Thailand: The Public Gathering Bill

[pornsasi]

Only a little too late...

yup

[bkkjames]

Since the Red Shirts are basically ignoring everyone's desire for them to move (because they can - TIT, do what you want and the government weakly looks on), I had a thought... Clearly everyone has managed to find other ways around this area over the past two months. So now is the time to turn the entire central Bangkok around Rajprasong, into a HUGE pedestrian shopping zone. Imagine how clean the air would be.

That would be nice, although a bit tough on those living in condo's around Rajadamri who have cars

[hagler]

The thing that always gets me about Thai law is the cash equivalent. 1 year in prison or 20,000 baht <deleted>.

I would go for the 20K

How is imprisonment and/or fine decided?

Same as in any other legal jurisdiction. The imprisonment/fine amounts are the maximum that can be given by the presiding Judge, Magistrate or whoever and they make the choice of type and amount of punishment

[animatic]

Nothing fundamentally wrong in this bill. But...

Let's get real, as in real TEETH in the law....

The legal punishments stipulated in the Public Gathering Bill are as follows:

Any demonstration organizers who cause public grievances without notification will face a fine of no more than 250,000 THB.

Any organizers or those who persuade others to take part in a gathering in an unlawful manner will be liable to

imprisonment of no longer than ONE YEAR & six months or a fine of no more than 150,000 THB or both.

Any organizers or participants who intentionally violate orders of state officials

or refuse to abide by the rule of law will be subject to a fine of no more than 150,000 THB.

People who commit any offenses that cause any threats or damages to others’ lives and properties

will receive a prison term of no more than 2 years or a fine of no more than 150,000 THB or both.

Those who misinform and incite others to use violence during a public gathering will be

subject to imprisonment of no longer than 2 YEARS or a fine of no more than 150,000 THB or both.

Those who join a public gathering deemed against the law will be liable to a fine of no more than 10,000 THB.

Once a specific time frame is given by state authorities for participants to leave an illegal gathering,

those who refuse to comply will face a

jail term of no more than One YEAR or a fine of no more than 25,000 THB or both.

Those who leave the rally zone, however, will be exempted from the punishment.

The court will be fully empowered to reduce or drop legal punishments against any offenders upon consideration.

In addition, people who bring weapons to a public gathering will face imprisonment of no longer than

2 YEARS or a fine of no more than 50,000 THB or both.

Those who carry guns, explosive substances or any similar devices will be granted

a jail term of no more than 5 years or a fine of no more than 250,000 THB or both.

Noting that the judge can reduce sentences, there is no reason NOT to make HARSH possibilities.

A deterent is only that IF the alternative is harsh enough to scare people into changing bad behavior.

Edited May 7, 2010 by animatic

[MaxLee]

So under this new law, is everyone who gathers any kind of group meeting a potential demonstration group from now on wor what???

[Chang_paarp]

Maybe the fine for the organisers should be 1000B per person attending the rally.

[Jerrytheyoung]

This bill is going in the right direction but it is a "pi in a violin" if it is not accompanied by:

• 
  

The creation of a Police Anti Riot Force

The creation of a Police of Police for cleaning this administration

A strong fight against the smuggling of weapons

The disbanding of Militias whatever they belong to (Ronin, Newin....)

Edited May 7, 2010 by Jerrytheyoung