PM Abhisit : Funds Freeze Justified

[webfact]

PM: Funds freeze justified

By The Nation

Move fits CRES criteria, anti-money laundering law: Abhisit

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday defended the move to freeze the accounts of 83 individuals and organisations on suspicion of subsidising the red-shirted protest, saying his government has no political motivation to harass its rivals.

"There'll be no problem if they can explain the transactions to the authorities," Abhisit said. "So just follow the procedures and report to the authorities."

The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) would this week summon the individuals and organisations for questioning on their fiscal activities over the past months during the marathon protest of the red shirts in the capital and major provinces.

The government believes they spent huge sums to support the rally, which demanded the prime minister dissolve Parliament and call a fresh election.

The government's harsh reaction in April and May left 90 people dead and more than 1,800 wounded.

The CRES, which was set up to oversee security during the mass demonstrations, began its campaign to round up the protest leaders and block their sources of funding to prevent reprisal attacks from aggrieved protesters.

The opposition Pheu Thai Party questioned the criteria and rationale for including persons or organisations on the list, since many people who used to work for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and later defected to the government were let off the hook.

The Anti-Money Laundering Office had pinpointed 86 individuals and organisations for possibly backing the red protests, but later former deputy premier Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Captain Manas Promphao and Khon Kaen red-shirt leader Ekaraj Changlao were removed, leaving 83 names on the blacklist.

No clear explanation has been given for why the three were dropped from the list, but speculation ranges from close connections with the current government to even bribes being paid to clear their names.

No detailed information on list: PM

Abhisit declined to comment on the changes, saying he did not have detailed information on the list since he was not a member of the CRES, which is chaired by his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban.

"But I understand the CRES has criteria in accordance with the anti-money laundering law," he said.

Basically, large transactions need to be reported to authorities and the law authorises officials to trace flows in connection with terrorism charges, he said.

Any information proving that officials were paid to take someone's name off the list was welcome, he said.

The government did not wield the law to hassle political rivals but needed to take action since some irregular money movements were spotted over the past months, he said.

"There is no irritation, they always get permission to withdraw their money to pay their bills such as debts and utilities, like electricity and water," Abhisit said. Continued enforcement of the emergency law and blocking the money transactions of suspected individuals and organisations were very effective to control the situation, he said.

There has been no sabotage or protests since the military cracked down on the protest last month, Abhisit added.

Opposition MP and red leader Jatuporn Promphan said the government should apply the law equally to both the supporters of the red shirts and the yellow shirts. Many yellow-shirt leaders were also charged with terrorism, but why weren't their supporters' bank accounts frozen, he asked.

Thaweesan Lonanurak, secretary-general of the Northeastern Chamber of Commerce, said the government should provide hard evidence to prove the cash really went for the red-shirt protest.

The government should give the individuals and organisations whose accounts were frozen a chance to explain themselves, otherwise it would be a case of unfair treatment, he said.

-- The Nation 2010-06-21

[webfact]

PM: Financial Probes Are Not Political Harassment

BANGKOK: -- The prime minister has insisted that the financial probes being conducted by the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation and their investigation into those suspected of aiding the terrorists is not political harassment.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has reaffirmed that the financial probes being conducted by the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation, or the CRES, on a number of politicians and businessmen, suspected of supporting illegal activities in the anti-government movement, are not political harassment.

Abhisit claims that the financial investigations are part of the government's efforts to prevent a repeat of the political unrest.

The prime minister also said that those named in the investigation could inform the authorities if they are being asked for a bribe from officials in order to have their names removed from the probes.

Meanwhile, Spokesperson for the Democrat Party Buranat Samutarak has expressed his support for the government's decision to involve an international body in the investigation.

The spokesperson pointed out that a number of financial transactions took place during the time of the unrest. Buranat said that on April 28, approximately 11.3 billion baht in transactions were made through three bank accounts owned by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's associates.

Buranat also indicated that Thaksin hired a number of legal advisers, publicists and lobbyists from the United States, Europe and Hong Kong to distort facts and promote the anti-government movement to the international community.

The spokesperson also believes that Thaksin may seek political asylum abroad now that the Thai government's extradition efforts against the fugitive former premier have received cooperation from the international community.

Buranat added that Thaksin may end up without a place for asylum, as he is now being criminally charged, instead of being politically persecuted, which eliminates him from the United Nations classification of individuals able to seek political asylum.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-21

[webfact]

Thaksin's cousin ready to defend himself over suspicious transactions

Thailand Live Monday 21 Jun 2010 - Thailand Forum

[eggomaniac]

Thailand would be well advised to freeze all of Sondhi's *friends' bank accounts after the results of the next election so they cannot wreak havoc on 'the whole bloody financial system.

He should be in jail or, at least, an asylum: He should not be running the Kingdom the way he does!

Sep 1, 2008

Targeting the Thai economy was also an option for the PAD, which has sympathisers drawn from *affluent bankers, *middle-class urbanites, *conservative bureaucrats and the *old-moneyed elite. ‘’We can get the rich people supporting us to withdraw money from banks at a particular time,’’ Sondhi declared. ‘’The whole bloody financial system will come down.’’

If any Government advisors read this forum, all of the red AND yellow mobsters need their wings clipped and there are simple means by which to do it!

‘’There is a possibility of anarchy. We will do so to pressure the government,’’ Sondhi Limthongkul, leader of the PAD, told foreign journalists on Saturday evening at his movement’s new seat of power - the compound of the prime minister’s office which has been overrun by thousands of PAD supporters since Tuesday. Till its capture of Government House the PAD had run non-stop rallies since late May on a broad street close to a nearby United Nations building.

The PAD has been emboldened by its strikes on Friday, when supporters of this conservative movement shut three airports in Southern Thailand by blocking traffic, damaging a terminal building and walking on to the runway to stop planes from landing.

<<< Internationally recognised acts of terrorism. <<< Google it!

Until Thaksin AND Sondhi are removed from power, BOTH of them, Thailand will spiral ever downward.

[Pib]

Going to be plenty of news headlines/stories/rumors/etc., (with some of them probably being close to unbelievable) over the coming weeks/months as the individuals/companies explain their transactions. This is going to be great political theater.

[sevenhills]

Thailand would be well advised to freeze all of Sondhi's *friends' bank accounts after the results of the next election so they cannot wreak havoc on 'the whole bloody financial system.

He should be in jail or, at least, an asylum: He should not be running the Kingdom the way he does!

Sep 1, 2008

Targeting the Thai economy was also an option for the PAD, which has sympathisers drawn from *affluent bankers, *middle-class urbanites, *conservative bureaucrats and the *old-moneyed elite. ''We can get the rich people supporting us to withdraw money from banks at a particular time,'' Sondhi declared. ''The whole bloody financial system will come down.''

If any Government advisors read this forum, all of the red AND yellow mobsters need their wings clipped and there are simple means by which to do it!

''There is a possibility of anarchy. We will do so to pressure the government,'' Sondhi Limthongkul, leader of the PAD, told foreign journalists on Saturday evening at his movement's new seat of power - the compound of the prime minister's office which has been overrun by thousands of PAD supporters since Tuesday. Till its capture of Government House the PAD had run non-stop rallies since late May on a broad street close to a nearby United Nations building.

The PAD has been emboldened by its strikes on Friday, when supporters of this conservative movement shut three airports in Southern Thailand by blocking traffic, damaging a terminal building and walking on to the runway to stop planes from landing.

<<< Internationally recognised acts of terrorism. <<< Google it!

Until Thaksin AND Sondhi are removed from power, BOTH of them, Thailand will spiral ever downward.

Thanks eggomaniac for highlighting once again that the real guilty party has yet to face the courts to get his just deserves as a real Terrorist (All you one eyed YELLOW supporters seem to have short memories). :jap:

[TallForeigner]

Here some quotes found in some international uncensored media:

*Unattributed quotes removed*

Edited June 21, 2010 by cdnvic

[givenall]

Thaksin's cousin ready to defend himself over suspicious transactions

Thailand Live Monday 21 Jun 2010 - Thailand Forum

When will I get all the money I lost due to the violence they created? I want all of the business who lost money to get together and have a class action sue against all these people who funded the Red Shirt violence and also the effect of aftermath of these violent protests

[gemini81]

Too bad he can't just seize it and give it to those who really need it, instead of all these high rollers....

[alex_aka_P]

I want all of the business who lost money to get together and have a class action sue against all these people who funded the Red Shirt violence and also the effect of aftermath of these violent protests

You can "want" it. You can express it, talk abt it non-stop and even die for it, but...you know what? Juristically and officially, those ppl who fund Reds are yet unknown. And they will remain unknown - with their money, they do not belong to this theathre and will never be, Thais or Montenegrins...

You want to sue whom (exactly)? Name'em here, and prepare to defend your statements against their funds. When money talks....you know the rest.

PS: nono, Im not red in any mean. Just "welcome to Thailand", bro. Be real...

PPS: I ever sue one Thai-Chinese owner of Company here in TH. The very simple case (regarding broken contract and loses) - it took me around 4 years (!) of visiting courts, listenings, lawyers etc.... Dont expect too much from TH jusristical system - it will take AGES in red's case...

[hammered]

Going to be plenty of news headlines/stories/rumors/etc., (with some of them probably being close to unbelievable) over the coming weeks/months as the individuals/companies explain their transactions. This is going to be great political theater.

Best comment on this thread.

IT is going to be a unique opportunity too for academics who study Thai poltics to for once get an insight intio the seemy side of finances which everyone knows exist but rarely get exposed. Nice bit of hanging out the laundry in public.

Sit back and enjoy.

[animatic]

Going to be plenty of news headlines/stories/rumors/etc., (with some of them probably being close to unbelievable) over the coming weeks/months as the individuals/companies explain their transactions. This is going to be great political theater.

Best comment on this thread.

IT is going to be a unique opportunity too for academics who study Thai poltics to for once get an insight intio the seemy side of finances which everyone knows exist but rarely get exposed. Nice bit of hanging out the laundry in public.

Sit back and enjoy.

And brilliant move to push back the prevalence of dodgy transactions a notch in most business transaction.

[BigC]

Thailand would be well advised to freeze all of Sondhi's *friends' bank accounts after the results of the next election so they cannot wreak havoc on 'the whole bloody financial system.

He should be in jail or, at least, an asylum: He should not be running the Kingdom the way he does!

Sep 1, 2008

Targeting the Thai economy was also an option for the PAD, which has sympathisers drawn from *affluent bankers, *middle-class urbanites, *conservative bureaucrats and the *old-moneyed elite. ‘’We can get the rich people supporting us to withdraw money from banks at a particular time,’’ Sondhi declared. ‘’The whole bloody financial system will come down.’’

If any Government advisors read this forum, all of the red AND yellow mobsters need their wings clipped and there are simple means by which to do it!

‘’There is a possibility of anarchy. We will do so to pressure the government,’’ Sondhi Limthongkul, leader of the PAD, told foreign journalists on Saturday evening at his movement’s new seat of power - the compound of the prime minister’s office which has been overrun by thousands of PAD supporters since Tuesday. Till its capture of Government House the PAD had run non-stop rallies since late May on a broad street close to a nearby United Nations building.

The PAD has been emboldened by its strikes on Friday, when supporters of this conservative movement shut three airports in Southern Thailand by blocking traffic, damaging a terminal building and walking on to the runway to stop planes from landing.

<<< Internationally recognised acts of terrorism. <<< Google it!

Until Thaksin AND Sondhi are removed from power, BOTH of them, Thailand will spiral ever downward.

Yes Red's and Yellows have had there day. now can the country get back on track. Can get all the people who want to run for p.m together and start election campaines. then every candidate has to sign before the result to say that everything is fair and square. Then after the country has to exept the out come like or not.

either that or just exept that democracy does not work in Thailand and put the Army in charge

[BigC]

Thailand would be well advised to freeze all of Sondhi's *friends' bank accounts after the results of the next election so they cannot wreak havoc on 'the whole bloody financial system.

He should be in jail or, at least, an asylum: He should not be running the Kingdom the way he does!

Sep 1, 2008

Targeting the Thai economy was also an option for the PAD, which has sympathisers drawn from *affluent bankers, *middle-class urbanites, *conservative bureaucrats and the *old-moneyed elite. ‘’We can get the rich people supporting us to withdraw money from banks at a particular time,’’ Sondhi declared. ‘’The whole bloody financial system will come down.’’

If any Government advisors read this forum, all of the red AND yellow mobsters need their wings clipped and there are simple means by which to do it!

‘’There is a possibility of anarchy. We will do so to pressure the government,’’ Sondhi Limthongkul, leader of the PAD, told foreign journalists on Saturday evening at his movement’s new seat of power - the compound of the prime minister’s office which has been overrun by thousands of PAD supporters since Tuesday. Till its capture of Government House the PAD had run non-stop rallies since late May on a broad street close to a nearby United Nations building.

The PAD has been emboldened by its strikes on Friday, when supporters of this conservative movement shut three airports in Southern Thailand by blocking traffic, damaging a terminal building and walking on to the runway to stop planes from landing.

<<< Internationally recognised acts of terrorism. <<< Google it!

Until Thaksin AND Sondhi are removed from power, BOTH of them, Thailand will spiral ever downward.

Yes Red's and Yellows have had there day. now can the country get back on track. Can get all the people who want to run for p.m together and start election campaines. then every candidate has to sign before the result to say that everything is fair and square. Then after the country has to exept the out come like or not.

either that or just exept that democracy does not work in Thailand and put the Army in charge

All the leaders of red and yellows should face charges of the same kind. i mean when has taking over an airport been legal. just as firing M79s at civilians. if the PM wants to be fair he has to look at both sides of the coin..

[kuffki]

The most favorite saying in Thailand -NO Money No Honey-

if the red movement is indeed consists of people who are truly fighting for what they believe in without any financial interest-then they will continue their fight, but by the look of things, once the funds were frozen, so did the movement.

[animatic]

Neither red nor yellow should be allowed to take over the streets again in an extended manner as that have.

They both should be prosecuted, but while the yellows have mostly gone to ground, the reds threaten

continued uprisings and revenge and that alone is enough, after the burning of Bangkok, that the proscutions,

and the search for financing of this last horror show, should be expidited and some teeth should be shown,

so this NEVER happens again. Protest are fine, but what we saw last month went far beyond legitimate protest.

There are times to turn the other cheek, and times you will die for doing so.

Edited June 21, 2010 by animatic

[rubl]

Thailand would be well advised to freeze all of Sondhi's *friends' bank accounts after the results of the next election so they cannot wreak havoc on 'the whole bloody financial system.

He should be in jail or, at least, an asylum: He should not be running the Kingdom the way he does!

Sep 1, 2008

Targeting the Thai economy was also an option for the PAD, which has sympathisers drawn from *affluent bankers, *middle-class urbanites, *conservative bureaucrats and the *old-moneyed elite. ''We can get the rich people supporting us to withdraw money from banks at a particular time,'' Sondhi declared. ''The whole bloody financial system will come down.''

If any Government advisors read this forum, all of the red AND yellow mobsters need their wings clipped and there are simple means by which to do it!

''There is a possibility of anarchy. We will do so to pressure the government,'' Sondhi Limthongkul, leader of the PAD, told foreign journalists on Saturday evening at his movement's new seat of power - the compound of the prime minister's office which has been overrun by thousands of PAD supporters since Tuesday. Till its capture of Government House the PAD had run non-stop rallies since late May on a broad street close to a nearby United Nations building.

The PAD has been emboldened by its strikes on Friday, when supporters of this conservative movement shut three airports in Southern Thailand by blocking traffic, damaging a terminal building and walking on to the runway to stop planes from landing.

<<< Internationally recognised acts of terrorism. <<< Google it!

Until Thaksin AND Sondhi are removed from power, BOTH of them, Thailand will spiral ever downward.

Thanks eggomaniac for highlighting once again that the real guilty party has yet to face the courts to get his just deserves as a real Terrorist (All you one eyed YELLOW supporters seem to have short memories). :jap:

Thanks for reminding us that K. Thaksin in 2001 - 2006 also still has open or dubiously closed cases which need further investigation. Also still wonder who made a profit when the Thai baht devaluated 100% in 1997. K. Chavalit was PM, K. Thaksin had already resigned a month before. I'm sure there's more to be looked into in earlier years. But you know what, it doesn't help. Keep things in mind in order to make better rules and learn to enforce them. Negative thoughts don't help at all.

[eggomaniac]

Thailand would be well advised to freeze all of Sondhi's *friends' bank accounts after the results of the next election so they cannot wreak havoc on 'the whole bloody financial system.

He should be in jail or, at least, an asylum: He should not be running the Kingdom the way he does!

Sep 1, 2008

Targeting the Thai economy was also an option for the PAD, which has sympathisers drawn from *affluent bankers, *middle-class urbanites, *conservative bureaucrats and the *old-moneyed elite. ''We can get the rich people supporting us to withdraw money from banks at a particular time,'' Sondhi declared. ''The whole bloody financial system will come down.''

If any Government advisors read this forum, all of the red AND yellow mobsters need their wings clipped and there are simple means by which to do it!

''There is a possibility of anarchy. We will do so to pressure the government,'' Sondhi Limthongkul, leader of the PAD, told foreign journalists on Saturday evening at his movement's new seat of power - the compound of the prime minister's office which has been overrun by thousands of PAD supporters since Tuesday. Till its capture of Government House the PAD had run non-stop rallies since late May on a broad street close to a nearby United Nations building.

The PAD has been emboldened by its strikes on Friday, when supporters of this conservative movement shut three airports in Southern Thailand by blocking traffic, damaging a terminal building and walking on to the runway to stop planes from landing.

<<< Internationally recognised acts of terrorism. <<< Google it!

Until Thaksin AND Sondhi are removed from power, BOTH of them, Thailand will spiral ever downward.

Thanks eggomaniac for highlighting once again that the real guilty party has yet to face the courts to get his just deserves as a real Terrorist (All you one eyed YELLOW supporters seem to have short memories). :jap:

Thanks for reminding us that K. Thaksin in 2001 - 2006 also still has open or dubiously closed cases which need further investigation. Also still wonder who made a profit when the Thai baht devaluated 100% in 1997. K. Chavalit was PM, K. Thaksin had already resigned a month before. I'm sure there's more to be looked into in earlier years. But you know what, it doesn't help. Keep things in mind in order to make better rules and learn to enforce them. Negative thoughts don't help at all.

I am NOT saying the yellows are the 'real' guilty parties, the yellow AND red leaders are the real guilty parties AND the system that allows them to collect more chest badges, instead of putting them ALL away.

Thailand is set to split up along red and yellow tribalism. Red and yellow supporters are both dangerously moronic.

GROW UP Thailand!

[rubl]

Thailand would be well advised to freeze all of Sondhi's *friends' bank accounts after the results of the next election so they cannot wreak havoc on 'the whole bloody financial system.

He should be in jail or, at least, an asylum: He should not be running the Kingdom the way he does!

Sep 1, 2008

Targeting the Thai economy was also an option for the PAD, which has sympathisers drawn from *affluent bankers, *middle-class urbanites, *conservative bureaucrats and the *old-moneyed elite. ''We can get the rich people supporting us to withdraw money from banks at a particular time,'' Sondhi declared. ''The whole bloody financial system will come down.''

If any Government advisors read this forum, all of the red AND yellow mobsters need their wings clipped and there are simple means by which to do it!

''There is a possibility of anarchy. We will do so to pressure the government,'' Sondhi Limthongkul, leader of the PAD, told foreign journalists on Saturday evening at his movement's new seat of power - the compound of the prime minister's office which has been overrun by thousands of PAD supporters since Tuesday. Till its capture of Government House the PAD had run non-stop rallies since late May on a broad street close to a nearby United Nations building.

The PAD has been emboldened by its strikes on Friday, when supporters of this conservative movement shut three airports in Southern Thailand by blocking traffic, damaging a terminal building and walking on to the runway to stop planes from landing.

<<< Internationally recognised acts of terrorism. <<< Google it!

Until Thaksin AND Sondhi are removed from power, BOTH of them, Thailand will spiral ever downward.

Thanks eggomaniac for highlighting once again that the real guilty party has yet to face the courts to get his just deserves as a real Terrorist (All you one eyed YELLOW supporters seem to have short memories). :jap:

Thanks for reminding us that K. Thaksin in 2001 - 2006 also still has open or dubiously closed cases which need further investigation. Also still wonder who made a profit when the Thai baht devaluated 100% in 1997. K. Chavalit was PM, K. Thaksin had already resigned a month before. I'm sure there's more to be looked into in earlier years. But you know what, it doesn't help. Keep things in mind in order to make better rules and learn to enforce them. Negative thoughts don't help at all.

I am NOT saying the yellows are the 'real' guilty parties, the yellow AND red leaders are the real guilty parties AND the system that allows them to collect more chest badges, instead of putting them ALL away.

Thailand is set to split up along red and yellow tribalism. Red and yellow supporters are both dangerously moronic.

GROW UP Thailand!

Naughty, you do not reply on my remarks, but on those of 'sevenhills'. Still the struggle for democracy and common people empowerment would move on a bit better without any of those 'elite', 'paternalistic' 'old guards'. The rich and mighty are not known to relinquish power or money voluntarily out of their 'noblesse oblige' spirit.

[cdnvic]

One member has been removed indefinitely for hinting about changing the Monarchy. We don't joke around about that and neither do the Royal Thai Police.

Sly hints and innuendo won't protect you.

[eggomaniac]

Thailand would be well advised to freeze all of Sondhi's *friends' bank accounts after the results of the next election so they cannot wreak havoc on 'the whole bloody financial system.

He should be in jail or, at least, an asylum: He should not be running the Kingdom the way he does!

Sep 1, 2008

Targeting the Thai economy was also an option for the PAD, which has sympathisers drawn from *affluent bankers, *middle-class urbanites, *conservative bureaucrats and the *old-moneyed elite. ''We can get the rich people supporting us to withdraw money from banks at a particular time,'' Sondhi declared. ''The whole bloody financial system will come down.''

If any Government advisors read this forum, all of the red AND yellow mobsters need their wings clipped and there are simple means by which to do it!

''There is a possibility of anarchy. We will do so to pressure the government,'' Sondhi Limthongkul, leader of the PAD, told foreign journalists on Saturday evening at his movement's new seat of power - the compound of the prime minister's office which has been overrun by thousands of PAD supporters since Tuesday. Till its capture of Government House the PAD had run non-stop rallies since late May on a broad street close to a nearby United Nations building.

The PAD has been emboldened by its strikes on Friday, when supporters of this conservative movement shut three airports in Southern Thailand by blocking traffic, damaging a terminal building and walking on to the runway to stop planes from landing.

<<< Internationally recognised acts of terrorism. <<< Google it!

Until Thaksin AND Sondhi are removed from power, BOTH of them, Thailand will spiral ever downward.

Thanks eggomaniac for highlighting once again that the real guilty party has yet to face the courts to get his just deserves as a real Terrorist (All you one eyed YELLOW supporters seem to have short memories). :jap:

I am NOT saying the yellows are the 'real' guilty parties, the yellow AND red leaders are the real guilty parties AND the system that allows them to collect more chest badges, instead of putting them ALL away.

Thailand is set to split up along red and yellow tribalism. Red and yellow supporters are both dangerously moronic.

GROW UP Thailand!

Naughty, you do not reply on my remarks, but on those of 'sevenhills'. Still the struggle for democracy and common people empowerment would move on a bit better without any of those 'elite', 'paternalistic' 'old guards'. The rich and mighty are not known to relinquish power or money voluntarily out of their 'noblesse oblige' spirit.

Yes, I misclicked. It's just I see the red leaders and yellow leaders in the same strata. I think 'class struggle' is the distant secondary cause of Thailand's unrest. People are willingly paying billions to watcy heroes kick a ball around. They don't like it when a goal counts on a missed hand ball.

Thai politicians walk around with the ball in their hands. The problem in Thailand is gang warfare. In the past it was settled with quick victories by one side or the other, failing that truces and treaties were declared to divvy up the corruption pie.

This time they have reach an impasse, a stalemate. The red and yellow nabobs are locked in a death struggle, Thailand's death to be exact.

It would be so, so easy to clip Thaksin's and Sondhi's wings and have them fall from the sky. Thailand will NOT survive if both OR one, [OR 1] comes out of this on top. if ONE , 1, or BOTH come out of this with their nobility status and their cheat badges intact, Thailand will continue to spiral downward.

A win by one OR the other would be a LOSS for Thailand!

I think? we both agree who is causing Thailand's problems, it's just I don't see it as yellow elitist, only. Red AND yellow elites and corruption NOT class divide.

The masses NEED heroes, but honest ones!

[asiawatcher]

No matter wat has gone before 0 seriously suggest the Govt has done the right thing. Freeze the funds until clarity is preened from the rubble and some people brought to justice.

But then again, good idea, hold it indefinitely as with talk of further uprisings and demonstrations, no point in feeding the fire!

Hold on to that thought... (money)

[Ulysses G.]

Neither red nor yellow should be allowed to take over the streets  again in an extended manner as that have.

They both should be prosecuted, but while the yellows have mostly gone to ground, the reds threaten

continued uprisings and revenge and that alone is enough, after the burning of Bangkok, that the proscutions,

and the search for financing of this last horror show, should be expidited and some teeth should be shown,

so this NEVER happens again.  Protest are fine, but what we saw last month went far beyond legitimate protest.

There are times to turn the other cheek, and times you will die for doing so.

Excellent post. 

[eggomaniac]

Neither red nor yellow should be allowed to take over the streets again in an extended manner as that have.

They both should be prosecuted, but while the yellows have mostly gone to ground, the reds threaten

continued uprisings and revenge and that alone is enough, after the burning of Bangkok, that the prosecutions,

and the search for financing of this last horror show, should be expedited and some teeth should be shown,

so this NEVER happens again. Protest are fine, but what we saw last month went far beyond legitimate protest.

There are times to turn the other cheek, and times you will die for doing so.

I 97% concur with these Comments. Publicly assembly, yes, [along with free speech], however as soon as it infringes on others' rights it's wrong, using an airport for an example, blocking businesses, taking over Govt House, cancelling ASEAN conference. < red AND yellow acts [the airport actions are Internationally recognised acts of 'terrorism' by 'civilized' countries, NOT Thailand]

The little part I don't agree with is the 'yellows gone to ground'. It's not like they are snakes that slithered away under rocks.

Where the yellows have really gone, the way I picture it, is up into the seats of corruption. They have the remote controls; they are the drunk drivers behind the wheel.

If anybody thinks the yellows are 'invisible', look up.

Now when the Democrats get ousted in the next election, *if Thailand survives the next election, the yellows won't be so invisible. Sondhi might as well reserve that park he barks out his orders from.

*[My impression is elections, under the present circumstances, with no major changes in a very flawed 'tribal' political system, will be like lighting a fuse. As Thailand canNOT smarten up, they should, at least, have the brains to follow the more succesful models of Burma and NKorea for operating a pervasive corrupt system] Open on this / Closed on that is NOT going to ever work out.

[ronz28]

"The government's harsh reaction in April and May left 90 people dead and more than 1,800 wounded."

The above Nation's biased verbiage must be an attempt to rewrite history. It was obviously the Red Shirt riots with their Men in Black that caused the death, wounded and destruction in Bangkok and elsewhere. It is the government's responsibility to maintain law and order but the government bent over backwards to try to humanely deal with protesters. It was the warriors and extremists amongst the protesters that did not behave in a civil manner and prolonged the protests and caused the riots.

The Nation should retract it words as the government's actions were appropriate and were not the cause of the death, wounding of people and destruction. The Red Shirt extremists and their Men in Black are to blame and should be held accountable for the death, destruction, wounding of people and damages to all those harmed by the riots.

[Ulysses G.]

Agreed! 

[Thai at Heart]

Should some defendants be found innocent it will be interesting to see if the cases get passed onto the taxman.

If, as it should be, the burden of proof is on the government/state, I can't believe that they are going to find too much other than a lot of cash removal and a lot of statements of "I can't remember" as to where the money was spent. As others mentioned, this is going to make great viewing, and possibly lift the lid on thousands of dodgy undocumented company and private transactions. But if it was all done in cash (highly likely, if logistically difficult/although IOU's for a later date would probably suffice)this is all going to be extremely difficult to prove I would imagine.

There is a never ending flow of undeclared cash transactions in this country and no government has shown no willingness or success in stemming this business practice in the history of Thailand. I don't think they will be able to untangle a web like this.

Under the SOE, I wonder what legal recourse anyone has should they be found innocent, but they have had to live their lives without access to their funds.

Edited June 23, 2010 by Thai at Heart

[chantorn]

Agreed!

100% agreed too.

[chantorn]

Neither red nor yellow should be allowed to take over the streets again in an extended manner as that have.

They both should be prosecuted, but while the yellows have mostly gone to ground, the reds threaten

continued uprisings and revenge and that alone is enough, after the burning of Bangkok, that the proscutions,

and the search for financing of this last horror show, should be expidited and some teeth should be shown,

so this NEVER happens again. Protest are fine, but what we saw last month went far beyond legitimate protest.

There are times to turn the other cheek, and times you will die for doing so.

I disagree.

The yellow did nothing wrong; maybe only minor traffic offense. We must not be punished at all.

The red however rob, rape and burn down the entire nation. They must all go to jail, every last one of them.

[animatic]

Neither red nor yellow should be allowed to take over the streets again in an extended manner as that have.

They both should be prosecuted, but while the yellows have mostly gone to ground, the reds threaten

continued uprisings and revenge and that alone is enough, after the burning of Bangkok, that the proscutions,

and the search for financing of this last horror show, should be expidited and some teeth should be shown,

so this NEVER happens again. Protest are fine, but what we saw last month went far beyond legitimate protest.

There are times to turn the other cheek, and times you will die for doing so.

I disagree.

The yellow did nothing wrong; maybe only minor traffic offense. We must not be punished at all.

The red however rob, rape and burn down the entire nation. They must all go to jail, every last one of them.

Chatorn, the Yellows did break some laws, that's why their cases are in the court sytem.

And there certainly was financial damage to many parties because of their actions.

But I think part of the reason the yellows went balistic is because the Reds were violently harrassing them,

and I will be surprised if that doesn't come up in court as some form of mitigating circumstance.

Because of the glacial speed of the courts here I don't expect to see much about this going on trial

till the 2-2.5 year mark, partly because of the numbers of players and complexity of potential interactive charges. And I expect the Red trials, in many cases, to also be long down the road, though the extreme violence involved

may cause more expeditious investigation and legal footwork.

Regardless of how ANY of this plays out legally the whining an wenging on will never end for years,

or the whole decade. Elephants have long memories and so do zealots. Weng being the perfect example;

He's still fighting the neo-communist battle he lost 20 years ago.

No moderation and no progress. Except now, he's become a verb in the vernacular of Uni students..

Edited June 23, 2010 by animatic