Prosecutors lodge appeal in ‘zero-dollar-tour’ case dismissal

By Kesinee Tangkhieo 
The Nation

 

File photo

 

Public prosecutors on Thursday appealed against the Criminal Court’s decision to drop a legal case against 13 suspects in the so-called “zero-dollar-tour” gang.

 

“We disagree with the decision,” Office of the Attorney-General spokesman Wanchart Santikunchorn said yesterday, as the protest was lodged with the Court of Appeals. 

 

On August 25, the Criminal Court dropped charges against 13 defendants in the high-profile case on grounds of weak evidence. “There has been no evidence solid enough to convict the defendants on the charges levelled against them,” the court said. 

 

The 13 defendants included several members of the Rojrungrangsee family and various firms such as Fuan Travel, OA Transport, Royal Paradise, Bangkok Handicrafts, Royal Gems and Thai Herb.

 

Public prosecutors had charged them with racketeering, money laundering and violating tourism and tour guide laws. The case came up at the time authorities launched a crackdown on tour operators that reportedly offered Chinese visitors free or very low-cost hotel and flight packages to Thailand but then lured them into buying overpriced souvenirs during the trips.

 

According to the allegation, the defendants had taken Bt98million from tourists through the sales of overpriced products. Tour companies received a huge share of benefits – between 30 and 40 per cent – while tour guides pocketed a share of between three and five per cent. 

 

Public prosecutors have said that such operations have damaged the reputation of Thailand and hurt its tourism. 

 

All defendants denied any wrongdoing, arguing that they are not tour operators and thus do not need to seek a license under tourism laws. 

 

They have said they just provide services related to tourism, such as bus rental and shops. 

 

The Criminal Court accepted their claims and dismissed the case against them. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30332354

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-11-23

I'll be the lawyer didn't sing up for the zero dollar payment

so the court accepted the appeal? and will retry this case

 

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Public prosecutors have said that such operations have damaged the reputation of Thailand and hurt its tourism. 

that is pretty far afield from what their job is; a country's image and industries should be left to other people in which their job purview they are 

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Criminal Court accepted their claims and dismissed the case against them. 

But the prosecution wants to try them again - double jeopardy needn't apply?

Not in Thailand's judicial system.

And if that doesn't work, try again in the Supreme Court - triple jeopardy?

No wonder people don't trust the Thai judicial system.

On 11/24/2017 at 7:10 AM, Srikcir said:

But the prosecution wants to try them again - double jeopardy needn't apply?

Not in Thailand's judicial system.

And if that doesn't work, try again in the Supreme Court - triple jeopardy?

No wonder people don't trust the Thai judicial system.

Surely you're from a country where prosecutors can't appeal acquitting sentences. But in most countries is possible and legal e.g. Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, The Netherland, etc.

 

 

 

 

Edited November 26, 20178 yr by paz

10 minutes ago, paz said:

Surely you're from a country where prosecutors can't appeal acquitting sentences. But in most countries is possible and legal e.g. Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, The Netherland, etc.

 

 

 

 

Don't you know the US justice system is the ideal that the world should copy?