Supreme Court suspends Surapong’s two-year jail sentence

[snoop1130]

Supreme Court suspends Surapong’s two-year jail sentence

By THE NATION

 

Surapong (File Photo)

 

The Supreme Court on Thursday (October 10) waived jail time for ailing Surapong Towi-chukchaikul, who served as foreign minister in the Yingluck Shinawatra administration and was prosecuted for issuing a passport to her fugitive brother, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

 

The appeals committee of the court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders suspended a lower court’s June 2018 sentence of two years’ imprisonment without probation.

Instead, Surapong was given two years’ probation, but also fined Bt100,000.

 

The Supreme Court noted that it was the defendant’s first offence and that he had been diagnosed with lymphoma of the abdomen and throat, for which he requires continuous medical treatment.

 

The Office of Attorney General sued Surapong, now 66, for abuse of office after the National Anti-Corruption Commission determined that he had wrongfully issued a Thai passport to self-exiled Thaksin, who fled the country to evade arrest warrants in cases involving corruption.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30377278

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2019-10-10

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[kotsak]

Wow.. didn't expect this... ????

[ChipButty]

20 minutes ago, kotsak said:

Wow.. didn't expect this... ????

You should have done

[jaiyen]

He could still be treated for his Lymphoma in hospital but live in jail. No, he is rich and has a get out of jail credit card !!

[klauskunkel]

Dear Supreme Court,

you don't have to explain or justify your leniency to us, we know why and how and what. You are what you are.

xoxoxo

[Eric Loh]

Just to compensate with a wrong and ridiculous charge. It's within his jurisdiction to issue passport. The next foreign minister from the coup government can simply withdraw that privilege. 

[seajae]

3 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

Just to compensate with a wrong and ridiculous charge. It's within his jurisdiction to issue passport. The next foreign minister from the coup government can simply withdraw that privilege. 

nice try to dismiss the truth of the matter, doing it while Bangkok was flooded and then personally delivering it to thaksin was the reason he was charged, he went behind everyones backs to do it to please his master. Nothing will change the fact he was not following the lawful procedure, it was a total farce on behalf of the ptp to please thaksin, they did as he told them too as they always do.

[Eric Loh]

8 minutes ago, seajae said:

nice try to dismiss the truth of the matter, doing it while Bangkok was flooded and then personally delivering it to thaksin was the reason he was charged, he went behind everyones backs to do it to please his master. Nothing will change the fact he was not following the lawful procedure, it was a total farce on behalf of the ptp to please thaksin, they did as he told them too as they always do.

Seem the same logic of Kasit withdrawing Thaksin passport to please his boss and he was not charged for malfeasance. Foreign ministry issue and approve passport; nothing illegal unless the NACC made up the charge. Lots of malfeasance to slap on this government if the NACC chose to do. 

[Srikcir]

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The appeals committee of the court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders suspended a lower court’s June 2018 sentence of two years’ imprisonment without probation.

Instead, Surapong was given two years’ probation, but also fined Bt100,000.

Does this suggest that there are NO sentencing guidelines?

That each level of the judicial system has its own - that there's no consistency within the judicial system? If so, that leaves sentencing to arbitrary personal opinion whereas a consistent rule of law should apply.

[Burma Bill]

Quote:-

"The Supreme Court on Thursday (October 10) waived jail time for ailing Surapong"

Now consider the two Burmese boys!

 

[Baerboxer]

On 10/11/2019 at 9:39 AM, Eric Loh said:

Just to compensate with a wrong and ridiculous charge. It's within his jurisdiction to issue passport. The next foreign minister from the coup government can simply withdraw that privilege. 

 

Absolute utter nonsense from the resident Thaksin fan!

 

The FM is not above the law, nor can he make laws up to suit himself or his boss and Cousin.

 

The only injustice is his official boss, Yingluck, his cousin and the criminal in question's sister got off scot-free again.

 

Remember, the facts. He made the FM open especially when closed during the worst floods in living memory, issue a passport and diplomatic passport, and had them flown to the criminal in Dubai, all at tax payer expense and against the law. And you think it ok!

[Baerboxer]

On 10/11/2019 at 11:29 AM, Srikcir said:

Does this suggest that there are NO sentencing guidelines?

That each level of the judicial system has its own - that there's no consistency within the judicial system? If so, that leaves sentencing to arbitrary personal opinion whereas a consistent rule of law should apply.

 

Interesting question. Thai Law seemingly is a codified system which suggests there should be prescribed sentencing guidelines. However, it does allow the common law case precedent to be taken into consideration; although seemingly at each individual judges discretion. They might decide to use case law, they might not!

 

Which suggests that like police, immigration, military and just about any official, they can use personal opinion and discretion which can't be challenged, er, unless someone more important doesn't like it!

 

Seems to fit perfectly.

[scorecard]

53 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Interesting question. Thai Law seemingly is a codified system which suggests there should be prescribed sentencing guidelines. However, it does allow the common law case precedent to be taken into consideration; although seemingly at each individual judges discretion. They might decide to use case law, they might not!

 

Which suggests that like police, immigration, military and just about any official, they can use personal opinion and discretion which can't be challenged, er, unless someone more important doesn't like it!

 

Seems to fit perfectly.

 And the event revolves around surapong using his personal opinion about the legality / morality of re-issuing his cousins passport which was by law clearly illegal.

 

Surapong went even further, later when several learned people pointed out to him his action was illegal and immoral his response was 'I don't care, I would do it again if needed'.

 

Again, total disrespect for the written law and the intent of the law, in this case by a very senior minister (in the pecking order of ministers). 

 

A long way to go...

 

[jerojero]

Ouch! That stiff fine will really hurt him. Bet he learned his lesson now!

[Dumbastheycome]

On 10/11/2019 at 6:49 AM, jaiyen said:

He could still be treated for his Lymphoma in hospital but live in jail. No, he is rich and has a get out of jail credit card !!

But would he as a  jail  bird  he would  get free treatment?

Perhaps  this way he need dispense  his personal cash ?

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

8 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

Interesting question. Thai Law seemingly is a codified system which suggests there should be prescribed sentencing guidelines. However, it does allow the common law case precedent to be taken into consideration; although seemingly at each individual judges discretion. They might decide to use case law, they might not!

 

I always get a kick when the lower court convicts someone here, then the appeals court totally declares them innocent, and then the Supreme Court finds them entirely guilty again... Or visa versa....with varying shades of the same notion.

 

It really inspires trust and confidence in the local judiciary systems.