Deputy police chief denies envoys attended Thanathorn interrogation

[snoop1130]

Deputy police chief denies envoys attended Thanathorn interrogation 

By The Nation

 

 

The deputy national police commissioner has denied that a group of foreign diplomats joined in an investigation into the Future Forward party leader’s sedition charges on April 6.

 

Pol General Srivara Rangsibhramanakul said the diplomats were invited to a briefing after the interrogation of Thanathorn Jungrungruengkit at Pathum Wan police station finished.

 

The Future Forward leader, facing sedition charges for an alleged offence he committed four years ago, on April 6 tweeted two photos showing the diplomats sitting in a room with Srivara at the top of the table.

 

Thanathorn claimed that the diplomats attended the interrogation.

 

“Observed by the UN, the EU and 11 other foreign embassies, including the US Embassy, during my interrogation by the deputy commissioner of Thailand,” he tweeted.

 

His tweet triggered criticism about why the diplomats were allowed to join the investigation. 

 

Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai lashed out at the diplomats’ presence at the police station, despite the claim that they only wanted to observe the process.

 

Don said the only way a diplomat could attend a police interview was if the suspect was a compatriot.

 

Srivara said the 12 diplomats observed the case. “I did not know how they came up. They began to ask many questions after the questioning of Thanathorn finished. Police then invited them to a briefing,” he said.

 

“They did not attend the questioning. We invited them in for the sake of good manners. They asked, we answered. No problems at all,” he said.

 

Srivara said he was willing to talk to the diplomats to make them feel at ease. He showed them documents concerning the case, such as an order to set up an investigation.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30367478

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-04-10

[YetAnother]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

They asked, we answered. No problems at all,” he said.

all the diplomats have to say is that they were there in unofficial capacity; none of them have said anything from their official capacities; thailand , in particular their foolish foreign minister, is trying to make something from nothing

[jayboy]

The hysterical reaction from the Foreign Minister is in line with similar responses from representatives of repressive regimes.

https://www.dw.com/cda/en/erdogan-slams-foreign-diplomats-for-courtroom-appearance-at-journalists-trial/a-19144174

 

Money quote: "The consul-generals in Istanbul attended the trial. Who are you? What business do you have there? Diplomacy has a certain propriety and manners. This is not your country. This is Turkey," said Erdogan, who is now a co-plaintiff in the case."   Sound familiar?

 

Edited April 11, 2019 by jayboy

[henry15]

More and more I've got the feeling that hes a copy of Thaksin. He uses exactly the same tactics, using  very naive and gullible diplomats to create  an havoc in the international community.   Because the real case is about the shares of his company. That he and his wife sold to  his mother. Don't forget that his uncle was minister in the Yingluck government

[newatthis]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thanathorn claimed that the diplomats attended the interrogation.

 

“Observed by the UN, the EU and 11 other foreign embassies, including the US Embassy, during my interrogation by the deputy commissioner of Thailand,” he tweeted.

 

His tweet triggered criticism about why the diplomats were allowed to join the investigation. 

There must be a different tweet.....I don't read that in the tweet shown here.

[rkidlad]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

“They did not attend the questioning. We invited them in for the sake of good manners. They asked, we answered. No problems at all,” he said.

Seems like the police were happy to have them there. Let the junta take responsibility for their actions instead of always putting it on the police for these silly little accusations. 

[Odysseus123]

57 minutes ago, henry15 said:

More and more I've got the feeling that hes a copy of Thaksin. He uses exactly the same tactics, using  very naive and gullible diplomats to create  an havoc in the international community.   Because the real case is about the shares of his company. That he and his wife sold to  his mother. Don't forget that his uncle was minister in the Yingluck government

And..no doubt you will be back after a quick word with your sponsors..

 

Just tell 'em "You made me look really silly there" and "Can I have my parachute wings now please?"

[hotchilli]

I'm getting bored of the whole fiasco... including the election.

[yellowboat]

1 hour ago, henry15 said:

More and more I've got the feeling that hes a copy of Thaksin. He uses exactly the same tactics, using  very naive and gullible diplomats to create  an havoc in the international community.   Because the real case is about the shares of his company. That he and his wife sold to  his mother. Don't forget that his uncle was minister in the Yingluck government

Yes, it is wrong to stand up to coup leaders, autocrats and generals who like jewelry that is way beyond their means.  Thai people should just know their place.  You are right.  Selling shares to you mom is wrong.  I am sure there is a law against it.  Good point about is father.  His father should have worked for the brave yellows who everyone hates and are lap dogs of the elite if he really wants to prove his love for the army.

 

The international community wants to know if Thailand is worthy.  If I were to be asked, I would say NO.

[Baerboxer]

5 hours ago, jayboy said:

The hysterical reaction from the Foreign Minister is in line with similar responses from representatives of repressive regimes.

https://www.dw.com/cda/en/erdogan-slams-foreign-diplomats-for-courtroom-appearance-at-journalists-trial/a-19144174

 

Money quote: "The consul-generals in Istanbul attended the trial. Who are you? What business do you have there? Diplomacy has a certain propriety and manners. This is not your country. This is Turkey," said Erdogan, who is now a co-plaintiff in the case."   Sound familiar?

 

 

Don't disagree.

 

But let's see how the US reacts, if US authorities question Huwaei's financial director and numerous Asian diplomats turn up to ensure it's all fair and above board.

 

The West pretending to by holier than thou and telling everyone to do as we say, not as we do, again?

 

Don't see them doing this in Russia, China, Pakistan, Middle East etc

[Baerboxer]

2 hours ago, Father Fintan Stack said:

Yes Thais are so clever they can dupe those stupid Western diplomats to do their bidding.

 

Just like Thaksin did.

 

????????????

 

Although the reality is if it suits the West to pretend someone is democratic they will do. If it suits them to leave Juntas, dictators, right wing, left wing, or any wing, in place, they will do.

 

The West are a bunch of self serving hypocrites, who like to put a veneer on things so they can pretend their the "good people".

[sammieuk1]

There seam many reports on Thai news right now of 1681 police and army being suspended hopefully there will be no one left to press phoney sedition charges????

[jayboy]

36 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Don't disagree.

 

But let's see how the US reacts, if US authorities question Huwaei's financial director and numerous Asian diplomats turn up to ensure it's all fair and above board.

 

The West pretending to by holier than thou and telling everyone to do as we say, not as we do, again?

 

Don't see them doing this in Russia, China, Pakistan, Middle East etc

I don't believe there would be any problem at all if Chinese/other diplomats wanted to observe the Huawei case.

 

As to Thailand, you make a fair point (regarding Western hypocrisy) though I'm not convinced you grasp all the implications. It's because of Western hypocrisy that nothing will actually be done by the West about Thailand's abuses including the ridiculous campaign against Thanathorn. Thailand is a friendly state and despite the joke politics isn't actually murdering its citizens (well not very many). There's a vibrant civil society and hope for the future. More cynically the West doesn't want to see Chinese influence extend much further. Thailand doesn't cause any international problems. In short, the old dinosaurs now in charge don't need to worry about foreign interference. It won't happen.

 

Indeed it's quite odd that the old guard reacted so fiercely. The best policy from their point of view would have been to keep quiet and let these junior diplomats do their thing.

 

By going ape, we all could smell their fear.

[Eric Loh]

40 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Although the reality is if it suits the West to pretend someone is democratic they will do. If it suits them to leave Juntas, dictators, right wing, left wing, or any wing, in place, they will do.

 

The West are a bunch of self serving hypocrites, who like to put a veneer on things so they can pretend their the "good people".

Would be rather easy for the west to know whether Thailand is democratic; no need for pretense.  Seized power from elected government, coup government, election after 5 years and the excessive human rights abuses are sufficient  telling evidence for the diplomats to be concerned. I am glad they did.