Chachoengsao: Jiratth Thongsuwan, a former Member of Parliament for Chachoengsao from the People’s Party, was sentenced to two years in prison without suspension by the court for using a forged military service exemption certificate, known as Form 43. Despite the sentencing, the court acquitted him of charges related to the forgery of the document itself, which Jiratth claims is politically motivated. He plans to appeal the decision.

According to Thai News Agency, Jiratth has clarified his position through a post, stating that he was released on bail and expressed concerns about misleading headlines regarding the forgery claim. He emphasized that the court found him not guilty of forging documents but convicted him for using a forged document, arguing it impacts national security.

Jiratth pointed out that the plaintiff had not seen his S.D.43 form when filing the lawsuit. He insisted that he had obtained the document legitimately from a conscription officer, and it bore the same signature as the original. Jiratth argues that the prosecution failed to demonstrate how or by whom the document was forged, describing the process of issuing the S.D.43 form as flawed.

He contended that as a member of the Military Affairs Committee, he was not equipped to discern the authenticity of military documents, explaining that he had no motive to use a document without legal standing. He criticized the two-year prison sentence as excessively severe.

Additional observations from the hearing highlighted the military’s reliance on mostly destroyed documentary evidence and videos from a TikTok account critical of Jiratth. He noted that his past criminal record was used as evidence, despite being resolved months before the lawsuit. A military legal officer had scrutinized footage from a Politic program interview, where Jiratth handled the document, claiming to see a serial number that did not match the original.

Jiratth expressed his belief that he is being targeted by the Thai state, suggesting a coordinated effort by multiple agencies. Reflecting on his past mistakes, he acknowledged public criticism but maintained that the case was politically motivated, prompting him to pursue an appeal for justice.