Appeal Court accepts Pojaman's appeal against tax evasion charges

The appellate writ is 130-page long containing 10 factual and legal issues to dispute the conviction and sentencing against Pojaman; wife of convicted ex-PM Thaksin; and two accomplices, her brother Bhanapot Damapong and her private secretary Kanchanapa Honghern.

The Criminal Court ruled in July to convict the three for Bt546 million tax evasion relating to the share transaction between Pojaman and Bhanapot which was illegally declared as a family gift to avoid paying income tax.

Pojaman and Bhanapot have been sentenced each to serve a combined jail term of three years, two for tax evasion and one for making falsified statement to violate the excise code.

Kanchanapa has received a jail term of two years for being an accessory to evade tax.

The three have been released on bail pending the appellate review.

The appellate writ was lodged at the lower court within the November 18 deadline and formally acknowledged by the Court of Appeals Friday paving way for the commencing of the appellate review.