Isan Lawyer Rumor: Ex-Inmate with 16-Year Drug Sentence Cleared Record and Renamed to Practice Law

A major rumor is sweeping across the Isan region following an in-depth investigative report revealing that a well-known lawyer, sharing a surname with a political activist in southern Isan, was previously convicted by final court judgments for serious criminal offenses rather than negligence or petty crimes. Records from the provincial courts of Buriram, Sikhiu, and Phon confirm that the individual served prison time at Phon Provincial Prison from 1999 to 2015. Police investigators, arrest teams, and Department of Corrections officials have all corroborated that the prominent lawyer was indeed detained and served over 16 years behind bars.

Sources further disclosed that upon completing the sentence and gaining release, the lawyer—originally named Mr. "S" with the surname "S"—changed their name to Mr. "Ph" with the surname "S" and has continued working as a legal practitioner to this day. Moreover, it was discovered that this lawyer utilized a right to expunge criminal records stemming from a database cleanup policy initiated by a former high-ranking police officer years ago. That initiative aimed to remove individuals whose cases were dismissed, or who received fines or minor sentences, from the criminal registry.

That past data revision successfully shrank the criminal registry from over 13 million individuals down to roughly 3 million, with more than 9 million people having their names expunged because their cases were not final. However, in this specific case, reports indicate that a close associate who is also a lawyer coordinated with a former Deputy National Police Chief at the time to instruct the superintendent of a police station in Buriram Province to wipe the drug conviction record. This allowed the lawyer to register for legal practice without a drug conviction history. Additionally, the close associate reportedly warned various parties that the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) would be invoked against anyone leaking the imprisonment history, threatening legal action for any disclosures.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

"Drug offenses are considered a severe threat to society and contrary to good morals. Even though this lawyer has served the sentence and been released according to the court judgment, and despite the Department of Corrections' policy of reintegrating reformed individuals into society, considering the severe 16-year prison sentence handed down to this lawyer..."

Insiders and Source Statements

Legal analysts point out that while state policies support reintegrating reformed citizens, a 16-year prison sentence for severe drug trafficking—which poses a profound danger to society and public morality—raises serious questions. Combined with the qualification standards required for members registered under the Royal Patronage of the Lawyers Council, a history of such drug convictions would likely disqualify the individual and violate Sections 35(4)(5)(6) and 67 of the Lawyer Act of 1985. Consequently, the public is closely monitoring how the Lawyers Council will respond, with demands that authorities disclose severe criminal behaviors to applicants to prevent wrongdoers from causing further harm to society.

Source: Matichon Politics