Ex-People’s Party MP Gets Prison Term for Forged Conscription Exemption
Former People’s Party MP Jirat Thongsuwan has been sentenced to two years in prison without suspension after Thailand’s Criminal Court found him guilty of using a forged official document to evade military conscription. The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, marks a significant legal and political setback for the former Chachoengsao lawmaker, who has consistently denied the allegations and maintains that the case was politically motivated.
The controversy began in early 2024 when questions surfaced over the authenticity of a Sor Dor 43 military exemption certificate presented by Mr Jirat on the Matichon TV programme “The Politics” and later shared on social media. The certificate was cited as proof that he was legally exempt from mandatory military service. However, the Territorial Defence Command (TDC) launched an investigation after doubts arose regarding its legitimacy.
Lt Gen Taweepool Rimsakorn, then commander of the TDC, assigned a judge advocate officer to file a formal complaint accusing Mr Jirat of forgery and the use of a fake official document. Investigators later expanded the case to include violations under the Computer Crime Act, citing the online dissemination of the document.
During the trial, Mr Jirat denied all charges and was initially granted bail. However, the court found compelling evidence that he had failed to report for conscription. Records showed that between 2009 and 2012, he repeatedly requested postponements while studying at Burapha University. In 2012, the Bang Pakong district military office summoned him for selection, but he avoided the process, resulting in a prior suspended one-month prison sentence.
In its judgement, the court emphasized that Mr Jirat failed to produce the original exemption certificate and knew he had never undergone the military selection process. As a former MP and member of the House Military Committee, the court stated that he should have been fully aware of both the law and the facts surrounding military service obligations.
The prosecution presented testimony from six army officers, which the court deemed credible, while Mr Jirat was the sole witness in his defence. The court concluded that his actions caused damage to the Ministry of Defence, undermined public trust, and posed risks to national security. Consequently, it imposed the maximum sentence of two years’ imprisonment without suspension, although other charges were dismissed.
Before entering the courtroom, Mr Jirat reiterated his innocence, arguing that the certificate bore official signatures and stamps and that prosecutors failed to explain how it was forged. He also questioned why his military records were preserved beyond the usual retention period and suggested selective enforcement.
Mr Jirat was first elected in 2019 under the Future Forward Party and re-elected in 2023 with the Move Forward Party, now rebranded as the People’s Party. He was widely known for his outspoken stance on military reform, making the case particularly significant within Thailand’s political landscape.
