Deputy House Speaker Pichet Approves MP's Sick Leave Amid Tak Bai Case Concerns

[webfact]

 

Deputy House Speaker Pichet Chuamuangphan has confirmed he approved a sick leave request for Pheu Thai Party MP Gen Pisal Wattanawongkiri, amid worries it might enable him to avoid facing trial regarding the Tak Bai massacre. The approved leave, spanning from 26th August to 30th October, allows Gen Pisal, currently receiving medical treatment overseas, a significant hiatus from Thailand.

 

Gen Pisal, formerly the Fourth Army Region's commander, is entangled in the Tak Bai case concerning the 2004 crackdown on protesters in Narathiwat province, which left 48 dead or injured. The case's statute of limitations is due to expire on 25th October, leaving many questioning if Gen Pisal will attend court in time.

 

Mr Pichet has stated that members of parliament commonly request leave for various reasons, including health and personal issues. He refrained from commenting on apprehensions that Gen Pisal's leave might impact the justice process, only noting that leave requests of up to 80 days have precedents in the House.

The Tak Bai case, accepted by Narathiwat Provincial Court on 23rd August, poses a significant challenge to the judiciary and political landscape, given Gen Pisal's pending indictment. Critics argue the timing of his leave request raises suspicions about potential evasion of legal responsibilities.

 

Political voices from various factions have urged swift action. Palang Pracharath Party spokesman Piya Tawichai has called for Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to expedite the case. Former election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn criticised the approval process and noting a lack of medical documentation for the leave.

 

Highlighting concern over timing, Fair Party MP Kannavee Suebsang pointed out the proximity between the leave request and the court's acceptance of the case. These developments broaden the dialogue on accountability and transparency within Thailand's political and judicial systems, reported Bangkok Post.

 

Picture courtesy: WeR NEWS

 

-- 2024-10-07

 

 

[Gottfrid]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Gen Pisal, formerly the Fourth Army Region's commander, is entangled in the Tak Bai case concerning the 2004 crackdown on protesters in Narathiwat province, which left 48 dead or injured. The case's statute of limitations is due to expire on 25th October, leaving many questioning if Gen Pisal will attend court in time.

 

Mr Pichet has stated that members of parliament commonly request leave for various reasons, including health and personal issues. He refrained from commenting on apprehensions that Gen Pisal's leave might impact the justice process, only noting that leave requests of up to 80 days have precedents in the House.

Time to put some pressure on Mr. Pichet. I think that would make him cancel the approved leave quickly! But, it ain´t going to happen. Just another fine and planned process that will run out in the sand. Just like Thaksin and RB Boy!

[MikeandDow]

Why can they not Trial in absentia

[retarius]

51 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

Why can they not Trial in absentia

Why not arrest him?

[Tropicalevo]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The approved leave, spanning from 26th August to 30th October, allows Gen Pisal, currently receiving medical treatment overseas, a significant hiatus from Thailand.

 

The statute of limitations is up on 25th October this year.

What a coincidence. 

 

56 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

Why can they not Trial in absentia

 

They only do that to politicians that they want to punish.

Edited 7 hours ago by Tropicalevo

[lordgrinz]

Well that was convenient.

 

Quote

The approved leave, spanning from 26th August to 30th October, allows Gen Pisal, currently receiving medical treatment overseas, a significant hiatus from Thailand.

 

[MikeandDow]

4 minutes ago, retarius said:

Why not arrest him?

Doh ! he is out of the country

[MikeandDow]

4 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

The statute of limitations is up on 25th October this year.

What a coincidence. 

 

 

They only do that to politicians that they want to punish.

so you are saying they do not want to punish him  whats the point then to arrest him Thai logic !!!

[jippytum]

Another Pue Thai  politician fleeing abroad to avoid justice. 

 The PM agrees does she? 

Well does she have any option.

Remember her Father and Aunt condone such actions doing  exactly the same thing. 

[john donson]

why not change the law and make the statue of limitations 99 years, like the proposed land lease to them dirty foreigners

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The Tak Bai case, accepted by Narathiwat Provincial Court on 23rd August, poses a significant challenge to the judiciary and political landscape, given Gen Pisal's pending indictment. Critics argue the timing of his leave request raises suspicions about potential evasion of legal responsibilities.

Suspicions.. this stinks more than a Soi dog dead in the sun

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, retarius said:

Why not arrest him?

General....  is a clue

[kingstonkid]

5 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Time to put some pressure on Mr. Pichet. I think that would make him cancel the approved leave quickly! But, it ain´t going to happen. Just another fine and planned process that will run out in the sand. Just like Thaksin and RB Boy!

Hey it worked for thaksin.

 

Courts should try him in absentia once charged the statute is looked after.

 

[billd766]

4 hours ago, retarius said:

Why not arrest him?

If he is not in Thailand, how can he be arrested?

 

If he had been sent to trial, found guilty and THEN skipped the country, it would be down to the Thai police to ask Interpol to issue a red notice, that he should be held and THEN handed over to the Thai police.

 

At this point he is only "alleged" to have committed a crime and he has not had his day in court yet.

[bannork]

Now where is the serial petitioner, Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, when you genuinely need him? 

'A lack of medical documents' yet granted permission to go overseas beyond the expiry date of a very serious case where he is the defendant.

 

[MikeandDow]

3 minutes ago, bannork said:

Now where is the serial petitioner, Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, when you genuinely need him? 

'A lack of medical documents' yet granted permission to go overseas beyond the expiry date of a very serious case where he is the defendant.

 

Please tell how can you stop him !! thought you are Innocent till proven guilty  or is this more of BS

[bannork]

4 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

Please tell how can you stop him !! thought you are Innocent till proven guilty  or is this more of BS

You stop him by the alleged lack of medical documents to back up his claim that overseas treatment is vital.

[jippytum]

3 minutes ago, bannork said:

You stop him by the alleged lack of medical documents to back up his claim that overseas treatment is vital.

Agreed. But it worked for Thaksin. 

The statute of limitations should be paused when the defendant leaves Thailand and resumed when they return. 

That way the Red Bull absconder might face juctice. 

[MikeandDow]

12 minutes ago, bannork said:

You stop him by the alleged lack of medical documents to back up his claim that overseas treatment is vital.

What a ridiculous statement   I did not read about him saying to anyone he is seeking medical attention the government house speaker said this, even if the did say this what is the point its his PRIVATE business  And AGAIN I say  you are Innocent till proven guilty  its his Business until the courts say otherwise

[Dan O]

6 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

Why can they not Trial in absentia

They can if they choose to as they have done it on cases where the person was not connected or fallen out of favor. Its very obvious the games they play and don't care what the general population thinks. They just throw out any excuse as if they are valid and life goes on. They never get push back from the population as those games don't change or affect the average Thai's life and the Thai's just accept it as part of life. The only salvation is the dinosaurs are all aged and the younger population has started to want to see changes and push for them. 

[Dan O]

5 hours ago, retarius said:

Why not arrest him?

He's not in the country currently

[MikeandDow]

2 minutes ago, Dan O said:

They can if they choose to as they have done it on cases where the person was not connected or fallen out of favor. Its very obvious the games they play and don't care what the general population thinks. They just throw out any excuse as if they are valid and life goes on. They never get push back from the population as those games don't change or affect the average Thai's life and the Thai's just accept it as part of life. The only salvation is the dinosaurs are all aged and the younger population has started to want to see changes and push for them. 

And That is the Problem why Thailand will always be a 3 world country and nothing will change  "The People don't care "

[Dr B]

1 hour ago, MikeandDow said:

What a ridiculous statement   I did not read about him saying to anyone he is seeking medical attention the government house speaker said this, even if the did say this what is the point its his PRIVATE business  And AGAIN I say  you are Innocent till proven guilty  its his Business until the courts say otherwise

It seems that you had difficulty reading the OP. I am probably wasting my time but I will try to make it simple for you.

August 23 2024; Narathiwat Provincial Court accepted the case in which General Pisan was accused.

August 25 2024; Deputy House Speaker Pichet approves sick leave from Parliament, until October 30 2024.

General Pisan travels overseas for unspecified medical treatment without medical documentation. Note that when Thaksin tried that recently he was told he could get the treatment in Thailand.

October 25 2024, the Statute of Limitations will nullify the case.

Anytime between 25 and 30 October General Pisal returns a free man.

Surely innocent until proven guilty can only apply if people are given the opportunity to find you guilty? Running away so that you cannot be briught to trial does not demonstarte lack of guilt, quite the opposite.

Does that help?