New Evidence In Former Thai Pm Somchai's Case

[webfact]

IMPEACHMENT TRIAL

Fresh evidence in Somchai's case

By The Nation

Published on February 17, 2010

BANGKOK: -- The Senate yesterday voted to accept 11 items of defense 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]

[jayjayjayjay]

News flash: Don't enter politics unless your a member of the Democrat Party!

[connel707]

News flash: Don't enter politics unless your a member of the Democrat Party!

News flash; Don`t enter politics.....

[somluck]

News flash: Don't enter politics unless your a member of the Democrat Party!

News flash; Don`t enter politics.....

Don't enter politics unless you have the backing of the army behind you.

[Samuian]

News flash: Don't enter politics unless your a member of the Democrat Party!

News flash; Don`t enter politics.....

Don't enter politics unless you have the backing of the army behind you.

Newsflash: These posted opinions express no regards to a death person and are proof that things need to be done, urgently!

Next you folks condone murder, with "Ah' he is only on the wrong side"?

The war on drugs with "only 2500" dead dealers" nobody ever proved their guilt?

Somchai's disappearance?

"Shipping Moo"?

And much more needed to be reviewed, a lot more than this!

Edited February 17, 2010 by Samuian

[SomTumTiger]

News Flash. Anyone who sympathizes with the plight of Thaksin's favorite errand boy makes me laugh.

[hammered]

I would rather see concentration on further investigation of the drug war cases, Somchai (the lawyer) and Shipping Moo than this one, but each to their own.

[Samuian]

I would rather see concentration on further investigation of the drug war cases, Somchai (the lawyer) and Shipping Moo than this one, but each to their own.

Agreed, would like to see "Bui" - Porntip Nakhirunkanok in this investigation team!

[jayjayjayjay]

News flash: Don't enter politics unless your a member of the Democrat Party!

News flash; Don`t enter politics.....

Don't enter politics unless you have the backing of the army behind you.

Newsflash: These posted opinions express no regards to a death person and are proof that things need to be done, urgently!

Next you folks condone murder, with "Ah' he is only on the wrong side"?

The war on drugs with "only 2500" dead dealers" nobody ever proved their guilt?

Somchai's disappearance?

"Shipping Moo"?

And much more needed to be reviewed, a lot more than this!

Frankly, all I can say is BOOO---F*king hoo. If in fact you were in Thailand before the years of Thaksin, you would know that drugs were as easy to by as candy at a 7/11. At least there was a period of crackdown to enlighten Thailand of the deepening "hole" of yabaa use. 2500 to help 70 million realise there was a serious problem. Give me a F*king break. This argument is so NGO it make me sick.

Edited February 17, 2010 by jayjayjayjay

[way2muchcoffee]

Frankly, all I can say is BOOO---F*king hoo. If in fact you were in Thailand before the years of Thaksin, you would know that drugs were as easy to by as candy at a 7/11. At least there was a period of crackdown to enlighten Thailand of the deepening "hole" of yabaa use. 2500 to help 70 million realise there was a serious problem. Give me a F*king break. This argument is so NGO it make me sick.

I seriously doubt you would feel the same if your mom, dad, wife, child, and best friend were among those summarily executed.

[jackspratt]

Frankly, all I can say is BOOO---F*king hoo. If in fact you were in Thailand before the years of Thaksin, you would know that drugs were as easy to by as candy at a 7/11. At least there was a period of crackdown to enlighten Thailand of the deepening "hole" of yabaa use. 2500 to help 70 million realise there was a serious problem. Give me a F*king break. This argument is so NGO it make me sick.

Based on that attitude, I am sure any right thinking person will not be wishing you a quick recovery.

[animatic]

This is not even a flash more like a paper match slightly damp.

And the smoking light is still off.

Somchais lawyers are clutching at straws they haven't added anything to the argument,

just a motion to end it early the way he wants.

[kimmeer]

The war on drugs with "only 2500" dead dealers" nobody ever proved their guilt?

Frankly, all I can say is BOOO---F*king hoo.

I seriously doubt you would feel the same if your mom, dad, wife, child, and best friend were among those summarily executed.

I'm sure he would feel exactly the same, because, according to him, all the extrajudicial killings were justified and therefore if any of the aforementioned family members/friends were executed, then surely they were deserving of it.

[Changian]

So armed protestors take over Government House. Refuse to leave. In the end the then PM gives the police the OK to remove them by force if necessary. One protestor is hit by a tear gas cannister and dies.

The only person to blame for all of this happening is Somchai. Hmmmm.

[kimmeer]

So armed protestors take over Government House. Refuse to leave. In the end the then PM gives the police the OK to remove them by force if necessary. One protestor is hit by a tear gas cannister and dies.

The only person to blame for all of this happening is Somchai. Hmmmm.

Perhaps you should acquaint yourself with the subject matter first.

This issue revolves around Parliament building, not Government House.

Over 500 people were injured with 2 fatalities due to overly-aggressive police action with deadly and exploding canisters.

Somchai is, by no means, being held solely responsible for the incident. At-the-time Deputy PM Chavalit, responsible for security, is also under investigation as well as several senior police officials, eg. the National Police Chief was fired from the force for his role.

Edited February 19, 2010 by kimmeer

[Samuian]

............ number of quotes edited....

Frankly, all I can say is BOOO---F*king hoo. If in fact you were in Thailand before the years of Thaksin, you would know that drugs were as easy to by as candy at a 7/11. At least there was a period of crackdown to enlighten Thailand of the deepening "hole" of yabaa use. 2500 to help 70 million realise there was a serious problem. Give me a F*king break. This argument is so NGO it make me sick.

Ho, ho', ho' man hold the horses!

Yes drug abuse since vanished from the face of the glorious earth?

And what argumentation is all this swearing supposed to represent?

One has nothing to do with the other, are we discussing Thai-Political History, Drug abuse in general as an issue or...

"New Evidence In Former Thai Pm Somchai's Case"

and some related issues...?

Edited February 19, 2010 by Samuian

[scorecard]

Frankly, all I can say is BOOO---F*king hoo. If in fact you were in Thailand before the years of Thaksin, you would know that drugs were as easy to by as candy at a 7/11. At least there was a period of crackdown to enlighten Thailand of the deepening "hole" of yabaa use. 2500 to help 70 million realise there was a serious problem. Give me a F*king break. This argument is so NGO it make me sick.

I seriously doubt you would feel the same if your mom, dad, wife, child, and best friend were among those summarily executed.

But what you failed to mention is one more critical point. Not one 'senior' person in the drug trade (manufacture and distrubution) was approached or captured or murdered, not one!

The reality is that the 2,500 murdered fellow Thais were all 'unimportant' people (no poo yai to protect them) therefore I guess you would see them as expendable.

So jayjayjay I guess your saying that it's OK to murder the lower classes without access to judicial process.

Another angle is the precedent that this could set. Surely in any civilized country (forget Nth Korea, Iran etc.) the citizens would want the PM to be showing the right example, insisting on justice for all regardless of who you are personally connected to.

Well you seem to see your kids as expendable, I certainly don't see mine as expendable, and I spend a lot time teaching them about respect for the laws, total respect for other people regardless of their social class, etc.

[TAWP]

Frankly, all I can say is BOOO---F*king hoo. If in fact you were in Thailand before the years of Thaksin, you would know that drugs were as easy to by as candy at a 7/11. At least there was a period of crackdown to enlighten Thailand of the deepening "hole" of yabaa use. 2500 to help 70 million realise there was a serious problem. Give me a F*king break. This argument is so NGO it make me sick.

Yabaa is bad, indeed, but the people taken out was the lowest ones on the rung, not anyone of importance. They even fail to capture one of the drug lords that has been on the 'run' [to his mansion] for some 15 years?

And FYI, the availability of cocaine at inner clubs or private parties is still high as ever and wasn't affected by the campaign. Lucky for my friends, I presume. But also highlights that Thaksins campaign infact targeted the poor end-sellers more so than hiso- or larger dealers. Food for thought.

Added: And my apologies for being off-topic.

Edited February 19, 2010 by TAWP

[animatic]

So armed protestors take over Government House. Refuse to leave. In the end the then PM gives the police the OK to remove them by force if necessary. One protestor is hit by a tear gas cannister and dies.

The only person to blame for all of this happening is Somchai. Hmmmm.

Perhaps you should acquaint yourself with the subject matter first.

This issue revolves around Parliament building, not Government House.

Over 500 people were injured with 2 fatalities due to overly-aggressive police action with deadly and exploding canisters.

Somchai is, by no means, being held solely responsible for the incident. At-the-time Deputy PM Chavalit, responsible for security, is also under investigation as well as several senior police officials, eg. the National Police Chief was fired from the force for his role.

Yes exactly,

don't mix up propaganda from several sources and times

as if it were based on fact and present it as truth. It does nothing to

forward the argument, just the disinformation campaign.

[Pie Boy]

Frankly, all I can say is BOOO---F*king hoo. If in fact you were in Thailand before the years of Thaksin, you would know that drugs were as easy to by as candy at a 7/11. At least there was a period of crackdown to enlighten Thailand of the deepening "hole" of yabaa use. 2500 to help 70 million realise there was a serious problem. Give me a F*king break. This argument is so NGO it make me sick.

Yabaa is bad, indeed, but the people taken out was the lowest ones on the rung, not anyone of importance. They even fail to capture one of the drug lords that has been on the 'run' [to his mansion] for some 15 years?

And FYI, the availability of cocaine at inner clubs or private parties is still high as ever and wasn't affected by the campaign. Lucky for my friends, I presume. But also highlights that Thaksins campaign infact targeted the poor end-sellers more so than hiso- or larger dealers. Food for thought.

Added: And my apologies for being off-topic.

I disagree with your statement"lowest ones on the rung, not anyone of importance" afterall the lowest of the rung' have significant importnace as they dealt to many many people who previous Thai governments have often regarded as the 'the lowest of the rung' . 2500 innocent people did not die, get over it.

[webfact]

UPDATE

Senate rejects impeachment against Somchai

The Senate on Tuesday voted not to impeach former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat for charges related to his involvement in the botched anti-riot operation on October 7, 2008.

By a majority decision of 76-to-49 votes, the impeachment charges were dropped at the conclusion of the Senate inquiry on Somchai.

Of the 134 senators present, six abstained from voting and three cast votes deemed invalid.

To impeach Somchai, a minimum requirement is 90 votes.

Since Somchai already stepped down, proponents wanted but failed to push for his impeachment as a symbolic gesture of punishment.

-- The Nation 2010-03-09

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[hammered]

I always thought it was silly to impeach the guy. Good decision

[blaze]

I always thought it was silly to impeach the guy. Good decision

given the current climate, certainly an expedient decision. Any other would have added fuel to a pretty volatile situation. But of course, that would not have been a consideration...

[Thai at Heart]

Correct decision. Is it me, or is the system appearing to get things right and just all of a sudden?

[hammered]

Correct decision. Is it me, or is the system appearing to get things right and just all of a sudden?

Argh but you could read into that many many things

[Thai at Heart]

Correct decision. Is it me, or is the system appearing to get things right and just all of a sudden?

Argh but you could read into that many many things

Intrigue is the way of Thai politics.

Difficult to discuss these things without getting into trouble.

To impeach him would have opened a can of worms for the future for all PM's, so no apparent political expediency here. Funny thing is for one of the shortest lived PMs, you can't say his time in the hot seat was uneventful.

Edited March 9, 2010 by Thai at Heart

[TAWP]

2500 innocent people did not die, get over it.

That is only true if you don't believe in law and order.

[toybits]

So does this close this topic or not?

UPDATE

Senate rejects impeachment against Somchai

The Senate on Tuesday voted not to impeach former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat for charges related to his involvement in the botched anti-riot operation on October 7, 2008.

By a majority decision of 76-to-49 votes, the impeachment charges were dropped at the conclusion of the Senate inquiry on Somchai.

Of the 134 senators present, six abstained from voting and three cast votes deemed invalid.

To impeach Somchai, a minimum requirement is 90 votes.

Since Somchai already stepped down, proponents wanted but failed to push for his impeachment as a symbolic gesture of punishment.

-- The Nation 2010-03-09

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[anotherpeter]

I disagree with your statement"lowest ones on the rung, not anyone of importance" afterall the lowest of the rung' have significant importnace as they dealt to many many people who previous Thai governments have often regarded as the 'the lowest of the rung' . 2500 innocent people did not die, get over it.

How do we know they weren't innocent? Nothing was proved. Nothing was even suggested. They were just killed.

... I thought this thread was about Somchai ....

[animatic]

It seemed a forlorn exercise to impeach him long after he left office.

Symbolic, but not terribly useful. So this chapter is closed,

but I doubt it ends his legal issues with that infamous day.

Chavalit was left out to dry and he's now a dried worm waggling on a hook still

lets see if he is symbolically castrated.

Somchai was castrated by the Mrs long before this date.

Heard she keeps them in a jar on the dressing table.

Edited March 9, 2010 by animatic