Yellow shirts protesters cleared over 2008 charges

By Kesinee Tangkeaw 
The Nation

 

Pipob Thongchai, Suriyasai Katasila and Somkiat Pongpaiboon talk to reporters in front of a Court on Wednesday//Photo : Kunlaphun Siripimamporn

 

The Appeals Court on Wednesday upheld the First Court’s rulings that dismissed a trial against nine yellow-shirt leaders who demonstrations against late prime minister Samak Sundaravej in 2008.

 

They were found not guilty by the Appeals Court which ruled that their protests under the now-defunct People’s Alliance for Democracy, or so-called yellow shirts, were conducted peacefully and according to democratic principles.

 

They were Chamlong Srimuang, Sondhi Limthongkul, Pipob Thongchai, Somkiat Pongpaiboon, Somsak Kosaisuk, Suriyasai Katasila, Chaiwat Sinsuwongse, Amorn Amornrattanon and Therdpoom Jaidee.

 

They were accused of attempting to use force to change the government and instigating chaos in the country. They moved their protesters around in Bangkok, blocked roads and seized government offices.

 

They were also accused of possessing weapons such as baseball bats, iron bars and catapults.

 

The Appeals Court dismissed the accusation, saying that the public prosecutors could not charge the defendants as they have already faced similar charges in another trial. 

 

The court also found that the defendants were not guilty when they obstructed the authorities’ attempts to demolish their tents, saying that the incident did not start from the defendants’ side.

 

Moreover the weapons, such as axes and iron bars, retrieved from the protest camp may not have belonged to the protesters as they were found after the activists dispersed.

 

The court ruled that the protests led by the nine defendants in 2008 were conducted peacefully, in a manner which was allowed in a democracy and under the Constitution.

 

Somkiat and Suriyasai thanked the court and the justice system for the ruling.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30363234

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-01-30

Wow! What a surprise.

2 hours ago, champers said:

Wow! What a surprise.

A lot of court cases to be closed before election date.

Just in case.

No appeal possible.

Is it 10 years already ! Time flies by but the bad smell just won't go away.

"...The court ruled that the protests led by the nine defendants in 2008 were conducted peacefully, in a manner which was allowed in a democracy and under the Constitution..."

 

It is court rulings like this that condemn Thailand to strife, discord and eternal third-world status.

 

 

 

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

They moved their protesters around in Bangkok, blocked roads and seized government offices.

patently not guilty; thai 'justice'

Thank God!

 

I was so worried, and now finally I can go back to my crossword.

Not the Thai judiciary's finest hour.  Much like the luxury homes on Doi Suthep.  All are cringe worthy.

7 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...The court ruled that the protests led by the nine defendants in 2008 were conducted peacefully, in a manner which was allowed in a democracy and under the Constitution..."

 

It is court rulings like this that condemn Thailand to strife, discord and eternal third-world status.

 

 

 

 

So what are you suggesting the court should do?

 

 

Yellow shirts protesters cleared over 2008 charges

 

Of course they were.

 

The Thai judiciary is nothing if not incorruptible and apolitical. Yessir.

4 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

So what are you suggesting the court should do?

 

 

Erm. Be apolitical and impartial, but that's just a guess…

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The court also found that the defendants were not guilty when they obstructed the authorities’ attempts to demolish their tents, saying that the incident did not start from the defendants’ side.

Oh please…

Well knock me down and call me Susan.