Bangkok: Lawyer Kook has spoken out following the court's decision to sentence Poo to 2 years in prison and impose a fine of 60,000 baht for defaming Lukmee. The verdict, handed down by the Bangkok South Criminal Court, included a suspended prison term of 2 years and a probation period of 1 year. According to Lawyer Kook, this was the first case where the court issued such a verdict, emphasizing that the defendant might face imprisonment if the same offense is committed again.
According to Thai News Agency, the defamation case arose from an interview given by Poo, in which she made allegations about Lukmee's involvement in illegal moneylending activities with interest rates exceeding legal limits. Lawyer Kook explained that these statements damaged Lukmee's reputation and portrayed her negatively. The court found Poo guilty of defamation by publication, leading to the current verdict and sentence.
In the defense narrative, Lawyer Kook detailed ongoing legal battles, which include fraud and civil cases. She clarified that the original funds were from investments, not loans, and that a loan agreement was only created as a safeguard. The dispute intensified when the investment was discovered to be non-existent, prompting a fraud lawsuit. Lawyer Kook reiterated that Lukmee was not involved in moneylending, and that the issue stemmed from a misunderstanding of the investment scheme.
Lawyer Kook also addressed accusations against her of distorting the loan agreement to fabricate a fraud case. She defended the legality of the 2 million baht loan agreement's interest rate, refuting claims of illegal interest. She emphasized that the transactions involved were dividends from investments, not loan repayments, and insisted that neither she nor Lukmee had misrepresented the facts.
The case's complexity is highlighted by the presence of multiple legal proceedings against the other party. Lawyer Kook mentioned that Poo has several pending cases, which could affect future legal outcomes. She noted that repeat offenses during the suspended sentence period could lead to imprisonment, as courts consider previous convictions when assessing new offenses.
In her interaction with Lukmee, Lawyer Kook described the plaintiff's relief and excitement over the verdict. Lukmee, currently in China, had been anxious leading up to the decision but was pleased with the outcome. Lawyer Kook assured that they are prepared for any appeals and confident in their evidence, which is thoroughly documented.
Looking ahead, the fraud case against Poo is set for a verdict on March 24, 2026, at the Bangkok South District Court. Lawyer Kook asserted that if found guilty, the financial nature of the case would preclude a suspended sentence, necessitating bail for Poo to contest the ruling.
In closing, Lawyer Kook reflected on the challenges of legal battles, advising caution and prudence in handling cases. She emphasized the importance of evidence-based proceedings and reassured Lukmee of her legal position and the strategies to protect her interests.