The sentence was later reduced to eight months due to his partial admission of facts that aided the proceedings, reports the Bangkok Post.
The ruling on Wednesday (Aug 26) followed a complaint filed by prosecutors on behalf of Mr Santhana. The case stemmed from remarks made by Chuvit on Nov 23, 2022, during a live broadcast by Voice TV on YouTube.
According to the court, Chuvit knowingly made accusations in front of reporters, photographers and the public, claiming that Mr Santhana was linked to gambling, misconduct, dishonesty and violent obstruction of officials.
The court ruled that the statements, broadcast nationwide, damaged Mr Santhana’s reputation, subjected him to ridicule and hatred, and amounted to defamation by advertisement under Sections 328 and 393 of the Criminal Code.
Prior to this case, Chuvit had been convicted by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions and sentenced to one month’s imprisonment for deliberately submitting a false asset and liability declaration to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, with the sentence completed on July 21, 2020.
Within five years of completing that sentence, the defendant committed the current offence.
After the ruling, Chuvit submitted a request for bail pending appeal, supported by a surety of B30,000. The court approved.