Arrest Warrants Issued For 14 Red Shirt Leaders And Thaksin

[jumnien]

Go Red Go! Let freedom ring!

[sriracha john]

Red shirts leaders declare on Saturday they will resume rallies at Sanam Luang and extend to other areas.

The Nation / 2009-05-31

meanwhile, over a month and several rallies ago....

as a condition of their bail... to cease and desist...

Deputy Commissioner of Metropolitan Police, Police Major-General Suporn Pansua stated that the three leaders would firstly be warned if they got on the rally stage and started giving speeches. If they insisted on making political speeches, their bails could be revoked by court orders.

-- NNT 2009-04-25

Edited May 31, 2009 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

No word yet on whether or not there'll be a million protesters attending and taking to the street for the next "major rally"....

[sriracha john]

Red-Shirts Set Next Major Rally on June 27

The red-shirt leaders have announced the next round of anti-government rallies to be held in Bangkok at the end of next month.

Co-leader of the Demcoratic Alliance against Dictatorship Jatuporn Prompan, revealed that the next major red-shirt rally will be held on June 27th, from 4 p.m., at Sanam Luang, Bangkok.

He invited all red-shirt supporters around the country to participate in the rally to call for justice and show their standpoint against bureaucratic polity. Jatuporn confirmed that the rally will not be prolonged or march to other official places.

He also revealed that on June 1st, the red-shirt leaders will file a petition with the Attorney-General, calling for an additional inquiry into all the cases involving the the red-shirts.

He claimed that the police and inquiry officials have used double standards when dealing with the red-shirt group, in comparison to how they have treated the yellow-shirt cases.

-- Tan Network 2009-05-30

[Sandstone Art]

No word yet on whether or not there'll be a million protesters attending and taking to the street for the next "major rally"....

I think that depends how much Pay Master's is willing to plough $$ in and create the number of protesters!

More than 3 weeks to go and guess the money has not arrived yet!

[sriracha john]

Key red shirts warned they may lose bail

The Democrat Party says it will push for the revocation of bail for leaders of the UDD if they violate any of the bail conditions during a planned June 27 rally. The prime minister's spokesman, Thepthai Senpong, said yesterday the three key leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship had been charged in connection with the street riots over the Songkran holiday and the court needed to look into whether their involvement in the June 27 rally would be in breach of their bail conditions.

UDD supporters have been urged to turn out in force at the rally. "If they give speeches to incite their supporters against the government, authorities would be compelled to take drastic action against them," Mr Thepthai said.

Swift action would prevent the situation from getting out of hand like the April 11-14 rioting, he said.

Continued:

-- Bangkok Post 2009-06-02

[sriracha john]

Fact-Finding Panel: Red-Shirt Protesters Killed Nang Loeng Residents

A panel investigating the fatal shooting incident in Nang Loeng area during the red-shirt riot on Songkran Day has initially found that the two victims were killed by red-shirt protesters. However, it has yet to conclude the investigation and is waiting for more information.

The fact-finding subcommittee investigating violent incidents during the anti-government protests in April held a press conference to report progress of its investigation to the public today.

Subcommittee spokesperson Jermmas Chuenglertsiri disclosed that victims and eyewitnesses who were injured by red-shirt protesters and relatives of those who were shot dead in the clash at Nang Loeng community were called in for testimonies.

Jermmas said the witnesses recounted that a group of men in red shirts riding on about 10 motorbikes continually shot into the crowd in Nang Loeng community on the day. Two men were found shot dead after the incident.

The witnesses definitely believed that the gunmen were red-shirt supporters because people in Nang Loeng community had tried to chase them away fearing possible spillover of violence during protesters' clashes with security troops.

However, Jermmas said that the issue was sensitive and the subcommittee needs more evidence and testimonies to conclude the investigation.

On Wednesday, Metropolitan Police Division 1 Commander Wichai Sangprapai will be invited to testify to the panel to provide more information about the Nang Loeng incident.

-- Tan Network 2009-06-01

[sriracha john]

Strict policing for UDD rally

Police Chief Patcharawat Wongsuwan has ordered the Metropolitan Police Bureau to be prepared to stringently enforce the law during the mass anti-government rally planned by the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) on June 27.

Police Gen Patcharawat said on Monday that metropolitan police used only shields to control the protesters during the Songkran riots in April, and many people criticised the police for being ineffective. This would have to be taken into consideration.

He had assigned assistant police chief Adul Saengsingkaew to draw up a strict security plan for the UDD demonstration, but police must still abide by international standards and orders of the Administrative Court.

Continued:

-- Bangkok Post 2009-06-02

[hammered]

Thaksin's asset case is coming up in July. Expect some events before then. The rally could be one. There will no doubt be others. Whenever a Thaksin case arises things happen.

[sriracha john]

The spitting image of Sylvester Stallone in his prime is back in the news...

"Issan Rambo" Suporn Atthawong:

UDD Leader ‘Issan Rambo’ reports to police

BANGKOK, 4 June 2009 (NNT) – United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) core leader Suporn Atthawong reported himself to police today for the Interior Ministry intrusion case during the Songkran national turmoil.

Suporn today traveled to Samranrat Metropolitan Police Station to meet with Deputy Investigation Deputy Commander Police Lieutenant-Colonel Kritsada Itsatripol as the appointment made by inquiry officials.

Suporn, better known as ‘Issan Rambo’, was charged for trespassing and damaging properties, assembling more than ten people and inciting violence in the nation in the Interior Ministry intrusion incident during the Songkran national political turmoil. The UDD leader is now on temporary release.

After reporting himself to inquiry officials, Suporn is scheduled to report again on 17 June 2009 at 9.00 hrs. Police Lieutenant-Colonel Kritsada said now police would speedily interrogate all witnesses to conclude the brief to prosecutors. However, he said the date and time could not be specified yet.

-- NNT 2009-06-04

Edited June 4, 2009 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

More Red-Shirt Protesters to Face Arrests for Attacking PM's Car

Police prepare to seek arrest warrants for ten other red-shirt protesters for their alleged attack on the Prime Minister's car at the Interior Ministry in April. Meanwhile, one of the group's leaders reported to investigators today.

One of the leaders of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, or DAAD, Suporn Atthawong, today turned himself in to the Samranrat police for his alleged involvement in the trespassing of the Interior Ministry and the attack on the car of the Prime Minister's Secretary-General Niphon Prompan.

Suporn also faces two more charges of vandalism of state property and instigating chaos.

Both of the allegations stemmed from his leading role in the April 12th attack on the Prime Minister's car at the Interior Ministry.

The DAAD leader revealed he will submit his written testimony and file the list of his 200 witnesses as well as the request for a fair investigation to police tomorrow.

The investigation team expects the interrogation of the suspect's witnesses to be completed next week. Police said more arrest warrants could be issued against ten other DAAD protesters for allegedly taking part in the attack on the Prime Minister's car.

-- Tan Network 2009-06-04

[sriracha john]

"Love Chiang Mai 51" core leader acknowledges charges from police

BANGKOK, 4 June 2009 (NNT) – The "Love Chiang Mai 51" core leader acknowledged two charges at the Crime Suppression Division amid moral supports given by throngs of United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) supporters.

"Love Chiang Mai 51" core leader Petchawat Wattanapongsirikul came to meet inquiry officers in order to acknowledge charges for using telecommunication devices and establishing a radio station without authorization.

It was reported that Petchawat would use the position of Puea Thai Party MP Sa-nguan Pongmanee to bail him out.

Petchawat earlier was charged for provoking UDD supporters via Love Chiang Mai Community Radio 92.5 MHz and violating the Emergency Decree during Songkran national political turmoil.

More than 100 UDD supporters went to the Crime Suppression Division to give Petchawat moral support and made speeches slamming the government.

-- NNT 2009-06-04

[sriracha john]

Red shirts blamed for Nang Lerng

A House fact-finding sub-panel concluded yesterday that Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship (DAAD) protesters most likely carried out the fatal attacks on two Nang Lerng residents in April.

Chermmart Juenglertsiri, Democrat MP and representative of the sub-committee, said witnesses recounted that a 30-strong group of attackers, all on motorcycles wearing red or black shirts, carried out the attack in waves.

The MP said this account matched the footage available on the YouTube website. About 20 bullets, some unused, including spent shells of M16 rifles were found on site. Chermmart said the panel had queried to see if any soldiers could possibly have been involved in the attack and concluded there were none.

Army Region One Deputy Commander Ong-art Pongsak reiterated that it was "unlikely" the Army was involved in the clash.

Relatives of the dead said the community had resisted attempts by red-shirt protesters to set a public bus ablaze, fearing the fire would spread to their homes. Then the two sides faced off with slingshots before the red shirts took out their guns, they said.

Other members of the committee also concurred the Army could hardly have been an agent provocateur as the government stood to lose a lot if it was found responsible for the deaths. They concluded that DAAD protesters were to blame for the deaths, and urged the police to quickly bring them to justice.

-- The Nation 2009-06-09

[sriracha john]

Panel finds red shirts shot Nang Loeng duo

A committee looking into the shootings in Nang Loeng during the Songkran riots by red shirt demonstrators has concluded that men wearing red and black shirts, not soldiers, fired the bullets at local residents which left two dead.

The committee, headed by Samut Sakhon Senator Suwit Meksereekul, yesterday invited two senior military officers to testify about the shootings in the Nang Loeng area during the Songkran holidays.

Maj-Gen Ong-art Khongsak, Deputy Commander of the 1st Army Region and Col Polsak Sripen, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Royal Guard's 1st Infantry Division, told the panel that spent bullet cases found at Nang Loeng market and near the bodies of the two victims had not been fired by soldiers.

Continued:

-- Bangkok Post 2009-06-09

[sriracha john]

Indictment of Thaksin, UDD deferred

The prosecution on Wednesday postponed a decision whether to indict former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship on charges of causing unrest and violating the emergency decree during the Songkran riots.

Kaiyasit Pitsawongprakan, Director-General of the Criminal Litigation Department, said the decision was delayed indefinitely because Attorney-General Chaikasem Nitisiri had not decided whether to accept a petition filed by the 14 suspects on June 1 asking prosecutors to interrogate additional witnesses to ensure fairness.

The Attorney-General is required by the Criminal Procedures Act to make the decision, since Thaksin, one of the suspects, was not in the country when the alleged offences were committed. Of the 14 suspects, only Jatuporn Promphan, a Puea Thai Party-list MP, Adisorn Piangket, a former Thai Rak Thai Party Executive, Arisman Pongruengrong, and Shinawat Haboonphat turned up at the Office of the Attorney-General on Wednesday, when a decision was expected.

Continued:

-- Bangkok Post 2009-06-10

Edited June 10, 2009 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Doubts over amnesty for Jatuporn

Though MPs and Senators who seek parliamentary immunity from arrest and prosecution while Parliament sits are normally granted it, doubts are surfacing about the case of Pheu Thai party-list MP Jatuporn Prompan.

No member has ever been charged with so grave a threat to democracy or national security.

Jatuporn, prominent in the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, is wanted for inciting unrest by leading red-shirt rallies for the abolition of the 2007 Constitution.

Jatuporn has yet to surrender to face charges and may ask for immunity.

This is generally granted on request, but the enormity of Jatuporn's alleged crime has sparked a move for a break with precedent.

Democrat spokesman Buranat Samutrak said the party would meet to decide whether to back Jatuporn once he made a request.

Chulalongkorn University political-science lecturer Chaiyan Chaiyaporn said immunity was just a tradition and the law clearly stated that members could vote for or against granting it.

He said that if Pheu Thai Party MPs voted in support of Jatuporn it would show that they did not put the public interest above their own.

Cases in point are:

- Then Senate Speaker Chalerm Promlert was given immunity after being sentenced to 36 years in jail on November 13, 2007 for raping an underage girl.

- Then Senator Sukhum Cherchuen was given immunity from being prosecuted for masterminding the murder of Dr Nicharee Makornsarn of Chulalongkorn Hospital.

- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva waived immunity when sued by Dr Prommin Lertsuridej for defamation in connection with a press conference at which Abhisit accused the Thai Rak Thai Party of hiring small parties to compete in the April 2, 2006 election and said he would abide by the court's verdict.

- Democrat party-list MP Somkiat Pongpaiboon waived immunity on a charge of lese majeste.

-- The Nation 2009-04-27

UPDATE... the truth shall set you free...

Criminal Court clears Democrat of libel charges filed by ex-Thai Rak Thai executive

The Criminal Court Thursday cleared the Democrat Party and the Party Leader, the Secretary-General and a Bangkok MP of libel charges filed by former Thai Rak Thai Party executive Prommin Lertsuridej [TRT Banned # 24].

Prommin named the Democrat Party, Prime Minister and Party Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, Deputy Prime Minister and Democrat-Secretary-General Suthep Thaugsuban, Bangkok MP Ong-arj Klampaibul the first, second, third, and fourth defendants respectively.

Prommin alleged that the three Democrats defamed him and the Thai Rak Thai Party by holding a press conference on March 16, 2006, saying three Thai Rak Thai Party executives had committed election frauds by hiring small parties to contest April 2 2006 election.

But the court ruled that the Democrats held the press conference in good faith to announce the information it had learned.

The court said the Democrats simply wanted to inform the public of attempts to damage the country's democracy so they had not committed libel as charged.

The court said the Constitution Court had also proved that the Thai Rak Thai Party had really hired the small parties to contest the election.

-- The Nation 2009-06-11

[sriracha john]

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, center, is surrounded by security guards as he arrives at criminal court Thursday, June 11, 2009 in Bangkok, Thailand. The Thai criminal court on Thursday dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed against Abhisit and two other members from the Democrat Party by the former executive member of the now defunct Thai Rak Thai party.

Associated Press

[Ricardo]

The court said the Constitution Court had also proved that the Thai Rak Thai Party had really hired the small parties to contest the election.

Ah, 'true democracy' in action !

[Koo82]

Yes you are correct about not just anyone can drive a gas tanker or any tractor/trailer for that matter. The individual; needs 2 legs long enough to reach clutch

[Koo82]

<deleted>.

A gas tanker is still a truck. Gas, brake, clutch, gear shifter, steering wheel. Not too different from a pickup or sedan, just bigger. I can drive 'em (but i didn't on that day because i was in Chiang Mai, i've got a ton of witnesses).

The main point is not how to drive a gas tanker. What do you say about 2 tankers of 2 different provinces but of the same owners?

Suthep said the gas company is Siam Gas which was conflict with the photos I found and what Jatupon said.

[Koo82]

The court said the Constitution Court had also proved that the Thai Rak Thai Party had really hired the small parties to contest the election.

Ah, 'true democracy' in action !

I take for granted TRT hired small parties. Why? Because Democrat Party and 2 more from memory boycotted election. I didn't know boycotting election is democratic. Maybe they know they would lose in that election. To save face.

[TAWP]

The court said the Constitution Court had also proved that the Thai Rak Thai Party had really hired the small parties to contest the election.

Ah, 'true democracy' in action !

I take for granted TRT hired small parties. Why? Because Democrat Party and 2 more from memory boycotted election. I didn't know boycotting election is democratic. Maybe they know they would lose in that election. To save face.

Wow, just wow...

Your concept of democratic is so far off the chart it should be saved for future quoting is definite proof that your posts isn't in any way the products of a rational and fair-minded person with democratic ideals.

Of course one can boycott an election. Forcing people to run would be the opposite. The pay other parties to act as counter-candidates to side-step the rules for due election process is NOT democratic - and you take for granted they did and seems happy it is a fact.

At least your true colors are seen by most everyone now*.

(Ok, besides the 3 of the multi-banned people that seem to enjoy ranting with pro-Red propaganda here too...)

[justanothercybertosser]

Of course one can boycott an election. Forcing people to run would be the opposite.

Actually, calling for an election boycott would be illegal here (as far as i can remember). The "oldest" political party of Thailand though not fielding candidates, and persuading other opposition parties to do the same, is circumventing the law about election boycott, and has forced people that opposed Thaksin to use the "No" vote.

The Democrats were using a loophole in the law there - exactly the same thing Thaksin has done on numerous occasions. This one though has possibly caused far more weakening of the already unstable democracy than all that Thaksin has done, as it made the military coup possible in the first place.

And so far - Thailand's democratic development has not yet rebounded. It has been thrown back decades.

[Old Man River]

Of course one can boycott an election. Forcing people to run would be the opposite.

Actually, calling for an election boycott would be illegal here (as far as i can remember). The "oldest" political party of Thailand though not fielding candidates, and persuading other opposition parties to do the same, is circumventing the law about election boycott, and has forced people that opposed Thaksin to use the "No" vote.

The Democrats were using a loophole in the law there - exactly the same thing Thaksin has done on numerous occasions. This one though has possibly caused far more weakening of the already unstable democracy than all that Thaksin has done, as it made the military coup possible in the first place.

And so far - Thailand's democratic development has not yet rebounded. It has been thrown back decades.

That is a surprising comment above. Given the facts, I wouldn't be so quick to think the boycott of the April 2006 elections made the Sept. 2006 coup possible since the boycott had nothing to do with it. The fact is, as it ended up, in May 2006, the April 2006 elections were annulled by the Constitutional Court for "systematic violation of the secrecy of the vote." To jog your memory, this was the election that eventually lead to members of the Election Commission being thrown in jail.

Hence, it didn't matter that three political parties (not just the Democrats) boycotted the April 2006 election, because even if there was no boycott these elections would still have been declared null and void.

You or anyone else interested in this period of Thai history can google it and find numerous articles about this election and why it was annulled.

[sriracha john]

The court said the Constitution Court had also proved that the Thai Rak Thai Party had really hired the small parties to contest the election.

Ah, 'true democracy' in action !

I take for granted TRT hired small parties. Why? Because Democrat Party and 2 more from memory boycotted election. I didn't know boycotting election is democratic. Maybe they know they would lose in that election. To save face.

Wow, just wow...

Your concept of democratic is so far off the chart it should be saved for future quoting is definite proof that your posts isn't in any way the products of a rational and fair-minded person with democratic ideals.

Of course one can boycott an election. Forcing people to run would be the opposite. The pay other parties to act as counter-candidates to side-step the rules for due election process is NOT democratic - and you take for granted they did and seems happy it is a fact.

At least your true colors are seen by most everyone now*.

(Ok, besides the 3 of the multi-banned people that seem to enjoy ranting with pro-Red propaganda here too...)

They are even ridiculous enough to portend that the legally acceptable non-participation in an election (which is a more accurate description than "boycott") is somehow worse than the extremely illegal act of hiring up fake parties.

They even misrepresent these extremes as the former being more "weakening of the already unstable democracy" than the latter.

Amazing Thailand's amazing Thaivisa.

Edited June 12, 2009 by sriracha john

[justanothercybertosser]

That is a surprising comment above. Given the facts, I wouldn't be so quick to think the boycott of the April 2006 elections made the Sept. 2006 coup possible since the boycott had nothing to do with it. The fact is, as it ended up, in May 2006, the April 2006 elections were annulled by the Constitutional Court for "systematic violation of the secrecy of the vote." To jog your memory, this was the election that eventually lead to members of the Election Commission being thrown in jail.

Hence, it didn't matter that three political parties (not just the Democrats) boycotted the April 2006 election, because even if there was no boycott these elections would still have been declared null and void.

You or anyone else interested in this period of Thai history can google it and find numerous articles about this election and why it was annulled.

The boycott led to a prolonged interim government, especially because it went hand in hand with PAD demands and protests, which has weakened the system to the extend that the coup group was able to justify their takeover. With a stable and elected government in place the coup group would have had much more difficulties to explain the possibly worst infraction against democratic development imaginable to both the Thai population and to the outside world. The system still suffers from this coup, and will so for the foreseeable future.

And , please, the so called "systematic violation of the secrecy of the vote" was a technicality because of a slightly wrong placing of the booths in some constituencies.

And as to the role of the courts in the recent years - unfortunately the draconian laws regarding contempt of court, which does not allow to criticize any decision of the court (very democratic... ), forbid me to speak my mind about the role of the courts. Suffice to say, that members of the courts, and their relatives have been seen regularly attending PAD protests...

[sriracha john]

Amazing Thailand's Amazing Thaivisa rolls on with the right to privacy of one's vote being tossed aside as nothing more than a "technicality."

[justanothercybertosser]

Amazing Thailand's Amazing Thaivisa rolls on with the right to privacy of one's vote being tossed aside as nothing more than a "technicality."

There is only one amazing thing about Thaivisa - and that is the enormous amount of time some serial posters spend here in cyberspace. It is amazing - there is something called real life out there.

Good night.

[sriracha john]

Amazing Thailand's Amazing Thaivisa rolls on with the right to privacy of one's vote being tossed aside as nothing more than a "technicality."

There is only one amazing thing about Thaivisa - and that is the enormous amount of time some serial posters spend here in cyberspace. It is amazing - there is something called real life out there.

Good night.

There's many amazing things about Thaivisa... such as those posters that have continually rejoined after banning and through countless hours online end up accumulating thousands of posts collectively... and then the same people turn around and ridicule those that accomplished the same under one ID.

Have a good one.

Edited June 12, 2009 by sriracha john

[JacknDanny]

Amazing Thailand's Amazing Thaivisa rolls on with the right to privacy of one's vote being tossed aside as nothing more than a "technicality."

There is only one amazing thing about Thaivisa - and that is the enormous amount of time some serial posters spend here in cyberspace. It is amazing - there is something called real life out there.

Good night.

There's many amazing things about Thaivisa... such as those posters that have continually rejoined after banning and through countless hours online end up accumulating thousands of posts collectively... and then the same people turn around and ridicule those that accomplished the same under one ID.

Have a good one.

Agreed

You have stood the test of time

Outspoken, not always popular, but real.

Unlike these snakes in the grass, who keep coming back like demented boomerangs, reinventing themselves time after time. It used to wind me up, now I pity them, as it is indeed they who have no lives