Former Prime Minister Somchai Charged With Criminal Misconduct

[sriracha john]

People's Alliance Deplores Delay in Probes of October 7 Clash, Sondhi Attack

The People's Alliance for Democracy has called for speeding up of the investigations into police's clash with yellow-shirt protesters on October 7 last year and the assassination attempt against the group's core leader.

Leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy, including Chamlong Srimuang, Somsak Kosaisuk, Piphob Thongchai, and Suriyasai Katasila, held a press conference this afternoon to spell out the group's stand on the two issues.

They said they will meet the National Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman tomorrow to ask about the delay in the investigation into the clash between police and PAD demonstrators in front of Parliament building on October 7 last year.

The anti-graft panel was questioned about the agency's independence and whether there is an ulterior motive behind the delay of the investigation because the agency did not launch an indictment over the case despite investigation results which revealed that many state officials were negligent regarding the incident.

The PAD leaders discussed the progress on the investigation into the attempt to assassinate Sondhi Limthongkul after Deputy National Police Chief Police General Thani Somboonsap revealed that the probe was obstructed by influential figures.

The group called on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his Deputy Suthep Thaugsuban to show their stance on this issue by proving to the public that the country's juridical procedure can be trusted.

They added that PAD core leaders are still active although some of them have to help the newly-established New Politics Party.

As an adviser to the State Railway of Thailand labor union, New Politics acting leader Somsak Kosaisuk said the strike by the labor union was meant to protect the country's benefit and the move had nothing to do with the New Politics Party.

-- Tan Network 2009-06-25

[TAWP]

All this makes for a great conspiracy theory. You should write a novel about it one day, just like Michael Moore - the writer who blamed George Bush for knocking down the World Trade Centre.

No, he didn't. He blaimed him for starting an un-needed and unwanted war in Iraq.

But facts have never been your friend?

[sriracha john]

October 7 violence investigation extended

BANGKOK, 30 June 2009 (NNT) – The National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) has extended the investigation period of the rally dispersal case on 7 October last year for 15 days.

NCCC member, Mr Wicha Mahakhun, is responsible for the investigation on the rally dispersal case occurred on October 7, last year.

He said that currently seven alleged people had defended their charges and they referred to more than 100 relevant witnesses.

The NCCC had selected 10 witnesses for more interrogation, one of them was a Member of Parliament (MP) of the Peau Thai Party, who was referred to by former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.

Therefore the investigation had to be extended for 15 days from tomorrow. After that, the case would be considered by the NCCC on whether the evidence was sufficient.

He affirmed that he did not aim at prolonging the investigation, while the nine NCCC members were independent in their consideration.

-- NNT 2009-06-30

[sriracha john]

October 7 inquiry extended for 15 days

The National Anti-Corruption Commission has extended its investigation into the police crackdown on People's Alliance for Democracy protesters on Oct 7 last year for another 15 days from this Wednesday to hear from new witnesses, Commissioner Wicha Mahakhun said on Tuesday.

The NACC has charged seven people with both criminal and disciplinary offences in connection with the crackdown that left two people dead and scores injured. They are former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, former deputy prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, police chief Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan and four other high-level police officers.

Mr Wicha, who handles the case, said the seven accused had asked the NACC to hear from 100 more witnesses. The NACC will shortlist them to 10 and summon them to testify. One of them is Chalerm Yubamrung, Chairman of the Puea Thai Party MPs.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1475...another-15-days

-- Bangkok Post 2009-06-30

[animatic]

Chavalit Yongchaiyudh conspicuous loss of memory coming up.

Chalerm Yubamrung conspicuousm loss of credibility coming up.

So what's with the initials?

[Maestro]

A nonsensical post referring to an unidentified and probably non-existing politician whom sriracha john called "Cover Yourass" and the reply to it have been deleted.

--

Maestro

[scorecard]

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.

My guess s that the poster of the paragraph immediately above has not given this much thought.

Yes, it's true that whoever was 'in the drivers seat' when the discgraceful actions against the boat people were perpetrated must accept some responsibility.

But let's not forget that the actions taken by the police and the military was in accordance with policy directives of previous governments. They reacted by using the only policy they knew, old policies given to them by previous governments.

So my point is, previous governments can't claim to be outraged, they put the same policies in place.

[sriracha john]

October 7 crackdown probe ends

A panel of the National Anti-Corruption Commission has finished questioning witnesses in the police crackdown on People's Alliance for Democracy protesters in front of parliament which left many people killed and injured on October 7 last year, said Commission member Wichai Wiwitsewi on Thursday.

Mr Wichai, who is in charge of the investigation, said his panel will hold a meeting in a few days to go through the investigation report to make sure it is completed. A full report recommending action on the seven people accused of being responsible for the crackdown is expected to be forwarded to the NACC early next month, he added.

The seven accused are former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, former deputy prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Police Chief Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan, Pol Gen Viroj Paholvej, Pol Lt-Gen Suchart Muankaew, Pol Maj-Gen Likit Klin-uan, and Pol Maj-Gen Ekarat Meepreecha.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1...down-probe-ends

-- Bangkok Post 2009-07-23

[jayboy]

October 7 crackdown probe ends

A panel of the National Anti-Corruption Commission has finished questioning witnesses in the police crackdown on People's Alliance for Democracy protesters in front of parliament which left many people killed and injured on October 7 last year, said Commission member Wichai Wiwitsewi on Thursday.

Mr Wichai, who is in charge of the investigation, said his panel will hold a meeting in a few days to go through the investigation report to make sure it is completed. A full report recommending action on the seven people accused of being responsible for the crackdown is expected to be forwarded to the NACC early next month, he added.

The seven accused are former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, former deputy prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Police Chief Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan, Pol Gen Viroj Paholvej, Pol Lt-Gen Suchart Muankaew, Pol Maj-Gen Likit Klin-uan, and Pol Maj-Gen Ekarat Meepreecha.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1...down-probe-ends

-- Bangkok Post 2009-07-23

Let's remind ourselves that the PAD mob parked in front of parliament would have been cleared by force (if they refused to move) in any civilised (or for that matter non civilised country).The police action was inefficient and unnecessarily violent but not in itself wrong.The PAD was desparate for bloodshed and the emergence of victims, even if the "victims" - in another case - carrying explosives blew themselves up.

[slapout]

Give a monkey/child a live hand grenade and eventually he will find the arming mechanism.

[tomross46]

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!!

If Somchai was not in charge who was? His wife, or his brother-in-law? He was the PM at the time. So he must take responsibility for all actions on his reports.

Tom Klong 3

[sriracha john]

October 7 crackdown probe ends

A panel of the National Anti-Corruption Commission has finished questioning witnesses in the police crackdown on People's Alliance for Democracy protesters in front of parliament which left many people killed and injured on October 7 last year, said Commission member Wichai Wiwitsewi on Thursday.

The seven accused are former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, former deputy prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, National Police Chief General Patcharawat Wongsuwan, Pol Gen Viroj Paholvej, Pol Lt-Gen Suchart Muankaew, Pol Maj-Gen Likit Klin-uan, and Pol Maj-Gen Ekarat Meepreecha.

Police Chief postpones defending NCCC allegations

BANGKOK, 3 August 2009 (NNT) – The National Police Chief postponed defending allegations in relations to the rally dispersal on October 7, last year.

A member of the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC), Mr. Wicha Mahakhun, who was responsible in the investigation on rally dispersal on 7 October 2008, said that the National Police Chief Police General Patcharavat Wongsuwan, who was required to defend allegations against him on 3 August had asked for a postponement.

The NCCC therefore scheduled 5 August for him to defend the allegations.

Mr. Wicha said that the law did not require the National Police Chief to stop working, if he was convicted, unlike politicians. However the superior of the police chief had to consider whether to dismiss him or not.

Previously, one of NCCC members, Mr. Wichai Wiwitsewee, who was also responsible for the case, said that he would try to bring the case to the NCCC meeting for consideration in the middle of August. If the Police General Patcharavat was considered guilty both in terms of disciplinary and criminal charges, the NCCC would send report, document, and opinion to his superior and the Attorney-General Office in order to have disciplinary action taken within 30 days and criminal prosecution later.

-- NNT 2009-08-03

[sriracha john]

NACC to serve indictments to Police Chief by mail

National Police Chief General Patcharawat Wongsuwan will receive and acknowledge his serious disciplinary indictments related to the October 7 crackdown via registered postal service, National Anti-Corruption Commission member Wicha Mahakhun said Wednesday.

Patcharawat was a no-show at Wednesday's indictment session because of a conflicting engagement for a ten-day trip to China, Wicha said, arguing the NACC will rely on the postal service to serve the notification of charges in order to avoid undue delay.

-- The Nation 2009-08-05

[zzaa09]

No great fan of ex PM Somchai, but why can't the country move forward and let bygones be bygones. Why on earth would anyone want to be PM? This is a reason they try so hard to hang on to that power once they get it, they know the guy(government) that follow will be willing and waiting to stab this in the lower backside. Sad but pretty much true.

Muang Thai. A long history of letting bygones be bygones. Perfectly reflects the current state of affairs.

[sriracha john]

Patcharawat to get NACC indictment via the post

National Police Chief General Patcharawat Wongsuwan will receive and acknowledge indictments for serious disciplinary matters related to the October 7 crackdown via a registered postal service, National Anti-Corruption Commission member Wicha Mahakhun said yesterday.

Patcharawat did not show up at yesterday's indictment session because of a conflicting engagement for a 10-day trip to China, Wicha said, adding the NACC would rely on the postal service to serve its notification of charges to avoid undue delay.

The NACC completed an inquiry last month into the October 7 crackdown and decided to reclassify charges against Patcharawat to serious disciplinary violations.

If the NACC later rules to strike down his defence and finds cause to suspect foul play in the crackdown, Patcharawat may face mandatory dismissal from the police service.

-- The Nation 2009-08-06

[animatic]

Very convenient this China trip eh?

[sriracha john]

Police Chief fails to defend rally dispersal allegation as scheduled

BANGKOK, 17 August 2009 (NNT) – The National Police Chief Police General Patcharavat Wongsuwan did not defend allegation with the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) on his role in the rally dispersal case last year.

He was accused of violent crackdowns in rally dispersal on October 7, last year, which killed and injured a large number of people.

A member of NCCC Mr.Wicha Mahakhun, who was responsible in this case said that August 17 was set by the NCCC for the Police Chief to defend his case.

It was reported that he would come to defend his allegation on August 19. However the NCCC was waiting for confirmation from Police General Patcharavat and it would give the last chance for him to defend his allegation until August 23.

Another NCCC member responsible for the case Mr.Wichai Wiwitsewee said that if the Police Chief did not appear during this period until August 23, the NCCC would consider that he had nothing to defend and all evidence and witness would be concluded for indictment.

-- NNT 2009-08-17

[frederick5]

Fresh evidence in Somchai's case

By The Nation

Published on February 17, 2010

The Senate yesterday voted to accept 11 items of defence evidence to be used in the prosecution case of former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, who was indicted for abuse of power related to the botched anti-riot operation on October 7, 2008.

The fresh evidence was not included in the report submitted by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), which formed the basis for the prosecution.

In yesterday's inquiry session, Somchai submitted a writ arguing that the prosecution proceedings be aborted on grounds that the NACC had failed to notify him about its investigation and the subsequent indictment, which paved the way for impeachment on top of criminal accountability.

Senate Speaker Prasobsook Boondech, in his capacity as the prosecution inquiry chairman, ruled to strike down the defence writ and justified his decision by saying that the Senate had no mandate to render judgement on how the NACC did its job.

"Under the Constitution, the Senate is obliged to activate and draw conclusions on the prosecution inquiry after the NACC has submitted its report determining the cause for the action," he said.

After examining the evidence, the Senate has until next Tuesday to hear the opening statements of the prosecution and defence teams, and should have the inquiry completed by March 15.

To impeach Somchai, the upper chamber must muster at least 90 votes or three-fifth of the 150 seats.

If impeached, Somchai would be penalised with a five-year ban against holding political office.

The fresh defence evidence includes a picture of Angkhana Radabpanyawuth's corpse, which will be used as proof that not all casualties were caused by teargas used for crowd control.

The other key evidence is the prosecution's review of the criminal proceedings, which includes Office of the Attorney General's objection that the NACC report focused too much on the flaws of the anti-riot operation and had not factored in the merits.

The defence also wants to highlight a police report explaining why it was necessary to rein in the crowds.

-- The Nation 2010-02-17

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[Bottlerocket]

This could very well be the straw that breaks the camel's back. These aren't helpless people they're intimidating here. I guarantee there will be reprisals and our situation will worsen over the next few months.

[webfact]

Please continue discussion here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Evidence-Tha...se-t339772.html

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