Thai PM Abhisit Sued For Attempted Murder

[webfact]

Thai PM, 12 others sued for 'attempted murder'

BANGKOK: -- An independent reporter on Thursday filed a lawsuit against Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and other 12 persons for attempted murder and mayhem in the army's security operation to retake the anti-government Red Shirt rally site at Khok Wua intersection on April 10.

Bodin Watcharobol, who described himself as an independent reporter, asked Udom Prongfa, personal legal adviser of the fugitive former prime minister

Thaksin Shinawatra to file a suit against Prime Minister Abhisit and other 12 persons at Criminal Court.

Among the 12 named are Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, director of the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES), Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda, CRES spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd and acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn.

They have been accused of the attempted killing of demonstrators and of mayhem which led to a number of deaths and injuries from the army operation on Ratchadamnoen Avenue's Khow Wua intersection and at Satriwittaya School on April 10.

Mr Udom said this time it is the people themselves who filed a lawsuit against the government in order to protect their rights and freedoms, saying the government's order is inappropriate.

The lawyer said he had earlier filed a complaint at Nang Lerng police station but that no progress has been made, so he decided to lodge the complaint in court. He asserted that Mr Thaksin had nothing to do with his move.

Mr Udom said he has brought copies of a CD about the April 10 army crackdown as evidence.

The court set the preliminary hearing on the case on September 13.

Twenty-five people including the deputy chief of staff of the 2nd Infantry Division Romklao Thuwatham were killed and more than 800 persons, including soldiers, were wounded in the bloody confrontation between Red Shirt protesters and army troops.

The government explained the high toll of casualties was caused by a group of unidentified persons in black outfits and masks who mingled with the red-shirted protesters. They fired M79 grenades, M67 hand grenades and automatic weapons at the troops and the crowd. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-07-22

[webfact]

Reporter’s lawsuit against PM for crackdown accepted

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Criminal Court has accepted a lawsuit filed by a freelance reporter against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and 12 other figures for injuring others during the military’s crackdown of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) protest.

Mr Udom Prongfa, a lawyer representing Mr Bodin Watcharobol, a freelance reporter, filed the lawsuit against 13 plaintiffs with the court. The suit claimed the reporter was injured in May 2010, when the army under the order of the Premier sealed off Ratchaprasong Intersection, the main protest site of the UDD in May 2010.

The 13 plaintiffs included Prime Minister Abhisit, his Deputy for Security Affairs Suthep Thaugsuban, Army Chief General Anupong Paochinda, Spokesperson to the Center for the Resolution and Emergency Situation Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd, and 9 other military personnel.

The Criminal Court has accepted the case for further proceedings. Schedule for the first hearing is set for 13 September 2010, at 9.00 hrs.

Mr Bodin announced that he would file more lawsuits next week, saying he had solid evidence that 30 other people were also injured from the same incidents. He added that civil suits would be filed seeking damages for personal injuries.

-- NNT 2010-07-22

[animatic]

Bodin Watcharobol, who described himself as an independent reporter, asked Udom Prongfa, personal legal adviser of the fugitive former prime minister

Thaksin Shinawatra to file a suit against Prime Minister Abhisit and other 12 persons at Criminal Court.

Of course he has to prove anything was intentionally done to him,

and that it was under orders, and officially directed at him,

and actually done by soldiers and not men in black or persons unknown.

Noting the lawyers doing the accusing, like political ambulance chasers,

this is another avenue of harassment and political mudslinging.

Right on schedule.

Sad the guy got hurt of course, but he chose to enter

essentially a war zone, or live fire zone and did so anyway.

[pedro01]

Independent reporter using Thaksins lawyer ????

Not sure if that fits my own definition of independent....

[SomTumTiger]

What a joke - good luck with that.

[Lost in LOS]

what idiots......... with the fugitive never stop? he can call it self defense on behalf of Bangkok

[BSJ]

It's just going to go on and on.....isn't it. In my eyes this is not the road to reconciliation, this is another detour down Divisive Lane. Hope they don't try and get back onto the road to Peace St via Anarchy Ave!

Edited July 22, 2010 by BSJ

[mazeltov]

Independent reporter using Thaksins lawyer ????

Not sure if that fits my own definition of independent....

Maybe he is a good lawyer. Would be stupid not to take a lawyer because one of his other clients.

What is your definition of independent?

[animatic]

Independent reporter using Thaksins lawyer ????

Not sure if that fits my own definition of independent....

Maybe he is a good lawyer. Would be stupid not to take a lawyer because one of his other clients.

What is your definition of independent?

A reporter not aligned to any side,

hiring a lawyer not working for the man who significantly instigated

the live fire zone this reporter was so incautious as to enter.

Since independent seems to not be understood in this instance, I will provide clarification:

in·de·pen·dent

1. Not governed by a foreign power; self-governing.
2. Free from the influence, guidance, or control of another or others; self-reliant: an independent mind.
3. Not determined or influenced by someone or something else; not contingent: a decision independent of the outcome of the study.
4. often Independent. Affiliated with or loyal to no one political party or organization.
5. Not dependent on or affiliated with a larger or controlling entity: an independent food store; an independent film.
   1. Not relying on others for support, care, or funds; self-supporting.
   2. Providing or being sufficient income to enable one to live without working: a person of independent means.
   3. Not dependent on other variables.
   4. Of or relating to a system of equations no one of which can be derived from another equation in the system.

[*]Mathematics

1. Not dependent on other variables.
2. Of or relating to a system of equations no one of which can be derived from another equation in the system.

[*]Independent Of or relating to the 17th-century English Independents.

n.

1. often Independent One that is independent, especially a voter, officeholder, or political candidate who is not committed to a political party.
2. Independent A member of a movement in England in the 17th century advocating the political and religious independence of individual congregations.
3. Independent Chiefly British A Congregationalist.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Edited July 22, 2010 by animatic

[TAWP]

Lawyers like that are NOT independent.

No more than a known Mob-lawyer is clean and independent. He would never be hired by the 'other' crime family in a trial...

[animatic]

Another definition of an 'INDEPENDENT REPORTER'

is "Stringer"; one who hasn't been, or is not currently, on payroll of any news organ,

but relies for income on submitting stories in the hopes of getting paid for publication.

[hyperdimension]

Of course he has to prove anything was intentionally done to him,

and that it was under orders, and officially directed at him,

and actually done by soldiers and not men in black or persons unknown.

Noting the lawyers doing the accusing, like political ambulance chasers,

this is another avenue of harassment and political mudslinging.

Right on schedule.

Sad the guy got hurt of course, but he chose to enter

essentially a war zone, or live fire zone and did so anyway.

Nowhere in the article does it state that this reporter got hurt. This is the allegation:

attempted killing of demonstrators and of mayhem which led to a number of deaths and injuries from the army operation on Ratchadamnoen Avenue's Khow Wua intersection and at Satriwittaya School on April 10.

So who is paying for this law suit? Probably not the reporter. Filing law suits do cost money.

I'm surprised that it wasn't Jatuporn Promphan who filed it (but who knows whether he is behind it?), as he seems to be doing and saying absolutely anything he can think of to discredit the government regardless of truth and facts. It is apparent that being charged with terrorism means nothing to him.

[hyperdimension]

Independent reporter using Thaksins lawyer ????

Not sure if that fits my own definition of independent....

Maybe he is a good lawyer. Would be stupid not to take a lawyer because one of his other clients.

So if you were involved in a law suit, you would hire the lawyer who is representing the other side if it is widely known that he is the best in the world? The lawyer sure would be happy, though he'd have to be good at debating with himself. Maybe the side that he leans towards depends on who pays the most. Edited July 22, 2010 by hyperdimension

[Robby nz]

BANGKOK: -- An independent reporter on Thursday filed a lawsuit against Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and other 12 persons for attempted murder and mayhem in the army's security operation to retake the anti-government Red Shirt rally site at Khok Wua intersection on April 10.

The suit claimed the reporter was injured in May 2010, when the army under the order of the Premier sealed off Ratchaprasong Intersection, the main protest site of the UDD in May 2010.

Isnt there something wrong here?

He is filing suit for what happened in April then says he was injured in May?

[FarangCravings]

GOOD

Maybe the truth will come out and the government shown for what they are

Abhisit will be the next fugitive

[cardholder]

GOOD

Maybe the truth will come out and the government shown for what they are

Abhisit will be the next fugitive

Dream On !!

[ThaksinKharma]

Nowhere in the article does it state that this reporter got hurt.

I'm awaiting word on a reporter that was hurt, by grenade-throwing reds, to file a lawsuit against the red leaders for attempted murder:

Canadian journalist wounded in Bangkok

Canadian freelance journalist Chandler Vandergrift has been seriously wounded in Bangkok, Thailand, by a grenade thrown at an anti-government protest site.

According to friend Ian Hinkle, Mr. Vandergrift, who was wearing a helmet, was injured by shrapnel from a grenade thrown by an anti-government protester. He is now in surgery.

National Post (Canada) - May 19, 2010

http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/05/19/roundup-chandler-vandergrift-canadian-journalist-wounded-in-bangkok/#ixzz0uObVJbD8

[djayz]

Just another problem/obstacle the PM has to dedicate some of his time to which in turn means he has less time to concentrate on more pressing issues.

Sounds like just another tactic to me.

[Motoon]

So much for reconciliation...

[TAWP]

So much for reconciliation...

Anyone really believed Phua Thai wants that?

[warfie]

Remark removed.... what's the point?

Edited July 22, 2010 by warfie

[OzMick]

BANGKOK: -- An independent reporter on Thursday filed a lawsuit against Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and other 12 persons for attempted murder and mayhem in the army's security operation to retake the anti-government Red Shirt rally site at Khok Wua intersection on April 10.

The suit claimed the reporter was injured in May 2010, when the army under the order of the Premier sealed off Ratchaprasong Intersection, the main protest site of the UDD in May 2010.

Isnt there something wrong here?

He is filing suit for what happened in April then says he was injured in May?

As the 2 dates were taken from different sources, it's likely this is a case of poor reporting.

But if this has nothing to do with Mr TS, why is he using that lawyer?

[tonywebster]

BANGKOK: -- An independent reporter on Thursday filed a lawsuit against Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and other 12 persons for attempted murder and mayhem in the army's security operation to retake the anti-government Red Shirt rally site at Khok Wua intersection on April 10.

The suit claimed the reporter was injured in May 2010, when the army under the order of the Premier sealed off Ratchaprasong Intersection, the main protest site of the UDD in May 2010.

Isnt there something wrong here?

He is filing suit for what happened in April then says he was injured in May?

As the 2 dates were taken from different sources, it's likely this is a case of poor reporting.

But if this has nothing to do with Mr TS, why is he using that lawyer?

why shouldn't he use that lawyer? it makes common sense to use a lawyer that is already aware of the situation, too many people reading into the 'lawyer' situation and missing the bigger picture, the criminal court have accepted the case against 13 people for the injury and slaughter of unarmed protesters, the cases just seem to be piling up against the 'clean' abhisit, lets hope there are more to come and his downfall is swift and painful,

[animatic]

Of course he has to prove anything was intentionally done to him,

and that it was under orders, and officially directed at him,

and actually done by soldiers and not men in black or persons unknown.

Noting the lawyers doing the accusing, like political ambulance chasers,

this is another avenue of harassment and political mudslinging.

Right on schedule.

Sad the guy got hurt of course, but he chose to enter

essentially a war zone, or live fire zone and did so anyway.

Nowhere in the article does it state that this reporter got hurt. This is the allegation:

attempted killing of demonstrators and of mayhem which led to a number of deaths and injuries from the army operation on Ratchadamnoen Avenue's Khow Wua intersection and at Satriwittaya School on April 10.

So who is paying for this law suit? Probably not the reporter. Filing law suits do cost money.

I'm surprised that it wasn't Jatuporn Promphan who filed it (but who knows whether he is behind it?), as he seems to be doing and saying absolutely anything he can think of to discredit the government regardless of truth and facts. It is apparent that being charged with terrorism means nothing to him.

No one can file a lawsuit without claiming damages.

The suit claimed the reporter was injured in May 2010,

when the army under the order of the Premier sealed off Ratchaprasong Intersection,

the main protest site of the UDD in May 2010.

So he does say in the 2nd article about he was injured.

But also says he is doing it like some sort of amateur class action suit.

Again he has a huge burden of proof to raise, and this is simply more harassment

by team Thaksin on schedule.

He was warned it was dangerous, and he ignored the warnings, his choice to be there.

Tough durrian dude. You aren't the voice of the people, one voice and a pile of Thaksin's paid legal team.

[webfact]

Wounded Thai journalist sues PM over rally crackdown

BANGKOK (AFP) -- A Thai journalist wounded during an army crackdown on a mass protest in April is suing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and other top officials for attempted murder, his lawyer said Thursday.

Bodin Watcharobol, a 42-year-old freelance photographer, was shot and seriously wounded as armed troops tried to clear an area of the capital of demonstrators, leaving 26 people dead after one day of fierce street battles.

The suit, filed Thursday with the Criminal Court, names 13 people, including Abhisit, his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan and army chief Anupong Paojinda, said Bodin's lawyer, Udom Prongfa.

"The charges are attempted murder and physical assault because they ordered soldiers to crack down on protesters," he added.

Udom said 20 more lawsuits were expected to be filed by victims and their relatives against government officials including the premier over the authorities' handling of the mass opposition protests.

The two-month long rally by the "Red Shirts", who were seeking immediate elections, sparked outbreaks of violence that left 90 people dead and nearly 1,900 injured, ending in a bloody army crackdown in May.

Two foreign journalists were among the dead.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-07-22

[animatic]

BANGKOK: -- An independent reporter on Thursday filed a lawsuit against Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and other 12 persons for attempted murder and mayhem in the army's security operation to retake the anti-government Red Shirt rally site at Khok Wua intersection on April 10.

The suit claimed the reporter was injured in May 2010, when the army under the order of the Premier sealed off Ratchaprasong Intersection, the main protest site of the UDD in May 2010.

Isnt there something wrong here?

He is filing suit for what happened in April then says he was injured in May?

Which gives a hint at how well this 'suit' will be argued by Thaksin's 'suits'.

[animatic]

GOOD

Maybe the truth will come out and the government shown for what they are

Abhisit will be the next fugitive

Dream On !!

More like Weng on!

[animatic]

So much for reconciliation...

Anyone really believed Phua Thai wants that?

Not by the smallest division of an atomic clock.

[animatic]

BANGKOK: -- An independent reporter on Thursday filed a lawsuit against Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and other 12 persons for attempted murder and mayhem in the army's security operation to retake the anti-government Red Shirt rally site at Khok Wua intersection on April 10.

The suit claimed the reporter was injured in May 2010, when the army under the order of the Premier sealed off Ratchaprasong Intersection, the main protest site of the UDD in May 2010.

Isnt there something wrong here?

He is filing suit for what happened in April then says he was injured in May?

As the 2 dates were taken from different sources, it's likely this is a case of poor reporting.

But if this has nothing to do with Mr TS, why is he using that lawyer?

Because Thaksin's lawyers have been putting out feelers looking for

JUST this kind of Officially Non-Red person to back in a harassment suit,

and I bet there is a nice nest egg and/or job offer and publicity

]for said independent reporter for doing it.

[ajarnmark]

Nowhere in the article does it state that this reporter got hurt.

I'm awaiting word on a reporter that was hurt, by grenade-throwing reds, to file a lawsuit against the red leaders for attempted murder:

Canadian journalist wounded in Bangkok

Canadian freelance journalist Chandler Vandergrift has been seriously wounded in Bangkok, Thailand, by a grenade thrown at an anti-government protest site.

According to friend Ian Hinkle, Mr. Vandergrift, who was wearing a helmet, was injured by shrapnel from a grenade thrown by an anti-government protester. He is now in surgery.

National Post (Canada) - May 19, 2010

http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/05/19/roundup-chandler-vandergrift-canadian-journalist-wounded-in-bangkok/#ixzz0uObVJbD8

So which news we should believe in then?

Well, no one should be above the law and especially in the current economic situation of Thailand, Abhisit must step down because he is a complete failure on every front.