The Constitutional Tribunal Disbands Thai Rak Thai - Election cheating

[jumnien]

It's bad enough that some farang were wildly supportive of Thaksin, but come on, enthusiastic support for Sondhi is going a bit bonkers!

[John K]

It's bad enough that some farang were wildly supportive of Thaksin, but come on, enthusiastic support for Sondhi is going a bit bonkers!

This is not support but simply what I see as a potential outcome based on actions to date. Very well thought out is what I am saying.

[Siripon]

B.Post breaking news 16:41 Retired police colonel 'in upcountry'

Quote

(BangkokPost.com) - Retired police officer Pol Col Charnchai Netirattakarn, who is accused of attempting to bribe Constitution Tribunal judges hearing electoral fraud cases, went upcountry and would turn himself in before the August 14 deadline, his daughter said Thursday.

Unquote

Please ref url for the full Breaking news item

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=120759

Wouldn,t be North........North East would it to plan among other things, ???? a defence strategy among previous / ongoing connections

Continuing to count T.C. 101,102,103 1044444444444444444444444444

marshbags

I had to laugh tonight when Somsak Thepsuthin, the leader of the breakaway TRT faction Matchima, said he didn't know Pol Col Charnchai.

I predict the said colonel will become the least known man in Thailand over the next few weeks, at least amongst TRT members, even his neighbours of 100 metres The Shinawats,' Never heard of him, saw him once of twice but only exchanged glances and envelopes of misplaced post!'

'

[sriracha john]

Bribery suspect to turn himself in

A retired police officer accused of attempting to bribe two Constitution Tribunal judges to throw the electoral fraud case against Thai Rak Thai Party is expected to turn himself in to face charges on Tuesday.

"Colonel Charnchai Netirattakarn is still in the country and will surrender himself as has been arranged," assistant national police chief Lt-General Chongrak Chutanont said yesterday.

As a precaution, Jongrak alerted all immigration checkpoints to keep a watch for Charnchai in case he decided to flee abroad.

Chongrak said Bang Phlat patrolmen had reported that Charnchai was on a trip upcountry, and that his daughter confirmed he would keep his appointment with the police.

Charnchai used to serve in the police and maintained a regular place of residence, hence there was no justification to mount a raid to arrest him, Chongrak said.

Police procedure allows suspects seven days to surrender, unless they have committed heinous crimes such as murder and armed robbery, he said.

Since Charnchai is suspected to have acted as merely as a go-between in offering the bribes to the two judges, his statement might shed light on the mastermind, Chongrak said, admitting that police were unable to establish any links with the evidence uncovered so far.

One of the judges, ML Krairerk Kasemsant, had speculated on the identity of the mastermind but could not link Charnchai to the culprit, he said.

He refused to comment on activist Veera Somkwamkid's claim that a wife of one of the judges had unwittingly picked up Bt10 million in cash that was left at the gate of her home.

Justice Ministry permanent secretary Charan Pakdithanakul expressed confidence that the National Counter Corruption Commission could unmask the mastermind of the bribery attempt.

Democracy activist Suriyasai Katasila said he believed the culprit behind Charnchai would be the same individual who lobbied for a favourable ruling in the asset concealment case against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2001.

"The Thaksin regime has left its dark legacy on judicial tampering," he said.

He criticised the ousted government for condoning the practice of buying self-serving justice.

- The Nation

=====================================================================

One is left to believe that we have not heard the last about Khunying Or in this bribery case.

[John K]

So heading up country, can this be called semi fleeing?

[sriracha john]

Announcing that he will come in a day earlier than previously reported... but it seems strange that he is using his daughter in this way. Lessons gleaned from his neighbor, Thaksin??

Retired police colonel to surrender Monday

Pol Col Charnchai Netirattakarn, a retired police officer who is accused of trying to bribe constitution tribunal judges in electoral fraud cases that led to dissolution of Thai Rak Thai party, will report himself to police on August 13, which is one day before the deadline, assistant national police chief Chongrak Chutanont said Friday. Pol Lt-Col Chongrak said daughter of Pol Col Charnchai had contacted police and confirmed that her father will turn himself in on Monday at 10.30am.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=120775

[Tony Clifton]

It's the same path Thaksin used to take when evading hot issues, same path taken by the tourist killing policeman, same path usually taken by many criminals. I guess being up there makes it easier should one decide to jump the border and join Kam Nan Poh also on the run.

[Losangels]

It's the same path Thaksin used to take when evading hot issues, same path taken by the tourist killing policeman, same path usually taken by many criminals. I guess being up there makes it easier should one decide to jump the border and join Kam Nan Poh also on the run.

Maybe that's what taught at the police academy

BTY wasn't Kam Nan Poh arrested and detained?

[hammered]

It's the same path Thaksin used to take when evading hot issues, same path taken by the tourist killing policeman, same path usually taken by many criminals. I guess being up there makes it easier should one decide to jump the border and join Kam Nan Poh also on the run.

Maybe that's what taught at the police academy

BTY wasn't Kam Nan Poh arrested and detained?

Released on bail, and then at the final appeal which he lost mysteriously disappeared from a crowded court room. Still of unknown whereabouts today.

The failure of Mr. T to live up to the promise to keep him from a guilty verdict is rumored to have led to the family leaving TRT and removing all support for that party in areas where they have influence.

[sriracha john]

From the unofficial Kom Nan Poh tracking thread begun in October 2005:

Sinking Lower The Lowest

The Nation television news just finished reporting that our good friend Somchai failed to show up for his scheduled Supreme Court hearing today and that they issued a warrant for his immediate arrest and confinement.

He's run out on his millions of baht in bail money to avoid going to prison and is suspected of having fled the country.

To the pinnacle of amazement, he had been allowed out on bail earlier AFTER having been convicted of first degree murder.

Edited August 10, 2007 by sriracha john

[hammered]

From the unofficial Kom Nan Poh tracking thread begun in October 2005:

Sinking Lower The Lowest

The Nation television news just finished reporting that our good friend Somchai failed to show up for his scheduled Supreme Court hearing today and that they issued a warrant for his immediate arrest and confinement.

He's run out on his millions of baht in bail money to avoid going to prison and is suspected of having fled the country.

To the pinnacle of amazement, he had been allowed out on bail earlier AFTER having been convicted of first degree murder.

That runs contrary to what I have heard, but it is a nice story.

[Jai Dee]

Allegation of bribery forwarded to the NCCC

Deputy Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police Pol. Lt. Gen. Chongrak Chutamas (จงรัก จุฑานนท์) has forwarded the case concerning bribery charges of trial judges to the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC).

Pol Lt Gen Chongrak discloses that Gen Charnchai Netirattakarn (ชาญชัย เนติรัฐติการ) will report himself to the investigating policemen on August 13th.

As for charges against high-ranking officers of the Court of Justice, the investigating policemen must forward all evidences and details to the NCCC within 30 days following the article 89 of the organic act concerning the corruption prevention and suppression.

If the NCCC considers that the case is beyond the NCCC’s responsibility, it will send the case back.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 August 2007

[sriracha john]

Who dares to bribe judges?

A writer for a Thai-language daily said the reported attempt to bribe CNS-appointed Constitution Tribunal judges, selected because of their sterling reputations, was quite amazing

No longer half truth, half rumour, it was announced this week that there will positively be an investigation of an alleged attempt to bribe Constitution Tribunal judges to hand down a favourable ruling for the Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party, noted a Thai Rath writer. TRT was ultimately found guilty of violating the Election Code and disbanded. The writer said it was quite amazing that there was an attempt to bribe the CNS-appointed Constitution Tribunal, who were all selected because of their sterling reputations. Maybe the lobbyists thought that money could buy everything. The Thai Rath writer said this might have been the case under the previous regime, but now a new regime is in power. Anyone who still dares to think that money can buy influence may end up in jail. The writer speculated that the lobbyists might have reasoned that because the previous Constitution Court was successfully lobbied to spare Thaksin on his asset concealment case, they could do the same with the present Constitution Tribunal. This time they failed because the judges would not play along, and thus the bribers would have to face the consequences. The writer went on to say that the various independent organisations under the Thaksin administration were totally dominated by the executive branch and served the regime faithfully, to the point that the previous Election Commissioners had to languish in jail. It is not hard to imagine that the two lobbyists might face the same fate, reflecting on their mistakes behind bars, said Thai Rath.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/11Aug2007_news96.php

[Jai Dee]

NCCC collects evidence to prosecute police officer for attempted bribery of Constitutional Court member

The Office of the National Counter Corruption Commission is collecting evidence to prosecute a police officer charged with attempting to bribe the Constitutional Court.

Office of the National Counter Corruption Commission member Mr. Wichai Wiwitsaewee (วิชัย วิวิตเสวี ) revealed that the Deputy Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police, Pol. Lt. Gen. Chongrak Chutamas (จงรัก จุฑานนท์), has presented the NCCC with evidence implicating a police officer in the attempted bribery of a member of the Constitutional Court. Mr. Wichai said that his agency will determine whether the evidence is substantial enough to press charges against the suspect.

The Office of the National Counter Corruption Commission member added that his agency is also awaiting the Supreme Court's verdict on whether the case can be tried in a court of law.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 11 August 2007

[sriracha john]

Suspect to report today

Retired policeman Colonel Charnchai Netirattakan, a suspect in an alleged attempt to bribe Constitution Tribunal judges, must turn himself in today as promised or else he will be arrested wherever he is, assistant national police chief Lt-General Jongrak Jutanont said yesterday.

"If he surrenders, the bail bond will be set at Bt200,000. But whether bail is granted is up to the investigators' judgement and confidence that the suspect will not escape, destroy evidence or threaten witnesses," he said.

Charnchai, accused of offering judges Bt30 million to acquit the Thai Rak Thai party of electoral fraud charges, had agreed to surrender tomorrow, but his daughter later told police he would report to them today.

A key member of Thai Rak Thai group Kuthep Saikrachang said they were not worried about the investigation into the alleged bribery attempt as the now dissolved party was not involved.

The alleged bribe offer and the attempt to link it to the party were intended to eradicate Thai Rak Thai from society, he said.

- The Nation

============================================================================

I suppose Kuthep is technically correct as I don't believe Khunying Or was an elected representative of the Thai Rak Thai party.

[TAWP]

A planned 200K bail on a charge of trying to bribe 2 judges with 30million each.

Guess we don't have to worrie about him comming up short for the bail money atleast.

[John K]

A planned 200K bail on a charge of trying to bribe 2 judges with 30million each.

Guess we don't have to worrie about him comming up short for the bail money atleast.

Unless he just brokered the deal. Remember that was before they started freezing Thaksin’s accounts so getting the 30M was just a phone call away.

[TAWP]

Are you implying he will be left to fend for himself, like meat for the dogs? Why I never...who could be so cruel?

[John K]

Are you implying he will be left to fend for himself, like meat for the dogs? Why I never...who could be so cruel?

Actually Thaksin is a kind and loving wonderful man. He takes such good care of his family to keep them out of harms way. Why just the other day he.....uh .......... scratch that.

[John K]

Retire police officer surrenders over bribe offering charge

A retired police colonel surrendered Monday morning after the court approve an arrest warrant against him for allegedly offering bribes to Constitution Tribunal judges.

Pol Col Charnchai Netirattakarn arrived at the Royal Thai Police headquarters at 9 am and surrendered to Pol Lt Gen Chongrak Chutanont, assistant police commissioner-general.

Charnchai was named as the person who offered Tribunal judge ML Krairerk Kasemsan, also the Supreme Court vice president, a Bt30-million bribe in a failed attempt to prevent Thai Rak Thai Party from being dissolved.

The Criminal Court on Wednesday approved the arrest warrant after Krairerk confirmed in his document to the court that Charnchai tried to bribe him to vote against the TRT dissolution, but Krairerk rejected the offer.

Charnchai appeared very nervous when turned up at the police head office.

About 10 police officers took part in questioning him inside Chongrak's office.

He was seen inhaling an inhalant now and then during his interrogation.

Chongrak said the interrogation did not go into details.

He said Charnchai would be sent to Chana Songkram police station to have his record registered.

Charnchai would be allowed to be released by posting Bt200,000 worth of assets as guarantee, Chongrak said.

Chongrak earlier said he had solid evidence in the form of testimonies from judges and former senior judges including Krairerk.

Although the judges did not accept the bribes, the offence was committed and the suspect should be prosecuted, Chongrak said.

Charnchai's house is on Soi Charansanitwong 69 - the same entrance to the residence of deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Justice Ministry permanent secretary Charan Phakdithanakul dropped the bombshell bribery allegation in June, saying a senior official tried to secure a "not guilty verdict" for TRT by offering money to the judges.

Later, Weera Somkwamkid, secretary-general to the Anti-Corruption People's Network, asked the police to investigate a report that high-ranking court officials and a police colonel who graduated from Thammasat University's Faculty of Law in 1966 had offered bribes to Supreme Court judges who also acted as Constitution Tribunal judges.

An ad-hoc panel of the Supreme Court found that court officials who are not judges were involved in the bribery. They knew that Krairerk and Supreme Court judge Somchai Pongsatha were offered bribes and that both refused to accept.

The Nation

[John K]

I noted that is was not a cash bond. I think that is significant as Thaksin would have more than likely supplied the money for bond. This way he takes a personal hit if he jumps bail.

[Mid]

Ex-police colonel freed on Bt200,000 bail

Monday 13 August 2007 05:14:05 PM (GMT+7:00)

Claiming he was only joking did not get a retired senior police officer off the hook in the unfolding attempted judicial bribery saga, but the accused ex-cop was nonetheless released on Bt 200,000 bail Monday -- and told he will be called to account for his sense of humour and to explain himself in court.

snip

MCOT Public Company Limited

[marshbags]

A planned 200K bail on a charge of trying to bribe 2 judges with 30million each.

Guess we don't have to worrie about him comming up short for the bail money atleast.

Unless he just brokered the deal. Remember that was before they started freezing Thaksin’s accounts so getting the 30M was just a phone call away.

A problem / worried re. coming up with 200K bail

A Colonel of the police force ( Retired or otherwise )

That,s a cracker and just a little i bit " tongue in cheek " i reckon TAWP

I know, you were just trying to equal his claim on the jesting 30 million bribe, joke wise

marshbags

Edited August 13, 2007 by marshbags

[Tony Clifton]

"I was only joking!"

"Maybe, but we are not."

[sriracha john]

Police escort retired Pol Col Charnchai Netirattakarn after he surrendered on Monday to face a charge of trying to bribe a judge to vote against dissolution of Thai Rak Thai Party.

The Nation

I'm joking to judge about Bt30 million bribe : Charnchai

Retired Pol Col Charnchai Netirattakarn admitted he visited Constitution Tribunal judge ML Krairerk Kasemsan but he was "just kidding" when he offered a Bt30 million bribe to Krairerk.

Charnchai surrendered to police on Monday and was charged with trying to bribe Krairerk to vote against dissolution of a political party.

Chief investigator Pol Lt Gen Chongrak Chutanont said after questioning Charnchai for two hours that the suspect denied the charge, saying that he was just joking when he offered Bt30 million to the judge.

"Pol Col Charnchai said he visited ML Krairerk at the Supreme Court office just to invite him to a reunion party of Thammasat University's law graduates. His visit was also to congratulate Krairerk, supreme court vice president, in being appointed a Constitution Tribunal judge," Chongrak said.

"He admitted that he said something about the bribe, but he claimed that he just made a joke," Chongrak added.

Charnchai was quoted as denying that he was hired by a political party to bribe the judge.

However Chongrak said Krairerk's claims that Charnchai offered him a Bt30 million bribe and that he rejected it seemed to outweigh Charnchai's testimony.

Charnchai's lawyer said that he will seek Bt200,000 bail for his client.

Charnchai was named as the person who offered Krairerk the bribe in an attempt to prevent Thai Rak Thai Party from being dissolved.

The Criminal Court on Wednesday last week approved the arrest warrant after Krairerk confirmed in his documents to the court that Charnchai had tried to bribe him to vote against the TRT dissolution, but Krairerk rejected the offer.

Chongrak earlier said that although the judge did not accept the bribe, the offence was committed and the suspect should be prosecuted.

Justice Ministry permanent secretary Charan Phakdithanakul dropped the bombshell bribery allegation in June, saying a senior official tried to secure a "not guilty verdict" for TRT by offering money to the judges.

Later, Weera Somkwamkid, secretary-general to the Anti-Corruption People's Network, asked the police to investigate a report that high-ranking court officials and a police colonel who graduated from Thammasat University's Faculty of Law in 1966 had offered bribes to Supreme Court judges who also acted as Constitution Tribunal judges.

An ad-hoc panel of the Supreme Court found that court officials who are not judges were involved in the bribery. They understood that Krairerk and Supreme Court judge Somchai Pongsatha were offered bribes and that both refused to accept them.

- The Nation

[hammered]

Interesting to see someone come up with defence that absolutely nobody would believe. I like kind of went out of my way to arrange a meet with these busy judge dudes who were involved in the biggest political case ever and I though it would be a right laugh to make a joke of offering them a minor fortune to let TRT off.

[TAWP]

Interesting to see someone come up with defence that absolutely nobody would believe. I like kind of went out of my way to arrange a meet with these busy judge dudes who were involved in the biggest political case ever and I though it would be a right laugh to make a joke of offering them a minor fortune to let TRT off.

If that was a joke then he is worse a standup comedian than Carlos Mencia.

Edit: Added quote.

Edited August 14, 2007 by TAWP

[Tony Clifton]

More than 10,000 join TRT rally

The Thai Rak Thai rally at Sanam Luang Wednesday gathers more than 10,000 supporters at 7.30 pm while more people keep coming to join the rally.

A number of supporters are those who want deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra return to rule the country.

Starting at 5.15 pm, more than 50 former Thai Rak Thai MPs lead a mass rally in Sanam Luang with supporters wearing red T-shirts with print screen "Vote No" [to an upcoming referendum on August 19 over the junta-sponsored charter draft].

The key members include Chaturon Chaisang, Sudarat Keyuraphan, Surapong Suebwonglee, Pongthep Thepkarnchana, Newin Chidchob, Kuthep Saikajang and Adisorn Piengket. They took the stage and urgedpeople to reject what they called "the junta's charter".

The stage, installed with a big billboard read "August 19, Vote No to the Charter," is close to the one of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD). Two big TV screens are installed by the stage.

Chaturon says in a back-staged press briefing that his TRT group wants to use this rally as a channel to communicate with the people. The junta has blocked all other channels that he and his colleagues tried to tell the people why they should reject the charter draft.

He ensures that he will only criticise the charter draft. He will not attack the junta leaders and their government.

TRT legal expert Chusak Sirinil says rejecting the junta-sponsored draft charter will mean the whole country rejecting the coup of September 19.

Former TRT executive Sutham Sangprathum says a number of people who are against the draft have been intimidated to stop their movements. The junta alleges that we buy votes to reject its charter. But the government has mobilised and pay people to rally in support of its charter. They both are quick to learn dirty political tricks.

Meanwhile, the DAAD halts its daily rally today to pave the way for its supporters to join the TRT stage.

Four DAAD leaders, who are released on bail, reportedly come to Sanam Luang but only listen to the addresses of TRT leaders at the DAAD stage, where is close to the TRT rally. They include Veera Musigapong, Jatuporn Phromphan, Jakrapob Penkair and Natthawut Saikua.

The Nation

Weren't ALL of these people recently banned from any political activities for 5 years?

I guess they're also planning on being arrested with huge smiles on their faces while waving at their supporters.

Edited August 15, 2007 by Tony Clifton

[Mid]

Thai Rak Thai officially removes nameplate

August 18, 2007 : Last updated 11:53 am

The dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party Saturday removed its nameplate at its head office at the IFCT Building.

Leading members of the Thai Rak Thai Group, including Chaturon Chaisang, Newin Chidchob, Pongthep Thepkanchana, and Surapong Suebwonglee, took part in the ceremony to bring down the nameplate from the building.

Chaturon said Thai Rak Thai members needed not to be sorry over the party dissolution and nameplate removal because the group would continue its political activities based on the same ideology.

The Nation

[sriracha john]

VEERA CONTINUES 15-YEAR FIGHT

Father taught graft buster not to tolerate corruption

Veera Somkwamkid's 15-year battle against corruption in Thailand seems unlikely to end any time soon. His latest endeavour was filing the police complaint against retired Pol Col Charnchai Netirattakarn, accused of trying to bribe ML Krairirk Kasemsant, a Constitution Tribunal judge, to vote against the dissolution of the Thai Rak Thai party on May 30.

Mr Veera, the 50-year-old secretary-general of the People's Network Against Corruption, was inspired by his late father, an official in the Public Relations Department in the government of Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, who quit the job after becoming fed up with rampant corruption. ''Dad is my role model. He always taught me not to be afraid of crooked people and not to take advantage of others. If there was anything illegal going on in front of my eyes, he wanted me to fight against it immediately,'' he said. Mr Veera became a household name after he joined hands with leading social activists to set up the anti-corruption network. The graft fighter, with a law degree from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, has gathered information, witnesses and evidence in about 1,000 corruption cases involving the state and private agencies.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/21Aug2007_news11.php