Former Prime Minister Samak Still Facing Corruption Charges

[sriracha john]

Interior Minister: Son's Reinstatement in Army Justified

The Interior Minister adorned his son with a Second Lieutenant epaulet this morning at his residence, insisting that his son's reinstatement is legally justified.

Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung revealed that he adorned his son, Duang Yoobamrung, with a Second Lieutenant epaulet this morning at the auspicious time of 8:19am at his residence.

He stressed that the reinstatement of his son is not disrespectful to Supreme Commander General Boonsarng Niampradit.

Chalerm reasoned that Second Lieutenant Duang Yoobamrung formerly served in the Defence Ministry's Secretary Office, not the Supreme Command Headquarters so his reinstatement by Prime Minister and Defence Minister Samak Sundaravej did not have to go through the Supreme Commander.

Chalerm stated Duang's suspension from the military came when he was named the suspect in the murder of Police Senior Sergeant Major Wichai Rodvimut, not because he escaped his army duty.

The Interior Minister pointed out that his son has been acquitted in the murder case as the witnesses' statements conflicted with forensic evidence, proving his son's innocence.

Chalerm said he does not feel disheartened by pressure on his family as his son's reinstatement is not an abuse of power but is a legal justice. He noted that his son was imprisoned for over a year before being granted bail so he had paid his dues.

- Thailand Outlook (today)

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

So his Dad is making the point then that his son was never charged with desertion? Fine.

Now that he is back on active duty as an officer, charge him with desertion from the Army for a year.

Aside from the prison time, it should result in a dishonorable discharge from the Army so the he could go back to just being Mr. Happy Toilet's Murderous Brother.

The Army's newest Lieutenant...

Matichon newspaper

Chalerm defends his son's military reinstatement

Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said Wednesday that he presided over a ceremony to decorate his youngest son, Duang, with his restored rank of sub lieutenant at their private residence.

Chalerm however refused to comment whether the ceremony was a privilege accorded to the son of a Cabinet member.

He was speaking at a press conference at the Interior Ministry in a bid to quell the controversy surrounding Duang resuming the military service. He said it happened under the prescribed procedures and did not side stepped any rules.

"I want to comment on the issue for the last time, so listen carefully," he said.

The Secretariat of the Defence Minister directly handled the reinstatement because Duang was stripped of his rank seven years ago by a ministerial order issued in connection with his alleged involvement in a murder, he said.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej issued a direct order for Duang to resume the military service, hence bypassing the normal military channel through the Armed Forces Security Centre, where Duang was commissioned, and the Supreme Command, he said.

He insisted his son was stripped of his rank within five days after the murder case broke in 2001.

"My son did not desert his duty and he is entitled for reinstatement after winning an acquittal - he is innocent," he said.

- The Nation

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So then his son was properly granted leave from the Army for the year he spent as a deserter in Malaysia????

The more Chalerm speaks, the crappier his comments become.

btw, what medals is Duang wearing on his chest????? Expert Scotch-swilling? Marksman for Policeman Head Shots? Pub brawling above and beyond the call of duty?

The No-Stranger-To-Controversy just keeps rolling right along...

Chalerm at a press conference in 2004 with his son Duangchalerm after Duangchalerm finally returned to Thailand to face murder charges related to shooting a policeman point-blank in the head while his brother held him down during an argument in a pub.

Interior Minister appoints his son as Anti-Drug Committee Member

The Interior Minister appointed one of his sons as a member of the special committee to tackle drug problems. Major Duang Yoobamrung, the son of Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, was appointed to work with the Interior Ministry's Drug Suppression Committee, which is a special unit that supports operations to reduce drug problems.

The official letter of his appointment was signed by his farther, the Interior Minister himself, on July 4th, 2008. The special anti-drug committee was recently established because it has become apparent that operations to suppress illegal drugs implemented by several state agencies have encountered big coordination gaps.

The special unit supports operations conducted by all agencies and is intended to boost the coordination between them. The special drug suppression committee comprises of thirty-eight members, including former national police spokesman Police Lieutenant-General Pongsapat Pongchareon and former People Power Party MP candidate Han Timatongkam.

- Thailand Outlook / 05-07-08

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

Interesting that Duang is definitely on the fast-track promotion list...

After being re-instated back into the Army just only this past May as a Sub-Lieutenant, he is now a Major....

Today's update...

Reinstatement of Duang Yubamrung is lawful: PM

PM and Defence Minister Samak Sundaravej criticised the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) for setting up a panel chaired by its spokesman Klanarong Chanthik to probe the transparency of the reinstatement of Sub-Lt Duang Yubamrung, the son of former Interior Minister Chalerm Yubamrung. The premier insisted Sub-Lt Duang’s recall into the military service was transparent and lawful, and asked the NCCC what damage had been done to the country after he, as the Defence Minister, approved his reinstatement in compliance with the law.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=129897

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

Ahhh ok, I see now... it's appropriate this all started on his Sunday Morning Cartoon Show..... also seems this is going to be yet another "case" for the workload of the PM's lawyers...

Samak cries foul over NCCC probe over reinstatement of Chalerm's son into military service

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej Sunday cried foul over the investigation by the National Counter Corruption Commission against him for having approved the reinstatement of a son of former Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung into the military service.

Speaking during his Talk Samak Style, the prime minister demanded the NCCC to explain how the reinstatement had damaged the country and how he had committed a malfeasance as charged in the NCCC's order to set up a panel to investigate him.

"Have I received money from Chalerm to appoint his son? Have foreign countries written letters to criticise Thailand over the reinstatement?" Samak asked emotionally.

He said he simply approved the reinstatement after the military officials proposed the reinstatement according to proper procedures.

- The Nation / today

Edited August 24, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

PM affirms appointment of former Interior Minister's son not an abuse of power

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej stated on his weekly talk show today that during the past week the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) submitted a notice to him that they have formed a special committee to investigate if he has used his position as Defense Minister to appoint the son of former Interior Minister Police Captain Chalerm Yubamrung, Duang Yubamrung to a position within the sector against due processes. The committee is to be chaired by NCCC member Klanarong Jantik.

The PM admitted that he had approved the matter, but expressed his opinion that all of his appointments as Minister of Defense followed the appropriate process and have all been validated through revisions.

He said that if the matter was irregular, Duang's name would not have even been presented for approval.

He also stated that the NCCC document did not cite any detriment caused by the appointment and has called on Police Captain Chalerm to respond to the matter.

- ThaiNews / today

[hammered]

Appointing people with extremely bad reputations just continues to make politicans look bad. In politics you sometimes need to be seen to do the right thing.

Recent appointments of obnoxious sons of obnoxious politicians to posts just serves to further spread the idea that politicans are just bad people. Mind you Thailand is not unique in this.

[sriracha john]

In anticipation of this becoming another dish on Samak's already crowded dinner table of cases...

Irregularities suspected over push for dam

Senators and environmentalists suspect irregularities involving the planned construction of the 120 Billion Baht hydro-power dam on the Mekong river being pushed by the Samak administration. Their focus is on the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between former Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama and the Laotian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister in March to jointly build the dam on the world's 12th longest river. They say the signing of the MoU bypassed parliamentary approval and the government had failed to take into account public participation, particularly villagers affected by the dam construction. Noppadon also agreed with the Laotian proposal to commission Italian-Thai Development Plc to conduct the feasibility study of the project without holding a proper bidding contest as required under Thai law. Senator Prasarn Marukpitak, who chairs a Senate panel probing alleged irregularities involving the Ban Koum dam project, yesterday submitted a motion against Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag, asking him to explain why the government had signed the MoU so hastily with Laos. The MoU was signed on March 25, less than two months after the Samak Cabinet took office.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/230808_News/23Aug2008_news06.php

time to speed up things even more... but only as a way of helping the country, of course... funny bit from the Leader of the Nation about how it's only Lao water in the river that causes flooding

PM says government to expedite talks with Laos on dam construction

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said the government will accelerate talks with Laos to discuss the construction of dams in Mekong River to prevent flooding.

The premier says the flood condition in the provinces of Nong Khai and Nakhon Phanom was caused by water from Laos and the Thai government has cooperated with Laos in finding measures to tackle the flooding. He says the construction of dams in Mekong River will help slow down water flowing to Thailand.

- ThaiNews / today

[marshbags]

PM affirms appointment of former Interior Minister's son not an abuse of power

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej stated on his weekly talk show today that during the past week the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) submitted a notice to him that they have formed a special committee to investigate if he has used his position as Defense Minister to appoint the son of former Interior Minister Police Captain Chalerm Yubamrung, Duang Yubamrung to a position within the sector against due processes. The committee is to be chaired by NCCC member Klanarong Jantik.

The PM admitted that he had approved the matter, but expressed his opinion that all of his appointments as Minister of Defense followed the appropriate process and have all been validated through revisions.

He said that if the matter was irregular, Duang's name would not have even been presented for approval.

He also stated that the NCCC document did not cite any detriment caused by the appointment and has called on Police Captain Chalerm to respond to the matter.

- ThaiNews / today

The Nation B.News

Samak cries foul over NCCC probe over reinstatement of Chalerm's son into military service

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej Sunday cried foul over the investigation by the National Counter Corruption Commission against him for having approved the reinstatement of a son of former interior minister Chalerm Yoobamrung into the military service.

Speaking during his Talk Samak Style, the prime minister demanded the NCCC to explain how the reinstatement had damaged the country and how he had committed a malfeasance as charged in the NCCC's order to set up a panel to investigate him.

"Have I received money from Chalerm to appoint his son? Have foreign countries written letters to criticise Thailand over the reinstatement?" Samak asked emotionally.

He said he simply approved the reinstatement after the military officials proposed the reinstatement according to proper procedures.

The Nation

marshbags

[Tony Clifton]

It's amusing to see sons of criminals always standing right behind their dads, like poor helpless retarded children who still need so much parental support even in their late twenties or thirties. Amazing gene pool...

Edited August 24, 2008 by Tony Clifton

[sriracha john]

PM to clarify to NCCC on Chalerm son's return to military

BANGKOK, Aug 24 (TNA) -- Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej must justify to Thailand's National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) approving the discredited son of the then Interior Minister to rejoin the Royal Thai Army, NCCC member Klanarong Chanthik said Sunday, noting that Samak had 15 days to explain his, or lodge his objections to the investigating committee's composition or to the mandate it has been given.

Mr. Klanarong, appointed to head the newly-instituted sub-committee to investigate whether Samak abused his power as Defence Minister in readmitting ex-Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung's son Duang Yoobamrung to the Royal Thai Army, said the notification was sent to Samak after the NCCC had received a complaint that the re-appointment of Duang was unjust, that the decision had damaged the country and that the person at issue had insufficient qualifications.

His remarks were made in apparent response after Samak early Sunday used his nationwide broadcast as a forum to publicly air his complaint that the NCCC had formally notified him by letter on August 13 that it has empowered a sub-committee to investigate the matter.

Asserting that the investigation was not meant to unfairly pressure anybody, Mr. Klanarong said that Prime Minister Samak has within 15 days of receiving the NCCC's notification to object to the committee's composition and its task.

If his objection is accepted, a new sub-committee will be appointed and it will restate the notification to Samak and if he does not object then the new sub-committee will move to gather evidence and interview those persons suspected of being behind Duang's reappointment, he said.

Samak in late April this year approved Duang's application to rejoin the military. The son was discharged from the military in 2002 on charges of desertion, after fleeing to Malaysia in 2001 in the wake of being accused of shooting an on-duty police officer to death in a Bangkok nightclub brawl.

Duang surrendered the following year and was later acquitted of the charges. At the time the approval was given Chalerm was Interior Minister in Samak's coalition government, having come to power in early February this year.

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

What was the penalty he incurred at the military court-martial proceedings on his year-long desertion charges?

What? He didn't stand trial for desertion?

*edit* "Tags" at the top of the page updated to reflect the various content of this thread.

Edited August 25, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

and speaking of other cases...

Appeal court to rule on defamation suit against PM today

The Appeal Court will today hand down an appellate decision on a defamation conviction against Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.

A lower court found Samak guilty last year. He was sentenced to a two-year jail term for offending former deputy Bangkok Governor Samart Ratchapholsit in 2006.

The defamation was found to have been committed on a Channel 9 television talk show and involved bribes offered by a contractor.

He appealed against his conviction. Should the ruling be unfavourable, he is entitled to a final review by the Supreme Court.

His earlier sentence has no bearing on his ability to carry out his job as PM. He will be disqualified from office if convicted of a felony or if he has to serve time at the completion of the appellate process.

- The Nation / today

[sriracha john]

"Dr." Chalerm hugs his son Duang

Former Interior Minister clarifies issue surrounding son

Former Minister of Interior, Police Captain Chalerm Yubamrung held a press conference yesterday to present documents being used in an investigation of his son Duang Yubamrung.

Police Captain Chalerm affirmed that his son had not committed any wrong-doing and had never evaded military drafting.

He reminded that an investigation by a criminal case committee had already found his son not guilty and dropped all charges with the Military Criminal Court of Bangkok already accepting the report. He stated that it was completely acceptable that his son take on a government post.

The former minister assured that he had never lobbied the Prime Minister on the matter and stated that he is now seeking civil action against individuals who revoked his son's ranking before the legal process was finalized. He affirmed that he is ready to clarify the matter to the National Counter Corruption Commission's special committee on the matter.

- ThaiNews / today

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

What did the Military Court say about his desertion?

Those cases are almost always pretty open and shut, eg. you're either where you're supposed to be or not.

Chalerm is correct that his son didn't avoid the military draft, but he did avoid the military when he deserted for a year.

Edited August 26, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

and speaking of other cases...

Appeal court to rule on defamation suit against PM today

The Appeal Court will today hand down an appellate decision on a defamation conviction against Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.

A lower court found Samak guilty last year. He was sentenced to a two-year jail term for offending former deputy Bangkok Governor Samart Ratchapholsit in 2006.

The defamation was found to have been committed on a Channel 9 television talk show and involved bribes offered by a contractor.

He appealed against his conviction. Should the ruling be unfavourable, he is entitled to a final review by the Supreme Court.

His earlier sentence has no bearing on his ability to carry out his job as PM. He will be disqualified from office if convicted of a felony or if he has to serve time at the completion of the appellate process.

- The Nation / today

Both papers apparently reported the same above... but it's incorrect...

Clarification

In a story headlined ''Samak, Dusit verdicts due'', published on page 4 of the Bangkok Post on Monday, the story reported that the Appeals Court will announce its verdict on PM Samak Sundaravej and former Senator Dusit Siriwan in a defamation case bought by former Deputy Bangkok Governor Samart Ratchapolsitte on Aug 25. In fact, the court will hand down the verdict on

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/260808_News/26Aug2008_news12.php

Edited August 26, 2008 by sriracha john

[Tony Clifton]

" Your faults as a son...is my failure as a father."

-Marcus

[sriracha john]

Samak to travel to court to listen to verdict in his libel case tomorrow

Lawyer Prachum Thongmee for the former PM Samak says his client will go to court to hear the verdict regarding his libel case tomorrow (September 25th).

The lawyer discloses that the Bangkok South Criminal Court will read the verdict in the libel case which has former prime minister Samak Sundaravej as defendant and former deputy Bangkok governor Samart Ratchaphonlasit as plaintiff.

Samak is accused of libel by the deputy governor following his quote of Samart in ten alleged corruption cases during a TV show in 2006.

The Court of Instance sentenced Samak to two years imprisonment on April 12th, 2007, without probation. The lawyer says the former PM will go to court to hear the verdict tomorrow and he will not request for another postponement, adding that Samak has prepared assets which will be used to bail him out if the Bangkok Criminal Court upholds the Court of Instance’s verdict.

- ThaiNews / 2008-09-24

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

*** Mods: Please update thread title to: Former Prime Minister Samak Still Facing Court Cases ***

Thank you.

[animatic]

Samak to travel to court to listen to verdict in his libel case tomorrow

Lawyer Prachum Thongmee for the former PM Samak says his client will go to court to hear the verdict regarding his libel case tomorrow (September 25th).

The lawyer discloses that the Bangkok South Criminal Court will read the verdict in the libel case which has former prime minister Samak Sundaravej as defendant and former deputy Bangkok governor Samart Ratchaphonlasit as plaintiff.

Samak is accused of libel by the deputy governor following his quote of Samart in ten alleged corruption cases during a TV show in 2006.

The Court of Instance sentenced Samak to two years imprisonment on April 12th, 2007, without probation. The lawyer says the former PM will go to court to hear the verdict tomorrow and he will not request for another postponement, adding that Samak has prepared assets which will be used to bail him out if the Bangkok Criminal Court upholds the Court of Instance’s verdict.

- ThaiNews / 2008-09-24

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

*** Mods: Please update thread title to: Former Prime Minister Samak Still Facing Court Cases ***

Thank you.

.

The Damocles Cooking Hour

[sriracha john]

Samak defamation ruling due today

Samak Sundaravej faces another crucial court verdict today, a little over two weeks after the Constitution Court disqualified him from the premiership.

The Court of Appeals is scheduled to deliver its verdict on Samak and his television programme co-host Dusit Siriwan in a defamation case filed by former Bangkok governor Samart Ratchapolsitte.

Prachum Tongmee, Samak's lawyer, yesterday confirmed that the ex-PM would be in court today. Samart said he would attend the court session as well.

On April 12 last year, the Criminal Court sentenced Samak and Dusit to 24 months in jail each without probation.

The preceding events go back to January 2006, when Samak and Dusit, in a series of television programmes - "Chao Wan Nee Tee Chong Ha" (Today at Channel Five) and "Samak-Dusit Kid Tam Wan" (Samak-Dusit's Daily Thoughts) - talked about corruption by an executive of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

They also talked about a BMA executive receiving a luxury car given as a bribe by a construction firm.

In addition, they mentioned Samart giving media interviews in which he said he had never favoured any bidder. The co-hosts said that if an executive were actually corrupt, he would not admit it.

Samart took the matter to the Criminal Court, saying that the comments by the duo could have misled viewers into believing he was corrupt.

Besides, Samart produced evidence that he had bought the new car himself, after which the court said the defendants' argument that they had not intended to defame Samart did not seem sound.

The court rejected the duo's argument that although they had failed to verify the information, they were merely giving information to the public. Sharing information and opinion was the concept of the show, they had argued.

The court said Samak had previously been guilty of defamation on many occasions, and he had been put on probation in the hope that he would change his ways.

The two were freed on bail of Bt200,000 each. If the Court of Appeals upholds the verdict, Samak could be jailed - unless he takes his case to the Supreme Court.

Thammasat University law lecturer Prinya Thaewanarumitkul said that in the event that the Appeals Court upholds the Criminal Court's verdict, the defendant could appeal to the Supreme Court that the ruling was based on an interpretation of defamation, not on facts.

Samak will likely appeal to the Supreme Court if the verdict goes against him. His argument could contest whether their behaviour could be considered defamation or qualified for an exception under the law, Prinya said.

Even if the Appeals Court were to uphold the verdict, Samak and Dusit would not immediately be sent to jail. The defendants would have 30 days in which to appeal, and it would be up to the court whether to hear the plea, he added.

- The Nation / 2008-09-25

[AlKing]

You think Samak is going to boil like his famous "Ka Moo tom Coke" that finally brought him down?

[Plus]

I could swear that after the last court ruling he had only one chance of appeal. Now it looks like he still has options left.

[Plus]

Ok, the appeal was overturned but they can appeal again, to the Supreme Court, within 30 days.

http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/09/25/pol...cs_30084349.php

[sriracha john]

Court finds Samak guilty in libel case

The Bangkok South Criminal Court ruled on Thursday morning that disqualified PM Samak and his close friend Dusit Siriwan *husband of my signature line* did indeed defame former Deputy Bangkok Governor Samart Rajpolasidhi. Both defendants were sentenced to two-year jail term, with no suspension, as ruled by the first court’s ruling on April 12, 2007. Right after the court announced its verdict, the two put forward their bail money of 200,000 Baht each.

Before the case was filed by Samart, the former premier and his close associate were criticising the accuser on a commercial television. The court deemed the actions of Samak and Dusit were libelling Mr Samart, and their clarifications were unsound.

The court further ruled that their excuses of having done many good deeds were unreasonable, and since they

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=130906

[sriracha john]

Former Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej tries to get past journalists after arriving to Parliament in Bangkok September 17, 2008. Thailand's Court of Appeals confirmed a two-year jail term for defamation on Samak, who stepped down earlier this month after another court found him guilty of a conflict of interest.

REUTERS / September 25, 2008

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

Ex-Thai PM Samak sentenced to jail for defamation

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's Court of Appeals confirmed a two-year jail term for defamation on former Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, who stepped down earlier this month after another court found him guilty of a conflict of interest.

A judge reading the verdict on Thursday said there was no reason to suspend jail terms handed down by the Criminal Court, which had found Samak and co-defendant Dusit Siriwan guilty of defaming a former Deputy Governor of Bangkok in 2006.

"After considering what the defendants have done, there is no reason to withhold their penalty," the judge said.

Samak needs permission from the Attorney-General or the Supreme Court to appeal against the sentence.

He showed no emotion when the verdict was announced and slipped out of court through a side door, avoiding the hundreds of journalists waiting at the main gate.

It was not clear whether he would be freed on bail while waiting for a decision on his appeal request.

He is still a member of parliament, so parliamentary privilege should allow him to stay out of jail until the end of the House of Representatives session in November.

The lawsuit was a crucial factor behind the decision of many MPs in the ruling People Power Party to ask Samak, their Party Leader, not to run for Prime Minister again after he was forced to step down.

Plaintiff Samart Rachapolrasit, who was the subject of slanderous remarks by Samak in two TV shows, said he would also seek 100 million baht compensation from Samak in the Civil Court.

"The wheel of karma has taken its course and I will not bow to any request for compromise," Samart told reporters after the verdict.

[sriracha john]

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

*** Mods: Please update thread title to:

Former Prime Minister Samak Still Facing Court Cases

Thank you.

*bump* in light of the "new" New Prime Minister... and the other cases besides corruption that he's involved and are being discussed in the thread.

Edited September 25, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Disqualified former prime minister Samak Sundaravej

ThaiNews

Court finds Samak guilty in libel case

The Bangkok South Criminal Court ruled this morning (September 25) against disqualified former prime minister Samak Sundaravej and his close friend Dusit Siriwan for defaming former Deputy Bangkok Governor Mr. Samart Rajpolasidhi.

Both defendants were sentenced to two-year jail term, with no suspension, as ruled by the first court’s ruling on April 12, 2007.

The former premier and his close associate criticized the accuser on commercial televisions talk shows in January 2006. They alleged that “a high-ranking” Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) official received bribes worth Three Billion Baht from contractors of BMA’s projects and that his wife took money to buy BMW series 7.

The court deemed the actions of Samak and Dusit were libelling Mr Samart, and their clarifications were unsound.

The court considered their conversation on the ex-Bangkok Deputy Governor was uncalled for and lacked integrity as media members. The court further ruled that their excuses of having done many good deeds were unreasonable, and since they are individuals with high responsibility, they should realize that their comments can affect others considerably.

After the court’s ruling, both Samak and Dusit has sought court’s permission to release them on bails with guaranteed money amounting to 200,000 baht each.

Mr. Samart said he would file a civil suit demanding 100 million baht following the completion of the appellate process.

- ThaiNews / 2008-09-25

Edited September 25, 2008 by sriracha john

[Moruya]

I guess it comes as no surprise that old motormouth's mouth landed him in hot water.

Guess he'll be on kitchen duty while he's doing his porridge. Maybe Coke can sponsor him. Maybe they can televise it - I'm sure he'd look good in a set of whites with arrows on them!

[sriracha john]

Going In...

Former Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, right, arrives at the Appeals Court in Bangkok, Thailand Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008. The Thai Appeals Court upheld a two-year jail sentence for defamation Thursday against Samak, who was forced out of office recently because of another run-in with the law.

Associated Press

Coming Out...

Former Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej walks to a waiting car as he leaves the Appeals Court in Bangkok, Thailand Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008. The Thai Appeals Court upheld a two-year jail sentence for defamation Thursday against Samak, who was forced out of office recently because of another run-in with the law.

Associated Press

[sriracha john]

He's not looking so good...

Former prime minister Samak Sundaravej arrives at the Appeals Court. The court upheld verdict on him on a libel suit and sentenced him to two years in jail. Samak was freed on bail.

The Nation

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

Thai premier Samak Sundaravej sentenced to jail

For the second time this month, an ill-judged television appearance has been the ruin of Samak Sundaravej: the first one stripped him of the job of Prime Minister, and the second is now set to land him in jail.

In a Court of Appeals decision that loomed over his short and rocky premiership from the start, Samak was today handed a two year prison sentence for the on-air defamation of another politician during a chat show in 2006.

Although Samak remains an MP – and might therefore be spared prison for a few weeks until the current parliamentary session ends in November – the judge said that he saw no reason to withhold the penalty that the former prime minister and his co-defendant, Dusit Siriwan, were now due to serve.

Since rising to the very top of Thai politics earlier this year, the abrasive and always controversial Samak’s love of television appearances have held the key to his abrupt downfall.

A famously ebullient gourmet, the 73-year old Samak hosted a politically charged cookery show for some years before becoming prime minister. “Cooking and Grumbling”, as the show was known, allowed Samak to indulge his dual passions for whipping-up traditional Thai dishes before an enraptured audience and griping about the perceived ills of the modern world.

Unfortunately for him, his paid appearances on that show after he became prime minister were in breach of strict conflict of interest laws. Earlier this month, with hundreds of protesters besieging his offices and a state of emergency declared, Samak was forced to resign and was not invited to stand again.

But today’s judgment relates to a different – more overtly political – discussion show that Samak and Dusit jointly hosted. “Think Daily” was deliberately conceived to allow the government a platform to present counter arguments to the huge rallies of anti-government protesters that eventually led to the military coup in April 2006 in which Thaksin Shinawatra was kicked out of power.

On the show, Samak slanderously alleged that the then deputy governor of Bangkok, Samart Ratchapolasit, had corruptly awarded lucrative public works projects in the Thai capital. Mr Samart, who is also pursuing the ex-prime minister in the civil court for some 100 million baht (£1.6 million) in damages, said: “the wheel of karma has taken its course and I will not bow to any request for compromise.”

Convicted for the on-air slander in April last year, Samak’s appeal rested in the suggestion that he had been a force for good for Thailand. :D

The appeals judge said that the excuse was not reasonable and that Samak’s position of high responsibility meant that their words would automatically affect the reputation of the target of his comments.

The case marks yet another landmark in the growing confidence and power of Thailand’s judicial system. There are more than 20 court cases hanging over Thaksin, his family and the MPs who supported him. Ministers, the Speaker of Parliament and a host of other senior Thai figures have all become embroiled in increasingly energetic prosecutions.

- Times Online (UK) / 2008-09-25

[animatic]

Give it two or three months with this new government and you'll clearly remember or see why there was a coup.

In a moldering nutshell.

So pig snout n coke porrage in a coconut shell 3 times a day in the Bangkok Hilton kitchenette.

Edited September 25, 2008 by animatic

[JetsetBkk]

" Your faults as a son...is my failure as a father."

-Marcus

Where's Maximus Decimus Meridius when you need him?

[sriracha john]

Court Upholds Conviction of Former Thai Prime Minister

BANGKOK -- A Thai appeals court Thursday upheld a conviction and two-year jail sentence in a defamation case against Samak Sundaravej, confirming the downfall of the country's former prime minister.

Samak was forced out of office Sept. 9 after another court found he had violated the constitution by accepting paid employment as a television chef while holding national office.

The appeals court judges said Thursday they had found no reason to overturn a lower criminal court decision that found Samak guilty of defaming the deputy governor of Bangkok in another television appearance in January 2006, this time on a political talk show he hosted.

He had accused the deputy governor, Samart Ratchapolasit, of receiving a luxury car as a gift from a construction company. Samart was able to prove he had paid for the car.

Samart is also pursuing the former prime minister through the civil courts, where he is seeking the equivalent of $2.95 million in damages.

Samak, who used to host a television program called "Cooking and Grumbling," has courted controversy for most of his long political career, and the appeals court said his refusal to back down in the defamation case had contributed to its judgment.

"The courts have given the defendant chances to reform and change his behavior, but the defendant has not changed. So there is no reason to reduce the punishment," the appeals court said in its decision, which was read aloud by a judge.

Samak's lawyer said his client would appeal the verdict to Thailand's Supreme Court, and the former prime minister remains free on bail.

Thursday's decision was the latest blow to the country's ruling People Power Party, which Samak formerly headed.

The party is facing sustained challenges not only from prosecutors but from an opposition group known as the People's Alliance for Democracy. Prosecutors accuse senior People Power officials of vote-buying -- charges that could result in disbandment of the party.

The People's Alliance forcibly occupied the prime minister's offices in central Bangkok on Aug. 26 and has promised to continue the occupation until the government falls. Opposition officials say both Samak and his successor, Somchai Wangsawat, are too close to Thaksin Shinawatra, another former prime minister whom they accuse of corruption.

Thaksin was thrown out of office in a military coup in 2006. But when the military called elections last year, they were convincingly won by Samak, who was widely regarded as Thaksin's proxy.

The combative Samak did little to appease his opponents, but Somchai has adopted a more conciliatory line since taking office last week.

His government could be short-lived, however, because the courts are deliberating on charges that the People Power Party was involved in vote-buying during the last election. If the charges are found to be true, the party would be dissolved and new elections would be called for the fourth time in five years.

- Washington Post / 2008-09-25

[Plus]

He's not a "new Prime Minister" anymore. We have another "new Prime Minister" who doesn't face any charges yet.

They should hurry with teh 100 million loan charge to keep this thead in agreement with its title.

[sriracha john]

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*** Mods: Please update thread title to:

Former Prime Minister Samak Still Facing Court Cases

Thank you.

*bump* in light of the "new" New Prime Minister... and the other cases besides corruption that he's involved and are being discussed in the thread.

He's not a "new Prime Minister" anymore. We have another "new Prime Minister" who doesn't face any charges yet.

They should hurry with the 100 million loan charge to keep this thread in agreement with its title.

Wouldn't that be a hoot... Somchai resigns as a result of his daughter's 100 million baht asset declaration statement and Samak is reinvited to become PM again.... but if that happened, then we'd still have to change the thread title to the:

New, New, New Prime Minister Still Facing Court Cases

until then, however, I'd prefer the request in the first post above.

[animatic]

100 mil to little Chinchila and her dad gets the hotseat.

I can NOT see giving $1 million to ANY 27 year old,

pudgy connected geeklet or not.

Amazing Thailand.

Edited September 26, 2008 by animatic