Thai Yellow Shirt Sondhi Limthongkul Convicted Of Slandering Thaksin

[webfact]

Thai Yellow Shirts convicted of slandering Thaksin

BANGKOK (AFP) -- A Thai court convicted two prominent members of the royalist "Yellow Shirt" protest movement Thursday of defaming fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra by accusing him of insulting the monarchy.

Media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul and Soracha Pornudomsak, who together hosted a show on Sondhi's pro-Yellow television channel, were each handed fines and a six-month jail sentence suspended for two years by a Bangkok criminal court.

The case stemmed from taped comments made by Sondhi in 2007 to Yellow Shirts in the United States about his arch-enemy Thaksin, the hero of the rival anti-government "Red Shirts".

The footage was later aired on Sondhi and Soracha's Thai show.

"The actions by both defendants were slanderous, so the court sentenced them each to six months jail and a 20,000 baht (640 dollar) fine," the judge said, adding that the pair would be on probation for two years.

Thaksin, who lives abroad to escape a jail term for corruption but remains an influential and divisive figure back home, sued the pair via lawyers in Thailand.

Insulting the monarchy is a serious charge in Thailand, where the king is treated with almost religious adulation.

Under its strict lese majeste rules anyone can file a complaint, and police are duty-bound to investigate it.

In a tangle of Thai litigation, Sondhi -- who founded the Yellow movement -- has himself been indicted on lese majeste accusations, for quoting from the speech of a hardcore member of the rival Red Shirts in 2008.

A criminal court has accepted to hear the case, which is postponed until November 1.

The protester whose remarks he repeated was sentenced in August 2009 to 18 years in prison for insulting the royal family at rallies seeking the return of Thaksin.

Sondhi is also among a group of protesters charged with terrorism last month over the crippling 2008 seizure of two Bangkok airports, which helped to topple a Thaksin-allied government.

Thailand is largely split between the pro-establishment Yellows, backed by Bangkok-based elites who detest Thaksin, and the mainly poor and working-class Reds, who supported Thaksin's populist policies when in power.

Two months of protests by the Red Shirts in Bangkok earlier this year sparked outbreaks of violence that left 91 people dead and nearly 1,900 injured, ending with a bloody army crackdown on May 19.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-09-02

[rubl]

Well I guess this means the Thai judicial system works. The 'lese majeste' laws seem to be a bit harsh though. Those in Europe have seen moderation over the years.

[SomTumTiger]

I want to take Thaksin and Sondhi, put them in a rocket, and blast them into outer space. Those two bozos deserve each other.

[Buchholz]

The missing bit:

Former Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister and Thai Rak Thai Party executive banned from politics Surakiart Sathirathai (left)

In their speeches in America, Sondhi and Soracha quoted Surakiart Sathirathai as saying that about eight hours after the Sept 19, 2006 coup that he had resigned from the Thaksin government because Thaksin had verbally offended a high institution.

Edited September 2, 2010 by Buchholz

[hoaker]

Seems like peaceful protesting has become an act of terrorism in this country.

[hoaker]

I want to take Thaksin and Sondhi, put them in a rocket, and blast them into outer space. Those two bozos deserve each other.

I'd like to see the rocket explode on its way out

[LomSak27]

Come on Sondhis promotion of the Erawan Incident - the Robe ceremony incident - and the Finland plot were defamations of the highest order. I'm sure the Thai courts will throw the book at him like they did to da torpedo (currently serving 17 years is it)

Mr Sondhi would you please approach the bench, extend your hand and let the judge give it the ceremonial slap with a ruler.

[taff33]

some members are are very sad people

[londonthai]

In their speeches in America, Sondhi and Soracha quoted Surakiart Sathirathai as saying that about eight hours after the Sept 19, 2006 coup that he had resigned from the Thaksin government because Thaksin had verbally offended a high institution.

looks, like the court dismissed those "revelations" - they can't be proved either way, as there are no witnesses/recordings.

not sure how one can resign from the non-existing government.

[thaikahuna]

I want to take Thaksin and Sondhi, put them in a rocket, and blast them into outer space. Those two bozos deserve each other.

I'd like to see the rocket explode on its way out

...and waste a perfectly good rocket?

[Buchholz]

In their speeches in America, Sondhi and Soracha quoted Surakiart Sathirathai as saying that about eight hours after the Sept 19, 2006 coup that he had resigned from the Thaksin government because Thaksin had verbally offended a high institution.

looks, like the court dismissed those "revelations" - they can't be proved either way, as there are no witnesses/recordings.

not sure how one can resign from the non-existing government.

The yokels at TRT were still resigning two weeks after the coup:

The Nation - October 3, 2006

TRT sinking like Titanic

Somsak Thepsuthin was leading members of the party's biggest faction out the door. Commanding over 100 members, his defection could all but spell the end to Thai Rak Thai's phenomenal domination of Thai politics. Putting the nail in Thai Rak Thai's coffin, Deputy Leader Sontaya Kunplome also said he and his 20-member faction have resigned.

As said, Surakiat did so 2 weeks prior.

[stargazer]

OIT. Only here in Thailand can a fugitive from justice sue for justice.

[Buchholz]

PAD Leader Sentenced for Libeling Thaksin

People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi Limthongkul has been sentenced to a suspended six-month jail term for defaming former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The Criminal Court today sentenced People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, chief Sondhi Limthongkul and TV host Sarosha Pornudomsak to a suspended six-month jail term with a fine of 20,000 baht for libeling ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

The case stems from an August 24, 2007, broadcast of Sondhi's and Sarosha's commentary program on ASTV.

During the program, the defendants referred to former Deputy Prime Minister Surakiat Sathirathai and his story about Thaksin's criticism against the Monarchy.

The court stated that the airing of the footage did not in itself constitute to lese majeste, but acknowledged that their action did in fact defame the plaintiff.

Noting their righteous intent, however, the Criminal Court saw fit to suspend the jail sentence for two years.

The court also ordered that its ruling be publicized by all of the defendants' affiliated media outlets for three days.

-- Tan Network 2010-09-02

[BettleBailey]

OIT. Only here in Thailand can a fugitive from justice sue for justice.

well put

[Buchholz]

Wonder where Surakiat stands in all of this?

[ysaan]

Well I guess this means the Thai judicial system works. The 'lese majeste' laws seem to be a bit harsh though. Those in Europe have seen moderation over the years.

Sincerely, I don't think so.

It is a Thai-style show.

Just like when the Democratic Party was said to be disbanded.

At the end , nothing happened.

DP has been giving away 700 THB to mobs who have beaten taxi drivers and set cars and motocicles on fire and took an international airport for days.

They have committed much serious offenses than former democratically elected PM Samak who went to cook in a TV show and was removed from office for that.

Thai judiciary system is totally manipulated, there is no independence at all.

Sometimes the elite wants to show it is independent, with surprising rules which look impartial and democratic, but i am sure it is just a show.

Edited September 2, 2010 by ysaan

[Just1Voice]

I like some of the Sondhi "quotes", as they always give me a good laugh. Such as, in a speech at a U.S. University after the coup, he stated: "The coup was necessary because the old powers of BKK were losing their power and wanted it back." A philosophy to which he adheres. And then there's the classic: "The rural poor are too stupid to vote, therefore they shouldn't be allowed to vote." Oh, yeah, racism and discrimination at it's finest. Really makes me wonder about the symbolism of their party symbol and the resemblance to one which most hatefully recognize from WW II.

[Buchholz]

I like some of the Sondhi "quotes"

And then there's the classic: "The rural poor are too stupid to vote, therefore they shouldn't be allowed to vote."

As quotation marks indicate direct quotes, do you have a link or news that quotes him as specifically saying that? Or is it just your misinterpretation of what he actually did say?

Oh, yeah, racism and discrimination at it's finest. Really makes me wonder about the symbolism of their party symbol and the resemblance to one which most hatefully recognize from WW II.

More misinterpretation on your part.

Edited September 2, 2010 by Buchholz

[asiawatcher]

Ignorance is bliss - a public figure can slander and libel and a street citizen gets years in jail! So the backhanders continue to be paid.

[Buchholz]

DP has been giving away 700 THB to mobs who have beaten taxi drivers and set cars and motocicles on fire and took an international airport for days.

Who is DP?

[rich54321]

What a lot of stupid comments as usual - there is a lot of hot gas here as usual - how can a guy who speaks the truth be guilty and i dont support him - but i have never heard any un truths

[canuckamuck]

wow a 20,000 baht fine, that will have quite an impact on his finances. Or maybe some of yellow shirts on this forum will cover it for him.

I vote for a large trebuchet instead of a rocket, and the two should be tied face to face.

[millwall_fan]

I like some of the Sondhi "quotes", as they always give me a good laugh. Such as, in a speech at a U.S. University after the coup, he stated: "The coup was necessary because the old powers of BKK were losing their power and wanted it back." A philosophy to which he adheres. And then there's the classic: "The rural poor are too stupid to vote, therefore they shouldn't be allowed to vote." Oh, yeah, racism and discrimination at it's finest. Really makes me wonder about the symbolism of their party symbol and the resemblance to one which most hatefully recognize from WW II.

Those are the most succinct quotes I have yet heard as to why the coup and all the subesequent turmoil happened. The old powers were losing their pwer and wanted it back: exactly why we couldn't have an election in November, wont have before next November...and not even then if the "old powers' can think of any way to delay it further.

Because......Webfact is slightly out in his explanatory text in the original post when he states that Thailand is roughly divided between the pro establishment yellows backed by the bangkok elites and the mainly poor working class reds. That seems to suggest the numbers are about even when it is clear to most people that there are many more poor reds than there are yellows. Which is why the 'Old Powers' are so terrified of holding an election which had it been held in Maywould have stopped the deaths caused by the army & prevented the burning of Central World. It's understandable that the reds didn't believe My Abhisits 'promise' of an election in november this year. Poor old Abhisit, a decent man, but lamentably, a puppet of the 'Old Powers' who would have never allowed that election.

[hungryhippo]

DP has been giving away 700 THB to mobs who have beaten taxi drivers and set cars and motocicles on fire and took an international airport for days.

They have committed much serious offenses than former democratically elected PM Samak who went to cook in a TV show and was removed from office for that.

Few problems with what you said:

• Democratic Party has nothing to do with Sondhi's movement which has their own political party.
• The prime minster should always be set at a high standard of following the law the a bunch of nobodies protesting at the airport.
• The beaten taxi drivers and setting things on fire was done by the other movement called the 'red shirts'. You might have heard about it, they burned down a shopping mall in Bangkok.

[ableguy]

I like some of the Sondhi "quotes", as they always give me a good laugh. Such as, in a speech at a U.S. University after the coup, he stated: "The coup was necessary because the old powers of BKK were losing their power and wanted it back." A philosophy to which he adheres. And then there's the classic: "The rural poor are too stupid to vote, therefore they shouldn't be allowed to vote." Oh, yeah, racism and discrimination at it's finest. Really makes me wonder about the symbolism of their party symbol and the resemblance to one which most hatefully recognize from WW II.

Those are the most succinct quotes I have yet heard as to why the coup and all the subesequent turmoil happened. The old powers were losing their pwer and wanted it back: exactly why we couldn't have an election in November, wont have before next November...and not even then if the "old powers' can think of any way to delay it further.

Because......Webfact is slightly out in his explanatory text in the original post when he states that Thailand is roughly divided between the pro establishment yellows backed by the bangkok elites and the mainly poor working class reds. That seems to suggest the numbers are about even when it is clear to most people that there are many more poor reds than there are yellows. Which is why the 'Old Powers' are so terrified of holding an election which had it been held in Maywould have stopped the deaths caused by the army & prevented the burning of Central World. It's understandable that the reds didn't believe My Abhisits 'promise' of an election in november this year. Poor old Abhisit, a decent man, but lamentably, a puppet of the 'Old Powers' who would have never allowed that election.

more northern ranting

[ratcatcher]

OIT. Only here in Thailand can a fugitive from justice sue for justice.

With my apologies, may I take the liberty to try and rephrase your statement?

"Only here in Thailand can a convicted criminal, on the run from a justice system he claims does not work and is unjust, sue a man for justice"

[tigermonkey]

This 'conviction' is pure posturing by the courts -- a 20,000 baht fine, a suspended sentence and two years probation -- that is not even a sincere slap on the wrist !

........ but it does deflect and blunt complaints from any who might be opposed to the yellow shirts -- after all, he was convicted and sentenced ---- right ?

No double standards here !

[chantorn]

"a six-month jail sentence suspended for two years" = walk free.

[phutoie2]

"a six-month jail sentence suspended for two years" = walk free.

Thanks, spot on as usual!.

I am warming to your posts on Thai politics.

[Buchholz]

To me, it seems that Surakiat is in the middle of this and he should have been either a defendant or a plaintiff.

If what Sondhi and Soracha reported him as saying is true, then he should have been a defendant in a defamation lawsuit by Thaksin.

If what they reported he said is not true, then he should be the plaintiff in a lawsuit against the two, and not Thaksin.

Additionally, if what the two said Surakiat said is true, then consideration should also been given to having an additional defendant in the form of Thaksin, for which a different charge (and an obvious one at that) would be leveled.

Edited September 2, 2010 by Buchholz