison but suspended the sentence for two years, fined 80,000 baht, ordered her to pay damages of 100,000 baht, publish the verdict in a newspaper for seven days, and pay 10,000 baht in attorney fees.
After leaving the court, Poo gave an interview to the media about the total of 14 charges in the case.
What is today's verdict?
Poo said, "Please let my lawyer speak."
The lawyer said, "The court sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years, with probation for two years. She must perform community service and report to a probation officer three times. The fine is 80,000 baht."
How do you feel about the verdict?
Poo said, "I respect the court's judgment. The court was merciful today. (Are you personally sad or upset?) As everyone has seen, the opposing party tried to provoke and stir up posts every day. I did not respond, but they kept provoking to get me to reply and then sue me more. I have paid the fines as ordered by the court."
The lawyer said, "In today's case, lawyer Kung was the plaintiff and Poo Mantana was the defendant, with about 14 charges. The court dismissed 13 charges. The one charge the court ruled on was because Poo shared a post mentioning lawyer Kung's name, which the court saw as causing damage to lawyer Kung, so she was sentenced for one count of defamation by advertising."
Did you lose every case lawyer Kung filed?
Poo said, "My legal team fought hard, but it depends on the evidence. I've never had any previous cases. Their team already has lawyers and no initial costs, but for us, we have expenses like lawyer fees and bail. Everyone has seen all my responses; I was not the first to start. I was attacked first, so I responded. Some of my responses may have been illegal. Regarding what they accused me of, I could also sue or file complaints, but I am tired and have not done so yet. They flooded me with lawsuits and complaints. Since the cases exist, we have to fight them all. As for the court's judgment, how one views it depends on our defense strategy."
On social media, many worry and advise you to stop posting to avoid more cases. What do you say?
Poo said, "I have stopped posting, but I am still being provoked."
The lawyer said, "Poo has stopped posting for about two weeks. I was the one who advised her to improve to avoid more cases. But you have to understand she has mood swings. When she sees posts she thinks relate to her, she feels hurt repeatedly. She is not alone; the whole country is involved. Imagine how you would feel."
For example, when we met Lukmee earlier, I want to tell her that Lukmee is a fun person. If Poo doesn't want to see something, she can just block it. That way, no issues arise, right?"
Poo said, "What's fun about that? They mention me by full name every day."
The lawyer said, "Well... so we shouldn't respond."
Poo said, "I'm not having fun because when reading the appeal or verdict or talking about EM, my full name is mentioned. I feel this is degrading my human dignity. The matter is already before the court, and we must respect the court's discretion. They shouldn't mock me like this every day. If I did the same to them, would their family like it to be criticized daily?"
Because the opposing party exposed me in various media, my business has collapsed. It can't continue. If there are more cases, they will come, but we will continue to fight."
So, do you currently have no income?
Poo said, "My business has been ruined for three years due to their lies and distortion of facts on many programs. It has truly damaged my business. I have daily expenses like lawyer fees and bail. I have to fight more than 20 cases they've filed."
Where do you get the money to pay fines that are quite large?
Poo said, "This is a personal matter, but I want to express pride in Ajarn Mana and Madam Threepee who help fight my cases. They sued me with 14 charges, and in this fight, I won almost all. I lost only because I shared a post with lawyer Kung's picture related to a dispute with lawyers. So, I lost on this point. I am very grateful for the mercy shown by the three lawyers in today's verdict."
Regarding what Lukmee said about an image she never expected to see—Poo reaching this point?
Poo said, "She already knows what she did. She distorted facts and filed a complaint claiming this was a loan dispute but then sued me for fraud. So, it is an old matter she mentioned... meaning..."
The lawyer said, "It's okay today. Actually, Poo is not discouraged. She is quite happy because the court's decision exceeded expectations. Normally, the court would punish all charges, but today, only one charge was punished under several laws, and the sentence was suspended. So, Poo should be happy; she is not discouraged. Also, the court allowed bail, so she is not deprived of freedom. Today is a lesson teaching her not to be careless next time."
Poo said, "It's a lesson because I didn't know the law. Sharing that post with her photo confirmed the identity. It's just a lesson. I accept the court's judgment and will follow all procedures. But Lukmee speaks to discredit me, saying I look sad. I'm not sad; I smile. Look at the camera. This is a case between me and lawyer Kung, lawyer Decha, or Lukmee. They shouldn't..."
The lawyer said, "It's okay. They are friends and can come. We don't take it personally. We see everything as natural. Today, Poo confirmed with a smile to the camera. Today, she is lucky. The court suspended the sentence. Normally, it would be full punishment, right? Today she is happy, not sad. It's beyond expectations—13 charges dismissed."
Poo said, "Yes... I am happy the court was merciful."
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