Thaksin Reportedly Sought Royal Pardon

[george]

Thaksin seeks royal pardon

Ex-Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, convicted of abuse of power and sentenced to jail term, said that he had sought royal pardon from HM the King and wanted to make a political comeback.

In an interviewed with the English-language daily Japan Times, "If I get a pardon, I know my supporters would be happy and we would not need to fight back anymore and prove anything.

Thaksin was convicted last year on abuse of power charges and sentenced in absentia to two years in prison.

The ex-premier claimed his innocence and said: "I cannot defend myself and get justice because I am now presumed guilty... and my political opponents back the committee investigating me.

Thaksin said he still wanted to return to Thai politics. "I have to go back, I have an obligation to my supporters and their morale," he told the Japan Times. "If there was an election today, I would certainly win."

Responding to reports that the Thai government has been trying to track his every move, Thaksin insisted that he is not actually in hiding — which leads one to inquire after his current home address.

"I am in and out. I never stay in one place for too long and as long as I am fit I can travel," he said. "You can look for me, I am everywhere!"

-- The Nation 2009-03-12

[Jingthing]

"If there was an election today, I would certainly win."

Is that really such a certainty these days?

Yes, he has steaming hot red core, but the overall feeling I get is that he is no longer seen as the savior he imagines himself to be.

Edited March 12, 2009 by Jingthing

[SoiGirlHunter]

>>>>>>>>>>>In an interviewed with the English-language daily Japan Times, "If I get a pardon, I know my supporters would be happy and we would not need to fight back anymore and prove anything<<<<<<<

So basically he is saying "give me pardon or we go to war"?????????????

[jumnien]

Is it worth fighting for? If the coup-makers apologize and humbly go before the Thai people and ask forgiveness, it will be given.

[mhatami]

Is it worth fighting for? If the coup-makers apologize and humbly go before the Thai people and ask forgiveness, it will be given.

If I had a vote, I would say hang him high

[Jingthing]

I reckon he figured out there is no decent Thai food in Nicaragua.

[FarangCravings]

I reckon he figured out there is no decent Thai food in Nicaragua.

He would win hands down simple as that

[h90]

I reckon he figured out there is no decent Thai food in Nicaragua.

He would win hands down simple as that

yes with vote buying

[Jingthing]

If they made him wear a prisoners outfit, would he still win then?

[adjan jb]

I cannot defend myself and get justice because I am now presumed guilty...

During the war on drugs 3000 people couldn't defend themselves and get justice because they were presumed guilty and shot dead.

[retirednavyman]

Wouldn't that be tantamount to Bernie Madoff asking for a pardon?

[londonthai]

said that he had sought royal pardon from HM the King and wanted to make a political comeback.

he did not get it, so mentioning it in the public doesn't help him anything. In a sense it's a defit - the last hope of coming back soon is gone.

I know, that political situation in thailand is complicated and valalite, but he should make it clear, that he is not coming back to politics. Saying opposite is a red cloth for thai aristocracy

[Artisi]

I think a royal pardon and early release following 50 years in the slammer could certainly be worth considering.

Edited March 12, 2009 by Artisi

[jumnien]

I cannot defend myself and get justice because I am now presumed guilty...

During the war on drugs 3000 people couldn't defend themselves and get justice because they were presumed guilty and shot dead.

This is probably the worst crime of the Abhisit administration, the failure to investigate those responsible.

[bruceboy]

Given the timeframe, I do not see this ever happening.

[Plus]

You can't claim innocence and ask for a pardon at the same time.

After you accepted your guilt, the whole idea of pardon is to humby ask and accept whatever outcome is, not threaten with "fight back".

There are two possible exaplanations for this pardon talk - Thaksin is a devious bastard with not a shadow of remorse who issues ultimatums disguised as pleas for forgiveness. Or he is a retard who still hasn't grown out of kindergarten in some aspects - if he really believes in his own pardon idea. That option would cast serious doubts over his "loyal to the crown" claims. He's loyal when it suits him, but has no problems declaring all out war when it doesn't. That's not what loyalty is, though in his business/politician mind loyalty is probably nothing more than one little act of ass kissing that should be used for your own advantage only, something like giving a bribe.

[endure]

You can't claim innocence and ask for a pardon at the same time.

Precisely. If you ask for a pardon you are admitting your guilt. If you proclaim your innocence you are not entitled to ask for a pardon.

[venturalaw]

You can't claim innocence and ask for a pardon at the same time.

Precisely. If you ask for a pardon you are admitting your guilt. If you proclaim your innocence you are not entitled to ask for a pardon.

Does anyone know how a pardon works? Is a response or answer required, or can the request be simply ignored?

[unforgiven]

If they made him wear a prisoners outfit, would he still win then?

I don't know what he's smoking but it must be good.The ____hates his guts,his chance at a pardon are -1 .I wonder what he's up to!!!

[waza]

The ex-premier claimed his innocence and said: "I cannot defend myself and get justice because I am now presumed guilty... and my political opponents back the committee investigating me.

Not presumed guilty, he was convicted and sentenced in a court of law. He is guilty..........

[sriracha john]

You can't claim innocence and ask for a pardon at the same time.

Precisely. If you ask for a pardon you are admitting your guilt. If you proclaim your innocence you are not entitled to ask for a pardon.

Does anyone know how a pardon works? Is a response or answer required, or can the request be simply ignored?

This is from the Prisoners Abroad organization and while specifically targeting British requesters for a Royal Pardon, the basics would apply to any applicant.

Royal Pardons

This type of pardon needs to be specifically prepared in advance and sent to the King in the form of a petition. It is also known as a Petition for Executive Clemency. If a pardon is not approved, the applicant will have to wait for 2 years before submitting another application.

The Petition process is mandated under Sections 259 to 267 of the Criminal Procedure Code relating to Pardon, Commutation and Reduction of Punishment; under Section 34 of the Penitentiary Act, 1936; and under Items 120 to 126 of the Ministerial Regulation of the Ministry of Interior.

Pardons are generally only granted to those who have strong medical grounds (such as having HIV/Aids or a terminal illness). Although the Embassy can provide information about making a pardon application, they do not provide official support for any application unless there are compelling compassionate grounds to do so, such as in the following circumstances:

• the detainee is under 18 years of age

• the detainee, or a close family member, is suffering from a serious or terminal illness

• the detainee is at risk of death or serious illness if they remain in prison

• the death of a partner will leave young children with no-one to care for them

• strong evidence can be provided that a miscarriage of justice has occurred, or justice has been denied, and all attempts to put this right have failed (although in such cases, the FCO would not state this as the reason for supporting your application).

The petition is the term used to describe a pardon application. At the time of writing there was no official “form” which needs to be completed, but the petition must consist of a covering letter addressed to the King; this is essential for all Pardon applications.

A petition can be completed in three ways:

• signed by the detainee themselves (the Petition can be prepared inside prison, or a member of family or a lawyer can prepare it and then deliver it to the detainee for signature)

• signed by a member of the person’s family

• signed by the detainee with a request to maintain the confidentiality of the contents, as per item 125 of the Ministerial Regulations.

All documents must be translated into Royal Thai. Royal Thai is the language that must be used when addressing members of the Royal Household in Thailand and uses specialized vocabulary and honorific terminology.

You will need to locate a translator competent in Royal Thai and pay for these translations. Although the Embassy does not recommend which translation company to use, you could ask if they are able to provide details of a company.

A good deal of paperwork is involved, so you may find it useful to engage a Thai lawyer who can help you to arrange what is required and provide guidance about what to include as well as following up the application with the Department of Corrections.

The petition must include the following:

i) Petition statement addressed to the King giving details about the background of the applicant’s life, indicating reasons why the applicant became involved in criminal activities, what has been learned from the punishment and how the person has changed as a result of the experience

ii) Copies of court verdicts of every case from each court involved, certified by the Chief Clerk of each concerned court. To get the court documents the applicant will need to make a request for these from the court/or courts concerned. Such requests should quote the case number/numbers. If these are not known, a request will need to be made to a prison official to get the number/numbers. There is a fee to be paid to the Court for this service.

iii) A guarantee letter from the British Embassy stating that the repatriation costs can be met. This letter will only be provided if the money for the flights home and other associated costs has already been deposited with the Embassy.

iv) Letters of references supporting the pardon application. These can be from family members, friends, previous employers, future employers, teachers, professional people, doctors (vital if one of the grounds of the application is for medical reasons).

v) Medical reports, if a medical condition is one of the reasons for seeking a pardon.

The petition will firstly be reviewed by the Ministry of Interior who will make recommendations as to whether or not a Pardon should be granted.

The Petition will then be forwarded to the offices of the Royal Palace for the consideration of the Privy Council.

The prisoner will normally be notified of the outcome through a prison official. It can take up to three years before a decision is reached.

If the Petition is rejected, you must wait at least two years before trying again.

[LooseCannon]

The petition must include the following:

i) Petition statement addressed to the King giving details about the background of the applicant's life, indicating reasons why the applicant became involved in criminal activities, what has been learned from the punishment and how the person has changed as a result of the experience

Learnt nothing & still a &lt;deleted&gt;. Application rejected.

[Crushdepth]

The ex-premier claimed his innocence and said: "I cannot defend myself and get justice because I am now presumed guilty...

Well that's what happens when a court judges you guilty :-) But thousands of people didn't even have the chance to go to court under Thaksin's regime. They just got a bullet in the head.

[venturalaw]

You can't claim innocence and ask for a pardon at the same time.

Precisely. If you ask for a pardon you are admitting your guilt. If you proclaim your innocence you are not entitled to ask for a pardon.

Does anyone know how a pardon works? Is a response or answer required, or can the request be simply ignored?

This is from the Prisoners Abroad organization and while specifically targeting British requesters for a Royal Pardon, the basics would apply to any applicant.

Royal Pardons

The petition must include the following:

i) Petition statement addressed to the King giving details about the background of the applicant’s life, indicating reasons why the applicant became involved in criminal activities, what has been learned from the punishment and how the person has changed as a result of the experience

This pretty will eliminates the possibility of success.

[bertlamar]

I reckon he figured out there is no decent Thai food in Nicaragua.

He would win hands down simple as that

He would only win 'hands down' if he had control of the same factions that lead him to power the last few times; he himself would be unable to win without at least 2-3 of the key faction blocks in Isaan and up north and down the eastern seaboard areas.

The idea that he had control of the voting public is a joke; they usually vote for the same political families e.g. the Newin Chitchob clan; you think Thaksin vs. Chitchob Thaksin could win???? Not a chance.

Without the money to buy off the factions = no chance to win

Let's face it, Thaksin is a loud mouth idiot.

[animatic]

He has lost many, many strings on his power grid.

He might win a few, but he has not the funds to, nor the time to cobble together another TRT.

Nor does he still have the trust of the many factions he once controlled with money and patronage.

Even if he came back tomorrow, he would still have the several other legal cases coming at him.

That would certainly give ALL potential partners pause.

Even if he admitted guilt for Racha and got pardoned, he is not free and clear.

How can you be pardoned for things you are not YET convicted of?

Oh yes, attempt to barter, under the guise of national reconciliation,

PAD freedom for his own and the 111+ 32 weasels he lead into the dessert.

This doesn't even address the facts of who he has pissed off beyond redemption.

There are some people you never mess with, and he seems to have ignored that nostrum.

And for many the 2-3 puppet governments he controlled leave a legacy of utter inefficiency

and obtuseness that will be hard to live down, even with Svengali himself at the helm.

Looks like censure is pretty close to still born this AM.

He seems to believe his own B.S. and keeps blathering it endlessly.

He might be MP for Chaing mai for a spell if he gets rehabilitated in several years.

But the old days are history now.

The thumb will forever be on his forehead pushing him back down.

Edited March 13, 2009 by animatic

[Plus]

Last time he mentioned pardon, in Rjamangala phone in, it was said that in Thailand to apply for pardon one needs to be in jail first.

[yumidesign]

You can't claim innocence and ask for a pardon at the same time.

Precisely. If you ask for a pardon you are admitting your guilt. If you proclaim your innocence you are not entitled to ask for a pardon.

He is just too tricky, maybe he has already made a deal with someone.

Also I saw this item on Nation on line last night and i notice this morning it has vanished. I wonder why???

Any ideas

[sriracha john]

The Petition will then be forwarded to the offices of the Royal Palace for the consideration of the Privy Council.

The prisoner will normally be notified of the outcome through a prison official. It can take up to three years before a decision is reached.

If the Petition is rejected, you must wait at least two years before trying again.

Privy Council unaware of Thaksin's petition for royal pardon

The Privy Council has not received the petition for royal pardon as claimed by ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Vice Admiral Pajun Tamprateep said on Friday.

Pajun, an aide to Royal Chief Adviser General Prem Tinsulanonda, said should Thaksin want to seek the royal pardon, he will have to follow the established procedures by filing his petition via the Office of the His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary.

- The Nation / 2009-03-13

[sriracha john]

Suthep unknown of Thaksin attempts

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said he does not know that ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra has sought royal pardon from His Majesty the King by sending His Majesty three letters already.

He also refused to comment Thaksin's plan of returning to Thailand at the end of this year.

His response came after Thaksin said in an interview with Japan Times that he has asked for the royal pardon and that he believes in His Majesty's kindness and wisdom.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...haksin-attempts