Former Prime Minister Somchai Charged With Criminal Misconduct

[sriracha john]

Breaking news

Somchai, Chavalit face Oct 7 charges

Five other senior police also charged over violent clash

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has resolved to file charges against former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, ex-deputy prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Royal Thai Police Commissioner-General Patcharawat Wongsuwan and four other senior police officers over the violent dispersal of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters on Oct 7 last year.

The other four are Royal Thai Police Deputy Commissioner Viroj Phaholvej, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Suchart Muenkaew, and Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioners Likhit Klinuan and Akarat Meepreecha.

NACC member Wicha Mahakhun said on Monday Mr Somchai and Gen Chavalit have been charged with criminal misconduct and the rest, all police officers, have been charged with disciplinary offences only.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...e-oct-7-charges

Edited March 16, 2009 by sriracha john

[animatic]

The other shoes drops.

[monkfish]

Good! a step in the right direction, if they are guilty they should go down.

Next will be the murder of them there boat refugees not so long ago.

Thank God for justice!

[sriracha john]

Anti-graft Panel to File Charge Against Ex-PM Somchai for Oct 7 Clash

The anti-graft panel is gearing up to file charges against Former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat and other 6 state officials, for their alleged abuse of power during the October 7th police crackdown last year.

National Anti-Corruption Commission, or NACC member Wicha Mahakun claims that the panel has enough evidence and witnesses to file charges against the individuals suspected of involvement in the October 7th police crackdown.

Those suspects include Former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, Former Deputy Premier General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, National Police Chief Police General Patcharawat Wongsuwan and the 4 high ranking police officials who were responsible for crowd control during the October 7th incident.

However, the name of Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Police Major General Amnuay Nimmano, who has been criticized by the People’s Alliance for Democracy for his involvement in the incident, is not included in the list of suspects.

Regarding compensation for the victims of the incident, Social Development and Human Security Minister Issara Somchai today presided over a ceremony to provide compensation to the first group of victims, who were killed in the incident, as reported by the independent panel set up to help the victims of the October 7th police crackdown.

- TOC / 2009-03-16

[Pierrot]

Breaking news

Somchai, Chavalit face Oct 7 charges

Five other senior police also charged over violent clash

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has resolved to file charges against former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, ex-deputy prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Royal Thai Police Commissioner-General Patcharawat Wongsuwan and four other senior police officers over the violent dispersal of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters on Oct 7 last year.

The other four are Royal Thai Police Deputy Commissioner Viroj Phaholvej, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Suchart Muenkaew, and Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioners Likhit Klinuan and Akarat Meepreecha.

NACC member Wicha Mahakhun said on Monday Mr Somchai and Gen Chavalit have been charged with criminal misconduct and the rest, all police officers, have been charged with disciplinary offences only.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...e-oct-7-charges

Not that will make more sense, but what "corruption" has to do with this affair?

[sriracha john]

Some of the accused:

Former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat

Former Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh

National Police Commissioner Police General Patcharawat Wongsuwan

Bangkok Metropolitan Police Chief Police Lieutenant-General Suchart Muankaew

Deputy Bangkok Metropolitan Police Chief Police Major-General Ekkarat Meepreecha.

[kalbo123]

Good! a step in the right direction, if they are guilty they should go down.

Next will be the murder of them there boat refugees not so long ago.

Thank God for justice!

Maybe Somchai was not in charge then.. if you want to to say something pls do your homework!!

[TPI]

Some of the accused:

Former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat

Former Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh

National Police Commissioner Police General Patcharawat Wongsuwan

Bangkok Metropolitan Police Chief Police Lieutenant-General Suchart Muankaew

Deputy Bangkok Metropolitan Police Chief Police Major-General Ekkarat Meepreecha.

Khun Chavalit is a very canny player....whats the bet that they don't make it to trail???

[sriracha john]

NCCC to charge 7 people for Oct 7 incident

The National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) is set to file charges against 7 individuals it has concluded were involved in the October 7, 2008, incident, which left several members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) slain, notably not included was Deputy Metropolitan Police Commander Police Major-General Amnuay Nimmano.

The NCCC today (March 16) officially set agenda to file charges against individuals it has deemed responsible for the October 7 incident, where police clashed with PAD demonstrators in front of the Parliament House, resulting in massive casualties.

A total of 7 people have been named by the commission, consisting of former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat who ordered police to act on the event, former Deputy Prime Minister General Chawalit Yongjaiyuth, National Police Commander Police General Patcharawat Wongsuwan and his Deputy, Police General Wiroj Paholvej, as well as Metropolitan Police Commander Police Lieutenant-General Suchart Mueankaew and his Deputies, Police Major-General Likhit Klinuan and Police Major-General Ekkarat Meepreecha.

However, Deputy Commander of the Metropolitan Police Police Major-General Amnuay Nimmano was not cited by the NCCC, which holds that the officer had swapped duty with Police Major-General Ekkarat on the day to attend a funeral.

- ThaiNews / 2009-03-16

[monkfish]

Good! a step in the right direction, if they are guilty they should go down.

Next will be the murder of them there boat refugees not so long ago.

Thank God for justice!

Maybe Somchai was not in charge then.. if you want to to say something pls do your homework!!

Didn't mean Somchai, but who ever was responsible should be brought to justice.

[kalbo123]

Good! a step in the right direction, if they are guilty they should go down.

Next will be the murder of them there boat refugees not so long ago.

Thank God for justice!

Maybe Somchai was not in charge then.. if you want to to say something pls do your homework!!

Didn't mean Somchai, but who ever was responsible should be brought to justice.

The people responsible are the the ones in charge now.. you think they bring themselfs to jusitice?

[JacknDanny]

Good! a step in the right direction, if they are guilty they should go down.

Next will be the murder of them there boat refugees not so long ago.

Thank God for justice!

Maybe Somchai was not in charge then.. if you want to to say something pls do your homework!!

Didn't mean Somchai, but who ever was responsible should be brought to justice.

The people responsible are the the ones in charge now.. you think they bring themselfs to jusitice?

[sriracha john]

For any posters who missed it... the title of this thread is:

Former Prime Minister Somchai Charged With Criminal Misconduct, NACC files charges over October 7th

Can we at least make it to the 2nd page before it gets completely derailed into off-topic-ness?

Thank you.

[monkfish]

Don't really see what this case has to do with corruption.

[hardy1943]

Good! a step in the right direction, if they are guilty they should go down.

Next will be the murder of them there boat refugees not so long ago.

Thank God for justice!

Maybe Somchai was not in charge then.. if you want to to say something pls do your homework!!

Didn't mean Somchai, but who ever was responsible should be brought to justice.

The people responsible are the the ones in charge now.. you think they bring themselfs to jusitice?

Exactly, the witch hunt is still on they still can not get over it that the Thai Rak Thai, or what ever they had to call themselves made the poor people feel like human beings. How dare of them do that. Hey PAD put them back in their place and make them feel like animals again.

[Pierrot]

For any posters who missed it... the title of this thread is:

Former Prime Minister Somchai Charged With Criminal Misconduct, NACC files charges over October 7th

Can we at least make it to the 2nd page before it gets completely derailed into off-topic-ness?

Thank you.

You still haven't answer my question (you're the OP), what the relation with "corruption" ?

Furthermore Somchai was never in charge of anything, couldn't get in the government house, none of his instruction was ever followed by the police or the army ...

And then your title is completely misleading. No charges have been filed, what they say is "The NCCC today (March 16) officially set agenda to file charges ..." which is completly different.

Agree with comment of previous poster :

[sriracha john]

For any posters who missed it... the title of this thread is:

Former Prime Minister Somchai Charged With Criminal Misconduct, NACC files charges over October 7th

Can we at least make it to the 2nd page before it gets completely derailed into off-topic-ness?

Thank you.

You still haven't answer my question (you're the OP), what the relation with "corruption" ?

Furthermore Somchai was never in charge of anything, couldn't get in the government house, none of his instruction was ever followed by the police or the army ...

And then your title is completely misleading. No charges have been filed, what they say is "The NCCC today (March 16) officially set agenda to file charges ..." which is completly different.

For the benefit of those new to Thailand...or too lazy to find out for themselves, the following information is spoon fed.

Power and Duties of the National Anti-Corruption Commission

http://www.nccc.thaigov.net/nccc/en/duty.php

as the OP is the late breaking news, one might conclude that by the end of today and subsequent to the publication of the other earlier articles, charges were filed.

[Slip]

^^This has been raised a couple of times now and hasn't become any clearer yet. From an entirely non-partisan questioner, why exactly is the NCCC filing what look like criminal charges that are not corruption related?

[Edit to say: Sorry- took a phone call and then posted w/o thinking way after the question was answered]

[Another edit to add quickly- no srj I still don't get why the NCCC is doing this- please spoon feed me that one answer- I don't dispute the charges, just the prosecuting body]

Edited March 16, 2009 by Slip

[Pierrot]

Power and Duties of the National Anti-Corruption Commission

http://www.nccc.thaigov.net/nccc/en/duty.php

Interesting reading, and very scary indeed. Basically the NACC is a political police which duties are "to inquire into the facts, summarize the case, and prepare a verdict to be submitted to the Supreme Court of Justice’s Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions". The "prepare a verdict" is the part that scares me the most, guilty before even have been judged ...

Never forget by who this constitution has been written. But then our dear PM will argue it's all for the good of democracy ....

[sriracha john]

NACC indicts Somchai, Chavalit over Oct 7 bloodshed

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) yesterday found former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, former deputy prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, and four senior police officers had abused their authority, leading to death and injury during the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) demonstrations on October 7 last year.

Klanarong Chantik, NACC speaker, said the seven had "dishonestly" carried out their duties in order to cause damage to the other party.

The findings were reached after the NACC interviewed various parties - including police officers and protesters - about the incident which saw tear gas fired along with live bullets during the clash in front of Parliament when PAD protesters tried to stop the then Somchai administration from delivering its policy statement.

Klanarong said although Somchai delegated the responsibility for protecting Parliament to then deputy prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, he must be held responsible for failing to stop the bloodshed after the first round of clashes in the morning.

Chavalit too must be held responsible because he was the man who ordered the crackdown and, although he resigned at 9am on the day after it turned bloody, had done nothing to stop further violence.

Then police chief Pol General Patcharawat Wongsuwan must also be held accountable, although he delegated the task to three of his men, because he too should have tried to stop the violence after some protesters lost their limbs. Patcharawat didn't carry out his duty with "care", the commission concluded. The report said Patcharawat, as police chief, should have closely monitored the situation and diffused it after the first violence.

Three police officers named as being negligent in their duty, causing injury and damage are: Pol Lt General Suchart Muankaew, Pol Maj General Likit Klin-uan and Pol Maj General Ekkarat Meeprecha. All three were in charge of the site at different periods of the day.

Klanarong said the NACC had merely indicted the politicians and police officers relating to the October 7 incident; they had not been judged guilty and did not need to be suspended from work.

They will have the chance to clarify their positions and defend themselves to the NACC, he said.

"According to the process, when the people accused receive letters from the NACC, they must testify to the NACC within 7 to 15 days after receiving the letter. Those accused can bring witnesses and evidence and defend themselves from the accusations," he said, adding that they could also have lawyers.

The NACC will later rule whether the accused were guilty, he said.

Suriyasai Katasila, PAD coordinator, said the organisation might file a lawsuit against some policemen involved the event who avoided today's NACC resolution, including Pol Maj General Amnuay Nimmano.

- The Nation / 2009-03-17

[Pierrot]

NACC indicts Somchai, Chavalit over Oct 7 bloodshed

.....

The NACC will later rule whether the accused were guilty, he said.

As I said before , that the scary part, why bother with a defense in Abhisit democracy

Suriyasai Katasila, PAD coordinator, said the organisation might file a lawsuit against some policemen involved the event who avoided today's NACC resolution, including Pol Maj General Amnuay Nimmano.

- The Nation / 2009-03-17

To see this name and this organization associated to the NACC resolution does explain a lot, doesn't it ? !

[Briggsy]

Good! a step in the right direction, if they are guilty they should go down.

Next will be the murder of them there boat refugees not so long ago.

Thank God for justice!

They won't be charging anyone over the mistreatment and murder of refugees as the perpetrators of that were from the royalist-military clique and the courts/AEC/NACC only focus their sights on people affiliated with the old Thai Rak Thai Party.

[sriracha john]

NACC indicts Somchai, Chavalit over Oct 7 bloodshed

The NACC will later rule whether the accused were guilty, he said.

As I said before , that the scary part, why bother with a defense in Abhisit democracy

The NACC does not make the finding of guilt or innocence. That will be determined by the Supreme Court.

What that above phrase refers to is they will rule whether or not there is sufficient cause to forward a case to prosecutors who will present it then the Supreme Court.

That aspect of their duties and responsibilities hasn't changed ever since the NACC was created, based upon the 1997 Constitution, in 1999.

Suriyasai Katasila, PAD coordinator, said the organisation might file a lawsuit against some policemen involved the event who avoided today's NACC resolution, including Pol Maj General Amnuay Nimmano.

- The Nation / 2009-03-17

To see this name and this organization associated to the NACC resolution does explain a lot, doesn't it ? !

The PAD isn't associated with the NACC. It was a comment made about NACC actions as anyone, including yourself, can do.

Edited March 17, 2009 by sriracha john

[Journalist]

Then police chief Pol General Patcharawat Wongsuwan must also be held accountable, although he delegated the task to three of his men, because he too should have tried to stop the violence after some protesters lost their limbs. Patcharawat didn't carry out his duty with "care", the commission concluded. The report said Patcharawat, as police chief, should have closely monitored the situation and diffused it after the first violence.

The Police Chief is innocent because his brother is the Defence Minister.

[sriracha john]

Hopefully, the bold text will help further explain the course of events to occur and the reason why the NACC is acting upon this case of malfeasance by office holders and senior police.

Thai Ex-PM Could Face Protest Crackdown Charges

BANGKOK (AFP /2009-03-16)--Thai investigators said Monday there were grounds to charge former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat and other top officials over a violent crackdown on anti-government protests late last year.

The National Counter Corruption Commission, or NCCC, said Somchai and his then-Deputy Prime Minister, Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, had violated the law when they ordered police to disperse angry mobs who besieged parliament Oct. 7.

Two people were killed and nearly 500 injured that day as police clashed with demonstrators and used tear gas on the crowd.

"The commission found enough grounds to inform the accused...of the charges related to the dispersal of the demonstration, which led to people's death and injury," the NCCC statement said.

Somchai and Chavalit would have to present themselves to the commission to give their side of the story before investigators decide whether to forward the charges to Thai prosecutors.

The pair face a charge of wrongfully exercising their duty resulting in injury, which carries a jail sentence of up to 10 years.

The commission also recommended disciplinary action against the current national police chief and his deputy over the protests, while three other senior police officers could also face criminal and disciplinary charges.

"I will not quit even though I know I will face pressure," National Police Chief General Patcharawat Wongsuwan told reporters. "I have done nothing wrong. I did what I did because I had an order from the government."

Somchai is the brother-in-law of Thaksin Shinawatra, the deeply-divisive prime minister who was overthrown in a military coup in September 2006 and who currently lives in exile.

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

and also:

The commission plans to allow the former officials and police officers to respond to its findings and then decide whether to forward the case to the state prosecutor's office, which will determine if it goes to court.

- Associated Press / 2009-03-16

Edited March 17, 2009 by sriracha john

[Journalist]

National Police Chief General Patcharawat Wongsuwan told reporters. "I have done nothing wrong. I did what I did because I had an order from the government."

Hey, it may sound like a wobbly defence, but the SS Totenkopf used it, and most of them walked free.

[hammered]

Good! a step in the right direction, if they are guilty they should go down.

Next will be the murder of them there boat refugees not so long ago.

Thank God for justice!

Maybe Somchai was not in charge then.. if you want to to say something pls do your homework!!

That is the crux of the Somchai - Chavalit disagreement. Chavalit says Somchai was in the loop and Somchai says he wasnt informed/consulted. Could be an interesting case for once if they all start blaming each other and stating following orders as it all moves forward.

[sriracha john]

NACC hits Somchai and Chavalit with criminal suits

By: WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM

Published: 17/03/2009 at 12:00 AM

Newspaper section: News

The National Anti-Corruption Commission has brought criminal charges against former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat and his deputy prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh for their role in the Oct 7 crackdown on protesters last year.

The two were among seven people, including senior police officers, who have been charged by the NACC with involvement in the crackdown on protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in front of parliament.

The other five are national police chief Patcharawat Wongsuwon, his deputy Viroj Phaholvej, metropolitan police chief Suchart Mueankaew and his deputies Likhit Klin-ouan and Akekarat Meepreecha.

The NACC has charged Pol Gen Patcharawat and Pol Gen Viroj with committing disciplinary offences. Pol Lt-Gen Suchart, Pol Maj-Gen Likhit and Pol Maj-Gen Akekarat have been charged with both criminal and disciplinary offences.

The national anti-graft body has not charged deputy metropolitan police chief Amnuay Nimmano as there was no evidence implicating him in the incident.

Pol Gen Patcharawat said he had been told of the charges and was ready to explain his position and answer all charges.

He insisted the operation to disperse the demonstrators on Oct 7 was not meant to harm anyone.

He said police were only acting on orders issued by their superiors and he would present those orders authorising the crackdown to the NACC as evidence.

"I did not commit any wrongdoing. I acted on the orders of my superiors. There are orders signed by two people," said Pol Gen Patcharawat, referring to Mr Somchai and Gen Chavalit.

"I will continue to do my job as national police chief and will not resign."

At dawn on Oct 7, riot police fired tear gas at thousands of PAD protesters who the night before had sealed the entrances to the parliament building to stop the Somchai government from delivering its policy statement to the House to legalise its administrative power.

In the evening of Oct 7, PAD demonstrators surrounded the Metropolitan Police Bureau offices and police there launched tear gas rounds at them.

When they turned back to surround parliament later in the evening, more tear gas was fired at them.

One demonstrator was killed and a second died in a mysterious explosion later in the day. Hundreds of protesters and police were injured.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1347...-criminal-suits

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

Chavalit puzzled by criminal suits

By: BangkokPost.com

Published: 17/03/2009 at 10:34 AM

Former deputy prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh was baffled after the National Anti-Corruption Commission filed criminal charges against him for his role in the violent crowd dispersal on October 7 last year.

According to Gen Chavalit's aide-de-camp Chawengsak Thongsaluay, the ex-deputy premier insisted he had nothing to do with the clashes between police and People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters since he had no command over the security forces after he resigned on the same day.

Gen Chavalit also rejected the allegation that a police officer, who was his close associate, took part in the October 7 crackdown, Lt-Gen Chawengsak said.

He said Gen Chavalit was perplexed since he already explained his role to the NACC earlier, but he will travel to the national anti-graft body on March 27 to listen to his charges.

Although Gen Chavalit stepped down before the riot erupted, he was still implicated in the incident from the start, according to the NACC.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...-criminal-suits

[sriracha john]

* Bump *

For any posters who missed it... the title of this thread is:

Former Prime Minister Somchai Charged With Criminal Misconduct, NACC files charges over October 7th

Can we at least make it to the 2nd page before it gets completely derailed into off-topic-ness?

Thank you.

[sriracha john]

Ex-PM, General Chavalit face criminal charges in Oct 7 crackdown case

The National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) announced charges against the former prime minister and other seven high-ranking officials involved in the fatal October 7th protest dispersal last year.

NCCC Member Wicha Mahakhun said there is sufficient evidence to file lawsuits against ex-premier Somchai Wongsawat and the other seven officials, including Somchai’s Deputy, General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, on grounds of being involved in the police’s violent crackdown on protesters on October 7th which resulted in injuries and death.

The former premier and General Chavalit face criminal charges while police chief Pol. Gen. Patcharavat Wongsuwan and deputy police chief Pol. Gen. Wirote Phahonwet face disciplinary charges. Former commander of the metropolitan police Pol. Lt-Gen. Suchart Muenkaew who authorized the use of Korakot 48 Plan with the protesters faces both charges.

- ThaiNews / 2009-03-17