Pheu Thai In Tug-Of-War With DSI

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Pheu Thai in tug-of-war with DSI

By The Nation

It's going from bad to worse between the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the opposition Pheu Thai Party. Chalerm Yoobamrung and Jatuporn Promphan did not have to threaten to sack DSI chief Tarit Pengdit and put him in jail for us to know that.

Their tug-of-war over the wife and mother of a key "terrorist" suspect, who was arrested last week, has boiled over and put both parties in dangerous positions politically. Pheu Thai is risking everything by helping Surachai Tewarat and his family and implying they were victims of a government set-up. The DSI, on the other hand, is being accused of being politicised and biased.

Who's living more dangerously? If Pheu Thai wins back political power in the next election, Tarit can be certain he will lose his job. And just being sacked will be a blessing, as Jatuporn yesterday issued a no-nonsense threat that the DSI chief will one day be in shackles "like what they did to [another red leader] Nuttawut Saikua".

But as long as Tarit remains DSI chief, Pheu Thai must be the more worried party. The opposition camp has put a lot of stake into a terrorist suspect and his family, although the party had distanced itself from two other terror suspects without even waiting to see what kind of evidence the DSI had against them. Why so?

One likely explanation is that someone is afraid. Surachai was described as the right-hand man of the late Maj-General Khattiya Sawasdiphol, proclaimed leader of the "men in black", the alleged armed element of the red shirts. DSI insiders claim Surachai was on the verge of making significant confessions when Pheu Thai stepped in and blocked a plan to make his wife and mother state witnesses.

Another possible reason is that Pheu Thai simply cannot stand being a punching bag as it goes into this Sunday's Bangkok by-election in Constituency 6.

The arrests of many suspects in connection with the Bhum Jai Thai Party bomb attack were a blow Pheu Thai could only respond to by saying they were not "real reds". Surachai's case warranted a stronger response politically, because he was accused directly of being the main man in red-shirt-related incidents since April.

Decrying Surachai's arrest and potential charges against his mother and wife as a set-up, the opposition party has been trying to drive an impression the red shirts are at the receiving end of some dubious justice. Pheu Thai is bitter about the DSI's conspicuous conclusion in TPI's alleged money-siphoning case - upon which the dissolution case against the Democrats was built - but now may feel thankful for the DSI's bad timing. At least the "not guilty" decision on TPI can be used to strengthen Pheu Thai's claims about political prejudice, no matter what evidence the DSI may hold against Surachai.

After Thai Rak Thai was dissolved in 2007 and the People Power Party disbanded the following year, Pheu Thai has been able to steer largely clear of legal trouble. Until recently, that is. The alleged connection between the red shirts and the men in black was bad enough for a party whose members showed up on the red stage and some banned leaders are being investigated for allegedly providing financial support for anti-government activities. To try to help Surachai could be taking it another step too far.

Perhaps Pheu Thai thinks it has little to lose. A party dissolution case can always be forged against it with or without Surachai. Jatuporn is its MP, to begin with, and he is facing the worst possible charges. As far as Pheu Thai is concerned, damage could be worse if it does nothing.

Video Talk : From the Newsroom on Pheu Thai - DSI Tug of War

-- The Nation 2010-07-23

[dru2]

Can someone please explain to me at what point, if ever, Jatuporn will lose his parliamentary immunity from arrest? Is he permanently free to threaten those he disagrees with? Seriously, is there some time line?

[dom samui]

Can someone please explain to me at what point, if ever, Jatuporn will lose his parliamentary immunity from arrest? Is he permanently free to threaten those he disagrees with? Seriously, is there some time line?

may be ask the editors

[thaihome]

Can someone please explain to me at what point, if ever, Jatuporn will lose his parliamentary immunity from arrest? Is he permanently free to threaten those he disagrees with? Seriously, is there some time line?

Jatuporn's immunity expired when the House session closed last month. He appeared in court and was granted bail, which is the reason he out now, not because of his immunity.

TH

[jonclark]

Can anyone explain to me how PTP is helping the victim / accused / mother (take your pick cause i can't figure out which they are)? Read the article and don't have a cue about anything other then 'gossip.'<br>

[dru2]

Can someone please explain to me at what point, if ever, Jatuporn will lose his parliamentary immunity from arrest? Is he permanently free to threaten those he disagrees with? Seriously, is there some time line?

Jatuporn's immunity expired when the House session closed last month. He appeared in court and was granted bail, which is the reason he out now, not because of his immunity.

TH

Understood and thank you. How about some kind of time line for prosecution? Years?

[ThaksinKharma]

Can someone please explain to me at what point, if ever, Jatuporn will lose his parliamentary immunity from arrest? Is he permanently free to threaten those he disagrees with? Seriously, is there some time line?

Jatuporn's immunity expired when the House session closed last month. He appeared in court and was granted bail, which is the reason he out now, not because of his immunity.

TH

Understood and thank you. How about some kind of time line for prosecution? Years?

Yes, if his fellow red leaders earlier violence is any indication.

Earlier this month, on July 7, 2010 prosecutors filed criminal charges against Nuttawut Saikua, Weng Tojirakarn, Veera Musikapong, and Wiphuthalaeng Phatthanaphumthai, for their leading roles in a mass riot on July 22, 2007.

Edited July 23, 2010 by ThaksinKharma

[dru2]

Can someone please explain to me at what point, if ever, Jatuporn will lose his parliamentary immunity from arrest? Is he permanently free to threaten those he disagrees with? Seriously, is there some time line?

Jatuporn's immunity expired when the House session closed last month. He appeared in court and was granted bail, which is the reason he out now, not because of his immunity.

TH

Understood and thank you. How about some kind of time line for prosecution? Years?

Yes, if his fellow red leaders earlier violence is any indication.

Earlier this month, on July 7, 2010 prosecutors filed criminal charges against Nuttawut Saikua, Weng Tojirakarn, Veera Musikapong, and Wiphuthalaeng Phatthanaphumthai, for their leading roles in a mass riot on July 22, 2007.

Thanks again. Jeezus!

[ThaksinKharma]

Can anyone explain to me how PTP is helping the victim / accused / mother (take your pick cause i can't figure out which they are)? Read the article and don't have a cue about anything other then 'gossip.'<br>

Numerous news articles on the red terrorist Surachai are in the thread:

Numerous news articles on the red bomber couple Warisriya and Korbchai are in the thread:

They can help provide the background to this thread.

[jayjay0]

Can someone please explain to me at what point, if ever, Jatuporn will lose his parliamentary immunity from arrest? Is he permanently free to threaten those he disagrees with? Seriously, is there some time line?

Jatuporn's immunity expired when the House session closed last month. He appeared in court and was granted bail, which is the reason he out now, not because of his immunity.

TH

Understood and thank you. How about some kind of time line for prosecution? Years?

Yes, if his fellow red leaders earlier violence is any indication.

Earlier this month, on July 7, 2010 prosecutors filed criminal charges against Nuttawut Saikua, Weng Tojirakarn, Veera Musikapong, and Wiphuthalaeng Phatthanaphumthai, for their leading roles in a mass riot on July 22, 2007.

I would hope that is wrong. I would think Abhisit learned something about not filing charge right away from his experience with delaying charges against the yellow shirts.

I agree to file charges now would not be equal treatment but opposing forces must be made to understand there is a limit to what they can do and not do. All violence aside to take over three square kilometers of down town Bangkok and close it down should not be tolerated. As many of the posters on this board have said only in Thailand.

[ThaksinKharma]

Jatuporn's immunity expired when the House session closed last month. He appeared in court and was granted bail, which is the reason he out now, not because of his immunity.

TH

Understood and thank you. How about some kind of time line for prosecution? Years?

Yes, if his fellow red leaders earlier violence is any indication.

Earlier this month, on July 7, 2010 prosecutors filed criminal charges against Nuttawut Saikua, Weng Tojirakarn, Veera Musikapong, and Wiphuthalaeng Phatthanaphumthai, for their leading roles in a mass riot on July 22, 2007.

I would hope that is wrong. I would think Abhisit learned something about not filing charge right away from his experience with delaying charges against the yellow shirts.

Unfortunately, it is true:

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255307090035

Additionally, it is not Abhisit that files charges. That's the role of prosecutors who determine when and where to file charges against any group or individual.

[hoaker]

Gotta Bless thailand. Politicians are above the law...commit the crime and claim immunity...Great common sense in thai policies. No wonder all the cops turn politicians...