July 31 (Bloomberg) -- The wife of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and her brother were sentenced to three years in prison for evading taxes, the first conviction in a string of cases filed against the ex-premier's family since he was ousted in a 2006 coup.

Pojamarn Shinawatra, 50, and her brother Bhanapot Damapong were met by cheering supporters at Bangkok Criminal Court before today's verdict was read. The siblings were accused of collaborating and conspiring to evade tax and providing false testimony and documentation on the 1997 transfer of 4.5 million shares of a company formerly controlled by the family. They were granted bail and can appeal the decision, the court said.

The convictions may lead to more confrontations between Thaksin's friends and foes after the Supreme Court accepted two new cases against him this week. Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej submitted a cabinet reshuffle list for royal endorsement yesterday in a bid to calm protesters who say he's beholden to Thaksin.

``The decision will increase political pressure,'' said Jade Donavanik, dean of the law school at Siam University in Bangkok. ``One group will want more convictions, while the other will want the legal processes against Thaksin to stop.''

Thailand's benchmark SET Index has fallen 24 percent since street protests began May 25, and the baht has fallen 4.5 percent. Demonstrators, who want Thaksin behind bars, are led by Sondhi Limthongkul, a former business associate of the ex-premier who fell out with him in 2005.

Wedding Gift `Unconvincing'

Bhanapot, former chairman of Shin Corp., a Thai telecommunications company, received 4.5 million shares of the firm valued at 738 million baht ($22 million) on Nov. 7, 1997, from Pojamarn's secretary, who was also convicted today and sentenced to two years in jail.

Bhanapot said the transfer shouldn't be subject to tax because the shares were a wedding gift from Pojamarn, an argument the court said today was ``unconvincing.''

The share transfer couldn't be a wedding gift because Bhanapot registered his marriage in January 1996, according to findings from the Assets Scrutiny Committee, a body created after the coup to investigate Thaksin, his family and members of his cabinet. The share transfer should be taxed 270 million baht, excluding a penalty fee, it said.

According to Miss Manners, one has a year to give a wedding gift to a newly married couple. This seems to be a year and 10 months which is excessive, to be sure.

Jail............ not a chance.

It is sad when political support for an individual can be used as an excuse to let them get away with criminal activity.

It is very doubtful that anyone involved will do jail time - except perhaps the secretary of course....

I think I too would find it difficult that such a transfer was a wedding gift - if so, where is the card with the "Congratulations to the Bride and Groom"? Hehe!

>>>>whatever the rights and wrongs of this case (and others pending against her husband) i just hope this doesn't divide thailand and trigger a period of grave politicial uncertainty and conflict. <<<<

fat chance.

I think it's a bit less to have them pay 15mio guarantee for 3 persons. (Excuse me! I dont know if guarantee is ta correct word... no idea if there is any technical term.)

arrogance and greed. Or, in another word, capitalism.

i don't think it's fair to say "capitalism."

more appropriate would be "robber barons."

I strongly suspect she will not see the inside of a jail. Appeals, delays, etc. Maybe an extended stay in London?

Capitalism v robber barsons ! The difference is ?

I strongly suspect she will not see the inside of a jail. Appeals, delays, etc. Maybe an extended stay in London?

Capitalism v robber barsons ! The difference is ?

I strongly suspect she will not see the inside of a jail. Appeals, delays, etc. Maybe an extended stay in London?

Capitalism v robber barsons ! The difference is ?

Capitalism in and of itself is basically neutral.

The woman on the street with the food cart is practicing capitalism. She invested some of her money (capital) into her goods (the cart and the food) and is selling them for a profit. Nothing wrong with that. She has to compete with other food cart vendors on price and quality of the food for a share of the market (customers).

It's an economic system, simple as that.

A robber baron, on the other, hand is someone who becomes extremely wealthy by unethical means or unfair business practices, and has little sensitivity for common workers or people and their welfare - especially if they work for him.

John D. Rockefeller was referred to as a robber baron. Especially after one of the first investigative journalists (nicknamed "muckrakers"), Ida Tarbell, detailed all the vicious, violent and corrupt methods he used to amass his wealth.

Because people such as Rockefeller, and the Shinawatras, have so much money (capital) to play with, some people refer to them as "big capitalists.'' Here in Thailand, it's common to hear people refer to Thaksin and his ilk simply as "the capitalists."

But then what is the woman with the pushcart? A communist? A socialist? She's still a capitalist too, although a very small one.

That's why people such as the Shinawatras are better referred to as robber barons.

And they were robber barons long before becoming politicians.

B270 million tax on B738 million share transfer? If I ever were that rich, I would call it a robbery too.

As to jail time, I don't think that will ever happen. So, they will pay bond and bring the case to Court of Appeal or whatever (I'm not a legal expert). Then, beaurocracy in the legal system or some legal loopholes only riches can affrod will make sure they will never go to jail.