Thai Court Grants Red-Shirt Leader Veera Bt6 Mil Bail

[webfact]

Veera's bail appeal granted

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Appeals Court on Friday granted Bt6 million bail for red-shirt leader Veera Musigapong pending indictment and trial on terrorism charge.

The high court overturned a lower court's rejection for temporary release after the Thursday's appellate hearing, which the Department of Special Investigation did not oppose bail and three defence witnesses, including secretary general to the prime minister Korbsak Sabhavasu, testified.

The bail conditions include Veera's reporting to the court every 15 day, a ban for travelling abroad and a prohibition against holding or participating in a rally.

-- The Nation 2010-07-30

[SamritT]

OMG, the gang leader has been release. Possibly more bombing? Quite possible.

[JorakaeNoi]

OMG, the gang leader has been release. Possibly more bombing? Quite possible.

Somehow, I doubt that someone who has just been released on bail and still faces a court case is going to risk things any further and get involved in bombings. Even a government spokesman is vouching for him as being peaceful.

[webfact]

Top Thai protest leader freed on bail

BANGKOK (AFP) -- A top leader of Thailand's anti-government "Red Shirts" was released on bail Friday, more than two months after being detained on terrorism charges in connection with violent street protests.

The Appeals Court agreed to temporarily release the movement's chairman Veera Musikapong after he posted bail of six million baht (about 186,000 dollars), a court official said.

He is banned from travelling outside Bangkok without court permission, from joining gatherings of more than five people -- except to meet his relatives -- and from talking to media, the official said.

Veera must report back to court every 15 days.

He was among top Red Shirts who surrendered to police after the army stormed the movement's sprawling encampment in the heart of Bangkok on May 19, ending their two-month rally.

Most senior Red Shirts are now in prison or in hiding.

The anti-government protests, aimed at forcing immediate elections, triggered a series of confrontations between demonstrators and armed troops that left about 90 people dead -- mostly civilians -- and nearly 1,900 injured.

After the army crackdown, the leaders asked their thousands of supporters to disperse, but enraged protesters went on a rampage of arson, setting fire to dozens of buildings, including a shopping mall and the stock exchange.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-07-30

[LuckyLew]

bail posted by taksin?

[webfact]

Appeals Court grants bail to Red Shirt leader Veera

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's Court of Appeals on Friday granted bail for key Red Shirt leader Veera Musikapong after he posted Bt6 million for his bail bond.

The court however requested him to report to the court every 15 days and barred him from gatherings more than five people and travelling outside Bangkok or leaving the kingdom.

The court reasoned that Mr Veera has been classified as a 'non-violent Red Shirt leader' and noted that the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) did not oppose to Mr Veera's bail bid.

The court decision came after Prime Minister's Secretary-General Korbsak Sabhavasu testified to the Criminal Court on Thursday that he and Mr Veera had earlier coordinated to settle talks between the government and Red Shirt leaders to find solutions to the country's years-long political conflicts through peacefully means.

Mr Korbsak told the court that My Veera did not have behaviour that prefers use of violence as he had agreed with the government's reconciliation plan but finally his idea was rejected by other Red Shirt leaders and protesters.

Mr Korbsak said the accused resigned from his chairmanship of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) during the group's anti-government rally and did not join the protest since then, but still contacted him to surrender to police despite facing severe charges.

Red Shirt leaders Natthawut Saikua, Jatuporn Prompan, Nisit Sithuprai and Wiphuthalang Pattanaphuthai surrendered to police as soldiers were closing in on their rally site at Ratchaprasong intersection on May 19.

Another three leaders including Mr Veera, Mr Korkaew Pikulthong and Dr Weng Tojirakarn turned themselves in to police the following day.

The UDD leaders were charged of terrorism after their anti-government campaign turned violent with grenade attacks and arson in the capital and some provinces in the North and Northeast.

All of them are now being detained at Bangkok Remand Prison, except Mr Jatuporn who has been granted unconditional bail as he is a member of

parliament from the opposition Puea Thai Party and has parliamentary immunity.

Criminal Court earlier this month rejected second bid for bail for 11 detained anti-government Red Shirt leaders after it has denied the first bail attempt on June 15, citing concerns over their possible flight to evade prosecution, as the detainees face charges with severe punishment. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-07-30

[webfact]

Weng and Kokaew to seek bail after Veera freed

The red-shirt defence will on Tuesday file bail applications for two terrorism suspects, weng Tojirakarn and Kokaew Pikulthong based on today's appellate ruling for the temporary release of Veera Musigapong.

The defence will seek bail for all red-shirt suspects, starting with weng and Kokaew, lawyer Karom Pholthaklang said.

-- The Nation 2010-07-30

[dru2]

OMG, the gang leader has been release. Possibly more bombing? Quite possible.

Somehow, I doubt that someone who has just been released on bail and still faces a court case is going to risk things any further and get involved in bombings. Even a government spokesman is vouching for him as being peaceful.

Hopefully not. But Jatuporn - who has escaped incarceration so far - has been bullying, threatening, making false accusations and participating in demonstrations, so who knows? And it would be a travesty of justice to let Natthawut out on bail.

[chainarong]

Terrorist out on bail , he he he , it's April fools day right?

[Robby nz]

Wonder if he's agreed to anything else besides putting up 6 mill?

[RedNIvar]

OMG, the gang leader has been release. Possibly more bombing? Quite possible.

OMG, judging now are we. Possibly a pessimist! Quite possibly.

[jayjay0]

If he can afford 6,000,000 Baht that makes him a wealthy man. Wonder why instead of talking about every one else having wealth he didn't just give his to the poor and help narrow the equality gap. Also what ever he was doing to make that kind of money means he could charge less.

[MAJIC]

Hmmm... Seems like bail for Veera would be a good time to check his Bank Book/Account,see how long the money has been in there and most important,where it came from?

[473geo]

If he can afford 6,000,000 Baht that makes him a wealthy man. Wonder why instead of talking about every one else having wealth he didn't just give his to the poor and help narrow the equality gap. Also what ever he was doing to make that kind of money means he could charge less.

Maybe he mortgaged the house, so now he's not so rich!!!

Why don't you give him a hand out, you must be making a fistful of money as a childrens entertainer, red nose and ready smile!!!

[Rinrada]

Innocent until proven Guilty.....well done...and all credit to... The Bangkok Appeals Court

Although some of our right of center erm..rednecks might not approve but isnt this the way that we all agree justice should be (at least to be seen) administered ...oops splutter ...hic...

[chainarong]

Innocent until proven Guilty.....well done...and all credit to... The Bangkok Appeals Court

Although some of our right of center erm..rednecks might not approve but isnt this the way that we all agree justice should be (at least to be seen) administered ...oops splutter ...hic...

Where was this person Veera btwn the months of March 2010 to May 2010 ??

[RedNIvar]

If he can afford 6,000,000 Baht that makes him a wealthy man. Wonder why instead of talking about every one else having wealth he didn't just give his to the poor and help narrow the equality gap. Also what ever he was doing to make that kind of money means he could charge less.

Has to be a collective effort among the wealthy, and not just one man. You'd create the Robin Hood syndrome, and everyone knows you can not have 2 Robin's. All the Thai wealthy, Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, Rainbow, Watermelon and Cantaloupe have to chip in. Peanut butter spreading the wealth of one across the the low income masses will account for nothing and is not the solution.

I think this had been talked about in a different forum, equality of opportunity, improvement/introduction of an unbiased education system, and elimination of the Kreng-jai system at work is what is required. Opportunity and rewards have to be based purely on merit and not who you know or who your family is.

[IvanDobsky]

Innocent until proven Guilty.....well done...and all credit to... The Bangkok Appeals Court

Although some of our right of center erm..rednecks might not approve but isnt this the way that we all agree justice should be (at least to be seen) administered ...oops splutter ...hic...

Where was this person Veera btwn the months of March 2010 to May 2010 ??

he's Korn's mate isn't he?

Veera was the only intelligent sounding one on the red side when they held talks with the government before the crackdown. Back in March, I think it was

[jayjay0]

If he can afford 6,000,000 Baht that makes him a wealthy man. Wonder why instead of talking about every one else having wealth he didn't just give his to the poor and help narrow the equality gap. Also what ever he was doing to make that kind of money means he could charge less.

Maybe he mortgaged the house, so now he's not so rich!!!

Why don't you give him a hand out, you must be making a fistful of money as a children s entertainer, red nose and ready smile!!!

And what poor man can afford a house worth enough that they can get a 6,000.000 mortgage on. Can't imagine having to make the original payment plus another one on the mortgage. No my friend just another case of the rich using the poor to gain his own ends. Really the clown business does not bring in that much money. I could make a lot more money with a host of different names posting on all the different out lets trying to make the red shirts look good

[chantorn]

The court never say that the 6M must come from his pocket. I believe it is put up by sponsors. This is not unusual, not just this case, but all cases in general.

Edited July 31, 2010 by chantorn

[Tod Daniels]

One couldn't help but notice on the red-rabble stage at Rachaprasong, as things escalated in tempo and turned into hate filled violence inciting rhetoric; Veera was on stage less and less, spoke to the press less and less, and finally disappeared altogether a coupla weeks before the dispersal.

Whack-job Weng kept giving excuses for him, saying he was sick, etc. However it was clearly apparent he was sidelined by the firebrands in the red leadership due to his conciliatory nature in solving some very valid issues and problem(s) the reds were protesting about by working WITH the government instead of forcing the governments’ hand in the matter like the redz ultimately did. (We all know how well that worked out for the red rabble don't we?)

Veera was certainly the most moderate of the red-rabble leaders, and was instrumental in putting together the red leaders and the government on television garnering nationwide coverage, no small feat in itself.

He's a sly old political dog, and I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of him. He’s definitely a survivor. I also read somewhere that he’s done time (nearly 2 years, I believe before being pardoned) for a lese majeste charge as well. It would appear he's not afraid to speak his mind about anything.

I'm glad he's out, and FWIW; he was a FAR more an engaging person to chat with than whack-job Weng, or Jatuporn ever was.

I often wonder what ever happened to the other red-rabble leaders; the ones who 'escaped' during the dispersal at Rachaprasong. Weren't there 3 of them? Arisman, Suporn (maybe), and some d/j from a red radio station? My memory fails me on this. I also thought they offered a reward for info leading to their capture. Guess the ones on the run can offer bigger incentives to have people keep quiet.

[somo]

I find it hard to believe how many posters here are so willing to condem a man before he has had a trial. I have not seen or heard of any evidence he was involved in any terrorist acts or planned any or encited any and even if i had I would not rush to judgement. Fighting for political rights should not be confused with terrorism but that is what the powers that be would like everyone to do and so far nearly all the contributors here have willingly fallen this blatent distortion because it fits in with their limited redneck lynch mob mentality.

[gemini81]

OMG, the gang leader has been release. Possibly more bombing? Quite possible.

yep, more last night in the garbage bins. Something doesn't add up. Funny how the stock market remains the same, and at the same time "the tourist economy is growing." Bail for those who burn down their country and bring turmoil, that in itself is a crime against humanity.

[gemini81]

I find it hard to believe how many posters here are so willing to condem a man before he has had a trial. I have not seen or heard of any evidence he was involved in any terrorist acts or planned any or encited any and even if i had I would not rush to judgement. Fighting for political rights should not be confused with terrorism but that is what the powers that be would like everyone to do and so far nearly all the contributors here have willingly fallen this blatent distortion because it fits in with their limited redneck lynch mob mentality.

whatever planet you dwell on didn't provide the video footage of this man nor his group a few months back? Maybe you can tune into reality one day! Maybe...

[dru2]

I find it hard to believe how many posters here are so willing to condem a man before he has had a trial. I have not seen or heard of any evidence he was involved in any terrorist acts or planned any or encited any and even if i had I would not rush to judgement. Fighting for political rights should not be confused with terrorism but that is what the powers that be would like everyone to do and so far nearly all the contributors here have willingly fallen this blatent distortion because it fits in with their limited redneck lynch mob mentality.

Well - take out the 'neck' and there you have it, spot on: ...limited red lynch mob mentality. I couldn't have put it better myself!

[jayjay0]

I find it hard to believe how many posters here are so willing to condem a man before he has had a trial. I have not seen or heard of any evidence he was involved in any terrorist acts or planned any or encited any and even if i had I would not rush to judgement. Fighting for political rights should not be confused with terrorism but that is what the powers that be would like everyone to do and so far nearly all the contributors here have willingly fallen this blatent distortion because it fits in with their limited redneck lynch mob mentality.

Well - take out the 'neck' and there you have it, spot on: ...limited red lynch mob mentality. I couldn't have put it better myself!

Using the logic that he has not been found guilty in a court means that Hitler is innocent.

When will people learn if some one commits a crime they are guilty no matter what the courts say. If the court says he is innocent all that means is they can not penalize him in any way other than what he has gone through all ready. If they did the deed they are still guilty. If the court finds him guilty and he is innocent they can penalize him but he is still innocent.

As for you not seeing any evidence that he is guilty I have not seen any that he is innocent. Only a fool would expect them to publish there evidence before trial. Besides what is it to you you are going to believe what ever the court says.

[march]

One couldn't help but notice on the red-rabble stage at Rachaprasong, as things escalated in tempo and turned into hate filled violence inciting rhetoric; Veera was on stage less and less, spoke to the press less and less, and finally disappeared altogether a coupla weeks before the dispersal.

Whack-job Weng kept giving excuses for him, saying he was sick, etc. However it was clearly apparent he was sidelined by the firebrands in the red leadership due to his conciliatory nature in solving some very valid issues and problem(s) the reds were protesting about by working WITH the government instead of forcing the governments’ hand in the matter like the redz ultimately did. (We all know how well that worked out for the red rabble don't we?)

I often wonder what ever happened to the other red-rabble leaders; the ones who 'escaped' during the dispersal at Rachaprasong. Weren't there 3 of them? Arisman, Suporn (maybe), and some d/j from a red radio station? My memory fails me on this. I also thought they offered a reward for info leading to their capture. Guess the ones on the run can offer bigger incentives to have people keep quiet.

another thread (Thaksin And 24 Reds To Face Indictment For Terrorism) post provides the status of those still on the lam currently:

In addition to Thaksin, the DSI list of suspects included Veera Musigapong, Jatuporn Promphan, Natthawut Saikua, weng Tojirakarn, Waipot Arpornrat, Arisman Pongruangrong and Adisorn Piengket.

The others are Suporn Attawong, Kokaew Pikulthong, Kwanchai Praipana, Yoswarit Chuklom aka Jeng Dokchik, Nisit Sinthuprai, Karun Hosakul, Payap Panket, Wiphuthalaeng Pattanaphuthai, Phumkitti Sukchindathong, Suksek Pholteu, Charan Loypool, Amnat Intachote, Chayut Laicharoen, Sombat Makthong, Surachai Thewarat, Rachata Wongyod and Yongyuth Tuammee.

Out on the lam somewhere (many say to Cambodia), but anyway,

the ones from above that are running from the police are:

(ironically) Police Lieutenant-Colonel Thaksin,

(ironically, Pt II) Police Lieutenant-Colonel Waipot Arpornrat,

Bring A Bottle To Burn Bangkok Arisman Pongruangrong,

Issan Rambo Suporn Attawong,

I Love Udon Thani So Much I Will Kill Kwanchai Praipana,

and

Let's Go Raid A Hospital Full of Elderly Patients Payap Panket

As for other, other red leaders besides Veera that were jailed with him, a still another thread {Eleven Thai Protest Leaders Denied Bail) post provides the status of them currently:

The protest leaders, other than Veera, had their bail requests denied yesterday. The Appeals Court extended their detention yesterday until August 13.

Veera was granted bail yesterday for 6 million baht and that is covered in a separate thread, but the ten other protest leaders were not and will remain in custody at Bangkok Remand Prison.

[Tony Clifton]

Like a snake through a crack.