rickirs

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Ever heard of free speech?

Yes of course, and if you're trying to apply the same rules concerning 'free speech' that exist in the UK and other western nations, then you are trying to compare apples with pears..

This is Thailand, not the UK nor Kansas (Dorothy). Thailand makes rules for its citizens and for foreigners who reside here. If you decide not to follow those rules, then you must accept the consequences.

Sehgal must have realised that he was treading on thin ice by being actively in anti-government demonstrations. As an aside, speaking on a political platfform AND claiming 'loyalty' to a higher power (as he has done), is a very dangerous path to tread.

Nevertheless, I do feel sorry for the position that he finds himself - it could all have been avoided if he had kept out of the demonstrations and got on with his life as a 'foreigner' in Thailand.

Simon

Everyone seems to forget that Sehgal was warned about making public statements in Suthep's protest meetings and that he could face deportation. But he continued anyways. If he has broken immigration laws, he has done so knowingly, and shouldn't surprised by the consequences. But I'm sure Suthep has assured him that no matter where in the world Sehgal may move to live, he can continue to help finance the Democrat party through direct deposits.

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Hopefully the new true govt. formed this year, will bring him back where he belongs.

Why would Yingluck do that?

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His next trip should be to The Hague. He has a valid case.

I hope so. At least he'll be out of Thailand and he can make the Netherlands his new home.

There has always been enough criticism of Thai police to ice a cake. But when it comes to the frequent low-level crimes (ie., robbing an ATM vs. robbing a bank teller), even the lowest police ranks seem to have their enforcement responsibilities together. I hope the police leadership can choose to build more on these accomplishments to improve the overall professionalism of the police force. Publicizing these successes and recognizing individual policemen efforts could improve morale and sesce of public service that doesn't require corruption.

"She was rejected payment at the bank, she said." The story line is a little lacking in detail to draw any concrete conclusions on possible guilt. Hopefully, more will come out the lawsuit itself and during the trial.

I understood that the government had borrowed funds from the Government Bank who in turn provided the proceeds to BAAC to be used for farmer payments. Certainly, if BAAC never got those funds, then the cash voucher is No Sufficient Funds and payment for the voucher must be rejected. Fault then lies with either the Government Bank failing to transfer funds to BAAC, or with the government failing to transfer funds to the Government Bank.

But I had read a story a couple days ago that the BAAC did receive funds from the Government Bank but chose to return them on its own volition and without notification. This not only blind-sided the government, BAAC also violated its fiduciary responsibility to make payments from funds provided to it. That might be considered a breach of contract with the Government Bank and government. However, Thailand follows civil law and not common law so nothing can be predicted under any set of facts other than farmers remained unpaid.

The General is correct about letting due process of law take place. Civilian (in the lack of any contradictory information) use of any weapons against civilians including police is a civil matter and not a military matter regardless of whether weapons are military grade. If the police investigation proves the attackers to be military, then he has the direct responsibility to investigate and bring the perpetrators to military justice. His stated position is perfectly in line with how the military is organized in Thailand. It does not come under civilian control as in democratic countries and so it operates independently of the government.

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Thai police arresting someone for extortion has to be the funniest thing I have heard in a very long time. Of course it's a farang extorting money in Thailand lol


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Why would an international warrant be issued in Russia for a farang extorting money in Thailand. Is your hatred of Thailand so extreme that you lose the ability to read?

Your inability to comprehend what you read may be the problem. The Russian is charged with extortion IN RUSSIA, not in Thailand as another reader stated. Didn't you notice that the amount stolen was in RUBLES aand not in baht. He fled Russia to avoid prosecution and that's why an international warrant was issued.

On the practical side (apart from all the lovely conspiracy and corruption theories some like to advance), the march on the international airport made little sense for the effort that had to be made to travel there. Trying to put forth any symbolism for the farmer's plight to largely foreign travellers is not going to advance their objectives and they run a risk of causing negative publicity; maybe they'll redirect to domestic flights Don Muang Airport. Or cut to the chase and assemble at the Government House.

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This man (I cannot call him a monk) is disgraceful.

He is everything bad about Thailand embodied in one person.

I hate it!

Does being a monk preclude him from having an opinion and acting upon it,what about the multitude of monks who led the protests in Myanmar or the monks who go to the extreme of self emolation in Tibet, all because they act against injustice in the world.

This particular monk is Thai and has chosen to take a stand for the path he believes rightly or wrongly is best for his people and country.
Its called democracy.

No, it's called hypocrisy.

I cannot believe this Buddhist monk's involvement with this hotel. First to book lodging at the SC hotel, then to directly accept any compensation for cancellation beyond what mayment the monk had made. I would also question the hotel's handling of the compensation. Wouldn't it have been more appropriate to return the monk's deposit and contribute the balance of the compensation to a temple? What is the monk going to do otherwise, sue the hotel for compensation? Now that would be an interesting civil trial.

"PDRC will also file criminal cases against caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Chalerm, national police chief Pol General Adul Saengsingkaew and Department of Special Investigation chief Tarit Pengdith for their roles in the crackdown on protesters..."

Are there any legal experts out there who can explain how a citizen can file a criminal case against anyone, much less against government officials?

Normally the charge and prosecution of citizens, whether against government leaders, employees or civilians, is vested with elected authorities (delegated through a chain of command to subordinates) and not with the public at large. Such system provides transparency and protection of accused rights in the application of due process of law without any conflict of interest. If it's true that anyone in Thailand is allowed to file criminal cases against anyone else, Thailand's judicial system lacks transparency, creditability, and semblance to a democratic due process of law.

"a cabinet member in the last government was charged with many counts of corruption, including some related to that government's rice insurance scheme. However, there had been no judicial development in that particular case, while it had taken only 21 days to investigate and bring charges against her."

This does raise a question of bias and legitimacy in the NAAC. From what "evidence" that NAAC has made public against Yingluck, most seems to have been supplied by the PDRC and former military leaders who participated in the military coup with no independent (aka lack of conflict) third party collaboration. If Yingluck is honestly guilty - that's justice. But a rush by NAAC to give the appearance of predetermining her guilt by whatever motivations and influences through an abrogation of due process of law does not bode well for Thailand's judicial system, its people, the Constitution, nor for democracy as a whole. And Thailand will become further isolated from the international community.

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Hang on a minute, 1 Million Russian Rubles are like 910,741.60 THB only, this man is a small fry,

Does not sound right. International arrest warrent for a few bucks

Perhaps once back in Russia more charges might be made. It's not like Russian authorities could interview him as part of any investigation with him out of the country. Further it might have been difficult to get any witness cooperation with him free.

No doubt the farmers are in a tough situation not getting payments and have a right to show their frustrations in the capital. Though the march on Suvarnabhumi Airport as a symbolic demonstration will be lost on foreign visitors who probably are not even aware that Thailand has rice farmers. But to think that getting the present government to step down or be overthrown will in any way accelerate immediate payments is terribly naive.

As we have all witnessed in the last several weeks in articles published ThaiVisa, the issue of payment is complex and beyond the complete control of the government given the propensity of court challenges and indecisions of bank participation. In the alternative the PDRC has no legal authority to disperse government funds nor to obligate the government for borrowed funds even if it overthrew the government unless the Constitution was suspended, albeit not something the PDRC would be shy about doing (again). In terms of international rice sales, again the PDRC has no authority nor recognition as a legitimate negotiator for sale of the rice stocks to deal with foreign customers. And if one were for the sake of argument assume that the PDRC could accomplish everything necessary for it to personally effect rice sales and distribution of proceeds to the rice farmers, we're looking at 1 to 2 years for the 2013 harvest; that doesn't even begin to address the 2014 and 2015 harvests. And what assurances are there that alleged corrpution of the PTP aren't perpetuated by the PDRC-who watches the watchers, especially if the Constitution is suspended?

The alternative to the PDRC "assuming" power is the formation of another interim appointed government. But it will still face the same constitutional challenges (unless suspended) and transaction processes that confounded the PTP government. And what assurances are there that alleged corrpution of the PTP aren't perpetuated by the interim government-ho watches the watchers?

The farmers best hopes for more immediate payments depend on solutions by the current government, the banking community, EC, and BAAC. Even Suthep (aside from any question of sincerity) told the banks to immediately make the necessary loans to the PTP government to effect sales and payments. If the nature of an interim government still presents a barrier to rice sales/payments, it is in the best interest of the farmers and the nation for the remaining elections to take place unimpeded so a parliament quorum can provide the necessary legislation to move rice sales forward quickly.

Yes, Thailand was never colonized. Part of this "success" was its 1940 "Treaty between Thailand and Japan Concerning the Continuance of Friendly Relations and the Mutual Respect of Each Other's Territorial Integrity" to become an ally with the Japanese Empire. Under this treaty with Japanese "assistance" Thailand made successful territorial conquests against the French in conjunction with Japan's own fight against the French, Americans, and Chinese. Also under this treaty Thailand allowed Japan to build a railroad network in Thailand using in part American and British POW's. Maybe in the long run it was unfortunate that Thailand was never colonized and, thus, never realized what it took to become a real democratic country. Look around Asia at countries like The Philipines, India, Indoneasia, Malaysia, etc. that were colonized who have since become successful and stable democracies. And while it didn't become a "colony" of America with its defeat in WWII, Japan's dominance by the American victors set it also to become one of the world's strongest economic and democratic nation.

Seeing all the back and forth respites between the Shinawatra's and the Tgaugsubans reminds me of the real life feud between the Hatfiled and McCoy families in America. It involved an election day, gun play, stabbings, and kidnapping. Fortunately the families were poor and lived in the back country where no one else was affected by their turf wars. Unfortunately, 11 million people in Bangkok are right in the middle of a Thai family feud. It wouldn't be so bad if both were banned from holding public office.

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it's not a public place and the hotel does reserve the right as to who it allows in. They probably have international and local tourists staying there and they have a duty of care for their safety as well as ensuring they have an enjoyable stay. They don't want gunfire and grenades in the lobby might scare tourists off.

Reservations were for the farmers. not for the Monk. He can stay at the local Temple if it's not too beneath him.

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The public has a right to know that their money is safe. In the end, it is the very customers of this bank that spoke more loudly than any could have imagined. It was a shout so loud Kittirat had to block his ears. He knows that shout means only one thing - the people will not allow their own money to be put at risk. The people have had it with Kittirat and his manipulations.

Depositor funds are guaranteed like the US FDIC up to a very high limit. There is no risk of loss. It is from certificate of deposits and bank profits that the bank finances business capital requirements.

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Chalerm is trained in drunken boxing, he may actually win the fight! alt=clap2.gif>

But Suthep might win using monkey kung &lt;deleted&gt; - a form of martial arts in which goofy movements are used to distract your opponent.

The EC shouldn't be so concerned. It doesn't have any image that can be tarnished. When it can't figure out what is role and responsibilities are, doesn't know how the Constitution affects its role, and doesn't understand constitutional rights, I don't know how its members can even face a mirror without running under their bed to hide.

Having seen more than my share of it in my lifetime, I'm normally not an advocate for violence. But this shit, on BOTH sides has been going on for so long, with no end in sight, I'm tempted to say "kill them all and let God sort them out".

Do you really mean that? Your as bad as all the ones you want to see killed.

Have a look at his avatar. He's probably got a room full of semi-automatics stashed somewhere.

This is funny. My comment has drawn 2 replies, both from "Newbies". One who, if they had read any of my few hundred + comments would be able to recognize sarcastic whit when they see it, and another making assumptions based on a avatar that has absolutely NOTHING to do with guns, but with Bikes.

Some people are just so easy. alt=cheesy.gif width=32 height=20>

At least you got them engaged in the discussion and if they stay interested they may actually learn enough to make better meaningful comments. Keep your wit coming.

Anyone been watching developments in Kiev, Ukraine with the anit-government protests on CNN? Very extensive and detailed coverage with interviews of government officials, protest leaders and Russian/EU leaders, video camera coverage of the streets, analyst panels discussions, comments from US Congressmen and the Executive Branch.

Then CNN turns to Thailand and you see a 1 minute video clip of Suthep's demonstators from an iPhone, a quick comment with a street protester,a few reported words of encouragement for peace, then end of coverage. Even the Thai US Embassy issues a bland standard comment that Thais solve their issues peacefully and avoid violence.

What is happening to Thailand's democracy is toxic to other democratic nations who are distancing themselves from the tragedy that is choking democracy out of the nation's political life. No one wants to say anything that might encourage the insurrection.

"We don’t want Yingluck to use an office that was built with money from our taxes," he said.

Well sorry, but even I have to disagree with such words. She hasn't been to court yet, and is still caretaker PM. Does he expect her to work from Dubai already?

All government offices are built from tax-payer money, in any country. If he doesn't want her to go to work, fine. But get the accuracy correct, if you please.

LOL Those tanks were bought with my taxes so I have a right to drive one. Or that government land was bought with my taxes so I have a right to raise cattle on it. Just plain silliness.

Stupid question, I know... But, Suthep was not arrested at the meeting?

The military has no jurisdiction to perform a civilian arrest. That is the responsibility of the police. If the protesters were viewed as enemy combatants, the military would have the authority to arrest them. Either the military did not tip off the police of their meeting with Suthep, or did but the police didn't come.