Thaksin Reportedly Sought Royal Pardon

[Steve2UK]

Thaksin hasn't sought royal pardon

By: BangkokPost.com

Published: 13/03/2009 at 01:48 PM

Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has not sought a royal pardon from His Majesty the King as suggested by reports in the Japan Times newspaper and the Thai media, core leader of United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) Nattawut Saikua said on Friday.

"Mr Thaksin has sent three letters, but he did not ask for a royal pardon as reported in the news," Mr Nattawut said.

Thaksin outlined in the letters the truth about the political conflict and the court cases against him, he said.

***post edited--first three sentences and a link for Bangkok post articles as you are well aware***

The missing link - article continues at: http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...ht-royal-pardon

Thaksin denies seeking royal pardon, blames confusing reports

By The Nation

Ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra has not submitted three petitions asking for royal pardon as reported by the Japan Times newspaper and the Thai media, red-shirt co-leader Natthawut Saikua said on Friday.

What Thaksin said in his interview with Japan Times was he submitted three reports about the political turmoil to His Majesty, Natthawut said.

Thaksin's reports to the King were made when he was in Thailand and before his guilty verdict on the Ratchadapisek land case in 2008, he said, emphasising that the reports were not about royal pardon since at the time Thaksin was not penalised with the two-year jail term.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/03/13...cs_30097871.php

[animatic]

After serving his time he could go before the Thai people and ask forgiveness for his sins and it will be given.

Which sin?

His wife bought a land. No fault. No corruption. The land is still hers. He signed ok for her to buy as per the law. Another law says he must go to jail for doing that.

Using laws this way will bring Thailand to the top of funniest list.

Ignoring the laws like that would bring it to the top of the international pariah list.

He broke the law, she didn't.

[Oberkommando]

This is a minority viewpoint. Thaksin is a thorn in the side of the ultra-conservative right-wing government; that much is true. However, a far greater threat to their hold on Thai politics lies in the heart of the Thai people that will fight for freedom irrespective of Senor Thaksin.

The preference for a dictatorship and disdain for democracy by those in absolute control is well documented.

Keep on believing boys, maybe the tooth fairy will turn out to be true too.

You can't argue with documented fact.

[henryalleman]

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.

In Mr. Thaksin's case not any of the above is in accordance for a demand of a Royal Pardon. He is not sick(mental health problems don't count)

he is over 18 and most of all he is no detainee yet. So he must sit in jail first before he can ask a Royal Pardon.

[henryalleman]

jumnien, keep to the topic - international politics is somewhere else.

the difference between thailand and usa is, that you have much greater chance to be thrown to jail or shot if you disagree with the government, than in the usa

Realy?

[OriginalPoster]

jumnien, keep to the topic - international politics is somewhere else.

the difference between thailand and usa is, that you have much greater chance to be thrown to jail or shot if you disagree with the government, than in the usa

Realy?

Somehow I'm not surprised that you would instinctively disagree with that claim.

[Artisi]

After serving his time he could go before the Thai people and ask forgiveness for his sins and it will be given.

Which sin?

His wife bought a land. No fault. No corruption. The land is still hers. He signed ok for her to buy as per the law. Another law says he must go to jail for doing that.

Using laws this way will bring Thailand to the top of funniest list.

Keep up the good work, make sure the stupidity of thaksin and his followers is not allowed to diminish.

[yoshiwara]

Taksin has now one strategy only and that is to continually prod away to keep in the public eye and wait out the opportunity for when VIP walks off the stage. Then he will make his move 'in the interests of national reconciliation' and mount the comeback. Both sides know this. What irks him is that the other side are preparing as well and control the football pitch. This is driving him to distraction as he does not have too much patience. Rats are not known for their patience.

[Plus]

Like it or not, but those unnamed "elites" who conspired to get rid of Thaksin are also guarantors of country stability and continuance.

Reds might get mad, but even they have run out of reasons to protest against them.

[hammered]

Thaksin has now one strategy only and that is to continually prod away to keep in the public eye and wait out the opportunity for when VIP walks off the stage. Then he will make his move 'in the interests of national reconciliation' and mount the comeback. Both sides know this. What irks him is that the other side are preparing as well and control the football pitch. This is driving him to distraction as he does not have too much patience. Rats are not known for their patience.

Thaksin's stratgey is aimed at two things at getting back soon through governmental change (unlikely) and secondly and far more imortant keeping himself and his achievments uppermost in the eyes of those who once voted for him so that when an election does come his party will later be reelected and he can be unfettered. His main problem now is the empire of Newin has turned against hime and with pay increases for Kamnan, headmen, soon to come massively increased village handouts, expanded and better paid village health workers, control of networks that cover huge rakes of the Isaan and some of the North, control of the interior ministry etc. In light of this usually unreproted challenge to Thaksin's popularity the man has to fight back anyway he can. If he cant compete with this he loses.

Now questions as to what happens after big changes and what people want with mor efreedoms are another matter. If Newin becomes the big man in the Issan and Abhisit the big man in the South and some central areas then Thaksin and his remaining upper Northern lieutenants are totally sidelined and defeated. This is about power and always has been. It is about the power to be a relevent part of the future in a shape that those with power can easily bend to. Thaksin after setting himself up into the prime position to control or at least be a main part of this isnt now going to just let it all go.

[Lite Beer]

Post refering to the Royal Family deleted as per Forum Rules.

[h90]

Thaksin has now one strategy only and that is to continually prod away to keep in the public eye and wait out the opportunity for when VIP walks off the stage. Then he will make his move 'in the interests of national reconciliation' and mount the comeback. Both sides know this. What irks him is that the other side are preparing as well and control the football pitch. This is driving him to distraction as he does not have too much patience. Rats are not known for their patience.

Thaksin's stratgey is aimed at two things at getting back soon through governmental change (unlikely) and secondly and far more imortant keeping himself and his achievments uppermost in the eyes of those who once voted for him so that when an election does come his party will later be reelected and he can be unfettered. His main problem now is the empire of Newin has turned against hime and with pay increases for Kamnan, headmen, soon to come massively increased village handouts, expanded and better paid village health workers, control of networks that cover huge rakes of the Isaan and some of the North, control of the interior ministry etc. In light of this usually unreproted challenge to Thaksin's popularity the man has to fight back anyway he can. If he cant compete with this he loses.

Now questions as to what happens after big changes and what people want with mor efreedoms are another matter. If Newin becomes the big man in the Issan and Abhisit the big man in the South and some central areas then Thaksin and his remaining upper Northern lieutenants are totally sidelined and defeated. This is about power and always has been. It is about the power to be a relevent part of the future in a shape that those with power can easily bend to. Thaksin after setting himself up into the prime position to control or at least be a main part of this isnt now going to just let it all go.

The difference between PPP and Democrats was not very big at the last election. Just a small shift, or a badly performing Newin at new elections is good enough to garant a new Thaksin free government.

The only problem, if some rats are switching sides which is possible for some Bahts on their bank accounts......You know this is Thailand.

Newin was Thaksins best friend

Now he is his bitter enemy but next week he can be his best friend again....

[sabaijai]

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 well eliminates the possibility of success.

[hammered]

Thaksin has now one strategy only and that is to continually prod away to keep in the public eye and wait out the opportunity for when VIP walks off the stage. Then he will make his move 'in the interests of national reconciliation' and mount the comeback. Both sides know this. What irks him is that the other side are preparing as well and control the football pitch. This is driving him to distraction as he does not have too much patience. Rats are not known for their patience.

Thaksin's stratgey is aimed at two things at getting back soon through governmental change (unlikely) and secondly and far more imortant keeping himself and his achievments uppermost in the eyes of those who once voted for him so that when an election does come his party will later be reelected and he can be unfettered. His main problem now is the empire of Newin has turned against hime and with pay increases for Kamnan, headmen, soon to come massively increased village handouts, expanded and better paid village health workers, control of networks that cover huge rakes of the Isaan and some of the North, control of the interior ministry etc. In light of this usually unreproted challenge to Thaksin's popularity the man has to fight back anyway he can. If he cant compete with this he loses.

Now questions as to what happens after big changes and what people want with mor efreedoms are another matter. If Newin becomes the big man in the Issan and Abhisit the big man in the South and some central areas then Thaksin and his remaining upper Northern lieutenants are totally sidelined and defeated. This is about power and always has been. It is about the power to be a relevent part of the future in a shape that those with power can easily bend to. Thaksin after setting himself up into the prime position to control or at least be a main part of this isnt now going to just let it all go.

The difference between PPP and Democrats was not very big at the last election. Just a small shift, or a badly performing Newin at new elections is good enough to garant a new Thaksin free government.

The only problem, if some rats are switching sides which is possible for some Bahts on their bank accounts......You know this is Thailand.

Newin was Thaksins best friend

Now he is his bitter enemy but next week he can be his best friend again....

My opinion and I could be wrong on this is that Newin always saw PPP as his after the fall of Thaksin and when Thsksin didnt play ball he decdied to branch out on his own. Newin wants to be the new Mr. Big of Thai politcs and he has a fair chanc eof becoming it. He is right now the most powerful politican in the Isaan and who controls the Isaan controls Thailand. Even Sarit and his dictatorship knew this years ago. It is not only about Thaksin and Dems it is about the future generation of Thai power politicians and Newin wants to be one of the big two or three if not numero uno

[h90]

Thaksin has now one strategy only and that is to continually prod away to keep in the public eye and wait out the opportunity for when VIP walks off the stage. Then he will make his move 'in the interests of national reconciliation' and mount the comeback. Both sides know this. What irks him is that the other side are preparing as well and control the football pitch. This is driving him to distraction as he does not have too much patience. Rats are not known for their patience.

Thaksin's stratgey is aimed at two things at getting back soon through governmental change (unlikely) and secondly and far more imortant keeping himself and his achievments uppermost in the eyes of those who once voted for him so that when an election does come his party will later be reelected and he can be unfettered. His main problem now is the empire of Newin has turned against hime and with pay increases for Kamnan, headmen, soon to come massively increased village handouts, expanded and better paid village health workers, control of networks that cover huge rakes of the Isaan and some of the North, control of the interior ministry etc. In light of this usually unreproted challenge to Thaksin's popularity the man has to fight back anyway he can. If he cant compete with this he loses.

Now questions as to what happens after big changes and what people want with mor efreedoms are another matter. If Newin becomes the big man in the Issan and Abhisit the big man in the South and some central areas then Thaksin and his remaining upper Northern lieutenants are totally sidelined and defeated. This is about power and always has been. It is about the power to be a relevent part of the future in a shape that those with power can easily bend to. Thaksin after setting himself up into the prime position to control or at least be a main part of this isnt now going to just let it all go.

The difference between PPP and Democrats was not very big at the last election. Just a small shift, or a badly performing Newin at new elections is good enough to garant a new Thaksin free government.

The only problem, if some rats are switching sides which is possible for some Bahts on their bank accounts......You know this is Thailand.

Newin was Thaksins best friend

Now he is his bitter enemy but next week he can be his best friend again....

My opinion and I could be wrong on this is that Newin always saw PPP as his after the fall of Thaksin and when Thsksin didnt play ball he decdied to branch out on his own. Newin wants to be the new Mr. Big of Thai politcs and he has a fair chanc eof becoming it. He is right now the most powerful politican in the Isaan and who controls the Isaan controls Thailand. Even Sarit and his dictatorship knew this years ago. It is not only about Thaksin and Dems it is about the future generation of Thai power politicians and Newin wants to be one of the big two or three if not numero uno

But he needs 3 (or so) more years, because he is banned and in this time many things can change.

[baht&sold]

Thaksin's influence waning

BANGKOK, March 14 — Can former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra be finally written off? Ousted in a 2006 military coup after serving as prime minister for six years, he is now facing his latest legal challenge: The Abhisit government moved to extradite him to serve a jail term in Thailand. Thaksin has claimed that this does not worry him. “The extradition is for political purposes. Abhisit just wants to embarrass me,” he says.

But there are many signs that Thaksin's influence is indeed waning. The Thai media and even some of his loyalists are beginning to treat his statements like a broken record. He may have lost his political momentum

In the past few months since Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva came to power, Thaksin has released a number of political statements, either through video messages or phone-ins to the many gatherings organised by his red-shirted supporters.

The objective is clear: To ingrain his image in the minds of the Thai people. He might well have screamed: Do not forget me!

But why is he at risk of being forgotten? It is primarily because he has offered little that is new to transform Thai politics , which is now being steered by the Democrat Party, with the military standing in the shadows. True, the opposition Puea Thai Party has filed a motion to impeach Abhisit. But he is likely to survive the move because he has enough support in Parliament.

Also, Thaksin's activities abroad, designed to reduce the current government's credibility in the eyes of the world, have proven ineffective. His political messages have been perceived as repetitive, redundant and self-serving

He keeps harping on a number of recurrent themes. He claims that he and his wife have been treated unfairly; that he did nothing wrong and never approved any misconduct or corrupt practices while he was in power; that he was falsely accused of being disloyal to the monarchy — an accusation that led, he says now, to his downfall.

Claiming repeatedly to be a target of assassination, he has vowed to fight to the death for the return of justice and democracy in his motherland.

But what exactly has Thaksin been fighting for? What are his real motives in flooding the airwaves with messages calling for justice?

His opponents argue that this “justice” has to do with the 76 billion baht in assets, earned from the sale of his Shin Corp shares, that have been ordered frozen by the now-defunct Assets Scrutiny Committee. Thaksin has declared his innocence, insisting that he has never stolen anything from the state and that every baht earned by his companies was legal.

Money has become a determining factor in prolonging his political life. It has even been said that the anti-government protesters in red shirts were paid to participate in demonstrations.

Now that Thaksin is a lot poorer, a fugitive and on the verge of being extradited from wherever he lives in the world, his time in Thai politics may finally come to an end.

Moreover, there have been splits within the Puea Thai Party, a reincarnation of Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai Party, and among his red-shirted backers. These divisions have been deepened by the Abhisit government, which has brought some sense of stability back to the country.

Thaksin was once a legend but he is drifting away from Thailand's mainstream politics. He fails to understand that waging a war of words via the airwaves will not secure the justice he wants for himself and his family.

If he wishes to return to the political limelight, his only option is to go home and defend himself against all the charges against him. But that would be a long and bitter process.

— Straits Times

**** Please always include a link to a source when quoting***

www.themalaysianinsider.com%2Findex.php%2Fworld%2F20364-thaksins-influence-waning

Edited March 15, 2009 by sbk
please do not use font changes to editorialize an article --sbk

[animatic]

Hear, hear!

[Insight]

Emphasis yours eh, B&S?

Very good to see they can see right through his rhetoric though.

[CarlBkk]

Thaksin seeks royal pardon

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!"

So if anyone from TV sees him, please follow him home and post his address on here. We can then do our bit for Thai justice. Well, at least try to aid Thai justice :-)

[animatic]

Marguerite:

They seek him here, They seek him there,

Those Frenchies seek him everywhere.

Is he in heaven, Or is in hel_l?

My own elusive Pimpernel.

Sir Percy:

Sink me, the lady is a poet.

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

Sir Percy:

He was looking for the Scarlet Pimpernel. I pray he found a fool.

Chauvelin:

I realized that your noblesse oblige would not permit you to abandon one of your men.

Sir Percy:

Sink me, if you aren't right. For a change.

[baht&sold]

Emphasis yours eh, B&S?

Very good to see they can see right through his rhetoric though.

Cheers Insight for your usual spot-on insight.

Re your comment: I s'pose, however, just like country and western music 'played backwards' many probable next-bound Expats (to Cambodia or?) seem to vainly hope if only Mr Thaksin would return, somehow the beer may again be colder (and cheaper;) in Thailand, the gals warmer and same, former exchange rates may return, the global economic crisis may immediately disappear and some teeraks disappear (or re-appear?) . Sorry gents, ain't gonna happen. Time to move forward (or on) regardless the 'evil' Abhisit is currently in place of Mr Thaksin/Samak/Somchai or the 'honourable' Chalerm wannabe PM in waiting.

But moving forward (only to be left behind) is what some Expats probably ultimately fear, thus what is probably behind some of the actual fuss is revealed for what it is and what some of the whinging noise is REALLY all about - fear of times moving on, time lost (expat lost?) and the inability to demand time stand 'perfectly' still (as an escapist would like Thailand to go back or remain as they found it). No foul in that, but times they are a-changin' gents.

In a recent (predictably telling) ThaiVisa poll, a vast majority voted against Thailand becoming a first-world country. I agree, especially in some negative bureaucratic aspects but the march unto a western 'utopia' replete with western standard rules, regs, accountability *COSTS* etc, is unavoidable (unfortunately - in some obvious aspects). Personally, I recognise all the forces in the world cannot stop this so-called 'evolution' but I just hope Thailand may retain some 'Thai-ness' which I admire and upon reflection, many Expat whingers may acknowledge was 'the' attraction in the first place. (ie: enjoy whille you have it and perhaps *think* before useless whinging in the waning wind;)

;

The brick-throwing may now commence...

Edited March 14, 2009 by baht&sold

[Guest Reimar]

From TOC

FLASH NEWS: Royal Household Bureau Denies Existence of Pardon Requests by Thaksin

UPDATE : 13 March 2009

The Royal Household Bureau reveals that it has never received any pardon request from former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Following news report by Japan Times that ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra has submitted, not one, but 3 requests for a royal pardon. But the Royal Household Bureau reveals that it has never received such a request from Thaksin.

Staunch supporter of Thaksin, Jatupron Phromphan, has also come out to clarify the matter. He explained Thaksin hadn't submitted a request for a royal pardon. According to Jatuporn, Thaksin merely submitted documents in his defence against the various charges which have been filed against him.

[baht&sold]

From TOC

FLASH NEWS: Royal Household Bureau Denies Existence of Pardon Requests by Thaksin

UPDATE : 13 March 2009

The Royal Household Bureau reveals that it has never received any pardon request from former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Following news report by Japan Times that ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra has submitted, not one, but 3 requests for a royal pardon. But the Royal Household Bureau reveals that it has never received such a request from Thaksin.

Staunch supporter of Thaksin, Jatupron Phromphan, has also come out to clarify the matter. He explained Thaksin hadn't submitted a request for a royal pardon. According to Jatuporn, Thaksin merely submitted documents in his defence against the various charges which have been filed against him.

Well done if not a bit belated Reimar, thankless job, must be like herding cats most times...

EDIT: PS - blend red and yellow opportunists, chances are the weary are left in the majority but exasperated/bemused... here's hoping greener pastures lay ahead for Thailand

Edited March 14, 2009 by baht&sold

[baht&sold]

Thaksin gives Chalerm the nod

By The Nation on Sunday Published on March 15, 2009

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has given Chalerm Yoobamrung the nod to become the new Pheu Thai Party leader, sources said yesterday.

Thaksin's sister Yingluck Shinawatra has got his blessing to become the party's secretary-general, according to the sources.

Yongyuth Wichaidit, who is not an MP, is currently the party leader and Suni Luangwichit the secretary-general. Both have been criticised for being "unable" to take the party in the direction that its supremo expected. Thaksin is pushing to replace them with Chalerm and Yingluck, the party sources said.

The Constitution stipulates that the opposition leader must be an MP from a political party that has none of its members in the working Cabinet. Veteran politician Chalerm is expected to be appointed opposition leader after he becomes Pheu Thai leader.

Thaksin wanted his sister to be secretary-general since she was to all intents and purposes his representative, according to the sources.

Pheu Thai MP for Nakhon Phanom Paijit Sriworakan said yesterday that the party would meet on March 24 to select a new leader, who was expected to be appointed opposition leader before the censure debate on March 26.

Party MP for Loei Preecha Rengsomboonsuk said Pheu Thai would elect a new executive board to replace the one that was elected on December 7.

[sriracha john]

Thaksin gives Chalerm the nod

Thaksin's sister Yingluck Shinawatra has got his blessing to become the party's secretary-general, according to the sources.

Thaksin wanted his sister to be secretary-general since she was to all intents and purposes his representative, according to the sources.

Thaksin sister and perspective Pheu Thai Party Secretary-General Yingluck is the former President and Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of SC Asset.

More arrest warrants sought for Thaksin, wife

- MCOT / 2007-08-16

BANGKOK – Thai authorities are expected to obtain additional arrest warrants for deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife, Pojaman, shortly on charges of concealing their stock portions of SC Asset Corp, said Department of Special Investigation chief Sunai Manomai-udom.

The deposed prime minister, who has remained in England since last year's military coup, along with his spouse, had been scheduled for Friday (August 17) to hear formal charges involving their SC Asset Corp stock holdings from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

However, the couple are thought now not to show up anytime soon and, for that reason, arrest warrants would be sought from the court so that the Office of Attorney General will take steps to have the former prime minister returned to Thailand from England by extradition just as in the case of the Ratchadaphisek land transaction, according to the DSI chief.

Three other defendants, namely Yingluck Shinawatra, Busaba Damapong and Pensome Damapong, are also obliged to hear formal charges over the SC Asset scandal on Friday. Arrest warrants will likely be issued should those persons, who are closely connected with the deposed prime minister and his spouse, fail to show up as well, he said.

The DSI chief had said earlier that Mr. Thaksin, while serving in the Cabinet of an earlier government, and his wife, had secretly owned stocks through nominee companies in SC Asset, a real estate company operated by the Shinawatra family.

The couple allegedly violated regulations requiring them to disclose corporate information to the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Mr. Thaksin was also charged with holding shares in publicly listed companies despite a prohibition against serving Cabinet members to do so.

If found guilty, the ex-premier and his wife face a maximum jail term of five years and a fine equivalent to twice the value of the shares they had traded.

Edited March 14, 2009 by sriracha john

[asiawatcher]

From on High comes the word that should Thaksin be extradited or he returns - he has a barrage of extra charges to face and thus once in custody (if ever) they will bury him for a long time. To even go the route of Royal Pardon would only be for past demeanours as adjudicated. The new ones in waiting will be his swan song. He ain't coming back....

[rixalex]

From on High comes the word that should Thaksin be extradited or he returns - he has a barrage of extra charges to face and thus once in custody (if ever) they will bury him for a long time. To even go the route of Royal Pardon would only be for past demeanours as adjudicated. The new ones in waiting will be his swan song. He ain't coming back....

The article you responded to was written in 2007 - old news.

[sriracha john]

From on High comes the word that should Thaksin be extradited or he returns - he has a barrage of extra charges to face and thus once in custody (if ever) they will bury him for a long time. To even go the route of Royal Pardon would only be for past demeanours as adjudicated. The new ones in waiting will be his swan song. He ain't coming back....

The article you responded to was written in 2007 - old news.

Still, the points he raised are very real... today. The opinion he won't come back, unless PTP has somehow greased the skids for his return, is also quite reasonable.

Thaksin faces at least 6 other cases.

As far as I know the case cited in the article is still active should he return. It also involves his sister (amongst a slurry of in-laws) and as the perspective Pheu Thai Party Secretary-General, she should feel right at home in that Party of criminal litigants.

Edited March 15, 2009 by sriracha john

[Insight]

Emphasis yours eh, B&S?

Very good to see they can see right through his rhetoric though.

Cheers Insight for your usual spot-on insight.

Re your comment: I s'pose, however, just like country and western music 'played backwards' many probable next-bound Expats (to Cambodia or?) seem to vainly hope if only Mr Thaksin would return, somehow the beer may again be colder (and cheaper;) in Thailand, the gals warmer and same, former exchange rates may return, the global economic crisis may immediately disappear and some teeraks disappear (or re-appear?) . Sorry gents, ain't gonna happen. Time to move forward (or on) regardless the 'evil' Abhisit is currently in place of Mr Thaksin/Samak/Somchai or the 'honourable' Chalerm wannabe PM in waiting.

But moving forward (only to be left behind) is what some Expats probably ultimately fear, thus what is probably behind some of the actual fuss is revealed for what it is and what some of the whinging noise is REALLY all about - fear of times moving on, time lost (expat lost?) and the inability to demand time stand 'perfectly' still (as an escapist would like Thailand to go back or remain as they found it). No foul in that, but times they are a-changin' gents.

In a recent (predictably telling) ThaiVisa poll, a vast majority voted against Thailand becoming a first-world country. I agree, especially in some negative bureaucratic aspects but the march unto a western 'utopia' replete with western standard rules, regs, accountability *COSTS* etc, is unavoidable (unfortunately - in some obvious aspects). Personally, I recognise all the forces in the world cannot stop this so-called 'evolution' but I just hope Thailand may retain some 'Thai-ness' which I admire and upon reflection, many Expat whingers may acknowledge was 'the' attraction in the first place. (ie: enjoy whille you have it and perhaps *think* before useless whinging in the waning wind;)

;

The brick-throwing may now commence...

Missed the poll, but think you've hit the proverbial nail-on-the-head there. Why would anybody support a man with so many (proven) convictions against them being the "face" of Thailand. What are the real motives behind it? The progression of Thailand surely can't be one.

[rixalex]

From on High comes the word that should Thaksin be extradited or he returns - he has a barrage of extra charges to face and thus once in custody (if ever) they will bury him for a long time. To even go the route of Royal Pardon would only be for past demeanours as adjudicated. The new ones in waiting will be his swan song. He ain't coming back....

The article you responded to was written in 2007 - old news.

Still, the points he raised are very real... today. The opinion he won't come back, unless PTP has somehow greased the skids for his return, is also quite reasonable.

Thaksin faces at least 6 other cases.

As far as I know the case cited in the article is still active should he return. It also involves his sister (amongst a slurry of in-laws) and as the perspective Pheu Thai Party Secretary-General, she should feel right at home in that Party of criminal litigants.

I understood why you posted it John, just think that asiawatcher mistakenly thought this was fresh news.

I'm aware that there's a back-log of cases against Thaksin, but the longer Thaksin evades justice i think the higher the chance becomes of those cases being forgotten about and ultimately swept under the carpet in a 'bygones be bygones" type gesture at some time in the future. I hope not but history of similar high profile cases in Thailand suggests this is quite likely.