PHUKET: Red shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong, who surrendered last year after 18 months on the run, was today sentenced to a year in jail.

The Criminal Court in Bangkok made its judgement on a defamation case brought against Khun Arisman by Democrat Party leader and former Prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

His lawyer filed an application for bail, offering a 100,000 baht guarrantee, saying he would take the ruling to the Appeals Court. The court has yet to rule on bail.

Today's conviction relates to speeches made by Khun Arisman on October 11 and October 17, 2009.