The Criminal Court has dismissed a sexual assault charge against Prinn Panitchpakdi, former deputy leader of the Democrat Party, citing a statute of limitations as well as the fact that he agreed with the alleged victim’s request to drop her off at a train station near her apartment.

Prinn Panitchpakdi

Prinn was charged with committing an indecent act on a minor and transporting a minor away from her parents or guardians for allegedly sexually assaulting a 17-year-old intern at his company.

According to Matichon Online, the girl said that, while interning for Prinn, she was given a desk in front of his office and was repeatedly called in for chats in which he would hold her hand and put his arm around her shoulders. At the time, she believed that he was simply being affectionate. However, following an office party, Prinn offered to take her back to her condominium in his personal van, which had a curtain between the driver and passengers as well as dark film on the windows. She alleged that, while in the van, he held her hand, touched her arm and thighs, and pulled up her skirt. She said she resisted and ask to be dropped off at a nearby BTS sky train station. Prinn agreed but told her not to tell anyone about what happened. She was afraid to speak about the incident and did not tell anyone, but said she decided to end her internship.

In May 2022, after learning from media reports that several other women had accused Prinn of sexually assaulting them, she told her mother about what happened and decided to press charges.

Under the Thai Criminal Code, committing an “indecent act” on a minor older than fifteen years old by using threats and violence, or by acting when the minor is unable to resist, carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of up to 200,000 baht.

Transporting a minor between 15 and 18 years of age away from their parents or guardians in order to sexually assault them carries a prison sentence of 3 – 15 years and a fine of 60,000 – 300,000 baht when the minor does not consent to go with the accused. If the minor does consent, the prison sentence is 2 – 10 years and the fine is between 40,000 – 200,000 baht.

On Thursday (14 December), the Criminal Court dismissed charges against Prinn. It ruled that, because the van did not deviate from the route between the company and the girl’s apartment and because he dropped her off at the BTS station as she requested, he was not guilty of taking a minor away from her parents.

Under Thai laws, committing an “indecent act” in a private place to a minor older than 15 years old who is not a relative, family member, student, or dependent is not a public offense, and a victim can choose to drop a complaint if a settlement is reached. However, the law requires a complaint to be filed within three months if a victim wishes to pursue legal action.

The Court ruled that, because the alleged assault took place inside a van and not in public or in a place where another person can see it happen, it is not a public offense. It ruled to dismiss the charge on the grounds that, because the girl did not file a complaint within three months after she was assaulted, the statute of limitations have already lapsed.

Prinn has previously been found guilty of sexual assault in two cases. In August 2023, he was sentenced to 2 years and 8 months in prison for sexually assaulting an 18-year-old university student who he asked to join him at a restaurant claiming he wanted to give her guidance on her career and navigating the stock market. In September 2023, he was sentenced to 2 years for sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 15. The sentences are to be served consecutively. He is now released on bail pending appeal.