Former TV news anchor Sorrayuth Suthassanachinda, jailed for embezzling state advertising revenue, had a quiet first night behind bars, only showing "normal" stress.
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Sorrayuth's first night in prison passed quietly
King-oua Laohong
Former popular TV news anchor Sorrayuth Suthassanachinda, jailed for embezzling state advertising revenue, showed a normal degree of stress on his first night behind bars, according to the governor of Bangkok Remand Prison.
He said Sorrayuth has asked for and found solace in reading a book on Bhuddhism.
"Mr Sorrayuth is stressed at a normal level and does not need counselling by the prison psychologist, or a tranquilliser," Krit Krasaetip said on Wednesday.
On Tuesday the Appeal Court upheld his jail sentence of 13 years and four months for supporting malfeasance by a government official. The Supreme Court rejected his request for bail backed by a surety of 4 million baht, and he was taken from the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases in Dusit district to the remand prison in Chatuchak district on Tuesday evening.
New inmates normally became distressed, because most had no prior knowledge of the environment inside prison, Mr Krit said.
Sorrayuth, 51, was put into cell No.11 in the acceptance zone. He ate a prison dinner. Before bedtime he asked for a book on Buddhism, and went to sleep around midnight. A medical checkup showed no problems other than hypertension and high cholesterol. Appropriate medication was available in the prison, he said.
His lawyer, news anchor Pitchayatan "Bright" Chanput and former politician Chuvit Kamolvisit, now a television commentator, visited him at the prison on Wednesday morning.
Mr Krit said Sorrayut had coffee and patongko (deep fried dough) on Wednesday morning, and then joined in activities with other inmates to kill time and avoid tension.
"Mr Sorrayuth did not make any special request. There are 4,100 prisoners, and the prison is not congested.
"Although Mr Sorrayuth is well known he does not excite other inmates, because there are many well-known people and politicians here," the governor of the Bangkok Remand Prison said.
