Bangkok: “Mother Tak” and “Pa Beer” have each been handed a 20-year prison sentence, suspended for five years, after admitting guilt in a fraud case involving their company, K2N. The court also levied a fine of over 2 million baht each. The decision, rendered at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road, aims to provide the defendants an opportunity for reform.
According to Thai News Agency, the case was initiated when the public prosecutor from the Office of the Attorney General filed a lawsuit against K2N Company and three others. The charges included fraud, violations of the Computer Crimes Act, the Consumer Protection Act, and the Direct Sales and Direct Marketing Act. The defendants confessed during the witness examination stage.
The court’s investigation revealed that the gold jewelry sold by the defendants to 36 victims was genuine, contrary to claims of it being counterfeit. However, the products were marketed as 99.99% pure gold with additional free gold, leading to charges of conducting a direct marketing business without a license, false advertising, and selling controlled products with misleading labels. Consequently, the court fined K2N Company 675,000 baht and sentenced “Tak” and “Beer” to 20 years in prison and a 675,000 baht fine.
The court recognized the defendants’ efforts to rectify the situation. They returned 3,929 items valued at over 82 million baht and refunded over 57 million baht to 1,610 buyers. All 36 victims were fully reimbursed, thanks to a court deposit. The court acknowledged the defendants’ lack of prior offenses and their significant detention period during the investigation. As a result, Mr. Kantpol and Ms. Kornkanok received suspended sentences, are placed on probation, must report twice annually, perform 30 hours of community service, and are restricted from engaging in similar illegal activities.