Nacc To Rule Next Week Over October 7 Bloodshed

[webfact]

NACC to rule next week over October 7 bloodshed

By The Nation

The National Anti Corruption Commission will Tuesday finalise its probe into the bloodshed caused by the police crackdown on October 7, 2008 before ruling on punishment on August 4.

Key suspects involved in the case include former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, former deputy prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh.

Among the senior police officers under probe are national police chief General Patcharawat Wongsuwan and top officials in charge to the botched anti-riot operation, such as General Wiroj Phaholphaet and Lt General Suchart Muenkaew.

The NACC ruling will likely result in political ramifications.

At stakes are whether the NACC will recommend criminal proceedings against Somchai and Chavalit and whether Patcharawat will be found guilty of serious disciplinary offence leading to the mandatory dismissal.

-- The Nation 2009/07/28

[webfact]

At stakes are whether the NACC will recommend criminal proceedings against Somchai and Chavalit and whether Patcharawat will be found guilty of serious disciplinary offence leading to the mandatory dismissal.

It can initiate an avalanche, if criminal proceedings are opened.

[animatic]

At stakes are whether the NACC will recommend criminal proceedings against Somchai and Chavalit and whether Patcharawat will be found guilty of serious disciplinary offence leading to the mandatory dismissal.

It can initiate an avalanche, if criminal proceedings are opened.

As well it SHOULD!

[zzaa09]

October comes around alot. October 1932, October 1946, October 1953, October 1957, October 1973, and October 1976........bloodshed in October.

[webfact]

OCTOBER 7 CRACKDOWN

National police chief faces charges

By The Nation

Published on July 29, 2009

Patcharawat like to face criminal proceedings; NACC pointing finger at three more

National Police chief General Patcharawat Wongsuwan will likely face a criminal charge in connection with last October's bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters, a source said yesterday.

That would be in addition to the serious disciplinary charge recommended against him by the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the source said.

The NACC resolved to charge three more people in connection with the October 7 incident, NACC member Wicha Mahakhun said.

The police crackdown on yellow-shirted protesters, who attempted to prevent then-prime minister Somchai Wongsawat from delivering his policy statement at Parliament, left two people dead and more than a hundred injured.

Wicha said the nine-member NACC agreed to charge two more people for their involvement in the crackdown and file additional charges of severe disciplinary violations and criminal offences against another person who was among those charged previously.

The three people would be notified in writing to formally acknowledge the charges against them by August 3, Wicha said, adding that he expects those people to be indicted by the end of next month.

The NACC agreed not to disclose the identities of those people. Wicha declined to say whether one of the newly charged was Patcharawat.

The police chief's future remains unclear amid lingering speculation that he would be moved to the Prime Minister's Office for allegedly obstructing police investigation into the attempted assassination of Sondhi Limthongkul, a core leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he had "not yet" discussed with Deputy Premier Suthep Thaugsuban about Patcharawat's possible transfer and simply smiled when asked if Patcharawat would still "stick to his seat".

Abhisit's daily press conference at Government House was cancelled because he was too busy, government spokesman Panitan Watanayagorn said.

Suthep said the decision to remove Patcharawat would depend solely on the prime minister, who would be able to explain that decision.

The latest information did not indicate that Patcharawat had interfered in the probe, he said.

Suthep, the Democrat Party secretary-general, laughed when asked if he was "arm wrestling" with his party leader Abhisit about the matter.

"I don't think he can beat me at arm wrestling. I'm bigger than he is," he said.

No political implications were intended in his reply, he said. "You asked me just about arm wrestling, right?"

During yesterday's regular Cabinet meeting, Abhisit left the room to meet Suthep and they were seen engaged in a serious discussion for more than an hour, a government source said.

Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu replaced Abhisit in chairing the rest of the meeting, the source said.

-- The Nation 2009/07/29

[hammered]

OCTOBER 7 CRACKDOWN

National police chief faces charges

By The Nation

Published on July 29, 2009

Patcharawat like to face criminal proceedings; NACC pointing finger at three more

National Police chief General Patcharawat Wongsuwan will likely face a criminal charge in connection with last October's bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters, a source said yesterday.

That would be in addition to the serious disciplinary charge recommended against him by the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the source said.

The NACC resolved to charge three more people in connection with the October 7 incident, NACC member Wicha Mahakhun said.

The police crackdown on yellow-shirted protesters, who attempted to prevent then-prime minister Somchai Wongsawat from delivering his policy statement at Parliament, left two people dead and more than a hundred injured.

Wicha said the nine-member NACC agreed to charge two more people for their involvement in the crackdown and file additional charges of severe disciplinary violations and criminal offences against another person who was among those charged previously.

The three people would be notified in writing to formally acknowledge the charges against them by August 3, Wicha said, adding that he expects those people to be indicted by the end of next month.

The NACC agreed not to disclose the identities of those people. Wicha declined to say whether one of the newly charged was Patcharawat.

The police chief's future remains unclear amid lingering speculation that he would be moved to the Prime Minister's Office for allegedly obstructing police investigation into the attempted assassination of Sondhi Limthongkul, a core leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he had "not yet" discussed with Deputy Premier Suthep Thaugsuban about Patcharawat's possible transfer and simply smiled when asked if Patcharawat would still "stick to his seat".

Abhisit's daily press conference at Government House was cancelled because he was too busy, government spokesman Panitan Watanayagorn said.

Suthep said the decision to remove Patcharawat would depend solely on the prime minister, who would be able to explain that decision.

The latest information did not indicate that Patcharawat had interfered in the probe, he said.

Suthep, the Democrat Party secretary-general, laughed when asked if he was "arm wrestling" with his party leader Abhisit about the matter.

"I don't think he can beat me at arm wrestling. I'm bigger than he is," he said.

No political implications were intended in his reply, he said. "You asked me just about arm wrestling, right?"

During yesterday's regular Cabinet meeting, Abhisit left the room to meet Suthep and they were seen engaged in a serious discussion for more than an hour, a government source said.

Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu replaced Abhisit in chairing the rest of the meeting, the source said.

-- The Nation 2009/07/29

Suthep and Abhisit seem divided on the police chief which means he will liekly stay unless Abhisit is willing to see the coalition become extremely wobbly including his own party. Southern Democrats will be unlikley to support the removal as it will threaten government stability in a big way and that means they could lose power. Southern deomcrats will still win their constituencies even if the decision to do nothing is unpopular. Other less safe democrats may favour ditching the police chief for politcal reasons ie winning their seat in the next election.

Then there is the question of what is the right thing. Well the word on the street is well out on that.

Edited to add:

1. it is now being reported that the PM has said he wont ditch the chief.

2. Those who are rumoured to have obstructed the case has been out in the public domain for days now.

Edited July 29, 2009 by hammered

[Plus]

The police chief is also the borther of the Defence Minister, who, in turn, is Anupong's protege, so removing him would have damage Abhisit's relationships with the military.

Abhisit would be a lot happier if Patcharawat is removed by NCCC instead.

Now that it looks like a sure thing, Dems can publicly clear his name to massage his bruised ego - the man's a goner anyway.

Sounds like a plausible scenario to me, but there is a lot more involved, a lot more people who don't want their names outed in connection with Sondhi shooting. Abhisit and Suthep are probably busy trying to appease everyone - Sondhi, PAD, general public, all the culprits involved, and even the opposition as they can eat them alive if they disclose some of those deals.

I, personally, have no idea if, perhaps, Abhisit should say "fuc_k them, the country deserves to know" and go public with whatever information Thanee discovered.

[hammered]

The police chief is also the borther of the Defence Minister, who, in turn, is Anupong's protege, so removing him would have damage Abhisit's relationships with the military.

Abhisit would be a lot happier if Patcharawat is removed by NCCC instead.

Now that it looks like a sure thing, Dems can publicly clear his name to massage his bruised ego - the man's a goner anyway.

Sounds like a plausible scenario to me, but there is a lot more involved, a lot more people who don't want their names outed in connection with Sondhi shooting. Abhisit and Suthep are probably busy trying to appease everyone - Sondhi, PAD, general public, all the culprits involved, and even the opposition as they can eat them alive if they disclose some of those deals.

I, personally, have no idea if, perhaps, Abhisit should say "fuc_k them, the country deserves to know" and go public with whatever information Thanee discovered.

He will retire before the NCCC case removes him if it goes that way. This whole business is a very very murky mess and nobody comes out of it very well.

It will be a long time before any Thai poltician says it is time the country knows and reveals the murkiest of secrets. Then again that isnt unique to Thailand by a long way.