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The Criminal Court sentenced "Hi-So Looknat" to 1 year and 6 months in prison for drug use and possession. After his confession, the court reduced the sentence by half to 9 months and fined him 22,000 baht. The prison term was suspended for 2 years with 1 year of probation. He was acquitted of firearm possession but the court ordered confiscation of all evidence.
On 11 Sep 2026 GMT+7, reporters reported that on 19 Aug, the Phra Khanong Criminal Court on Sanphawut Road read the verdict in case number ดำอ3160/2568, filed by the Phra Khanong Provincial Prosecutor against Mr. Thanat Thanakit-amnuay, or Hi-So Looknat, age 37, heir to a prominent multibillion-baht real estate family. He was charged with methamphetamine use, possession of cocaine (type 2 narcotic), and violations of the Firearms Act.
The prosecutor summarized that on 6 Aug 2025 GMT+7, the defendant used methamphetamine in an unknown amount and possessed cocaine, as well as two rifles, ammunition, and other weapons illegally at his home in Suan Luang District, Bangkok.
The defendant confessed only to the drug use and possession charges. He denied the firearms charges, claiming the guns were registered under his wife's name.
The court considered testimonies and evidence. Regarding the firearms, the defendant may have taken a handgun from inside the house, where it was not securely stored, to protect himself while checking for intruders. The fact that witnesses saw him carrying the handgun during a search does not conclusively prove he possessed it. The prosecution’s evidence for firearm possession was weak, despite seizure of guns, magazines, and ammunition. The defendant might have handled the weapons only to check on possible intrusions.
The court ruled the defendant guilty under the Narcotics Act sections 91, 104, 146 paragraph two (1), and 162. Since the offenses are multiple distinct acts, penalties apply for each count under the Penal Code section 91: 2 months imprisonment and 4,000 baht fine for methamphetamine use; 1 year 4 months imprisonment and 40,000 baht fine for unauthorized possession of cocaine. The total sentence was 1 year 6 months and 44,000 baht fine. Due to his confession, the court reduced each sentence by half per Penal Code section 78, resulting in 9 months imprisonment and 22,000 baht fine in total.
The court found no prior imprisonment for the defendant and decided to give him a chance to reform. The prison sentence was suspended for 2 years with 1 year probation. He must report to probation officers 4 times during probation, perform 12 hours of community service as deemed appropriate, and undergo drug rehabilitation as ordered by probation officers under Penal Code section 56. Failure to pay fines will be handled under Penal Code sections 29 and 30. The court acquitted him of possessing firearms and ammunition without licenses, but ordered confiscation of all evidence.