Law
Songkhla Court Sentences Former Hat Yai Mayoral Candidate to Prison for Extortion
A former Hat Yai mayoral candidate has been sentenced to two years in prison without suspension for extorting 25 million baht from a local official.
On August 17, 2026, Thai Post reported that the Songkhla Provincial Court issued a two-year prison sentence for a former candidate for the mayor of Hat Yai, locally known as 'Bao Pee.' The court found the defendant guilty of extortion involving a demand for 25 million baht from a local official referred to as 'Palad Paen.'
According to the report, the court denied a suspended sentence, meaning the defendant must serve the two-year term in custody. This case highlights ongoing legal scrutiny regarding local political figures and administrative officials in the Songkhla region.
For residents and travellers, this development underscores the importance of awareness regarding local governance and the legal environment in Southern Thailand. While the court has delivered its verdict, the case remains a matter of public record. It is currently unclear if the defendant intends to appeal the decision or if further legal proceedings will follow. As this is an ongoing legal matter, observers should rely on official court announcements for updates regarding the finality of the sentence. SawaLife continues to monitor local news reports to provide updates on significant legal developments affecting the region.