Foreign Ministry clarifies Thai military court system

 

   

BANGKOK, 12 April 2019 (NNT) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a press release regarding factual accounts on trials before the military courts of persons accused of committing offences from the early administration of the current government in 2014 to 12 September 2016. 

 

The press release reads:

 

1. Thailand, similar to many other countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, and various countries in Europe, has long been using the system of military courts. Although practices may differ between countries, military courts are not established with the purpose of targeting particular individuals. The Military Courts form part of the judicial system under Chapter X (The Courts) of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, which also includes the Courts of Justice and the Administrative Courts. The Constitution also affirms the principles that trial and adjudication of cases must be carried out in accordance with the laws and in the name of the Monarch, and judges and justices are independent in trial and adjudication of cases, in accordance with the Constitution and laws in the expeditious and fair manner, and without any partiality. 

 

2. Under the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) Announcements No. 37/2557 and No. 38/2557, legal proceedings against persons accused of committing certain categories of offences under the Criminal Code, including Section 116 and other offences such as Section 189, shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Military Courts. Subsequently, NCPO Order No. 55/2559 dated 12 September 2016 pronounces that such offences committed from 12 September 2016 shall be under the jurisdiction of the Courts of Justice, whereas offences committed prior to the date of the Order shall remain under the jurisdiction of the Military Courts. Alleged offenders or defendants have the right to a lawyer and the right to appeal against judgement of the Military Courts, in a similar manner to cases before the Courts of Justice. However, should the alleged offenders or the defendants wish to contest the competent jurisdiction of the Military Courts, they may file a request to the Committee on Jurisdiction of Courts, presided by the President of the Supreme Court, in accordance with Section 192 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, for the cases to be tried before the Court of Justice.

 

3. The case of Mr. Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, et al., on 24 June 2015

Mr. Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, et al., have been accused of committing offences in violation of Sections 116 and other offences under Section 189 of the Criminal Code, on 24 June 2015 (before the issuance of the NCPO Order No. 55/2559 dated 12 September 2016). Thus, this case falls into the criteria stated in Paragraph 2 above.

 

The proceedings shall be in accordance with laws and the Rule of Law. The alleged offenders or the defendants have the right to open trial in the expeditious and fair manner, and without any partiality, under our long-established judicial system, and are protected under the standards laid out in the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand in the same manner as in other civilised nations.

 

-- © Copyright nnt 2019-04-12

7 minutes ago, webfact said:

The proceedings shall be in accordance with laws and the Rule of Law. The alleged offenders or the defendants have the right to open trial in the expeditious and fair manner, and without any partiality, under our long-established judicial system, and are protected under the standards laid out in the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand in the same manner as in other civilised nations.

Cant say I recall the United Kingdom using a military court system against a political opponent.

Just now, Tilacme said:

Cant say I recall the United Kingdom using a military court system against a political opponent.

Certainly not since Oliver Cromwell was Lord Protector

3 minutes ago, ThaiBunny said:

Certainly not since Oliver Cromwell was Lord Protector

Think the junta is getting confused and attempting to justify its current antics to the international audience. Only as usual a significant degree of ignorance is shown and all they have done is illustrated further their level of ignorance and hence become a laughing stock to that audience.

Gotta love how Thailand likes to use whataboutism to justify their immorality. I wonder if some posters on here who do the same will understand the irony.

I suppose one thing about all this:

It shows the junta is worried about world opinion regarding Thailand, otherwise they wouldn't have had to go to the trouble of trying to bullshit explain why they are trying to get rid of Thanathorn.

 

Their spin-doctor group must have had sleepless nights over the past week, coming up with this rubbish, and a reason to get a military court involved.

Even Hun Sen will be amused by the latitude by which Thailand military court operate. 

 

The Military Court is located in Phnom Penh and is a court of first instance that has exclusive jurisdiction over cases involving military offenses or any offenses affecting the property of the armed forces committed by military personnel.

Thai junta clarifies the ways of Thai military court:

 

"This is an age-old system enshrined in all civilised countries throughout the world. It means that the court has full and total rights to convict ANYONE of ANY crime which we the regime choose to frame the defendant for. No defence lawyer is allowed - as that could 'cause confusion' amongst the Thai public. But everyone can be assured that the military court will only convict 'bad people', as the court is run by 'very good people indeed'. No need for any oversight or scrutiny or questions: we are Thais - 'good Thais' - and you can rely on whatever B.S. we spout into your downtrodden faces!"

 

 

Edited April 12, 20197 yr by Eligius

They missed out point 4. 

 

4: Guarantees any verdict and sentence we wish.  

What really scratches at my s(rotum is how my Ambassador and just about every other countries Ambassadors and their government Ministers give legitimacy to these unelected criminal morons being photographed standing, sitting and shaking hands with the boss. Wouldn't happen in many if any other countries where the army took control of a country through a coup.  

2 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

As ever, Thai words COMPLETELY and laughably detached from reality. 

14 minutes ago, Nip said:

What really scratches at my s(rotum is how my Ambassador and just about every other countries Ambassadors and their government Ministers give legitimacy to these unelected criminal morons being photographed standing, sitting and shaking hands with the boss. Wouldn't happen in many if any other countries where the army took control of a country through a coup.  

I think Thailand is so insignificant globally that almost nobody really cares.

 

Nobody takes Thailand seriously, and Thailand contributes nothing to the world of any significant use and not anything that can't be gotten from any other backward, undeveloped country. 

'Rule of Law'; what rule of law?    There's not much evidence that it exists. 

32 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

'Rule of Law'; what rule of law?    There's not much evidence that it exists. 

Prayut's Rule of Law: Article 44.

6 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

Prayut's Rule of Law: Article 44.

ah yes, the 'what I says goes' rule. Forgot that one. 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Although practices may differ between countries, military courts are not established with the purpose of targeting particular individuals.

Which makes Thailand and the Prayut regime an outlier, totally inconsistent with democratic countries throughout the world.

By the very nature of Thailand's military government to unilaterally try civilians in a military court is in itself a political act with intention to deprive "particular" Thai persons of their basic human rights required under the Thai Constitution.

Prayut is Chief of the NCPO.

He has declared himself a "politician" but has the power to convene a military trial against any Thai.

He has, thus, weaponized the military court for political purposes. It is a court where a civilian is tried not by his civilian peers but by military generals with no appeal.

On 4/12/2019 at 2:57 PM, Fex Bluse said:

Nobody takes Thailand seriously

The new American oligarchy does.

"It’s a great honor to have Prime Minister Prayut of Thailand and Mrs. Prayut.  This is a very great honor for us." - Trump https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-prime-minister-prayut-chan-o-cha-thailand-bilateral-meeting/

 

1 hour ago, Srikcir said:

The new American oligarchy does.

"It’s a great honor to have Prime Minister Prayut of Thailand and Mrs. Prayut.  This is a very great honor for us." - Trump https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-prime-minister-prayut-chan-o-cha-thailand-bilateral-meeting/

 

To anyone who believes such democratic courtesy talk, sure, it would appear that the President of the United States is very honored. In fact, nearly every nation's leader is honored to meet every other one. 

That might work for uneducated people-time to join the adults 

Edited April 14, 20197 yr by Redline

On 4/12/2019 at 2:41 PM, Nip said:

What really scratches at my s(rotum is how my Ambassador and just about every other countries Ambassadors and their government Ministers give legitimacy to these unelected criminal morons being photographed standing, sitting and shaking hands with the boss. Wouldn't happen in many if any other countries where the army took control of a country through a coup.  

You fail to understand politics and diplomacy.

Thailand is a strategic placed country.

US dumped it after the coup. China moved in.

Thailand purchased billions of dollars of China produced military equipment.

Now the west is trying to woo.

Don't blame Thailand, one Thai strategy is to play your enemies/contestants off against each other.

I believe that Thailand is fully aligned with China.

And the west gave an ally away, through interference and stupid stiff necked politics.

 

6 hours ago, Srikcir said:

The new American oligarchy does.

"It’s a great honor to have Prime Minister Prayut of Thailand and Mrs. Prayut.  This is a very great honor for us." - Trump https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-prime-minister-prayut-chan-o-cha-thailand-bilateral-meeting/

 

Unnerving parallels between the junta's creative efforts to neutralize their opponent and Trump's political opposition.  Both claim they are simply carrying out their duties without any malice of political motivation.  Not a statement support for either target, just an observation of the obvious.

Edited April 14, 20197 yr by 55Jay

The press release reads: 
1. Thailand, similar to many other countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, and various countries in Europe, has long been using the system of military courts. Although practices may differ between countries, military courts are not established with the purpose of targeting particular individuals. 

True elsewhere but BS in Thailand.

On 4/12/2019 at 12:32 PM, webfact said:

Under the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) Announcements No. 37/2557 and No. 38/2557

End  of  discussion,  not  valid,  not democratically  elected, shove it  up your......

On 4/12/2019 at 8:57 AM, Fex Bluse said:

I think Thailand is so insignificant globally that almost nobody really cares.

 

Nobody takes Thailand seriously, and Thailand contributes nothing to the world of any significant use and not anything that can't be gotten from any other backward, undeveloped country. 

What about that great Thai philosopher eh what's his name? Mathematician, humanitarian, the Thai guy who won the Nobel prize for eh? The legendary Hollywood actor, band leader, musician, opera singer, eh footballer, boxer, Booker prize winner, explorer, astronaut, poet, playwright, racing driver eh get your point. That all said they still manage to control every single foreign mission in the Thiefdom sorry Kingdom.  

On 4/12/2019 at 2:41 PM, Nip said:

What really scratches at my s(rotum is how my Ambassador and just about every other countries Ambassadors and their government Ministers give legitimacy to these unelected criminal morons being photographed standing, sitting and shaking hands with the boss. Wouldn't happen in many if any other countries where the army took control of a country through a coup.  

 

Well it actually just shows how corrupt the entire world is. If Thailand had economic power and natural resources, we would have seen something totally different. Maybe even an invasion to “save democracy”

Edited April 15, 20197 yr by khunpa

4 hours ago, Nip said:

What about that great Thai philosopher eh what's his name? Mathematician, humanitarian, the Thai guy who won the Nobel prize for eh? The legendary Hollywood actor, band leader, musician, opera singer, eh footballer, boxer, Booker prize winner, explorer, astronaut, poet, playwright, racing driver eh get your point. That all said they still manage to control every single foreign mission in the Thiefdom sorry Kingdom.  

 

You forgot Som Tam and the Tuk Tuk. 

Edited April 15, 20197 yr by khunpa

They have a great sense of humour at the MFA. 5555 

17 hours ago, khunpa said:

 

You forgot Som Tam and the Tuk Tuk. 

Somtam is probably Lao and the Tuk Tuk is most definitely Indian. ????

On 4/14/2019 at 11:28 PM, Prissana Pescud said:

You fail to understand politics and diplomacy.

Thailand is a strategic placed country.

US dumped it after the coup. China moved in.

Thailand purchased billions of dollars of China produced military equipment.

Now the west is trying to woo.

Don't blame Thailand, one Thai strategy is to play your enemies/contestants off against each other.

I believe that Thailand is fully aligned with China.

And the west gave an ally away, through interference and stupid stiff necked politics.

 

An Viet Nam, which is strongly against Chia, is looking more, and more, to being an ally, replacing Thailand.