Ex-DSI head Tarit gets year in jail for libelling Suthep

[webfact]

Ex-DSI head Tarit gets year in jail for libelling Suthep

By The Nation

 

 

Despite his confession, former Department of Special Investigation (DSI) director-general Tarit Pengdit was sentenced by the Supreme Court on Friday to a year in jail for libel.

 

The highest court reversed the verdicts by the lower Criminal Court and the Appeals Court that found him not guilty of the charge.

 

In February 2013, former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban filed the libel lawsuit against Tarit for having suggested that Suthep had employed political influence regarding bidding for a government project to build 396 police stations all over the country.

 

Construction of the project has remained uncompleted until now.

 

Earlier this week, the defendant submitted his written confession and withdrew his testimony given at trial at the lower courts.

 

Also, Tarit on Thursday had his lawyer place a Bt100,000 payment with the court intended as compensation for the plaintiff.

 

It was reported earlier that Tarit sought an out-of-court settlement with Suthep, 69, through mediation by a respected figure in legal circles.

 

The DSI ex-chief, 60, showed up at the Supreme Court on Chaeng Wattana Road early on Friday morning, over an hour before the court was scheduled to read its verdict at 9am.

 

The court rejected Tarit’s confession and withdrawal of testimony, explaining that those could not be done at this stage.

 

Regarding Tarit’s claim that he had reached an out-of-court settlement with Suthep, the court said no accord had been reached through negotiation, as the plaintiff did not want to compromise. The court ordered that the defendant’s Bt100,000 payment returned.

 

The top court then sentenced Tarit to a year’s imprisonment without suspension. After the verdict, he was accompanied by Corrections Department officials to Bangkok Remand Prison.

 

In his lawsuit, Suthep claimed that while serving as the DSI chief, Tarit had held press conferences between January 21 and February 4, 2013. Tarit told the media that the former deputy premier had instructed the Royal Thai Police, which was then under his supervision, to limit bidding to only one contractor for the entire country-wide project rather than allow bids for one contractor for each of the 10 regional police bureaux.

 

Suthep’s lawyer Sawat Charoenpol said on Friday that Tarit had sought an out-of-court settlement with the plaintiff, through mediation by many senior figures including former attorney general Kanit Nanakorn. 

 

“But Suthep did not agree to a settlement because he had to consult with his legal team,” the lawyer said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30360387

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-12-14

[Hummin]

Suthep should have been jailed for murder, corruption and so many other things, but this is Thailand. 

[londonthai]

so not all courts are corrupted and manipulated by army, but the supreme court clearly is

[candide]

Tarit is a crook, but one year for 'defaming' Suthep on the police station case is another proof of the double standards of the Thai judiciary. Yet some people will argue that someone is a criminal for being convicted by a Thai court. Lol!

[rooster59]

Confession does not win freedom for Tarit

By THE NATION WEEKEND

 

 

DESPITE confessing, former Department of Special Investigation (DSI) director-general Tarit Pengdit’s hopes for more lenient treatment were dashed when the Supreme Court sentenced him on Friday to a year in jail for libel.

The highest court reversed the verdicts by the lower Criminal and Appeals courts that found him not guilty.

 

In February 2013, former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban filed a libel lawsuit against Tarit for having suggested that the minister had employed political influence in bidding for a government project to build 396 police stations across the nation.

 

The project remains uncompleted as of now. 

 

Earlier this week, the defendant submitted a written confession and withdrew the testimony he had given to the lower courts. On Thursday, Tarit also had his lawyer make a Bt100,000 payment with the court intended as compensation for the plaintiff.

 

It was reported earlier that Tarit sought an out-of-court settlement with Suthep, 69, through mediation by a respected figure in legal circles.

 

The DSI ex-chief, 60, showed up at Supreme Court on Chaeng Wattana Road early Friday morning, well over an hour before the court was scheduled to read its verdict at 9am.

 

The court rejected Tarit’s confession and withdrawal of testimony, saying these actions cannot be taken at this stage. 

 

As for Tarit’s claim that he had reached an out-of-court settlement with Suthep, the court said no accord had been reached, as the plaintiff did not wish to compromise. The court also ordered that the defendant’s Bt100,000 be returned.

 

The Supreme Court then issued a verdict, sentencing Tarit to a year in prison without suspension. After the verdict, Corrections Department officials escorted Tarit to the Bangkok Remand Prison.

 

In his lawsuit, Suthep claimed that while serving as DSI chief, Tarit had held press conferences between January 21 and February 4, 2013 and told the media that the former deputy PM had instructed the Royal Thai Police to limit the bidding to just one contractor. 

 

Suthep, at the time, was in charge of the police bureau. 

 

Suthep’s lawyer Sawat Charoenpol said on Friday that Tarit had sought an out-of-court settlement with the plaintiff, through mediation by many senior figures including former attorney-general Kanit Nanakorn.

 

“But Suthep did not agree to a settlement, because he had to consult with his legal team,” the lawyer said.

 

No special treatment

 

Meanwhile, Corrections Depart-ment director-general Naras Saves-tanan said on Friday that Tarit would not get any special treatment while in prison, even though he was a senior official at the Justice Ministry and once his boss.

 

“I have no worries, as I am carrying out my duty in accordance with court orders,” Naras said. 

 

Just like other new inmates, Tarit will be held at the prison’s “initiation zone” for about two weeks, to familiarise himself with the new environment, before he is moved to another area, the official added. 

 

In addition to getting fingerprinted and having their details recorded, new inmates also have to undergo a medical check-up to determine if they have any health problems, Naras said. 

 

He noted that inmates who are 60 or above, like Tarit, often come with health problems, if not a chronic disease. 

 

Inmates with health problems can bring along their medicines, and those who become ill while serving time, have the right to get treatment at the prison’s clinic or at the Corrections Hospital if the case is severe, the official added. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30360420

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-12-15

[YetAnother]

15 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Confession does not win freedom for Tarit

it is misguided to think/expect a confession to gain one's freedom from a conviction

[thaifan01]

Sabai sabai

[yellowboat]

18 hours ago, webfact said:

In February 2013, former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban filed the libel lawsuit against Tarit for having suggested that Suthep had employed political influence regarding bidding for a government project to build 396 police stations all over the country.

 

Construction of the project has remained uncompleted until now.

Too bad he could not prove it .  Seems like a terrible waste of tax payer money
 

 

 

[boonrawdcnx]

so not all courts are corrupted and manipulated by army, but the supreme court clearly is

Clearly yes - it is absurd that the Supreme Court of any country would even hear a “libel” case - ridiculous!

In most countries this would be simply a civil matter - one would think the Supreme Court has more important cases to consider than a simple libel case.

 

But in Thailand the criminal libel law is of course a political tool for the rich and powerful to silence opponents -combined with corrupt courts it is very effective.

 

The unfinished police stations and the enormous corruption, waste of tax payers money involved all over the country seem to be of much lesser interest.

 

The fact that an “influential, respected figure” tried to intervene also in this case shows the infantile, corrupt, mafia style mindset that exists in this country in the highest circles.

 

I still can not understand the people of Bangkok supporting this corrupt, lying , cheating scoundrel - who’s name starts with S. And who should be in prison since years. I think the so called “educated middle class” the Thai press likes to call them are mostly uneducated, easily manipulated, arrogant Thais who are inhaling too much exhaust fumes every day - clouding their judgment. Or maybe they are simply - what they accused the country folks to be during Suthep’s rallies - stupid!?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[robblok]

6 hours ago, candide said:

Tarit is a crook, but one year for 'defaming' Suthep on the police station case is another proof of the double standards of the Thai judiciary. Yet some people will argue that someone is a criminal for being convicted by a Thai court. Lol!

Sometimes a conviction is just a confirmation of what we know, however not being convicted does not mean they are not a criminal especially if they are rich and powerful.

 

Anyway good that Tarit got what he deserved, lil turncoat. Yes Suthep is probably worse then Tarit but we still got a Charlem walking around who outclasses (in evilness)  Suthep again IMHO. 

[Srikcir]

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

The highest court reversed the verdicts by the lower Criminal and Appeals courts that found him not guilty.

How is this not Triple jeopardy?

Keep trying someone accused of a crime until a guilty verdict finally results.

This undemocratic kind of judicial process allows itself to become very politicalized.

[Pedrogaz]

Scandalous. 

[Chris Lawrence]

Only one contractor, only one envelope.

[Burma Bill]

If anyone should be jailed S..... is a prime candidate, along with other yellow leaders, who authorized the shooting of innocent civilians including a nurse (attending to the injured) and foreign correspondents covering the rioting by reds.

[scorecard]

44 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

If anyone should be jailed S..... is a prime candidate, along with other yellow leaders, who authorized the shooting of innocent civilians including a nurse (attending to the injured) and foreign correspondents covering the rioting by reds.

 

"if anyone should be jailed S....... . No further comment needed.

 

And did anybody notice the item in the paper we cannot mention today, mentioning another S who probably should be in jail for rice trading stuff, has also fled, not heard of / from for about 3 months.

 

Bottom line; should be jailed is a very long list and without any doubt includes all colours.

 

One by one...

 

[Eric Loh]

38 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Bottom line; should be jailed is a very long list and without any doubt includes all colours.

  

Commendable post but lacking in reality. 

[robblok]

2 hours ago, Srikcir said:

How is this not Triple jeopardy?

Keep trying someone accused of a crime until a guilty verdict finally results.

This undemocratic kind of judicial process allows itself to become very politicalized.

I thought you would understand something like this.. it just worked up higher courts its the same all over the world you can go a few courts higher without it being Triple jeopardy.

 

[scorecard]

55 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

Commendable post but lacking in reality. 

 So if lacking in reality how is it commendable? Or just your sticky fingers can't keep away from the keyboard - desperate to post?. And did you write the words yourself?

[Baerboxer]

On 12/15/2018 at 9:54 AM, boonrawdcnx said:

Clearly yes - it is absurd that the Supreme Court of any country would even hear a “libel” case - ridiculous!

In most countries this would be simply a civil matter - one would think the Supreme Court has more important cases to consider than a simple libel case.

 

But in Thailand the criminal libel law is of course a political tool for the rich and powerful to silence opponents -combined with corrupt courts it is very effective.

 

The unfinished police stations and the enormous corruption, waste of tax payers money involved all over the country seem to be of much lesser interest.

 

The fact that an “influential, respected figure” tried to intervene also in this case shows the infantile, corrupt, mafia style mindset that exists in this country in the highest circles.

 

I still can not understand the people of Bangkok supporting this corrupt, lying , cheating scoundrel - who’s name starts with S. And who should be in prison since years. I think the so called “educated middle class” the Thai press likes to call them are mostly uneducated, easily manipulated, arrogant Thais who are inhaling too much exhaust fumes every day - clouding their judgment. Or maybe they are simply - what they accused the country folks to be during Suthep’s rallies - stupid!?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

Court of First Instance, Appeals Court, Supreme Court.

 

You do appreciate that appeals to court verdicts go upwards don't you?

[JAG]

3 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Court of First Instance, Appeals Court, Supreme Court.

 

You do appreciate that appeals to court verdicts go upwards don't you?

In a "more conventional" judicial system, if you are found not guilty, that verdict is unlikely to be appealed to a higher court? I think that is where comments about double or triple jeopardy are coming from.

 

Let's leave to one side the absurdity of one corrupt political crook damaging the reputation of another...

Edited December 16, 2018 by JAG

[bangrak]

When it would have been a red militia scum shooting grenades at civilians found not guilty by the Court because of, hum, hum, lack of evidence, I know about 20 posters reacting on the present article who would NOT have found any need, ...or obligation, to 'contribute', or maybe to praise a just sentence.

Who said: opinions are like a..holes, it is healthy for all of us to have one, but the trouble is with comes out of it. (or something like it)

I won't write the list of the 'usual suspects' here, obviouly re-inforced by some 'energetic' (rabid?) more recent acquisitions of the Shins' propaganda brigade, but come on guys, the bunch of you 'breaking a lance' for for that *&#µ§ of a Tarit? How ridiculous are you? This snake was 'created' as head of the DSI by Suthep himself, serving his (first) master's aims as the vile bootlicker he is, one of being the hunt on Thaksin & Co.'s dirty tricks. It made of him one of the top-targets for UDD, PTP and all things Shin, for the day they would regain power. But guess what (my guess is he had mega-large, well protected, files incriminating 'the family'), he went abroad to meet Thaksin, and all got fine for him inn a snap: he retained the job, with some extra's, and served Thaksin and the clan in an even much more vicious way than he had served Suthep just before...

This is the guy you come up for today? Is it? Oh well, when you have to support a Chalerm to be in-line with the ones giving the orders, why no a Tarit, a ..., no that list of dirtbags would really be too long, even far longer IMO than the massive collection of trash 'invited' to support a(nother, military) dictator.

Oh, Thailand!