Thai PM Abhisit Picks Ex-Attorney General To Head Protest Probe

[webfact]

Thai PM picks ex-attorney general to head protest probe

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand's premier Tuesday named a former attorney general to head an investigation into the recent deadly street violence, sparking a row with the opposition which said it feared a cover-up.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Kanit Nanakorn would set up an independent panel to probe clashes between armed troops and "Red Shirt" anti-government protesters that left almost 90 people dead, mostly civilians.

"I have given Kanit full independence to select his members and conduct the investigation," Abhisit told reporters.

The opposition Puea Thai party, however, called for international watchdogs to take the lead in the inquiry, saying a probe headed by Kanit would probably be a "whitewash."

"It's difficult to accept Kanit as chairman of this committee as he's very close to government figures and was selected by Abhisit, who ordered troops to crack down on protesters," said spokesman Pormpong Nopparit.

"If the government wants all groups in Thailand and worldwide to accept the findings, it should invite international organisations to act as investigators."

Kanit, 73, is the dean of law at Dhurakij Pundit University.

He headed a probe into alleged extrajudicial killings of 2,500 people during a war on drugs under ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and is idolised by many Red Shirts.

The Red Shirts' rally, broken up on May 19 in an army assault on their vast encampment in the retail heart of Bangkok, sparked outbreaks of violence that left 89 people dead and nearly 1,900 injured.

The government has defended the use of armed troops, saying they were only authorised to fire live ammunition as warning shots, in self-defence or against "terrorists" whom it has accuses of inciting the unrest.

The Red Shirts were campaigning for elections they hoped would oust the government, which they view as undemocratic because it came to power with the backing of the army after a court ruling threw out the previous administration.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-06-08

[SomTumTiger]

Abhisit could have picked God himself to investigate and the Red Shirts would cry foul (or is that fowl?)

[Artisi]

The Reds, who ever they are don't count for a rat's a_rse when it comes to government inquiries..

Edited June 8, 2010 by Artisi

[givenall]

Abhisit could have picked God himself to investigate and the Red Shirts would cry foul (or is that fowl?)

They can cry fool all they want but the fact s are recorded on videos and pictures and speeches. It is very hard to deny what they have done including breaking the laws and all the destruction they have been involved.

[mazeltov]

He headed a probe into alleged extrajudicial killings of 2,500 people during a war on drugs under ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and is idolised by many Red Shirts.

Ongoing Impunity from Thaksin's War on Drugs

In August 2007 the government appointed a special committee chaired by former Attorney General Khanit na Nakhon, to investigate approximately 2,500 extrajudicial killings that took place in 2003 as part of Thaksin's "war on drugs."

...

Thailand | Human Rights Watch

so Khanit na Nakhon was also to Junta government best choice to head an investigation.

anyone remember the fndings and conclusions of that independent committee?

i know yellow simpletons like to ignore these facts.

'War on Drugs' probe draws a blank

An independent committee probing drug-related killings during the first Thaksin Shinawatra government has found

no concrete evidence linking senior figures with the murders,

a Justice Ministry source said yesterday.

After five months of inquiries, the panel, led by former attorney general Khanit na Nakhon, has obtained only statistical details about the number and nature of the murders.

But no conclusion that would implicate police or Thaksin as the instigator of the shoot-to-kill policy has been reached.

...

The Nation, Published on January 16, 2008

guess who had cried fool in the past?

guess who gives a rat's a_rseabout the findings of an investigetion panel headed by the former attorney general?

[cardholder]

"It's difficult to accept Kanit as chairman of this committee as he's very close to government figures and was selected by Abhisit, who ordered troops to crack down on protesters," said spokesman Pormpong Nopparit.

"If the government wants all groups in Thailand and worldwide to accept the findings, it should invite international organisations to act as investigators."

So, if I have understood this correctly, anything that Abhisit touches is opposed by Puea Thai because "Abhisit ordered... blah, blah, blah"

A very constructive approach to reconciliation.

I believe the international community has already stated that this is an internal Thailand affair.

[SomTumTiger]

Puea Thai and the Red shirts seem to be stuck for ideas. Their only idea is "If government is for it, we are against it". I think they are going to be surprised when the next poll takes place (but that is just me lol).

[Rucharee]

Abhisit could have picked God himself to investigate and the Red Shirts would cry foul (or is that fowl?)

They can cry fool all they want but the fact s are recorded on videos and pictures and speeches. It is very hard to deny what they have done including breaking the laws and all the destruction they have been involved.

Conflict of interest.

Part of the probe is on him, hence he cannot pick.

[chainarong]

Fredric, you had George Bush available, just as good as the one of your choice, pretty ordinary ol son, as commented, the red shirt trash won't abide by any ruling so, U couldve picked me.

[Tony Clifton]

Abhisit could have picked God himself to investigate and the Red Shirts would cry foul (or is that fowl?)

Just wait until, faithful to their/his style, some of Thaksin's best zombies are caught trying to influence and disrupt the probe at all cost for the moon-faced master in self-imposed exile and on the run from justice.

Remember Pastrygate with Thaksin's 3(three)lawyers caught red handed with a cookie box and a court official? Just a matter of time.

[mazeltov]

btw. why the government don't invite some international observer, like someone from UN Commission for Human Rights for example?

the government should make the issue more transparent because any refusal to be monitored would send negative signals to others.

[mazeltov]

btw. why the government don't invite some international observer, like someone from UN Commission for Human Rights for example?

the government should make the issue more transparent because any refusal to be monitored would send negative signals to others.

[LikeHeat]

Why doesn't PM Abhisit appoint Mr. Thaksin to oversee the enquiry, with the one condition that he come to Thailand to perform the duties? If he comes then pop him jail and if he declines then Abhisit is free to choose anyone else and simply tell Pormpong Nopparit to stuff it. He could also appoint Arisman or any number of people they currently cannot locate. It could work.

[Rucharee]

btw. why the government don't invite some international observer, like someone from UN Commission for Human Rights for example?

the government should make the issue more transparent because any refusal to be monitored would send negative signals to others.

Because farangs do not understand Thai lingo. Go ask Khun Dan R. about it.

[lensta]

Unfortunately this investigation has about as much credibility as Thaksins paid investigation. Too many vested interests on both sides. The only way the that this type of investigation will work is if there are members of both sides on the investigating team, with a few international observers along for the ride also.

[rabo]

He headed a probe into alleged extrajudicial killings of 2,500 people during a war on drugs under ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and is idolised by many Red Shirts.

Ongoing Impunity from Thaksin's War on Drugs

In August 2007 the government appointed a special committee chaired by former Attorney General Khanit na Nakhon, to investigate approximately 2,500 extrajudicial killings that took place in 2003 as part of Thaksin's "war on drugs."

...

Thailand | Human Rights Watch

so Khanit na Nakhon was also to Junta government best choice to head an investigation.

anyone remember the fndings and conclusions of that independent committee?

i know yellow simpletons like to ignore these facts.

'War on Drugs' probe draws a blank

An independent committee probing drug-related killings during the first Thaksin Shinawatra government has found

no concrete evidence linking senior figures with the murders,

a Justice Ministry source said yesterday.

After five months of inquiries, the panel, led by former attorney general Khanit na Nakhon, has obtained only statistical details about the number and nature of the murders.

But no conclusion that would implicate police or Thaksin as the instigator of the shoot-to-kill policy has been reached.

...

The Nation, Published on January 16, 2008

The report goes on to say:

But the report contained no conclusion that may subject an individual to criminal liability.

The outcome is likely to be considered by many as a failure, because the panel's objective was to bring those responsible for the murders to justice - be they police officers or anyone in higher authority who encouraged extrajudicial killings.

The Khanit na Nakhon panel is said to have opted not to name at least three political office-holders involved in administering Thaksin's highly controversial policy, despite discovering their involvement.

The report said 2,819 people were killed in 2,559 murder cases between February and April in 2003. Of those killed, 1,370 were related to drug dealing, while 878 of them were not. Another 571 people were killed without apparent reason.

Some 54 people were killed in shootouts with police officers, 41 with known drug-related links but two without any known ties. Another 11 people were killed but it is not known how they were involved in the shootouts.

The overall murder rate two years before and two years after the three-month 'War on Drugs' was 454 cases a month, or a third of the number killed between February and April 2003.

[mazeltov]

^

and your point is?

showing off your copy and paste skills?

with the link everybody has access to the full text anyway.

[siampolee]

mazeltov, on 2010-06-09 12:26, said:

btw. why the government don't invite some international observer, like someone from UN Commission for Human Rights for example?

the government should make the issue more transparent because any refusal to be monitored would send negative signals to others.

Of course we could ask why Thaksin didn't request a full U.N. sponsored enquiry into the Tak Bai Massacre and the massacre of innocents in his illegal ''war on drugs.''

However ''the United Nations is not my father.''

Please mazeltov don't keep adopting double standards on matters that in reality you know nothing about.

Edited June 9, 2010 by siampolee

[mazeltov]

mazeltov, on 2010-06-09 12:26, said:

btw. why the government don't invite some international observer, like someone from UN Commission for Human Rights for example?

the government should make the issue more transparent because any refusal to be monitored would send negative signals to others.

Of course we could ask why Thaksin didn't request a full U.N. sponsored enquiry into the Tak Bai Massacre and the massacre of innocents in his illegal ''war on drugs.''

However ''the United Nations is not my father.''

Please mazeltov don't keep adopting double standards on matters that in reality you know nothing about.

???

what is your argument?

because you think Thaksin was bad and did wrong, Abhisit can feel free to do anything what he want? Just point at Thaksin will be always a good excuse for everything?

or do you mean the Tak Bai massacre and "the massacre of innocents in his illegal ''war on drugs.''" is on the same level like the recent 'Bangkok massacre'?

the war on drugs was an illegal war on drugs?

what does the "''the United Nations is not my father.''" actually mean? what you want to say with that quote?

care to clarify and elaborate?

you know, we had probably a different education, so i am not able to understand everthing what you mean. please help, if you can (and not just have a big mouth and in reality know nothing about).

[Rucharee]

mazeltov, on 2010-06-09 12:26, said:

btw. why the government don't invite some international observer, like someone from UN Commission for Human Rights for example?

the government should make the issue more transparent because any refusal to be monitored would send negative signals to others.

Of course we could ask why Thaksin didn't request a full U.N. sponsored enquiry into the Tak Bai Massacre and the massacre of innocents in his illegal ''war on drugs.''

However ''the United Nations is not my father.''

Please mazeltov don't keep adopting double standards on matters that in reality you know nothing about.

???

what is your argument?

because you think Thaksin was bad and did wrong, Abhisit can feel free to do anything what he want? Just point at Thaksin will be always a good excuse for everything?

or do you mean the Tak Bai massacre and "the massacre of innocents in his illegal ''war on drugs.''" is on the same level like the recent 'Bangkok massacre'?

the war on drugs was an illegal war on drugs?

what does the "''the United Nations is not my father.''" actually mean? what you want to say with that quote?

care to clarify and elaborate?

you know, we had probably a different education, so i am not able to understand everthing what you mean. please help, if you can (and not just have a big mouth and in reality know nothing about).

UN is not my father too.

Maybe he is yours.

[mazeltov]

mazeltov, on 2010-06-09 12:26, said:

btw. why the government don't invite some international observer, like someone from UN Commission for Human Rights for example?

the government should make the issue more transparent because any refusal to be monitored would send negative signals to others.

Of course we could ask why Thaksin didn't request a full U.N. sponsored enquiry into the Tak Bai Massacre and the massacre of innocents in his illegal ''war on drugs.''

However ''the United Nations is not my father.''

Please mazeltov don't keep adopting double standards on matters that in reality you know nothing about.

???

what is your argument?

because you think Thaksin was bad and did wrong, Abhisit can feel free to do anything what he want? Just point at Thaksin will be always a good excuse for everything?

or do you mean the Tak Bai massacre and "the massacre of innocents in his illegal ''war on drugs.''" is on the same level like the recent 'Bangkok massacre'?

the war on drugs was an illegal war on drugs?

what does the "''the United Nations is not my father.''" actually mean? what you want to say with that quote?

care to clarify and elaborate?

you know, we had probably a different education, so i am not able to understand everthing what you mean. please help, if you can (and not just have a big mouth and in reality know nothing about).

UN is not my father too.

Maybe he is yours.

nah, the UN isn't my father.

I remember Thaksin said something similar back the days and meant that he isn't worried about when an UN team come to Thailand and does some investigations.