The verdict against Somkiat Pongpaiboon, a former leader of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), and four core members of the Thai Energy Network, including Dr Raweewat Maschamadol, was announced yesterday.

These five defendants led protesters in occupying the Energy Complex, which housed the PTT headquarters and the Energy Ministry, as parts of a series of anti-government rallies.

The occupation forced the operator of the Energy Complex to close all its six buildings. The closure affected its income, prompting Energy Complex to lodge a claim for Bt118.93 million against the defendants on March 12, 2014.

However, the court yesterday ordered the defendants to pay Bt95.9 million only. The amount will be subject to annual interest of 7.5 per cent, calculated from March 12, 2014, until full payment is made.

Raweewat has also faced criminal complaints relating to protests, which included raids on various properties. The Criminal Court has yet to rule on these cases.