2 hours ago, Eligius said:

Yes, I, too, was pleasantly surprised to see that Thanathorn was actually accompanied inside the police station by representatives from several international bodies (including the E.U.).

As for the turn-out of the populace: I'm sorry - but I just do not find it impressive. Other countries have faced similar (and worse) oppression and masses and masses of people came out. We can't keep on and on and on and on, year after year after year, making excuses for the Thais. They clearly still do not have the will to take back their country. 

Will they ever?

(Oh, and please don't say: 'Wait and see'. We have been waiting and seeing all too clearly for 5 years ...).

 

Seems to me he has mass support proven by the election results but many folks somewhat frightened of open protests.

 

And there's lots of history as to why they're hesitant to get into big rallies etc. 

 

 

2 hours ago, Eligius said:

I predicted that Thanathorn would be lucky if a thousand demonstrators showed up.

I was right.

Nah, I counted 1001. You have to count the 2 soi dogs who came along also.

1 hour ago, bannork said:

I don't know the procedures for that in Thailand

The announcement of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) no. 37/2014, 38/2014 and 50/2014  set a new practice that civilians can also be tried in the military court including:

• Charge against the King and Royal family, under section 107-112 of the Criminal Code
• Charge against national security, under section 113-118 of the Penal Code

There is neither an Appeal Court nor Supreme Court on the military court procedure under the martial law.

Judges are all military officers. The 3 judges form a court panel, 2 of the judges are high-ranking army officials and they are not required to hold a degree in law. 

https://freedom.ilaw.or.th/en/blog/military-court-thailand-under-ncpo-regime

Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army is General Apirat Kongsompong.

https://www.thailandnews.co/2018/09/it-is-official-general-apirat-kongsompong-is-new-army-chief/

It would appear that the junta is following the practices of Cambodia's Hun Sen.. Any opposition that can cause problems to the government need to disappear off the radar.. That's how to retain power and keep a strong strangle hold on any opposition threat.. 

Why wasn't he charged in 2015 when he supposedly committed the offenses?

Why bring it up when his party may help stop the military staying in power????

Young people turned out in '73 and '76. Many were killed. The young Thai people of today are angry, but mindful of what took place 40 years ago.

1 hour ago, Kaoboi Bebobp said:

 

What? The Reuters stories? Syndicated news releases? You're grasping at straws. You don't have a clue.  The question is why? Maybe you ought to ask your minders to let you out of your room and go play in the flower bed this afternoon, because your drugs are not working. 

 Both Reuters and AP have been critized many times for news articles re Thailand and in many other countries.

The biggest worry is he is to be tried in a MILITARY Court not a civilian Court. God help this country because normal Thais won't.

Edited April 6, 20197 yr by BobBKK

3 hours ago, Eligius said:

I predicted that Thanathorn would be lucky if a thousand demonstrators showed up.

I was right.

Yes you were but no-one really disputed your statement,my friend.

 

I for one think that things are on hold pending the Coronation but-given this evening's development-who knows?

 

It's a tad to Kafkaesque for me to figure out.

3 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Thanathorn also faces a separate cybercrime charge over a speech he made on Facebook criticizing the junta in July.

Good that nobody ever criticizes those fine fellows in these parts.... ????

2 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Only the charges against Thaksin and various other members of his extended family weren't trumped up. 

 

These, we'll have to wait and see. 

The charges that actually led to a conviction were trumped up. There is little doubt everywhere in the world. Reason why both can freely travel the world. 

 

These charges are trumped up as well. Technically speaking, he aided someone that broke no law. the 2007 constitution allowed Thai citizens the right to protest. that constitution was torn to pieces illegally, and before the criminals that did this are charged, any other charge is meaningless. 

 

The wrong person is being prosecuted, Prayuth should be charged for tearing up the 2007 constitution and staging a coup. And he should be taken care of urgently, as what they are doing now will no longer stand. They must realize this is not last century, and Thailand will face immense pressure if this charade will continue. 

34 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Seems to me he has mass support proven by the election results but many folks somewhat frightened of open protests.

 

And there's lots of history as to why they're hesitant to get into big rallies etc. 

 

 

Yes, because the Thai military has itchy trigger fingers, and has repeatedly used them against the citizens they are paid to protect !

28 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

The announcement of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) no. 37/2014, 38/2014 and 50/2014  set a new practice that civilians can also be tried in the military court including:

• Charge against the King and Royal family, under section 107-112 of the Criminal Code
• Charge against national security, under section 113-118 of the Penal Code

There is neither an Appeal Court nor Supreme Court on the military court procedure under the martial law.

Judges are all military officers. The 3 judges form a court panel, 2 of the judges are high-ranking army officials and they are not required to hold a degree in law. 

https://freedom.ilaw.or.th/en/blog/military-court-thailand-under-ncpo-regime

Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army is General Apirat Kongsompong.

https://www.thailandnews.co/2018/09/it-is-official-general-apirat-kongsompong-is-new-army-chief/

Nope. No kangaroos in that lot.

According to iLaw, Patumwan precinct have no authority to summon Thanathorn because

the precinct where the alleged offence took place is Samranrad not Patumwan. Perhaps they'll have to start all over again.

3 hours ago, CanuckThai said:

Awwww...look at you.  Good for you big guy.  Let's get you a snow cone.   

Don't forget the secret decoder ring, membership card and whistle

Edited April 6, 20197 yr by jmd8800

No surprise here. He's a big future threat so whisk him away to a prison cell. 

So Prayut and Prem can keep running the circus.

I was back home in Australia for the election and in the world media Thailand is political joke. Just like Australia is and  about to become 

Morons running the show. Mummy when do the clowns come on??? 

 

This is Not Good. 

3 hours ago, bowerboy said:

How many students are there in Bangkok? Where were they? All they had to do was go and stand there...there would of been no risk.

Pretty sure the 'security forces' film these gatherings. And under a military dictatorship sticking your head above the political parapet always involves risk. It's just a matter of degree.

45 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

Young people turned out in '73 and '76. Many were killed. The young Thai people of today are angry, but mindful of what took place 40 years ago.

40 years ago. And nearly 20 years ago, 200 young unarmed not violent Thais shot and killed in Bkk.

 

Given the recent aggressive intimidating statements from the current army chief (his father was the army general who ordered the attacks on civilians nearly 20 years go) I'm not surprised people are hesitant to physically join protests or support groups. 

 

 

3 hours ago, CanuckThai said:

Awwww...look at you.  Good for you big guy.  Let's get you a snow cone.   

I think you are completely missing the point. It isn't about predicting and being proud of it. It's about predicting that as no masses stood against the junta for anything they did in the past four years they'd do the same here. The junta have taken the masses for granted and it looks as though they've got it right. It's all 'Mia pen rai'. If the masses don't stand up for their own, what chance has anyone else got?

1 minute ago, TKDfella said:

I think you are completely missing the point. It isn't about predicting and being proud of it. It's about predicting that as no masses stood against the junta for anything they did in the past four years they'd do the same here. The junta have taken the masses for granted and it looks as though they've got it right. It's all 'Mia pen rai'. If the masses don't stand up for their own, what chance has anyone else got?

No masses stood up? how could they when it was "banned" to congregate more than 5 people, they made it so the masses were unable to stand up - & the democratic west watched!

2 minutes ago, CGW said:

No masses stood up? how could they when it was "banned" to congregate more than 5 people, they made it so the masses were unable to stand up - & the democratic west watched!

Yep, proving the point.

After thirty-two years here, it is sad to see history repeating itself yet again, and Thailand returned to tinpot dictatorship, with constitutions routinely flouted and the rule of law repeatedly corrupted by self-serving poodles of the establishment. It is not possible to predict what twists and turns may happen in the future, but history teaches that sooner or later this latest coven of thieves and bandits will be replaced, and will fade ignominiously into the past, as others have done.

2 minutes ago, PerkinsCuthbert said:

After thirty-two years here, it is sad to see history repeating itself yet again, and Thailand returned to tinpot dictatorship, with constitutions routinely flouted and the rule of law repeatedly corrupted by self-serving poodles of the establishment. It is not possible to predict what twists and turns may happen in the future, but history teaches that sooner or later this latest coven of thieves and bandits will be replaced, and will fade ignominiously into the past, as others have done.

one can only hope so but with the technical introduction and abuse of mass surveillance and monitoring we now have the perfect operating grounds for repression worldwide.

If are you throwing rocks against the bees hive, technically makes them extremely aggressive and they will strike back non-stop.

So much for "Democracy"!!

 

"Thanathorn also faces a separate cybercrime charge over a speech he made on Facebook criticizing the junta in July."

Edited April 6, 20197 yr by sambum

2 hours ago, Eligius said:

And have you seen the video of the masses and masses and millions and millions of outraged, furious Thais outside that police station - demonstrating for democracy and in defence of Thanathorn?

 

I have just seen it. Except that the masses of Thais forgathered there .....

BARELY REACHED ONE THOUSAND.

 

Says it all  - as I -- and others -- have predicted all along.

 

One word....FEAR

Just now, maddox41 said:

No surprise here. He's a big future threat so whisk him away to a prison cell. 

So Prayut and Prem can keep running the circus.

I was back home in Australia for the election and in the world media Thailand is political joke. Just like Australia is and  about to become 

Morons running the show. Mummy when do the clowns come on??? 

 

In the Case of THAILAND.  Crims running the jail.

 

28 minutes ago, PerkinsCuthbert said:

After thirty-two years here, it is sad to see history repeating itself yet again, and Thailand returned to tinpot dictatorship, with constitutions routinely flouted and the rule of law repeatedly corrupted by self-serving poodles of the establishment. It is not possible to predict what twists and turns may happen in the future, but history teaches that sooner or later this latest coven of thieves and bandits will be replaced, and will fade ignominiously into the past, as others have done.

Trump is sure sitting a good example, i am sure he would love to lock up a few reporters.  the press is the enemy of the people.

Edited April 6, 20197 yr by malibukid

1 hour ago, bowerboy said:

 

Millions is unrealistic but why not a decent chunk of the youth that voted for him in Bangkok.

 

In the UK in the eighties people took to the streets in their millions to protest Poll Tax and that was far less menacing a prospect than what is happening here. 

 

Nonone was calling for violence. All they had to do was stand there. When we were youth we travelled all over southern England to protest Poll Tax.

How many time did you get shot at ?