Move Forward party-list MP-elect Natheepat Kulsetthasit was sentenced by the Nonthaburi Criminal Court to two months in prison, fined 4,000 baht, ordered to undertake 12 hours of community service and banned from driving for six months this afternoon (Tuesday), after she was found guilty of drunk driving.
The imprisonment was, however, suspended for two years and she was placed on probation for one year.
Before the court’s verdict, the MP-elect announced her resignation at a press conference, held at the party’s head office, after she had been arrested last night by the police for drunk driving.
Natheepat was presented to the media in the company of Phicharn Chaowapatanawong, a deputy party leader, when she offered a public apology for her conduct.
She told the media that she met some friends last night for a get-together, during which she drank 3 or 4 glasses of alcohol.
While driving back home at about 2am, she was stopped by police at a checkpoint on Pradit Manutham Road, in the Lat Phrao district, for a blood-alcohol check. She claimed that she did not resist and agreed to be tested using a breathalyser, but called a friend to be with her.
According to the police, her female friend arrived at the checkpoint and talked with the police. Natheepat then underwent the test and she was found to have a blood-alcohol content of 66mg%, which is above the 50mg% legal limit.
Natheepat was listed 27 on the party’s party-list. The next candidate will move up to fill the now empty position.
