The reading of the Appeals Court's judgement in a tax evasion case brought against the operator of the Santika Pub, where a huge fire killed 67 revellers and injured scores more during a New Year's party in 2008, was postponed on Tuesday after he pleaded a severe headache.
The Criminal Court was scheduled to read the ruling on Wisuk Setsawat's appeal against his conviction and sentence at 10am on Tuesday.
A lawyer appeared for him instead and presented a report from a doctor at Kluaynamthai Hospital that Wisuk had a severe headache and could not attend the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road, Bangkok, on Tuesday morning.
The court put off announcing the ruling until 9am on Sept 30.
In April last year, the Criminal Court handed down a one-year prison term to Wisuk for excise tax violations totalling 85 million baht over a five-year period, from November 2004 to December 2008. He was released on bail pending appeal.
The Santika Pub on Ekamai Road of Bangkok was the scene of a tragic fire on New Year's Eve, Dec 31, 2008, when 67 people were killed and 103 others were injured. Many survivors were left seriously maimed and their lives ruined.
In October 2013, the Appeals Court acquitted Wisuk of all charges relating to the fire fatalities. The court ruled that he was not directly negligent and did not cause the fire.
In 2011, the Criminal Court had sentenced Wisuk to three years in prison over the blaze, which was started by fireworks ignited in front of a stage inside the pub. The fireworks were designed to be used outdoors. Lit inside the pub, they hit the ceiling and curtains, and caused the fire.
