TWO ARMY OFFICERS SENT TO DEATH ROW

Two army officers and a civilian were sentenced to death yesterday after
the Criminal Court found them guilty of possessing 40,000 methamphetamine
pills with intent to sell.

The civilian's sentence was commuted to life in prison because he confessed.

Sub-Lt Chaowalit Chaisombat, 45, of the 7th Infantry Regiment, and Sgt
Preecha Sri-atthakul, 32, of the Quartermaster's Department, were also
convicted on an additional charge - state officials committing a
drug-related offence.

The two officers and the civilian, Petch Tailangka, 43, were arrested on
May 30, 2000, while selling 40,000 speed pills to an undercover policeman
for 1.4 million baht.

The police sting took place at a petrol station in Klong Luang district,
Pathum Thani.