Reds To Descend On Surayud's Vacation Home

[webfact]

TODAY'S RED RALLY

Reds to descend on Surayud's vacation home

By The Nation

Published on January 11, 2010

Rally aims to highlight supposed double standards in govt enforcing the law

Thousands of red shirts will descend today on a forest reserve at Khao Yai Thiang in Nakhon Ratchasima for a protest designed as a prelude to a showdown in the capital to oust the government.

Today's rally aims to highlight a supposed double standards in law enforcement. The red shirts claim the government has failed to evict Privy Councillor Surayud Chulanont from his vacation home despite doubts in regard to his ownership of the property.

Red shirts began to congregate near the home, the designated rally site, yesterday afternoon.

A 1,000-strong riot force has been deployed at the mouth of a road leading to the rally site. Provincial Police Region 3 commissioner Lt General Dechawat Ramsompop was personally supervising the crowd control operation.

Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit called for Surayud to take responsibility for encroachment on the forest reserve and quit the Privy Council.

A leading figure such as Surayud, who had been a prime minister just after the coup, should know it was unlawful for him to possess the plot, Prompong claimed.

A Cabinet resolution dated April 29, 1975 allocated parts of the forest reserve for villagers to settle on but it did not permit the transfer of ownership from original settlers to outsiders such as Surayud, he argued.

Instead of promptly returning the plot to the state, Surayud chose to act in defiance of the law, he said.

Prompong claimed the authorities might mobilise about 5,000 people from certain northeastern provinces, including Buri Ram - the stronghold of faction leader Newin Chidchob - to hold a counter rally against the red shirts.

"I warn those trying to disrupt the red-shirt rally to stop immediately and the government must assume full responsibility if violence erupts," the Pheu Thai spokesman said.

He urged forest conservationists and concerned activists to step forward to help the red shirts protect the forest reserve.

But Democrat MP Sathit Pitudecha said the red shirts no longer had cause to attack Surayud after the Office of the Attorney General explained the reasons it had not prosecuted the former Army chief.

The OAG said there was no evidence of Surayud having any malicious intent to encroach on the forest reserve and he got the plot from a lawful owner.

Despite a Cabinet resolution banning land transfers to outsiders, there were no penalties for such an offence.

Prosecutors said any decision to "recall" the disputed plot was up to local officials. It depended on the discretion of forest authorities.

Another Democrat, Thepthai Senpong, said fugitive ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra attempted to question the impartiality of the justice system by telling half-truths.

Thaksin sent a Twitter note that alleged double standards. He said former PM Samak Sundaravej was convicted for a conflict of interest while Surayud eluded justice for "forest encroachment".

Thepthai said Thaksin omitted to mention the whole truth - Samak's verdict clearly spelt out evidence of intent while the prosecution order to drop all charges against Surayud was based on the lack of intent.

-- The Nation 2010-01-11

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[animatic]

Anything they think they can make stink and cause an embarrassment.

Local issue made national for political revenge and gain, ONLY because of who it is,

This is not about law enforcement, but looking for excuses to avoid law being enforced against Thalksin.

4 rai in the woods, vs Bangkok Prime real estate worth a billion.

Convicted for intent to break the law, vs possible intent to not check title back 30 years.

If Thaksin is worried about letter of the law, then come back serve the time,

and maybe Surayud will pay his little fine too for this IF one applies.

Edited January 11, 2010 by animatic

[brahmburgers]

He can try the standard 4 yr old's response: "everyone else does it, why can't I?"

I wouldn't want to be in Surayud's shoes right now.

A couple years ago, I bumped into a nice young farang couple. They were securing a parcel in north Thailand which had the same sort of legal encumberance: The parcel had a restrictive title (chanod) which allowed it to only change hands within the previous owner's immediate family. The farang told me they were able to get a local cop chief to change the restriction - Thai style. Surayud probably did less than that, and no one would have batted an eye, except along comes the hyper politicized climate with the vindictive Reds seeing a way to draw blood. .....and make this ordinarily insignificant trespass in to a national red flag issue.

[jayboy]

Anything they think they can make stink and cause an embarrassment.

Local issue made national for political revenge and gain, ONLY because of who it is,

This is not about law enforcement, but looking for excuses to avoid law being enforced against Thalksin.

4 rai in the woods, vs Bangkok Prime real estate worth a billion.

Convicted for intent to break the law, vs possible intent to not check title back 30 years.

If Thaksin is worried about letter of the law, then come back serve the time,

and maybe Surayud will pay his little fine too for this IF one applies.

I think you have got this completely distorted.

The discontent on this issue is surely motivated by the double standards applied by the elite when one of their own is involved, essentially to turn a blind eye.Surayud projected himself as a decent and honourable man so there was a particular need to show transparency and honesty in all his affairs.

I don't think your comparison of 4 rai in the woods/prime Bangkok real eastate is very relevant.Thaksin was the wealthiest businessman in the country well before he came to power.Surayud was a low paid army officer his whole career.Actually I have more questions about Surayud's source of wealth than I do about Thaksin's.

[Siripon]

Anything they think they can make stink and cause an embarrassment.

Local issue made national for political revenge and gain, ONLY because of who it is,

This is not about law enforcement, but looking for excuses to avoid law being enforced against Thalksin.

4 rai in the woods, vs Bangkok Prime real estate worth a billion.

Convicted for intent to break the law, vs possible intent to not check title back 30 years.

If Thaksin is worried about letter of the law, then come back serve the time,

and maybe Surayud will pay his little fine too for this IF one applies.

I think you have got this completely distorted.

The discontent on this issue is surely motivated by the double standards applied by the elite when one of their own is involved, essentially to turn a blind eye.Surayud projected himself as a decent and honourable man so there was a particular need to show transparency and honesty in all his affairs.

I don't think your comparison of 4 rai in the woods/prime Bangkok real eastate is very relevant.Thaksin was the wealthiest businessman in the country well before he came to power.Surayud was a low paid army officer his whole career.Actually I have more questions about Surayud's source of wealth than I do about Thaksin's.

I think Thanin and Charern are wealthier than Thaksin.

I heard that Surayud married into money.

How about Thaksin's double standards? General Sanan was banned fron politics in 2000 for failing to disclose 50 million baht yet Thaksin was found not guilty 8-7 in 2001 for exactly the same offence and for a much larger sum.

Edited January 11, 2010 by Siripon

[animatic]

Never heard of Surayud having anything like Pastry Gate over this either.

Obviously the locals thought nothing of this land deal, till the reds came calling.

Now they are not sure what to do about it.

[jayboy]

How about Thaksin's double standards? General Sanan was banned fron politics in 2000 for failing to disclose 50 million baht yet Thaksin was found not guilty 8-7 in 2001 for exactly the same offence and for a much larger sum.

I think it's fairly well established Thaksin's not a great moral example.The point here is the hypocrisy of the elite which pursued him.

Actually I have a soft spot for General Surayud.I admire his demeanour and lack of vanity and boastfulness, a gentleman in the best sense.Ah yes he married into money, yet another one.Possibly he did but one is left asking whether there is any army officer or civil servant living off an income quite impossible for their salary, that didn't "marry into money".Inheriting land is the other frequently heard reason.

[Siripon]

I would like to see Banharn, Chavalit and Chalerm explain away their wealth.

[webfact]

Red Shirt demonstrators build up at home of Privy Councillor Surayud

BANGKOK, Jan 11 (TNA) – The numbers of the supporters of the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD)--the Red Shirts—were growing early Monday at the vacation residence of Privy Councillor Gen Surayud Chulanont at Khao Yai Thiang in Nakhon Ratchasima, but the protesters vow that they will neither use violence nor trespass into the home of the former prime minister during the rally.

The UDD, which started its mission Sunday, claimed that their rally is aimed to call attention to what they branded as the government’s practice of double standards.

Red Shirt leaders said the protest will continue until Tuesday, and if there is no response from the government, they will then consider their next move.

The protesters are pressuring the government for an answer on the alleged encroachment into the forest reserve by Gen Surayud.

They consider as complicit the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva for ignoring the case and charged that many villagers at Khao Yai Thiang have been sued for trespassing in the forests and forced to leave their land.

Security has been tightened both inside and outside Gen Surayud’s home, with 700 police personnel dispatched to maintain order in the area.

Police stood in rows outside the front gate of the residence to prevent any entry by the UDD, but no violence has taken place.

The Office of the Attorney General on Friday announced it would not sue Gen Surayud for his ownership of land in the forest preserve, saying that the former prime minister violated no law and that his land purchase was legal.

An Attorney General’s spokesman said Gen Surayud was not guilty as he had legally acquired the land, and that the property had twice changed ownership before him.

The spokesman, however, said an earlier Cabinet resolution prohibits local residents who were allocated forest reserve land from selling it to others excepting their statutory heirs. Otherwise the land must be returned to the state.

The case has been forwarded to the Royal Forestry Department for further action, but the department has yet to officially inform the Attorney General.

The spokesman reemphasised that the Attorney General conducted Gen Surayud's case fairly and in accordance with the law.

Gen Surayud said earlier that he was willing to comply with the law regarding his controversial land ownership and would follow the Attorney General's decision. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-01-11

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[mca]

Basically we need an example of a "common person" (for want of a better word) in exactly the same position as Surayud being allowed to hand the land back with no further penalty. Then all's fair.

Now if it turns out that this person was also prosecuted along with handing the land back well..........

[Thai at Heart]

Anything they think they can make stink and cause an embarrassment.

Local issue made national for political revenge and gain, ONLY because of who it is,

This is not about law enforcement, but looking for excuses to avoid law being enforced against Thalksin.

4 rai in the woods, vs Bangkok Prime real estate worth a billion.

Convicted for intent to break the law, vs possible intent to not check title back 30 years.

If Thaksin is worried about letter of the law, then come back serve the time,

and maybe Surayud will pay his little fine too for this IF one applies.

This has nothing to do with Thaksin. Comparing other people's supposed crimes to somehow reduce the crime of another is not relevant. It has everything to do with the perceived selective enforcement of the law.

Is this selective enforcement or not? I would say yes, in which case it plays perfectly into Thaksin's play book. I don't see how anyone can reconcile the treatment of this case and the treatment of other high profile cases attached to the UDD/TRT. Undoing this apparently selective enforcement is probably 2nd on the list after corruption in terms of strengthening the stability of the Thailand as a whole.

It has nothing to do with whether Surayud is a nice bloke, loyal, honest, hard working. I am sure that Thaksin's kids say the same about his dad.

[webfact]

Red shirts try to cut barbed wires of a house near Privy Councillor Gen Surayud Chulanont's Korat residence on Khao Yai Thieng to prepare for their rally scheduled on Monday. They claimed Surayud's residence was on forest reserve.//Thawechai Jaowattana

-- The Nation 2010-01-11

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[jayboy]

I would like to see Banharn, Chavalit and Chalerm explain away their wealth.

Well quite but these are three notorious rogues, so that you are in effect muddying the waters.I was referring to standard senior military officers and civil servants, dull decent men all, who almost all have acquired a level of assets that is simply inexplicable given their low salaries.Not all surely "married into money."

On a slightly different tack and dealing with another member's point, the animosity on the Reds part towards Surayud is surely mainly to do with his role in the coup that removed Thaksin.

[sunsamourai]

^ whatever the talking nonsense they make, the reds stink, and their 'boss' stinks even more. Let him come to serve his time, that all-the-sudden champion of law.

like americans say : better dead than red

Edited January 11, 2010 by sunsamourai

[hammered]

I would like to see Banharn, Chavalit and Chalerm explain away their wealth.

Any average Thai can tell you exactly where Chalerm made his money (and connections). Enforcement shall we say. Any average Thai and especially those where my wife is from can tell you exactly where Chavalit made his money even if a lot of the business was conducted through the spouses side. Two very very lucrative if brutal industries shall we say. Banharn is more a local baron shall we say. Of course none of these will have to explain it away. You could and probably should also ask the question of all the rural based MPs. I notice Pathuim Thani are supplying 1000 demonstrators for the Khao Yai picnic a bit less than they supplied for the Songkhran party. Now asking the PTP rulers of this province where they made their money would be interesting. The elite, which includes both sides are ignoring the indiscretions of thopse on both sides. I dont exactly see Chavalit, Yuth "dooyen" or even the fading star who led the attack on the ASEAN meet (try doing that in a western democracy and see what happens to you) in jail along with Sarayud, Manit and whoever else. Then there is the yellow side Sondhi and his mates arent exactly sitting in holding cells since grabbing an airport and neither are the leaders of riot at Songkhran. Reality is there sint uneven prosecution in reality there just isnt any prosecution in general and certainly little to no meaningful stuff. Even Thaksin didnt go down when he could have gone to jail. He was well away. The rich just dont put the rich into jail. Now lets move away from the silly red and yellow games on trying to present it as something different so they can whip their side up leading to their only goal of conmtrolling how the cake is carved.

One problem with everyone on any side crying double standards is that all sides are willing to turn a blind eye to indiscretions of the worst kind on their own side. The red movement having a go at Sarayud include some of the most brutal facisitic controllers of the poor in Thailand and have backing from some of the worst mafia gangs who often at times of raiseed tensions supply harder men. The government side while attacking corruption in others find their own cabinet members not averse to syphoning off a bunch of millions. I could go on for ages. Etc

[hammered]

I would like to see Banharn, Chavalit and Chalerm explain away their wealth.

Well quite but these are three notorious rogues, so that you are in effect muddying the waters.I was referring to standard senior military officers and civil servants, dull decent men all, who almost all have acquired a level of assets that is simply inexplicable given their low salaries.Not all surely "married into money."

On a slightly different tack and dealing with another member's point, the animosity on the Reds part towards Surayud is surely mainly to do with his role in the coup that removed Thaksin.

Actually Sarayud kind of didnt do much against TRT and Thaksin when in power and was criticised by the yellows for this. Then the reds and Thaksin remianed fairly mild in their criticism of Sarayud until it was mentioned that he could be the recipient of an inportnat job in the future. Then things anti-Sarayud kicked off more with old and new allegations suddenly being produced. There is poltics everywhere and while the reds most hated bureacrat (not Sarayud) will get to serve his position the red movement (and dont think they are some socialist group for one minute even if they contain a smattering of sold out ex-commies and baseless champagne socialists who have never seen the inside of a farmers house and certainly wouldnt want to spend one night in one) have their own political aims on this in the future. Everything is about power, money, poltics (minor consideration) and controlling business and the alliance that the Thaksin side has built want to ensure they have a stable and controlling hand as the future develops as do their opponents. As a side dish the poor are getting bunged a bunch of stuff right now and previously and will continue to do so but that is purely to maintain power for whatever group eventually pulls it off or whatever group of current oppnents eventually combine into some symbiotic relationship.

[Siripon]

Don't forget Hammered that Apisit forced Manit to resign yesterday, enforcement of the 9 cast iron rules.

[webfact]

1,000 Pathum Thani red shirts to join Khao Yai Thiang rally

Some 1,000 red-shirt people from Pathum Thani will leave Monday morning to join a demonstration at the Khao Yai Thiang in Nakhon Ratchasima, their leader said.

Somboon Khunthongthai said they would travel by buses and join the red-shirt people who were rallying outside the vacation home of Privy Councillor Surayud Chulanont since Sunday evening.

-- The Nation 2010-01-11

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[TAWP]

Red shirts try to cut barbed wires of a house near Privy Councillor Gen Surayud Chulanont's Korat residence on Khao Yai Thieng to prepare for their rally scheduled on Monday. They claimed Surayud's residence was on forest reserve.//Thawechai Jaowattana

-- The Nation 2010-01-11

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

Nice picture of a crime in action. Now where is the outrage and pleading for arrests amongst our r-fans...?

[Bagwan]

Red shirts try to cut barbed wires of a house near Privy Councillor Gen Surayud Chulanont's Korat residence on Khao Yai Thieng to prepare for their rally scheduled on Monday. They claimed Surayud's residence was on forest reserve.//Thawechai Jaowattana

-- The Nation 2010-01-11

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

Rent a Mob at work. I wonder who paid for the brand new bolt cutters? The picture shows the commission of an act of criminal damage. You can never find a cop when you want one.

[webfact]

KHAO YAI THIENG RALLY

Red shirts starts their demonstration

By The Nation

Hundreds of pro-Thaksin protesters gather near vacation home of Privy Councillor Gen Surayud Chulanont on Khao Yai Thiang in Nakhon Ratchasima on Monday.

The number grew on Monday after they started gathering there on Sunday afternoon. They claimed Surayud's residence is on a forest reserve.

Their leaders said the rally is aimed at calling attention to what they branded as the government's practise of double standard. It is because Abhisit government ignored Surayud's alleged invasion into the forest reserve.

The protesters set up stages, temporary shelters and kitchens at a site opposite Surayud's residence to facilitate the gathering.

Their leaders took up the stage to criticise the government and Surayud.

They reiterated that they will neither use violence nor invade into the home of the former prime minister during the rally.

They said earlier that the protest will continue for two days and will consider their next move if Abhisit government failed to respond to their call.

Security has been tightened both inside and outside Gen Surayud's home, with 700 police personnel dispatched to maintain order in the area.

Police stood in rows outside the front gate of the residence to prevent any entry by the red shirts, but no violence has taken place.

The Office of the Attorney General on Friday announced it would not sue Gen Surayud for his ownership of land in the forest preserve, saying that the former prime minister violated no law and that his land purchase was legal.

An Attorney General's spokesperson said Gen Surayud was not guilty as he had legally acquired the land, and that the property had twice changed ownership before him.

Gen Surayud said earlier that he was willing to comply with the law regarding his controversial land ownership and would follow the Attorney General's decision.

-- The Nation 2010-01-11

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[hammered]

As the reds do not like double standards are upholders of equality for all ( I know because they said so on red TV) I fully expect them to surround the alpine course and various Alpine related hi-so developments demanding all those involved in the developments are immediaitely charged. We could have Sarayud and all of the dudes in Alpine arraigned together.

[geriatrickid]

Animatic, you are so predictable. Does your hatred of Mr. Thaksin blind you to the concept of integrity and justice. It doesn't matter if it is 1 rai or 100 rai, whether it is in Bangkok or not. The gentleman in question appears to have abused his position and according to the news reports I read the other day was judged to have taken land from a nature preserve. How come you can never deal with a specific issue but always have to bring Mr. Thaksin into the matter? Former general Gen Surayud Chulanont is the accused in this matter, not Mr. Thaksin S.

The redshirt protestors should leave this with the law enforcement officials and give PM Abhisit and the courts an opportunity to seize the land ands to restore it to the natural state.

And btw, would someone please correct me here, but are not forest reserves and lands desgnated as protected throgh ownership by the crown? Or as it is more appropriately put, held by HM for the benefit of the people, much as the crown holds natural reserves in Australia, England, Canada etc. If so, then if the land was illegally taken, and an act of theft has been committed against the crown. Shouldn't this former general be charged with a much stronger breach of law?

[Davidusaf99]

It seems Animatic is not the only predictable one...

[Credo]

So the red-shirts cutting the fence is a crime? And who is it a crime against--the forestry department? Suryad? Seems nobody can figure out whose land this is--only that there was no wrong doing.

I know a nice little piece of prime real estate next to Phra Vihean temple someone might want to build on--seems people know who that belongs to.

And yes, this is about double standards and yes, it works both ways, but if the country could ever get on the right track then it would work to everyone's advantage.

[Davidusaf99]

If the red shirts cared about the country getting on the right track, they would join in the charter amendment process that they proposed originally. But they don't care - they want to cause trouble, and unrest, to unseat the government and get Thaksin his money. Not really going to "unite the country" is it?

[Credo]

Of course the red-shirts don't care anymore than any other group cares. The point is that if they can get the government to start acting against other big-wigs, it will be better for everyone. Eventually Justice needs to be blind to color and status. So far that hasn't happened. People are starting to see the inherent unfairness in the social structure. But I don't see any sides that have some lofty altruistic motive.

[mca]

like americans say : better dead than red

A motto taken quite literally by the Thai army over the years when mowing down students.

[NADTATIDA1]

Animatic, you are so predictable. Does your hatred of Mr. Thaksin blind you to the concept of integrity and justice. It doesn't matter if it is 1 rai or 100 rai, whether it is in Bangkok or not. The gentleman in question appears to have abused his position and according to the news reports I read the other day was judged to have taken land from a nature preserve. How come you can never deal with a specific issue but always have to bring Mr. Thaksin into the matter? Former general Gen Surayud Chulanont is the accused in this matter, not Mr. Thaksin S.

The redshirt protestors should leave this with the law enforcement officials and give PM Abhisit and the courts an opportunity to seize the land ands to restore it to the natural state.

And btw, would someone please correct me here, but are not forest reserves and lands desgnated as protected throgh ownership by the crown? Or as it is more appropriately put, held by HM for the benefit of the people, much as the crown holds natural reserves in Australia, England, Canada etc. If so, then if the land was illegally taken, and an act of theft has been committed against the crown. Shouldn't this former general be charged with a much stronger breach of law?

I was thinking along these lines also,we shall see what happens over the next few days.

[peecee]

Animatic, you are so predictable. Does your hatred of Mr. Thaksin blind you to the concept of integrity and justice. It doesn't matter if it is 1 rai or 100 rai, whether it is in Bangkok or not. The gentleman in question appears to have abused his position and according to the news reports I read the other day was judged to have taken land from a nature preserve. How come you can never deal with a specific issue but always have to bring Mr. Thaksin into the matter? Former general Gen Surayud Chulanont is the accused in this matter, not Mr. Thaksin S.

The redshirt protestors should leave this with the law enforcement officials and give PM Abhisit and the courts an opportunity to seize the land ands to restore it to the natural state.

And btw, would someone please correct me here, but are not forest reserves and lands desgnated as protected throgh ownership by the crown? Or as it is more appropriately put, held by HM for the benefit of the people, much as the crown holds natural reserves in Australia, England, Canada etc. If so, then if the land was illegally taken, and an act of theft has been committed against the crown. Shouldn't this former general be charged with a much stronger breach of law?

I was thinking along these lines also,we shall see what happens over the next few days.

Unfortunatly Thai upper echilons rely on patronage and nepotism, they are nearly alway's related to the judiciary and see themselves above the law's set for the proletariate!