Maj Chalermchai Matchaklam, widely known as “Phu Phan Tueng", arrives at the Supreme Court in Bangkok on Wednesday morning. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)The Supreme Court has upheld the Appeal Court's prison sentences for five Chiang Mai officials who operated an extortion racket targeting market vendors in the northern city. The extortion ring's mastermind, Sarayuth Puplap, a former chief of Muang Chiang Mai municipality, will serve nine years behind bars for his role in the scheme. Other four officials were each sentenced to six years in jail for their role in the extortion ring. The lower court in April 2011 found them guilty of abuse of authority, extortion and receiving illegal benefits.

Source: Bangkok Post May 03, 2017 08:03 UTC