Thaksin And His Wife Issued Arrest Warrants Over Ratchadapisek Land Case

[apetley]

.....and what if Taksin were extradited by the British?

God help all the Brit expats if he or his cronies ever got back in power in Thailand.

hel_l hath no fury like an ex-leader scorned.

[marshbags]

To compliment S.J,s post No. 301

The Nation... breaking news September 13, 2007 : Last updated 06:46 pm

Quote:-

Prosecutors to go to UK next month to seek ways to extradite Thaksin

Public prosecutors will head to the United Kingdom next month to scrutinise legal avenues to extradite deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on graft charges in connection with the purchase of land near Ratchadaphisek Road.

Thaksin was indicted by Attorney-General Pachara Yutithamdamrong, who accused him and his wife Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra of malfeasance for seeking personal gains from a state contract, breaching Article 157 of the Criminal Law.

Foreign Affairs Department director-general Sampan Sarathana said after a meeting Thursday of a special committee that there was only one legal avenue to extradite Thaksin, but it largely depended on UK authorities.

The Nation

Unquote

Ref url :-http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30048873

Edited September 13, 2007 by marshbags

[Gnarpjohan]

I just don't understand why they chose this case to pursue...It always seemed a lot weaker than several other possibilities..

Well there is a few reasons. First he did a no show so that make the arrest warrant happen. If you will notice the third party cases are the ones on stage. Meaning Thaksin is very good at covering his tracks, where other people are more mi pen ri about it. That attitude made it easier for the hunters to find what they were looking for. Thaksin is associated with this indirectly and that is why it came up first. He left it to others to cover it up.

Stoneman's query is very pertinent and your response does nothing to answer it.Why has this relatively mild particular charge been placed centre stage when on the face of it there are much more serious accusations to seek Thaksin's arrest? Firstly it demonstrates that the junta has not been able to identify any corruption charge which will stick and thus justify their illegal coup d'etat. Secondly, as regards the serious human rights charges, it demonstrates the connivance of those crimes by the military/feudal apparatus.

Yes, 'younghusband' makes interesting points here. But I am not convinced that it is difficult to find corruption charges that sticks. The issue could be that many other people could be dragged into such cases, which is not in the interest of various people in power. Given the corruption and power abuse in the Thai army, it is not far-fetched to think that Thaksin sits on a pile of information that is dangerous for the junta.

Instead of dragging out e.g. the "War on Drugs" into the open, they seek to isolate his wrongdoings to a single corrupt land deal. One likely outcome is that he is convicted in his absence and some of his assets confiscated. In the best of worlds, the case on Thaksin could be used as a tool to cleanse the army and other sectors in society from corruption and malpractices. Instead, it will be business as usual.

[sriracha john]

There's a lesson for Thailand to learn from having an Ex-Leader being given a life sentence in prison for corruption.

Congratulations to the Philippines for bravely deciding that enough is enough and to courageously take steps in the right direction.

The first time ever that they've had a leader to be locked up forever sets a good precedent worth following.

Its all well and good sentencing to life but its another thing putting him behind bars.

I would bet that he serves not a day of jail time. That is the way of things in the Philipines.

Hasnt Imelda spent the last 15 years or so spinning out her day in court.

It aint gonna happen.

... I would bet that he serves not a day of jail time. ...

Believe the judgement means he may well spend much of his sentence under house arrest. His appeal which will take a year or more which will keep him outside goal.

He has already spent the last six years under house arrest, which, in itself, was a huge accomplishment... and he will continue to do so while the normal appeal process is conducted. That detention is already infinitely more than Imelda/Ferdinand ever endured.

The conviction has made an impact:

Philippines international image expected to improve after Estrada conviction

MANILA (Thomson Financial) - The Philippines, whose image has been tarnished by corruption scandals and political upheavals in the last five decades, may yet win the international community's vote of confidence following the conviction of former president Joseph Estrada for plunder, analysts and business leaders said Thursday. Sending more corrupt government officials to jail will send a stronger signal to foreign investors that the Southeast Asian nation is seriously tackling the problem, they said. Estrada, the first "big fish" in the country to be sent to jail, was found guilty Wednesday of plundering millions of dollars in tax kickbacks and bribes when he was still president.

---------------------

It's an impact that Thailand could well benefit by emulating for the exact same reasons...

Edited September 13, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Thailand to ask Britain to extradite ex-PM Thaksin

BANGKOK - Thai public prosecutors said on Thursday they were planning to visit Britain to talk to officials there about the possibility of extraditing ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to face graft charges at home.

After studying the 1911 Thailand/UK extradition treaty, the prosecutors believed there were grounds for Thaksin, who has been based in London since last September's coup, to be extradited, senior prosecutor Sampan Sarathana told reporters.

"We believe the official misconduct charges Thaksin faces could be applicable under the treaty," Sampan said.

Last month, Thailand's Supreme Court issued arrest warrants for Thaksin and his wife on corruption charges, ordering him to appear in court by Sept. 25, the starting date of the trial.

Thaksin and his wife Pojaman face charges summarised as "misconduct of a government official and violation of a ban on state officials being party to transactions involving public interests".

They stem from Pojaman's 772 million baht ($22.3 million) purchase of land in central Bangkok while he was prime minister from a unit of Thailand's central bank in a 2003 auction at which other bidders dropped out.

The couple have denied the charges and Thaksin, who has kept a high profile in Britain by acquiring English Premier League soccer club Manchester City, says he will not return to Thailand until democracy is restored.

If convicted, the telecommunications billionaire could face 10 years in jail and a 60,000 baht ($1,800) fine.

Sampan said the Office of the Attorney General would ask the Foreign Ministry to arrange a trip to England in October at the latest.

- Reuters

[Tony Clifton]

10 years in jail and a 60,000 baht ($1,800) fine.

Some of the amounts for fines are plain ridiculous and outdated.

[John K]

ATM max?

[sriracha john]

Have the Thaksinistas EVER won a defamation suit? When do they get charged with malicious lawsuiting that wastes the courts' time and taxpayer's costs???....

Criminal court acquits AEC chief from Pojaman’s lawsuit

BANGKOK -- The Criminal Court here Monday acquitted Assets Examination Committee (AEC) chief Nam Yimyaem and four other defendants of a Thai language daily newspaper from a defamation lawsuit filed by ousted prime minister’s wife Pojaman Shinawatra.

Pojaman: "I don't like that they've dismissed our fiftieth lawsuit, Thakky."

Thaksin: "I know, sweetness, it irks me too... you'd think at least one of them would stick. What should I do?"

Pojaman: "Go after you old arch-enemy Sondhi. That will make some publicity and besides, it's easier to fill in the templates from all your previous lawsuits against him."

Thaksin: "Yes dear, I'll do that."

Pojaman: "Good, and do it quickly... now, come over here and give me a little kissy for my all good advice."

Lydia (overhearing the conversation from the hallway): "Hey!... Do that, Thakky, and you'll get none from me tonight."

Thaksin sues Sondhi, demanding 2 Billion Baht

Ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra on Friday filed lawsuit against media mogul Sondi Limthongkul, his co-worker Sarocha Porn-udomsak, and Manager Media group for defamation. Prachoom Thongmee, lawyer of Thaksin, filed the suit on Friday, accusing them of defaming him during their television programme called Yarm Fao Pandin that was aired on ASTV on August 24 and publishing that information in the Manager newspaper. The court accepted the suit and will start investigating the case on December 24. Thaksin also assigned Prachoom to file a two Billion Baht lawsuit against Mr Sondhi, Mrs Sarocha and the Manager Media group on the case.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=121642

Edited September 14, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Seeking Thaksin

Thailand has to sit down and talk with UK authorities to get a clear direction about the possibility of a successful attempt by public prosecutors to extradite former PM Thaksin Shinawatra to stand trial in Thailand, Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram said on Friday. The central issue is whether Britain would force Thaksin and his wife, Potjaman, to return to Thailand, as the charges the two are facing might be applicable to the Thai-British extradition treaty of 1912. But Mr Nitya said talks with the British government to find ways for the Thai extradition attempt to be successful were necessary to settle the matter. He was speaking as public prosecutors plan to go to London to try to convince British authorities to send the ousted premier and his wife back to Thailand. Krit Kraichitti, head of the ministry's Treaties and Legal Affairs Department, said that Thai and British officials could negotiate and agree upon other wrongdoings besides the 31 criminal offences stipulated in the extradition treaty. Reciprocity was the basis for considering the matter along with the effect on diplomatic and political relations between the two nations, Mr Krit added.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/tops...s.php?id=121661

[soundman]

Some of the recovered money from Taksin's 120 suitcases when leaving the country just before the coup.

Cheers.

[lazeeboy]

Some of the recovered money from Taksin's 120 suitcases when leaving the country just before the coup.

Cheers.

thats only the bit he left as bait ,the big lot he got out .............

[sriracha john]

Let's create a 'Panic Room' atmosphere for Thaksin

The Office of the Attorney-General will send a team to London to explore the possibility of extraditing Thaksin Shinawatra to stand trial in two criminal cases following findings of irregularities by the Assets Examination Committee.

The Thai prosecutors will consult with their British counterparts seeking legal grounds for the extradition. Prior to their departure, they have already heard a scoff from Thaksin's legal spokesman.

"Don't even try, it will be futile. We have got a fine legal team in place to defend Thaksin," said Noppadon Pattama with bravado. Noppadon has earned the status of British barrister-at-law thanks to an Ananda Mahidol scholarship, which financed his study in England. This irony is very hurtful to Thai people. The scholarship is generally meant for those who would go on to do useful things for the public or national good. Noppadon applies his qualifications and talent, in return for a princely salary, to serve a disgraced politician in exile, who still wants to regain government power through political nominees.

It will be a long and gruelling battle if Thai prosecutors try to bring Thaksin back to Thailand to face his accusers for his misdeeds. Thaksin will spend his money to protect himself and ward off the arm of the Thai law.

The best way to go about doing this would be for the Thai government and prosecutors to hire an experienced and talented British law firm to engage in the legal battle on its behalf to ensure that the effort is not wasted as it was in the Rakesh Saxena case in Canada.

No matter what the legal expenses would be, it would certainly be worth it if the British lawyers were able to win the fight and bring Thaksin here to stand trial. At the same time, they should try to find out what assets Thaksin has concealed abroad, particularly in Swiss bank accounts. The bounty is tempting. The stakes are high. Judging from Thaksin's recent hollering about Swiss banks freezing his accounts, turning the banks' vaults into his "Panic Room", the cash deposits should be enormous, in the billions of dollars, if not more.

While they pursue Thaksin's extradition, other government units, like the Anti-Money Laundering Office, should open another front in the war, by seeking cooperation from their counterparts worldwide to go after his assets.

Engaging the man in exile and bringing trouble to his temporary home base would reduce the trouble caused by his well-funded political nominees and cronies in Thailand.

At the same time, the government should contemplate changes in legal and court procedures to bring true justice and fairness to all parties in legal battles and to prevent harassment lawsuits.

We have, on many occasions, heard Thaksin's claims and his legal spokesman's arrogant assertion that they would not want to fight legal charges in Thai courts because the current atmosphere is unfavourable and they could not be guaranteed full justice.

This is of course ridiculous. By saying that the court would not be fair to him when he was called to stand trial, Thaksin has surely acted in contempt of the court. Nobody has yet to take up this matter in the courts.

But when he wanted to bring multimillion-baht libel suits against his critics and those regarded as enemies, he had his lawyers file the cases in the Thai courts. What else is this if not evidence of a double standard?

There is something wrong in our court procedural system. Recently, the court issued an instruction stating that if Thaksin is to face criminal charges, his exact domicile must be defined and he must be brought to court, otherwise there would be a stay of trial.

This means that Thaksin cannot be charged in absentia. On the other hand, he is not required to appear in court when he acts as a plaintiff and sues somebody for millions, if not billions, of baht.

The latest victims of his mega-billion libel suits are a team from Manager led by Sondhi Limthongkul. This time, Thaksin is seeking the tidy sum of 2 Billion Baht for the injury done to his good name. It does not matter if Thaksin is laughing his head off and scoffing at the obvious flaws in court procedure. By doing this, he is exploiting the Thai legal system, just as he exploited so many other areas - something that led to a military coup and his downfall.

Let's stop all this nonsense. Relevant laws and procedures should be amended to ensure fairness. Thaksin should appear in court as a plaintiff, and not in absentia while enjoying his life in exile in London.

At the same time, let's keep him busy with more legal troubles by bringing litigation in London and give him cause to be worried about his hidden assets and cash hoarded in Swiss banks - more of a "Panic Room" atmosphere, to be precise. This would be truly fair to him and to all of us here.

Thaksin does not want justice. He just wants to get off the legal hook. He will have a louder laugh if our incompetence and other failures allow him to go scot-free.

- Sopon Onkgara, Sidelines, The Nation

[John K]

Very good read.

[marshbags]

Let's create a 'Panic Room' atmosphere for Thaksin

The Office of the Attorney-General will send a team to London to explore the possibility of extraditing Thaksin Shinawatra to stand trial in two criminal cases following findings of irregularities by the Assets Examination Committee.

The Thai prosecutors will consult with their British counterparts seeking legal grounds for the extradition. Prior to their departure, they have already heard a scoff from Thaksin's legal spokesman.

"Don't even try, it will be futile. We have got a fine legal team in place to defend Thaksin," said Noppadon Pattama with bravado. Noppadon has earned the status of British barrister-at-law thanks to an Ananda Mahidol scholarship, which financed his study in England. This irony is very hurtful to Thai people. The scholarship is generally meant for those who would go on to do useful things for the public or national good. Noppadon applies his qualifications and talent, in return for a princely salary, to serve a disgraced politician in exile, who still wants to regain government power through political nominees.

It will be a long and gruelling battle if Thai prosecutors try to bring Thaksin back to Thailand to face his accusers for his misdeeds. Thaksin will spend his money to protect himself and ward off the arm of the Thai law.

The best way to go about doing this would be for the Thai government and prosecutors to hire an experienced and talented British law firm to engage in the legal battle on its behalf to ensure that the effort is not wasted as it was in the Rakesh Saxena case in Canada.

No matter what the legal expenses would be, it would certainly be worth it if the British lawyers were able to win the fight and bring Thaksin here to stand trial. At the same time, they should try to find out what assets Thaksin has concealed abroad, particularly in Swiss bank accounts. The bounty is tempting. The stakes are high. Judging from Thaksin's recent hollering about Swiss banks freezing his accounts, turning the banks' vaults into his "Panic Room", the cash deposits should be enormous, in the billions of dollars, if not more.

While they pursue Thaksin's extradition, other government units, like the Anti-Money Laundering Office, should open another front in the war, by seeking cooperation from their counterparts worldwide to go after his assets.

Engaging the man in exile and bringing trouble to his temporary home base would reduce the trouble caused by his well-funded political nominees and cronies in Thailand.

At the same time, the government should contemplate changes in legal and court procedures to bring true justice and fairness to all parties in legal battles and to prevent harassment lawsuits.

We have, on many occasions, heard Thaksin's claims and his legal spokesman's arrogant assertion that they would not want to fight legal charges in Thai courts because the current atmosphere is unfavourable and they could not be guaranteed full justice.

This is of course ridiculous. By saying that the court would not be fair to him when he was called to stand trial, Thaksin has surely acted in contempt of the court. Nobody has yet to take up this matter in the courts.

But when he wanted to bring multimillion-baht libel suits against his critics and those regarded as enemies, he had his lawyers file the cases in the Thai courts. What else is this if not evidence of a double standard?

There is something wrong in our court procedural system. Recently, the court issued an instruction stating that if Thaksin is to face criminal charges, his exact domicile must be defined and he must be brought to court, otherwise there would be a stay of trial.

This means that Thaksin cannot be charged in absentia. On the other hand, he is not required to appear in court when he acts as a plaintiff and sues somebody for millions, if not billions, of baht.

The latest victims of his mega-billion libel suits are a team from Manager led by Sondhi Limthongkul. This time, Thaksin is seeking the tidy sum of 2 Billion Baht for the injury done to his good name. It does not matter if Thaksin is laughing his head off and scoffing at the obvious flaws in court procedure. By doing this, he is exploiting the Thai legal system, just as he exploited so many other areas - something that led to a military coup and his downfall.

Let's stop all this nonsense. Relevant laws and procedures should be amended to ensure fairness. Thaksin should appear in court as a plaintiff, and not in absentia while enjoying his life in exile in London.

At the same time, let's keep him busy with more legal troubles by bringing litigation in London and give him cause to be worried about his hidden assets and cash hoarded in Swiss banks - more of a "Panic Room" atmosphere, to be precise. This would be truly fair to him and to all of us here.

Thaksin does not want justice. He just wants to get off the legal hook. He will have a louder laugh if our incompetence and other failures allow him to go scot-free.

- Sopon Onkgara, Sidelines, The Nation

This is good article and puts several pertinent points that would go a long way to giving him his day in court.

But not on the terms he would want or planned for.

There is an Editorial on the ex Phillipine president J. Estrada that should as the article says " serve as a model for Thailand and other Southeast Asian nations "

Quoted from todays The Nation.

Ref url:-

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/16...on_30049107.php

Worth a read IMHO

marshbags

Edited September 16, 2007 by marshbags

[sriracha john]

This is good article and puts several pertinent points that would go a long way to giving him his day in court.

But not on the terms he would want or planned for.

There is an Editorial on the ex-Phillipine president J. Estrada that should as the article says " serve as a model for Thailand and other Southeast Asian nations "

Quoted from todays The Nation.

Ref url:-

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/16...on_30049107.php

Worth a read IMHO

marshbags

Also posted in it's entirety on this thread :

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=1537858

[marshbags]

This is good article and puts several pertinent points that would go a long way to giving him his day in court.

But not on the terms he would want or planned for.

There is an Editorial on the ex-Phillipine president J. Estrada that should as the article says " serve as a model for Thailand and other Southeast Asian nations "

Quoted from todays The Nation.

Ref url:-

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/16...on_30049107.php

Worth a read IMHO

marshbags

Also posted in it's entirety on this thread :

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=1537858

Thanks S.J.,

I was going to put a ref. to this possibly being covered by you in another thread, let us hope the eventual outcome in Thaksins case is of a similar nature, along with the pursuence of all the others, once he is justifiably found guilty as charged

marshbags

[younghusband]

Very good read.

Actually I agree with this as Sopon's ridiculous articles are always good for a laugh.

In reality of course Thaksin will never be extradited as even the dimmer bulbs in the junta probably fully realise.

[John K]

Seeing as lately laws are changing at a blinding speed, I see this as ‘Why don’t you try this to put a damper on Thaksin’ message to the government. Some of the basic things like the plaintiff needs to be in court or the case is thrown out is a no brainer for stopping Thaksin’s frivolous legal attacks. If it’s important enough for you to file it, then it certainly is important enough for you to be in court.

I can’t help but wonder if a new extradition treaty is being secretly negotiated as we speak. That would really put Thaksin in panic mode if he discovered the brand new 2007 treaty was just signed the day before he was served with arrest warrents.

Edited September 16, 2007 by John K

[John K]

Pojaman,Thaksin land deal case back

The irregularities of the Rachadapisek land deal and the nominee allegations against Surin Upatkoon of Kularb Kaew Co will feature prominently in cases today at the Supreme Court's Criminal Division on Political Office Holders and at the Criminal Court.

In the first case, public prosecutors will wait for the decision of the Supreme Court's Criminal Division on Political Office Holders before deciding how to proceed with charges against ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Pojaman over the Rachadapisek land deal.

The Supreme Court held the first hearing against Thaksin and his wife on August 14. The pair are charged with using their political influence, in violation of the law, to purchase the land from the Financial Institution Development Fund, an arm of the Bank of Thailand. The two defendants did not show up on August 14 and the court moved the hearing to today.

"There are two ways to deal with this case if the defendants fail to show up again," said Athaphol Yaisawang, a spokesman from the Office of the Attorney-General.

"The court can either put the trial on hold until the authorities can bring the defendants to appear, or the court can proceed to hold the trial in absentia of the defendants."

Thaksin is accused of using his identity card as prime minister to back up Pojaman's bid for the plot of more than 30 rai in Bangkok's Rachadapisek area. The Financial Institution Development Fund owned the plot and launched open bidding for it. Pojaman got the land by offering the highest bid. However, the law forbids political-office holders from participating in the bidding for contracts from government agencies.

Thaksin and Pojaman are now living in exile in London.

As for the attempts to bring Thaksin and Pojaman back to Thailand to stand trial in the court, Athapol said the Office of the Attorney General had set up a working committee to proceed with this case. The working committee held a secret meeting recently, he added.

"Today the public prosecutors must have a clear answer from the Supreme Court on the progress of the extradition case. First, we have to ascertain whether the defendants are residing in England. This matter lies under the responsibility of the Foreign Ministry. Second, we have to set up a team of legal advisors to study the extradition process of the UK system," Athapol said.

"In short, we have to be able to tell the Supreme Court whether the public prosecutors plan to seek an extradition charge against the defendants so that the court can determine how it will proceed with deliberation of the case. But nobody can really tell whether, once we have requested the extradition, it will be successful or not, because it all depends on the UK's reaction."

Abhisit Vejjajiva, the leader of the Democrat Party, said Thaksin should return to Thailand to fight the cases against him in court because the Thai justice system and the Thai courts are impartial.

"I believe Thaksin should fight the legal cases in the Thai court because he himself believes in the Thai courts, otherwise he would not have sued a lot of people in numerous other cases," Abhisit said.

In another development, police will today seek a court warrant to arrest Surin because he has failed three times to appear before police to hear charges that he acted as a nominee for foreigners in his stock holding in Kularb Kaew.

Kularb Kaew is one of the companies used by Temasek Holdings of Singapore to acquire Shin Corp from the Shinawatra family.

Yesterday a lawyer for Surin presented a medical report from a Malaysian hospital to the police. The report shows that Surin suffers from an irregular heartbeat, making it impossible for him to appear before the police to hear the criminal charges against him.

Police Lt Gen Visut Vanichbutr, head of the Economic and Technology Crime Suppression Unit, said the report is not credible because it is not accompanied by a notarisation from any Thai agency such as a Thai embassy or Thai Consul.

"We believe that he only wants to buy time and escape from having to face the charges," Visut said.

Police yesterday submitted seven files containing evidence against Surin to the Southern Criminal Court of Bangkok. The court is today scheduled to discuss how the case against Surin should proceed.

The Nation

[TAWP]

They are as impartial as UK or US courts. (Not a lot.)

[hammered]

I can’t help but wonder if a new extradition treaty is being secretly negotiated as we speak.

Wonder no longer. There isn't.

Abhisit Vejjajiva, the leader of the Democrat Party, said Thaksin should return to Thailand to fight the cases against him in court because the Thai justice system and the Thai courts are impartial

Is this guy a comedian or a politician?

You obviously overlooked or forgot to mention the rest of the quote that shows a level of wit in Abhisit not seen in many other politicians. For the sake of clarity and giving full context I include it here:

"I believe Thaksin should fight the legal cases in the Thai court because he himself believes in the Thai courts, otherwise he would not have sued a lot of people in numerous other cases," Abhisit said.

[John K]

I can’t help but wonder if a new extradition treaty is being secretly negotiated as we speak.

Wonder no longer. There isn't.

The operative word here is secret. If you know it to be or not to be it would not be a secret. Rest assured if Thaksin suspected it was being renegotiated, he would be already one his way to his #2 favorite places to live.

[younghusband]

I can’t help but wonder if a new extradition treaty is being secretly negotiated as we speak.

Wonder no longer. There isn't.

The operative word here is secret. If you know it to be or not to be it would not be a secret. Rest assured if Thaksin suspected it was being renegotiated, he would be already one his way to his #2 favorite places to live.

This post suggests that there should perhaps be a separate thread for fantasy politics, or perhaps Thai politics as they occur in a separate time stream.In all seriousness emperor_tud, I wouldn't bother arguing with this fellow.

[Mid]

Supreme court put on hold charges against Thaksin and wife

September 25, 2007 : Last updated 12:10 pm

Supreme Court's Criminal Division on Political Office Holders put on hold charges against ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Pojaman over the Rachadapisek land deal.

The decision will remain until the authorities can bring the defendants to appear before the court.

Thaksin and his wife are now residing in London after a military junta toppled his government in September last year.

The court decided to put on hold the charge instead of proceeding to hold the trial in absentia of the defendants

.

nationmultimedia.com

[John K]

I can’t help but wonder if a new extradition treaty is being secretly negotiated as we speak.

Wonder no longer. There isn't.

The operative word here is secret. If you know it to be or not to be it would not be a secret. Rest assured if Thaksin suspected it was being renegotiated, he would be already one his way to his #2 favorite places to live.

This post suggests that there should perhaps be a separate thread for fantasy politics, or perhaps Thai politics as they occur in a separate time stream.In all seriousness emperor_tud, I wouldn't bother arguing with this fellow.

Younghusband, my comment is based on news clippings and reading between the lines. Although Sonthi is not directly involved in this, Sonthi has done exactly what I would have done step by step all along, meaning we think alike. Sonthi being military, you don’t inform the enemy of your actions and intent. Basically the secret negotiations of a new extradition treaty is the approach I would take, so based on common thinking I must assume Sonthi would think and encourage the same. But as always time will tell.

I seem to remember secret negotiations working very well in the past that resulted in a treaty being signed (Thailand was not involved). Had it been public there would have been terrorism and other violence to distract and foil the negotiations. It was only made public after the ink was dry.

So now on to your counter point younghusband......

[baabaabobo]

Court suspends case against Thaksin

(BangkokPost.com) - The Supreme Court decided on Tuesday to suspend a corruption case relating to the Ratchadaphisek land deal against ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Potjaman until prosecutors bring them back to court.

"The court decided to suspend the case and the trial will resume when the two defendants are found," chief judge Thonglor Chomngam said.

The decision by the Supreme Court's criminal division came after the couple refused to attend the first hearing on the case over the purchase of a 772 million baht land plot.

The couple, currently living in London, face arrest warrants with Thai public prosecutors trying to get the couple extradited back to Thailand.

"Although the plaintiff has claimed that the extradition process will take about 90 days, there is no clear indication when the two defendants will be presented in court," said the judge.

If convicted, Mr Thaksin could face up to 10 years in jail.

[joskydive]

I'm surprised the Supreme Court made this decision as I still can't see them being extradited from the UK any time soon. (Not, that I know anything about the extradition agreement both countries might, or might not have).

What does bother me though is what repercussions there might be for UK ex-pats who live here when they find they cannot get what they want.

[Plus]

Perhaps they are legally obliged to try to bring Thaksin to court before considerging whether to try him in absentia or not.

So much for military manipulating justice system.

[Jai Dee]

Special Litigation Dept. to cooperate with CPS

Director-General of the Special Litigation Department, Seksan Bangsomboon (เศกสรร บางสมบุญ), reveals that the department will cooperate with the U.K.’s Crown Prosecution Service or CPS by October 12th to bring former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife, Khunying Potjaman Shinawatra, to Thailand.

Mr Seksan expresses his confidence that the Thai authorities will be able to bring ex-PM and his wife to defend themselves in the Ratchadaphisek land deal case in Thai courts. He adds that he does not want people to relate Mr Thaksin’s case to the case of Rakesh Saksena (ราเกซ สักเสนา) whom the Thai government still cannot bring to the country for prosecution.

The director-general says the Ratchadaphisek land deal case has an expiration period of 15 years.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 September 2007

[Siripon]

Court suspends case against Thaksin

(BangkokPost.com) - The Supreme Court decided on Tuesday to suspend a corruption case relating to the Ratchadaphisek land deal against ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Potjaman until prosecutors bring them back to court.

"The court decided to suspend the case and the trial will resume when the two defendants are found," chief judge Thonglor Chomngam said.

The decision by the Supreme Court's criminal division came after the couple refused to attend the first hearing on the case over the purchase of a 772 million baht land plot.

The couple, currently living in London, face arrest warrants with Thai public prosecutors trying to get the couple extradited back to Thailand.

"Although the plaintiff has claimed that the extradition process will take about 90 days, there is no clear indication when the two defendants will be presented in court," said the judge.

If convicted, Mr Thaksin could face up to 10 years in jail.

So all the corruption cases will pile up behind this case logjammed until Thaksin returns. Disappointing.