Decision soon on Thaksin criminal cases

By The Nation

 

 

The government will decide by the middle of this month whether to revive two criminal cases against fugitive ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Attorney-General Khemchai Chutiwong late last month appointed prosecutors to work on the two matters and is considering whether to proceed with them in Thaksin’s absence, according to a source at the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG).

 

The two issues, which relate to the Krungthai Bank loan scandal and mobile phone concession fee changes, have been suspended since Thaksin fled the country in 2008.

 

They are among six outstanding cases against Thaksin, who has already been found guilty in the Ratchadaphisek land deal case, for which he was sentenced to two years in prison in 2008.

 

The OAG also agreed to a police request to charge Thaksin with lese majeste following an interview he gave in South Korea.

 

Khemchai vowed last month to reactivate the suspended cases as allowed by the new law on criminal procedures for political office holders.

 

While the previous process did not allow court trials in absentia, Article 69 of the new law stipulates that legal action can be taken, provided these cases had not been concluded before the new law took effect.

 

Article 28 also says that the Supreme Court can deliberate cases in absentia if defendants fail to appear before the court.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30330715

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-11-03

11 minutes ago, webfact said:

While the previous process did not allow court trials in absentia, Article 69 of the new law stipulates that legal action can be taken, provided these cases had not been concluded before the new law took effect.

long overdue; a large gap in the former laws

Wasn't Andy Hall 'let off' of a defamation charge because he made 'defamatory' remarks abroad? Does this not also apply with LM? 

 

I really don't even know why I'm asking. It's all just made up on a whim anyway. LM means there can be no real consistency in any laws here. 

Edited November 3, 20178 yr by rkidlad

4 hours ago, rkidlad said:

Wasn't Andy Hall 'let off' of a defamation charge because he made 'defamatory' remarks abroad? Does this not also apply with LM? 

 

I really don't even know why I'm asking. It's all just made up on a whim anyway. LM means there can be no real consistency in any laws here. 

 

Thaksin was charged over remarks he made in a video to supporters who were then illegally occupying Bangkok. He was let off because a judge decided he made the remarks from outside of Thailand so couldn't be prosecuted. Or words to that effect.

 

However, the two older cases involve events and actions when he was in Thailand.

 

 

59 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Thaksin was charged over remarks he made in a video to supporters who were then illegally occupying Bangkok. He was let off because a judge decided he made the remarks from outside of Thailand so couldn't be prosecuted. Or words to that effect.

 

However, the two older cases involve events and actions when he was in Thailand.

 

 

Okay, but they said they've agreed to go forward with some LM remarks made in S Korea. Which is what I'm talking about. 

 

'The OAG also agreed to a police request to charge Thaksin with lese majeste following an interview he gave in South Korea'