"Jeng Dokjik," diagnosed with cerebral artery stenosis, listened to the Supreme Court verdict in a wheelchair. The court upheld a prison sentence of 5 years and 4 months related to the 2010 UDD rally case. A detention order was issued, and he was taken to Bangkok Remand Prison.
At courtroom 609 of the Criminal Court at 09:00 on 20 Jan 2026 GMT+7, the Supreme Court convened to deliver a verdict in the 2010 UDD allied terrorism case, black case number Or.2542/2553. The Special Case Prosecutor 1 acted as plaintiff, charging Mr. Veera or Veerakarn Musikapong, former chairman of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), Mr. Jatuporn Prompan, UDD chairman, Mr. Natthawut Saikua, UDD secretary-general, and 24 others as defendants for jointly committing terrorism and inciting disorder in the country.
Between 28 Feb and 20 May 2010, the defendants allegedly incited the public to continuously participate in UDD rallies to pressure and oppose the government and coerce Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva (then in office) to dissolve parliament for new elections. They claimed Abhisit became prime minister illegitimately and demanded the 2007 constitution be repealed.
They also organized protests at Phan Fa Lilat Bridge and Ratchaprasong Intersection, marched to besiege various locations, used M79 grenade launchers to fire at residences, stockpiled personnel and heavy weapons, and trained forces in weapon use for terrorism.
The trial court acquitted all defendants. The prosecution appealed, seeking punishment. On 9 Jan 2023, the Appeals Court sentenced defendant number 7, Mr. Yossawarit Chuklom or 'Jeng Dokjik,' to 8 years in prison, reduced by one-third to 5 years 4 months, without suspension. Defendant number 12, Mr. Suksak or Suk Pholtue, was sentenced to life imprisonment. Other defendants were acquitted as per the trial court.
Defendants number 7 and 12 filed appeals to the Supreme Court. On 16 Dec 2025, the Criminal Court scheduled the first Supreme Court verdict hearing. However, Mr. Yossawarit’s lawyer submitted a request with a medical certificate indicating his client suffers from cerebral artery stenosis and provided hospital treatment records, requesting a 30-day postponement of the verdict hearing.
Today, before reading the verdict, Mr. Yossawarit’s daughter, acting as his bail guarantor, told the court that defendant number 7 is ill with cerebral artery stenosis and hospitalized at Phra Nangklao Hospital, requesting another postponement of the verdict hearing. The court noted a previous postponement had been granted and ordered the defendant to be brought to court, warning that failure to appear would result in a warrant and penalties for the guarantor.
Mr. Yossawarit’s daughter then contacted her father to travel from the hospital by public taxi. Mr. Yossawarit arrived at the courtroom in a wheelchair, visibly frail, with gauze covering an intravenous drip on his left arm and a patient ID bracelet still attached.
Mr. Yossawarit told the court he wished to postpone the Supreme Court verdict hearing another 30 days, fearing his illness might worsen in prison, complicating treatment and possibly leading to death. The judges consulted the Criminal Court administration and concluded the verdict must proceed as scheduled.
After deliberation, the Supreme Court found that the charge of coercion involving five or more people, where defendant number 7 and others intended to assault military officials at the scene and instill fear of harm to life and property, differs from the charge of joint property damage. The defendants committed multiple distinct offenses. The Supreme Court rejected the appeals of defendants number 7 and 12, agreeing with the Appeals Court judgment and upheld the sentences.
The court then issued a detention order and instructed corrections officers to take both defendants into custody at Bangkok Remand Prison.