Thai Court Opens Trial Against Ruling Party

[webfact]

Thai court opens trial against ruling party

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand's Constitutional Court held its first hearing Monday in a case of alleged misuse of a state grant by the ruling Democrat Party, which faces possible dissolution.

The Election Commission in April called for the party of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to be abolished over allegations of misuse of a 29 million baht (900,000 dollars) state grant as well as an undeclared political donation.

Executives in the Democrat Party, the country's oldest, including Abhisit risk being banned from politics for five years.

The Department of Special Investigation has set up a joint investigation team with state prosecutors to gather evidence in the two cases, Police Lieutenant Colonel Worachai Arakrat told the court.

"The facts indicate it is likely that there was no declaration (by the party) of the donation and its declaration about the use of the election fund was incorrect," he told the judges.

The Election Commission issued a surprise call in April for the party to be abolished over the allegations.

The recommendation came during a tense standoff between the government and "Red Shirt" protesters that descended into violence which left about 90 people dead and almost 1,900 injured, ending in a bloody army crackdown in May.

The Red Shirts accuse the government of being undemocratic because it came to power in 2008 after the Constitutional Court ousted allies of their hero, ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-08-09

[SamritT]

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is protected by Buddha. This party is free of corruption.

[Hawk]

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is protected by Buddha. This party is free of corruption.

Is it free of corruption? I really don't think so, just look back at this party when Chuan was the prime minster for example, scandal after scandal involving corruption.

You were probably too young at the time so you wouldn't know.

[rubl]

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is protected by Buddha. This party is free of corruption.

PM Abhisit may be protected by the Lord Buddha, but I hope this goes for all of us. The next sentence is incorrect as you should know. The Dem's are not a clean party as far as corruption is concerned, only less dirty than PTP. Most of the old/older MP's and other politicians of any party have been guilty of corruption (even if not convicted). With PM Abhisit we may slowly, oh so slowly rise above it.

Edited August 9, 2010 by rubl

[SamritT]

<br />

<br />Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is protected by Buddha. This party is free of corruption.<br />

<br /><br />Is it free of corruption?  I really don't think so, just look back at this party when Chuan was the prime minster  for example, scandal after scandal involving corruption.<br /><br />You were probably  too young at the time so you wouldn't know.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Scandal remains scandal until proven. If it is still remains a scandal, it mean it is not true.

[webfact]

EC Warns Witnesses of Democrat Party's Dissolution Case against Perjury

The National Election Commission has warned three witnesses in the Democrat Party's dissolution case over the misuse of 29 million baht from the political party's development fund, to appear in court today threatening to issue arrest warrants against them immediately if they do not show up.

Sodsri Satayatham, a member of the Election Commission or EC, announced that today the Constitutional Court has scheduled an examination session for three witnesses in the Democrat Party's dissolution case in which they were alleged to have misused 29 million baht from the party's development fund.

The witnesses have been summoned by the court for questioning even though they have already submitted written testimonies. If they fail to appear in court without a valid excuse, the court could immediately issue arrest warrants against them.

Sodsri also said that if the witnesses' testimonies, given to the court, conflict with what they told to the commission earlier, they could be charged with perjury.

When asked to comment on a report that there have been attempts to bribe the witnesses, Sodsri said that it was just a rumor aimed at politically discrediting someone and that the case should be decided in court.

Meanwhile, the Democrat's Songkhla MP Wirat Kalayasiri, a member the party's legal team has denied a claim by the Pheu Thai Party that a senior member of the Democrat Party has been trying to bribe witnesses in the case. Wirat added that the Pheu Thai Party should not confuse its own actions with others'.

The Constitutional Court has scheduled an examination session of the three witnesses in the Democrat Party's dissolution case.

The three witnesses from the prosecution's side are Police Sergeant, Corporal Thachapol Promchan, Police Lieutenant Colonel Vorachai Ar-rakrat and Pheu Thai Party's Udonthani MP Kietudom Menasawas.

The examination session for the defense witnesses will be scheduled at a later date.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-09

[rubl]

<br />

<br />Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is protected by Buddha. This party is free of corruption.<br />

<br /><br />Is it free of corruption?  I really don't think so, just look back at this party when Chuan was the prime minster  for example, scandal after scandal involving corruption.<br /><br />You were probably  too young at the time so you wouldn't know.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Scandal remains scandal until proven. If it is still remains a scandal, it mean it is not true.

Dear SamritT, your statement is correct, you just forgot to mention that the sky is blue.

Just refering to 2000/2001, K. Sanan of PM Chuan's cabinet was convicted and banished from political life for five years. Early 90's there where other cases. Of course ALL parties had and have the same problems. The difference is sometimes only in greyish-black or blackish-grey

[animatic]

<br />

<br />Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is protected by Buddha. This party is free of corruption.<br />

<br /><br />Is it free of corruption? I really don't think so, just look back at this party when Chuan was the prime minster for example, scandal after scandal involving corruption.<br /><br />You were probably too young at the time so you wouldn't know.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Scandal remains scandal until proven. If it is still remains a scandal, it mean it is not true.

Not so. A scandal is also about PROVED things not just assumed things.

If a well known personage is convicted of something heinous,

it doesn't become a Non-Scandal or Post-scandal,

but an even greater, Permanent or infamous Scandal.

Scandal –noun

1.a disgraceful or discreditable action, circumstance, etc.

2. an offense caused by a fault or misdeed.

3. damage to reputation; public disgrace.

4. defamatory talk; malicious gossip.

5. a person whose conduct brings disgrace or offense.

–verb (used with object)

6. British Dialect . to defame (someone) by spreading scandal. 7. Obsolete . to disgrace.

Edited August 9, 2010 by animatic

[Siripon]

<br />

<br />Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is protected by Buddha. This party is free of corruption.<br />

<br /><br />Is it free of corruption?  I really don't think so, just look back at this party when Chuan was the prime minster  for example, scandal after scandal involving corruption.<br /><br />You were probably  too young at the time so you wouldn't know.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Scandal remains scandal until proven. If it is still remains a scandal, it mean it is not true.

Dear SamritT, your statement is correct, you just forgot to mention that the sky is blue.

Just refering to 2000/2001, K. Sanan of PM Chuan's cabinet was convicted and banished from political life for five years. Early 90's there where other cases. Of course ALL parties had and have the same problems. The difference is sometimes only in greyish-black or blackish-grey

Sanan was found guilty of not declaring 50 million baht's worth of assets.

Thaksin was accused of exactly the same crime in 2001 and amazingly was found not guilty.

[Thai at Heart]

Sanan was found guilty of not declaring 50 million baht's worth of assets.

Thaksin was accused of exactly the same crime in 2001 and amazingly was found not guilty.

When you have as much money as these blokes have, 50mn probably represents missing one chanote or Lamborghini.

[landofthefree]

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is protected by Buddha. This party is free of corruption.

Does that mean he will be reincarnated after he dies to come back as some kind of animal, maybe as a cockroach?

[Throatwobbler]

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is protected by Buddha. This party is free of corruption.

Does that mean he will be reincarnated after he dies to come back as some kind of animal, maybe as a cockroach?

You are an unbelievably sad and twisted man. In fact I can't believe I wasted my time replying to you. Won't make that mistake again.

[webfact]

DEMOCRAT DISSOLUTION TRIAL

Reliability of EC witnesses questioned in Court

A Democrat lawyer yesterday attacked the credibility of Election Commission witnesses during the Constitution Court's first hearing on a party dissolution case, over alleged misuse of Bt29 million in state funds.

The first witness was Police Corp Tatchapol Phromchan, who also filed a complaint to the Department of Special Invest-igation (DSI) for another dissolution case involving the Democrats, about a Bt258-million donation.

Democrat lawyer Bundit Siripant attacked Tatchpol's credibility, questioning his past work record - formerly for The Mall Group which was administrated by the Umpujh family before it came under the Pataraprasit family. Bundit referred to Tatchpol's record for filing false information to his superior and being suspended from work for seven days.

Tatchpol said complaints had been made, but he had never been suspended from work or had any conflict with the Pataraprasit family. Deputy finance minister Pradit Pataraprasit was Democrat Party secretary-general at the time.

Tatchpol denied knowledge of a relationship between former DSI chief Tawee Sodsong and the Shinawatras, nor knowing red-shirt leader Natthawut Saikua, although he joined the reds' rally. He said he filed the case sincerely after finding something wrong.

Investigation into the Bt258 million donation led to the Bt29 million case, in which the Democrats are accused of illegally using money from the Political Party Development Fund.

Bundit also challenged Police Col Worachai Arakrat, formerly chief DSI investigator on the case, over details about the case leaked to Pheu Thai MP Chalerm Yoo-bamrung days before the censure debate last year. Worachai said Chalerm's details did not match the DSI report.

The third witness, Pheu Thai MP Kiat-udom Menasawat - who also filed a complaint against the Democrats to the DSI - said he had no conflict with the rival party, although he had resigned from its membership. He conceded that some information he used came from Chalerm and his team's investigation. Meanwhile, he attended the red-shirt rally to show support, but he did not go on stage. Democrat MPs and a legal team including chief adviser Chuan Leekpai, Banyat Bantadtan and Sutasn Ngen-mune closely followed the trial. The next hearing is due on August 23.

-- The Nation 2010-08-10

[march]

Looks like the whole case could unravel if the three bogus witnesses above are any indication.

[jayjay0]

I was wondering why after all this time had past the commission came out with that charge when the government needed solidarity. Was it just a ploy to encourage the red shirts.

I smell a rat.

[hoaker]

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is protected by Buddha. This party is free of corruption.

There is no such thing as free of corruption. Can you really say "I don't love myself and stick a knife in your leg". Self interest will always be embedded, itis the magnitude of greed that will bring him to an end, if any. Learn from Thaksin.....

[rubl]

I was wondering why after all this time had past the commission came out with that charge when the government needed solidarity. Was it just a ploy to encourage the red shirts.

I smell a rat.

Justice has it's own pace. To suggest the commission should have 'somehow' been more solidare with the government is to suggest justice corruption.

Let justice be served and wrongdoers exposed (whoever they may be).

[hammered]

I was wondering why after all this time had past the commission came out with that charge when the government needed solidarity. Was it just a ploy to encourage the red shirts.

I smell a rat.

The commision put the charge forward when the red shirts were giving out their addresses and phone numbers on the red stage at the height of their little demo and saying they could not gusrantee the safety of the commisioners unless they voted to disband the Dems.

The evidence in this case unlike the other two disolution cases is very weak. However, that just leaves the judges in a very difficult position in th epoltically charged atmosphere

[march]

The commission put the charge forward when the red shirts were giving out their addresses and phone numbers on the red stage at the height of their little demo and saying they could not guarantee the safety of the commissioners unless they voted to disband the Dems.

I wonder if the bombing of the personal family home of the Election Commission Chief might have played some role in the decision to push through the charges.

Edited August 10, 2010 by march

[JohnLeech]

Sanan was found guilty of not declaring 50 million baht's worth of assets.

Thaksin was accused of exactly the same crime in 2001 and amazingly was found not guilty.

When you have as much money as these blokes have, 50mn probably represents missing one chanote or Lamborghini.

On becoming Prime Minister Abhisit declared his total assets as 50m baht.

5555555555555:lol:

[Thai at Heart]

At this rate, Abhisit will be begging for the party to be disbanded so that the whole political system is thrown into mayhem so that he can avoid being the man who takes Thailand to war for a few acres of scrub.

[chantorn]

At this rate, Abhisit will be begging for the party to be disbanded so that the whole political system is thrown into mayhem so that he can avoid being the man who takes Thailand to war for a few acres of scrub.

Quite agree.

[Thai at Heart]

At this rate, Abhisit will be begging for the party to be disbanded so that the whole political system is thrown into mayhem so that he can avoid being the man who takes Thailand to war for a few acres of scrub.

Quite agree.

Well,we finally managed to agree on something.