PM Abhisit Wants Case Against Yellow Shirts Dealt With Promptly

[webfact]

PM wants case against yellow shirts dealt with promptly

By The Nation

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday urged police and other law enforcement officials to resolve cases related to the political turmoil in a speedy manner, including proceedings involving the yellow shirts.

BANGKOK: -- Abhisit also vowed to push for an amnesty for people who return weapons taken from security forces during the recent unrest.

"I want draft legislation on an amnesty for stolen weapons to pass, possibly in three consecutive readings," he said, confirming his government would submit the draft for debate when the House reconvenes on August 2.

He said he expected the proposed amnesty to be an incentive to help recover stolen weapons, which might otherwise be used in a new round of violence if they got into the "wrong hands".

The amnesty move, if it passed legislative scrutiny, was likely to allow people to avoid facing charges if they returned weapons within 60 days, he said.

The PM also voiced concern there were still attempts to instigate trouble and that the country may see the resumption of protests later this year if state security measures lapse.

The government was taking every precaution to ensure peace and normalcy, he said, explaining the authorities would strictly enforce the law against people prone to violence and at the same time carry out an awareness campaign designed to prevent people from falling prey to attempts to stir up trouble.

"I believe no one wants to experience unrest for a third time," he said, in reference to the mayhem last year and the recent violence in April and May.

Concern that the recent violence could resume was the main reason for extending the state of emergency, he said.

In regard to slow progress of cases linked to the turmoil, the PM said he wanted a speedy conclusion to all legal proceedings.

National Police chief General Patheep Tanprasert had given an assurance to speed up the cases, he said, noting that Patheep would soon decide on whether to lay terrorism charges against leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy over the seizure of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in 2008.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation would have to carry on its work under full alert even though Cabinet had decided to scale down the provinces under emergency rule from 24 to 19. Bangkok is one of those where the decree remains in effect.

Security officials were deeply concerned about the fragile situation but the decision not to extend the state of emergency in five provinces was due to CRES's assessment that the threat in the five provinces was less than that in other areas where the decree remains in force, he said.

He said the authorities could not afford to lapse in their duties because agitators were still active, and feared the red shirts might take to the streets again.

-- The Nation 2010-07-08

[march]

National Police chief General Patheep Tanprasert had given an assurance to speed up the cases, he said, noting that Patheep would soon decide on whether to lay terrorism charges against leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy over the seizure of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in 2008.

If they use this benchmark:

4 UDD leaders charged for besieging Gen Prem’s residence

BANGKOK, 7 July 2010 (NNT) - The prosecutor has filed criminal charges against four anti-government leaders for the besiegement of the residence of Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda in July 2007.

prosecution for any offenses in 2008 shouldn't happen until December 2011.

Edited July 8, 2010 by march

[craigt3365]

National Police chief General Patheep Tanprasert had given an assurance to speed up the cases, he said, noting that Patheep would soon decide on whether to lay terrorism charges against leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy over the seizure of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in 2008.

If they use this benchmark:

4 UDD leaders charged for besieging Gen Prem’s residence

BANGKOK, 7 July 2010 (NNT) - The prosecutor has filed criminal charges against four anti-government leaders for the besiegement of the residence of Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda in July 2007.

prosecution for any offenses in 2008 shouldn't happen until December 2011.

But at least this one ended up with a decision...I am sure this is not good news for the red leaders? Unless they give them amnesty...and we see them back on the streets in a few months.

[rreddin]

National Police chief General Patheep Tanprasert had given an assurance to speed up the cases, he said, noting that Patheep would soon decide on whether to lay terrorism charges against leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy over the seizure of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in 2008.

If they use this benchmark:

4 UDD leaders charged for besieging Gen Prem’s residence

BANGKOK, 7 July 2010 (NNT) - The prosecutor has filed criminal charges against four anti-government leaders for the besiegement of the residence of Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda in July 2007.

prosecution for any offenses in 2008 shouldn't happen until December 2011.

The damage has already been done. This is nothing more than an attempt to deflect criticism by appearing to be be taking action. This should have been done two years ago. However, we are where we are, in a country where the Government thinks a state of emergency is "normalcy"; where political oponents are called "terrorists" while those pursuing a violent armed struggle in the Southern provinces are called "insurgents" or "separatists" nothwithstanding a death toll running into thousands over the last few years.

[aussiedoug]

If Abbysit wants the guns off the street he should accept them with no questions asked and no names taken at the parliament, nobody trusts the police anymore.

[animatic]

This is progress.

If the Yellows thought slagging the government and making threats to go to the street again,

was going to keep them safe from prossecution, then they sadly misjudged,

it just makes it easier to narrow in on them, which is also politically expedient for the government,

with the need to also nail the red leaders in a similar, if harder, fashion.

Justice of some sort needs to be seen to globally be done equally,

not necessarily to be seen globally to counter Thaksin.

[LomSak27]

Methinks they will be convicted, sentenced, and after an appropriate interval, pardoned.

Appearance of justice being a crucial consideration.

[geovalin]

As all of us know, the last person you can trust is Abisith.

When he lies like this (the Yellow will NOT be prosecuted), I always wonder if he is candid (he would like to wish that maybe something could be done but eventually it's impossible) or cynical (he intends to fool the Thai population).

[Thai at Heart]

This is progress.

If the Yellows thought slagging the government and making threats to go to the street again,

was going to keep them safe from prossecution, then they sadly misjudged,

it just makes it easier to narrow in on them, which is also politically expedient for the government,

with the need to also nail the red leaders in a similar, if harder, fashion.

Justice of some sort needs to be seen to globally be done equally,

not necessarily to be seen globally to counter Thaksin.

Couldn't agree more.

Until the right judgements (not just a slap on the wrist) are made against the yellows, there is no possibility of the reds accepting their rightful punishments too.

The days of supposedly morally right uncivil protest have to to stop, or there will be no way to keep the good/bad ship Thailand on anything approaching a straight course. The yellows were permitted to set a terrible precedent that has been followed and increased upon by the reds.

If there another round of mass protests, the mayhem that may ensue will make the reds in Rajaprasong look like kindergarten. I would not be surprised to see very heavily armed militia.

[givenall]

<BR>

National Police chief General Patheep Tanprasert had given an assurance to speed up the cases, he said, noting that Patheep would soon decide on whether to lay terrorism charges against leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy over the seizure of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in 2008.

<BR><BR>If they use this benchmark:<BR><BR>

<A class=bbc_url title="External link" href=" rel="nofollow external">http://www.thaivisa....k/page__st__120</A><BR><BR><B>4 UDD leaders charged for besieging Gen Prem’s residence<BR></B><BR>BANGKOK, <B>7 July 2010</B> (NNT) - The prosecutor has filed criminal charges against four anti-government leaders for the besiegement of the residence of Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda in <B>July 2007</B>.

<BR><BR>prosecution for any offenses in 2008 shouldn't happen until December 2011.<BR>

<BR><BR>

<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face=Calibri>Elites against Elites will go on forever and the one who spend the most will eventually win but all Thai people will lose. And all know Elites don’t care anyways</FONT></P>

<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p><FONT size=3 face=Calibri> </FONT></o:p></P><BR>

[taurus88]

<BR>

<BR>

National Police chief General Patheep Tanprasert had given an assurance to speed up the cases, he said, noting that Patheep would soon decide on whether to lay terrorism charges against leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy over the seizure of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in 2008.

<BR><BR>If they use this benchmark:<BR><BR>

<A class=bbc_url title="External link" href=" rel="nofollow external">http://www.thaivisa....k/page__st__120</A><BR><BR><B>4 UDD leaders charged for besieging Gen Prem's residence<BR></B><BR>BANGKOK, <B>7 July 2010</B> (NNT) - The prosecutor has filed criminal charges against four anti-government leaders for the besiegement of the residence of Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda in <B>July 2007</B>.

<BR><BR>prosecution for any offenses in 2008 shouldn't happen until December 2011.<BR>

<BR><BR>The damage has already been done. This is nothing more than an attempt to deflect criticism by appearing to be be taking action. This should have been done two years ago. However, we are where we are, in a country where the Government thinks a state of emergency is "normalcy"; where political oponents are called "terrorists" while those pursuing a violent armed struggle in the Southern provinces are called "insurgents" or "separatists" nothwithstanding a death toll running into thousands over the last few years.<BR>

<BR><BR><BR>

[taurus88]

Totally agreed with you. If Ahbisit is a man of fair justice as he seem to protray now, he should have dealt with it long time ago. He is just trying to deflect critism of double standard. Really up to now, he has nothing much to show off in terms of deeds completed. Full of words but devoid of decisive actions.

[Thailand]

He will need a new foreign minister then!

[jayjay0]

Abhist says

He said he expected the proposed amnesty to be an incentive to help recover stolen weapons, which might otherwise be used in a new round of violence if they got into the "wrong hands".

Does he think they are in the right hands now.

I really believe none of this would have happened if the yellow shirt leaders had been prosecuted right away.

Instead one of there biggest supporters was given a cabinet position. Kind of like saying he approved of what they had done.JMO

Edited July 8, 2010 by jayjay0

[Thai at Heart]

He will need a new foreign minister then!

I don't think he will be very much missed by the party, parliament or the people.

[Capealava]

He will need a new foreign minister then!

Yes. As long as Kasit is part of Abhisit's government it loses all credibility. Kasit's statement "this is fun" as he visited the yellow shirt protest at the airport has always been particularly galling.

[Robby nz]

Seems to me that once someone is arrested and and out on bail it is then the job of the justice system to deal with them and not the Govt or PM.

Should the PM or Govt intervene they will be seen as interfearing with what is or should be an indepedant judiciary.

If this is correct then there is no point in trying to blame the PM or Govt for the slow progress of the system.

[kissdani]

PM wants case against yellow shirts dealt with promptly

...

My Boy. Speaks like a true diplomat.

Translation: After almost two years of ongoing investigation and pending cases without result it is time to close the file and admit we couldn't find anything wrong.

Otherwise the open cases will be just used by the enemies as argument to damage Thailand.

You know, on the paper it looks not so good if the FM has an open case on terrorism charges, meanwhile the government rules by decree and arrested hundreds of people, because they are suspected for participating an assembly of more than 10 people and keep them in detention without further charges pressed.

This imbalance has to be resolved.

Real terrorism looks different. Court and police should devote their time for the real terrorists.

[craigt3365]

As all of us know, the last person you can trust is Abisith.

When he lies like this (the Yellow will NOT be prosecuted), I always wonder if he is candid (he would like to wish that maybe something could be done but eventually it's impossible) or cynical (he intends to fool the Thai population).

So who in Thai politics can you trust? I don't think there is one among them...red or yellow...

[Thai at Heart]

PM wants case against yellow shirts dealt with promptly

...

My Boy. Speaks like a true diplomat.

Translation: After almost two years of ongoing investigation and pending cases without result it is time to close the file and admit we couldn't find anything wrong.

Otherwise the open cases will be just used by the enemies as argument to damage Thailand.

You know, on the paper it looks not so good if the FM has an open case on terrorism charges, meanwhile the government rules by decree and arrested hundreds of people, because they are suspected for participating an assembly of more than 10 people and keep them in detention without further charges pressed.

This imbalance has to be resolved.

Real terrorism looks different. Court and police should devote their time for the real terrorists.

In all actuality, he is yellow

[eggomaniac]

He will need a new foreign minister then!

chuckle

=======================

Somebody has to look into what started this 'recent' mess the Bhat 40,000,000,000 that Thaksin's and Sondhi's banker, Viroj doled out in bad loans, good loans for the recipients who never had to pay it back. [40 billion is even pretty good chunk change when coverted to real money.]

There are measures which could be put in place to easily get Sondhi and Thaksin to 'volunteer' to take their medicine.

Wikipedia --Immediately after the crisis, Sondhi furiously attacked the Democrat-led government over its management of the economic recovery. With the election of Thaksin Shinawatra as Prime Minister in 2001, several of Sondhi's associates became leaders in the new government. His banker, Viroj Nualkhair, became president of state-owned Krung Thai Bank and gave more than a billion baht in "debt forgiveness" to Sondhi, allowing him to emerge from bankruptcy. Sondhi became a vocal supporter of Thaksin, calling him "the best prime minister our country has ever had."^[5]In 2005, Viroj Nualkhair was dismissed from the KTB after incurring over 40 billion baht in problem loans. Sondhi then began criticizing Thaksin using the media under his control, including satellite broadcaster ASTV.

Of course according to my PAD source, everything on Thailand in Wiki was written by writers of Thaksin.

I would LOVE to see Thaksin and Sondhi in the same jail cell for at least 5 years, life time bans on political involvement and oversight of ALL business activities, including all the offshore stuff they both have floating around.

Edited July 8, 2010 by eggomaniac

[monkfish]

ah ah announced just before the first Red shirts finish their sentences.

Don't forget to add occupation of government house for 6 months to the list!

[Rucharee]

PM wants case against yellow shirts dealt with promptly.

A little late April fool joke.

Kasit will survive no matter what.

[MAJIC]

As all of us know, the last person you can trust is Abisith.

When he lies like this (the Yellow will NOT be prosecuted), I always wonder if he is candid (he would like to wish that maybe something could be done but eventually it's impossible) or cynical (he intends to fool the Thai population).

"As all of us know, the last person you can trust is Abisith" a broad statement with no substance.

And please advise us:in whom should we trust,Mr Thaksin?

[asiawatcher]

This is progress.

If the Yellows thought slagging the government and making threats to go to the street again,

was going to keep them safe from prossecution, then they sadly misjudged,

it just makes it easier to narrow in on them, which is also politically expedient for the government,

with the need to also nail the red leaders in a similar, if harder, fashion.

Justice of some sort needs to be seen to globally be done equally,

not necessarily to be seen globally to counter Thaksin.

Totally agree - some of the people I deal with tell me the cases against the Yellow shirts will commence shortly as part of the strategy of equal judgement by the Govt with the reds being prosecuted. It may surprise a few but more importantly it will send a message that no-one is beyond prosecution, This will help the international community and its perspective on Thailand. Hopefully it will be stalled no longer and see light of day inside this year.

[march]

Until the right judgements (not just a slap on the wrist) are made against the yellows, there is no possibility of the reds accepting their rightful punishments too.

The days of supposedly morally right uncivil protest have to to stop, or there will be no way to keep the good/bad ship Thailand on anything approaching a straight course. The yellows were permitted to set a terrible precedent that has been followed and increased upon by the reds.

Actually it was the Reds that set the precedent the year before the Yellows. Hundreds injured in a major riot and the Reds have until now not been held accountable. Three years and counting for them. The airports were a year and a half ago.

Until the right judgements (not just a slap on the wrist) are made against the Reds, there's no possibility of the yellows accepting their rightful punishments, too.

[march]

If Ahbisit is a man of fair justice as he seem to protray now, he should have dealt with it long time ago. He is just trying to deflect critism of double standard.

Is it also a "double standard" that the Yellows are being prosecuted at a quicker pace than the Reds?

[landofthefree]

PM wants case against yellow shirts dealt with promptly.

A little late April fool joke.

Kasit will survive no matter what.

You mean "Mark" is not an honest broker? You do surprise me having read your previous posts. I think he is a normal Thai politician similar to Thaksin in many ways.

[march]

Translation: After almost two years of ongoing investigation and pending cases without result it is time to close the file and admit we couldn't find anything wrong.

If you use the Red timetable, they have nearly another year and a half to investigate.

[march]

ah ah announced just before the first Red shirts finish their sentences.

They just filed charges against them yesterday for 2007. They haven't even been tried yet, let alone, finish their sentences.