Top Thai Judge In The Spotlight After Clips

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

Top judge in the spotlight after clips

By Avudh Panananda

The Nation

The Constitution Court has been plagued by the video clips scandal for several weeks, yet the man in the spotlight treats the elephant in the room with complete indifference.

Silence may be a virtue - but after years as a trial judge, the president of the top court, Chat Chonlaworn should have learnt that keeping mum can, under certain circumstances, be construed as an admission of guilt.

Regardless of how and why the scandal came to light, indifference is likely to compound an already difficult situation.

Two weeks ago, the first lot of clips posted on YouTube, purportedly revealed an alleged conspiracy to hatch a favourable verdict for the ruling Democrat Party in the dissolution case the court has heard recently.

On Friday night, a second batch of three clips was posted in cyberspace to expose an alleged attempt involving two judges and one court official to help cronies cheat the job admission test last year.

Speaking on and off the record, all nine judges conceded the clips had tarnished the reputation of the high court. The credibility of the judiciary was at stake.

Pasit Sakdanarong, former private secretary to Chat, looks to be at the centre of most of the video leaks. It is disturbing that Pasit has been seen, rightly or wrongly, as Chat's shadow for more than three years.

This begs the question why, throughout this time, Chat had allowed his aide to stray so suspiciously - in a manner apparently known to everyone at the high court but himself.

A number of Chat's judicial peers allegedly even refused to meet Pasit in private. So, it's puzzling that Chat appeared blind and deaf when Pasit tried to boast about his access to the job admission test.

Two days before the scandal broke Pasit abruptly departed for Hong Kong, using his official passport. Chat allegedly kept silent about the absence of his aide.

Three days after the scandal, Chat sacked his private secretary but did not shed light on when he had become aware of Pasit's transgressions on the judiciary.

It took about a week for the high court to launch a fact-finding probe on the scandal, and pave the way for legal follow-up.

After firing Pasit, Chat was quoted by unnamed sources as apologising to fellow judges for the damage done to the court's reputation by his "man."

But Chat's apology seems inadequate in light of the scars inflicted on the top court. Under the law, a dog owner is held culpable for the dog's behaviour. Chat cannot sweep the problem under the rug simply by blaming Pasit - without explaining his lapse of supervision or judgement about his staff.

The longer Chat stays silent about this matter, the more the problem will fester and bring about irreparable damage, to himself and the high court. And gossip on the street regarding non-judicial affairs will not help Chat either.

A conspiracy theory has also emerged that Chat might have known about a blackmail attempt, but it "went wrong" and became a bombshell at the high court.

The only way to fight smears is to bring out the truth rather than create a diversion by declaring people have been set up. Vile slander cannot be sustained in light of plain facts.

To salvage the high court's reputation, Chat owes the public a full explanation on what has gone wrong under his watch.

And to show his accountability, his first step should be to remove himself from the Democrat dissolution case. This will pave a way for a complete judicial review with a greater semblance of credibility.

Like it or not, he may already be seen to have lost the "pure-white" integrity expected of those who render judgement.

-- The Nation 2010-11-02

[webfact]

Judges vow to take legal action

By The Nation

Vow to fight 'ploy to destroy top court and attempt to blackmail them'

Judges on the Constitution Court resolved yesterday to take legal action against people involved in what they described as a ploy to destroy the credibility of the court - or even an attempt to blackmail them.

Charan Pakdithanakul, one of the top court's nine judges, called a press conference at the court about the move. He said representatives of the court would file a police complaint for criminal proceedings in due course, but did not name any person to be accused.

The move came after a second series of video clips was posted on the YouTube video-sharing website accusing certain judges at the court of preferential treatment in a test linked to hiring court officials.

Charan said the video recordings were well planned as part of a plot to coerce the court.

"This is another bomb aimed at destroying the court. It came after the first bomb was not severe enough to sway the judges. The aim is to cause suspicion towards the judges. The perpetrators want to force the judges to act as they wish.

"We are confident that the person involved in the plot was the same one who lured Wiruch Romyen into the trap," he said, adding that the person always made leading questions to people he was talking to.

Wiruch, a Democrat Party MP who is part of its defence team fighting two dissolution cases against the party in the Constitution Court, was seen in the first controversial clips discussing one of the cases with Pasit Sakdanarong, who was then secretary to the court president.

Wiruch later said he was lured into a trap by Pasit, in a bid to support a claim that the ruling Democrat Party lobbied the court for favourable treatment.

Pasit, who reportedly left the country for Hong Kong nearly three weeks ago, was removed from his post after the clips scandal first emerged. The court later set up a committee to look into the matter.

In the first clips, some court judges were filmed with a hidden camera in their office discussing the dissolution cases against the Democrat Party.

Charan called on the public yesterday not to be convinced by the footage "before all the truth is presented". He asked the mass media and relevant agencies to help "make the truth present before false facts cause damage to the [court]".

He said the judges agreed not to fight the claims through the media but would instead take legal recourse against those responsible.

"There is a movement to besiege the court the same way they did successfully with [some] other independent organisations. But fortunately, the judges have not given up, so we can be sure that none of the nine judges sell themselves like prostitutes," Charan said.

He said judges had been secretly approached by "this group of people" to make a verdict the way they like, or the video recordings would be released from time to time. However, the judges refused to cooperate with this coercion.

Charan also rejected the allegation in the latest clips that his child was allowed access to an exam paper before sitting a test for a post at the court two years ago. He said none of his four children had taken the exam in question.

The judge said the latest clips caused much damage to his reputation and his family was also affected, as many of his friends and relatives seemed convinced by the allegation against him.

Suphot Khaimuk, another Constitution Court judge, said yesterday the clips were an attempt to damage the court's reputation and the mass media had become a tool for the perpetrators by failing to double-check before reporting on the clips.

"Judges are not in a position to explain themselves. People have got misinformation and have misunderstood," said the judge, who was allegedly seen in a recent clip.

Meanwhile, MP Jatuporn Promphan, from the opposition Pheu Thai Party, said yesterday what he had learned about the court was "more than that on YouTube". He expected more damaging clips would be posted about the court.

Jatuporn, who is also a leader of the anti-government red shirts, claimed the ruling Democrat Party would benefit from the court's supposedly "tainted" reputation, when the dissolution cases against them were decided.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who is the Democrat leader, called on the Constitution Court yesterday to explain the facts and ensure that the scandal would not affect the court's judgement.

In a related development, Bundit Siriphan, a key figure in the Democrats' defence team, said the party wanted the trial to continue uninterrupted. He was not convinced any attempt to interrupt the trial of cases against the Democrats would succeed. "There is no such instance anywhere else the world," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-11-02

[webfact]

Pasit and top judge teamed up back in the late 90s

By The Nation

Pasit Sakdanarong, former secretary to the Constitution Court president, has been in the media spotlight although his exact whereabouts remain unknown.

The 38-year-old appears in some of the video clips posted on YouTube on October 15 that expose contact between Democrat Party MP Wiruch Romyen and his aide Worawut Nawaphokin as the dissolution case against the party entered its final stage.

Pasit was Chat Chonlaworn's close aide when he served as chief justice overseeing the northern region in 1998 and then secretary general to the Courts of Justice in 2003 and later president of the Constitution Court 2008. He managed to win the court president's trust and acted as his go-between in certain matters.

His main duties at the time included holding press conferences about the court's cases and affairs. While appearing at press conferences, Pasit was often flanked by the court's secretary general and deputy secretary general.

Pasit received a Bachelor of Science degree from Rangsit University and a Master's degree in Business Administration from St John's University. He has been studying for a doctorate in Philosophy at Rangsit University.

Pasit, Worawut and businesswoman Nutchanart Rattanasuwanchart were classmates when they attended a training course on democratic administration for advanced public-sector managers (Class 13) at the King Prajadhipok's Institute. Nutchanart is a major shareholder in Bangkok Deckon Co Ltd, which was awarded a Bt65.8-million project to install multimedia equipment at the Constitution Court. She donated Bt200,000 to the Democrat Party in November 2008.

Pasit had his first name changed six times. His original name was "Kasama-sakchana". He later changed it to "Chana" and changed it back to the original name before having it changed into "Pasit", then "Kantinan", and back to "Pasit" again.

-- The Nation 2010-11-02

[chantorn]

"Silence may be a virtue - but after years as a trial judge, the president of the top court, Chat Chonlaworn should have learnt that keeping mum can, under certain circumstances, be construed as an admission of guilt."

Even judges have the right to remains silence. Just keep your mouth shut and no one can question you; because in Thailand, no one can question a judge.

[virtualtraveller]

There's no way out of this mess than for Chat to do the right thing and resign, unfortunately in Thailand no one ever falls on his sword and if he does it's a sign of admission of guilt. It's a pity the court's integrity has been compromised, and that they are responding by using their authority to go after those involved in releasing the videos, rather than pledging to get their house in order.

That said, you can't overlook the fact that this is yet another cynical ploy by opponents of the government and 'system' (no colours mentioned ;-) to discredit the judiciary for their own gain. This has been a well orchestrated set up, the timing of which is obviously to put pressure on the courts ahead of the democrat dissolution ruling. Jatuporn Prompan and his ilk feel that the status of TRT/PPP/Thaksin is all the result of a judiciary that isn't 'friendly' to them, and their aim is destroy the reputation of the courts so the public will decide that all the verdicts against them recently are the result of an elite/army/constitutional court conspiracy. That's what politics in Thailand has been reduced to, shameful.

Consider this scenario: the Constitutional Court will brush this off, it will become another regrettable scandal that is never resolved, and soon forgotten with rancour and that Jatuporn and those involved in the video posting will be embroiled in a long, agonising and controversial court case which they will lose and be harshly disciplined.

[Thai at Heart]

Through all of these legal political episodes, the ability of the courts to preach impartiality and unimpeachable conduct is all that holds the whole system together.

Starting with the decision to decide that Thaksin's maid holding shares constitutes an honest mistake, it has been a long and slippery slope to the low point today.

What the court does from this point I don't know.

Whatever decision it renders will be food for the whispering masses even if you can't openly question the decision.

[hammered]

Through all of these legal political episodes, the ability of the courts to preach impartiality and unimpeachable conduct is all that holds the whole system together.

Starting with the decision to decide that Thaksin's maid holding shares constitutes an honest mistake, it has been a long and slippery slope to the low point today.

What the court does from this point I don't know.

Whatever decision it renders will be food for the whispering masses even if you can't openly question the decision.

Courts, political parties, politicians, police, bureaucrats all discredited in the course of this withering power struggle. It is going to end in a coup if it keeps going and it increasingly looks like that is the aim of many of the players by their actions.

Assuming of course this set of tapes is real. That is easy to check by ambient background sound. The first set of tapes werent really very damaging. These are.

[Thai at Heart]

Through all of these legal political episodes, the ability of the courts to preach impartiality and unimpeachable conduct is all that holds the whole system together.

Starting with the decision to decide that Thaksin's maid holding shares constitutes an honest mistake, it has been a long and slippery slope to the low point today.

What the court does from this point I don't know.

Whatever decision it renders will be food for the whispering masses even if you can't openly question the decision.

Courts, political parties, politicians, police, bureaucrats all discredited in the course of this withering power struggle. It is going to end in a coup if it keeps going and it increasingly looks like that is the aim of many of the players by their actions.

Assuming of course this set of tapes is real. That is easy to check by ambient background sound. The first set of tapes werent really very damaging. These are.

Did we really expect that the system (want to be a little careful with language) was completely above this kind of conduct? When corruption is all around us, did anyone still believe that these people were in some way immune?

[animatic]

It might appear that this Pasit was placed there as a sort of sleeper,

or converted to a cause while at the Uni for his further political learning.

He doesn't seem legally based in any sense, but more a political animal,

placed with the head judge for use at some later time,

and that time seems to have arrived.

Was he placed with this judge by 'an influential' having some leverage

to get his man installed? And if so, for what case back then?

And then did he continue to be a useful pressure point to be used

as a bargaining chip in his controllers political life.

Is this so? Who knows? But in the arcane world of Thai manipulations,

this is very much a possibility. The old families think, long term ;

dynasties not just decades. Why would the nouveau riche think

in any shorter term?

Information is power, and having an inside man next to the head of the court is a ready source of information. And if there was a big enough issue, he would blow his cover and do one final service. This might be the case now. One last action for the liege lord, and an early retirement and 7th change of name.

Edited November 2, 2010 by animatic

[animatic]

There's no way out of this mess than for Chat to do the right thing and resign, unfortunately in Thailand no one ever falls on his sword and if he does it's a sign of admission of guilt. It's a pity the court's integrity has been compromised, and that they are responding by using their authority to go after those involved in releasing the videos, rather than pledging to get their house in order.

That said, you can't overlook the fact that this is yet another cynical ploy by opponents of the government and 'system' (no colours mentioned ;-) to discredit the judiciary for their own gain. This has been a well orchestrated set up, the timing of which is obviously to put pressure on the courts ahead of the democrat dissolution ruling. Jatuporn Prompan and his ilk feel that the status of TRT/PPP/Thaksin is all the result of a judiciary that isn't 'friendly' to them, and their aim is destroy the reputation of the courts so the public will decide that all the verdicts against them recently are the result of an elite/army/constitutional court conspiracy. That's what politics in Thailand has been reduced to, shameful.

Consider this scenario: the Constitutional Court will brush this off, it will become another regrettable scandal that is never resolved, and soon forgotten with rancour and that Jatuporn and those involved in the video posting will be embroiled in a long, agonising and controversial court case which they will lose and be harshly disciplined.

A logical chain of situations and probable occurrences,

[LikeHeat]

There's no way out of this mess than for Chat to do the right thing and resign, unfortunately in Thailand no one ever falls on his sword and if he does it's a sign of admission of guilt. It's a pity the court's integrity has been compromised, and that they are responding by using their authority to go after those involved in releasing the videos, rather than pledging to get their house in order.

That said, you can't overlook the fact that this is yet another cynical ploy by opponents of the government and 'system' (no colours mentioned ;-) to discredit the judiciary for their own gain. This has been a well orchestrated set up, the timing of which is obviously to put pressure on the courts ahead of the democrat dissolution ruling. Jatuporn Prompan and his ilk feel that the status of TRT/PPP/Thaksin is all the result of a judiciary that isn't 'friendly' to them, and their aim is destroy the reputation of the courts so the public will decide that all the verdicts against them recently are the result of an elite/army/constitutional court conspiracy. That's what politics in Thailand has been reduced to, shameful.

Consider this scenario: the Constitutional Court will brush this off, it will become another regrettable scandal that is never resolved, and soon forgotten with rancour and that Jatuporn and those involved in the video posting will be embroiled in a long, agonising and controversial court case which they will lose and be harshly disciplined.

A logical chain of situations and probable occurrences,

What is so right about resigning because some unscrupulous people created a setup for the purpose of blackmail? I say remain strong and go after the bad guys. The sooner those scum are dealt with the sooner that Thailand can begin to heal. Right now there is a cancer trying to take over.

I think some lines have been crossed and I bet it is regretted by the video people. Can you imagine your chances if a judge personally sued you or pressed charges? You already know your decision because he would not waste time unless it was right the first time.

Edited November 2, 2010 by LikeHeat

[animatic]

There's no way out of this mess than for Chat to do the right thing and resign, unfortunately in Thailand no one ever falls on his sword and if he does it's a sign of admission of guilt. It's a pity the court's integrity has been compromised, and that they are responding by using their authority to go after those involved in releasing the videos, rather than pledging to get their house in order.

That said, you can't overlook the fact that this is yet another cynical ploy by opponents of the government and 'system' (no colours mentioned ;-) to discredit the judiciary for their own gain. This has been a well orchestrated set up, the timing of which is obviously to put pressure on the courts ahead of the democrat dissolution ruling. Jatuporn Prompan and his ilk feel that the status of TRT/PPP/Thaksin is all the result of a judiciary that isn't 'friendly' to them, and their aim is destroy the reputation of the courts so the public will decide that all the verdicts against them recently are the result of an elite/army/constitutional court conspiracy. That's what politics in Thailand has been reduced to, shameful.

Consider this scenario: the Constitutional Court will brush this off, it will become another regrettable scandal that is never resolved, and soon forgotten with rancour and that Jatuporn and those involved in the video posting will be embroiled in a long, agonising and controversial court case which they will lose and be harshly disciplined.

A logical chain of situations and probable occurrences,

What is so right about resigning because some unscrupulous people created a setup for the purpose of blackmail? I say remain strong and go after the bad guys. The sooner those scum are dealt with the sooner that Thailand can begin to heal. Right now there is a cancer trying to take over.

I think some lines have been crossed and I bet it is regretted by the video people. Can you imagine your chances if a judge personally sued you or pressed charges? You already know your decision because he would not waste time unless it was right the first time.

Well, harking back to my earlier post;

If Pasit was a plant because of leverage on the top judge,

then he rightly SHOULD resign, because he has been

compromised since this character joined his employ.

Some articles have stated Pasit was always looking for advantage over

other court personnel and judges, and there was a long term sense of

of his coworkers to avoid being in rooms alone with him.

[Thai at Heart]

There's no way out of this mess than for Chat to do the right thing and resign, unfortunately in Thailand no one ever falls on his sword and if he does it's a sign of admission of guilt. It's a pity the court's integrity has been compromised, and that they are responding by using their authority to go after those involved in releasing the videos, rather than pledging to get their house in order.

That said, you can't overlook the fact that this is yet another cynical ploy by opponents of the government and 'system' (no colours mentioned ;-) to discredit the judiciary for their own gain. This has been a well orchestrated set up, the timing of which is obviously to put pressure on the courts ahead of the democrat dissolution ruling. Jatuporn Prompan and his ilk feel that the status of TRT/PPP/Thaksin is all the result of a judiciary that isn't 'friendly' to them, and their aim is destroy the reputation of the courts so the public will decide that all the verdicts against them recently are the result of an elite/army/constitutional court conspiracy. That's what politics in Thailand has been reduced to, shameful.

Consider this scenario: the Constitutional Court will brush this off, it will become another regrettable scandal that is never resolved, and soon forgotten with rancour and that Jatuporn and those involved in the video posting will be embroiled in a long, agonising and controversial court case which they will lose and be harshly disciplined.

A logical chain of situations and probable occurrences,

What is so right about resigning because some unscrupulous people created a setup for the purpose of blackmail? I say remain strong and go after the bad guys. The sooner those scum are dealt with the sooner that Thailand can begin to heal. Right now there is a cancer trying to take over.

I think some lines have been crossed and I bet it is regretted by the video people. Can you imagine your chances if a judge personally sued you or pressed charges? You already know your decision because he would not waste time unless it was right the first time.

Because irrespective of the conduct of others, the judges have to be above reproach and the influence of others. Indeed lines have been crossed, but it is the content of the tapes that is the system's downfall. Shooting the messenger is probably not enough this time.

It seems that just about everyone on all sides are the bad guys, just some are a little less worse than others. Hardly a reassuring thought when applied to the justice system.

[rubl]

Meanwhile, MP Jatuporn Promphan, from the opposition Pheu Thai Party, said yesterday what he had learned about the court was "more than that on YouTube". He expected more damaging clips would be posted about the court.

What's the status of k. Pasit, still in HongKong ? When he comes back the court should also request he return his salary of the last months (years?). It doesn't seem he did his assigned work, he was mostly videotaping to build up a library.

[truethailand]

Whatever the outcome of another apparent corrupt part of Thailand we will be having a coup. If the judiciary collapses, Dems cant win an election, nature takes its course etc. the date is most possibly already pencilled in and army leave is cancelled. Its almost as if the opposition is orchestrating the imminent coup.. do they know something we dont.. is the army truly divided... Scary thought that last one if you realise the implications

[jdinasia]

Looking back over Thaksin's past behavior to destroy the checks and balances needed in a Democracy; is it unreasonable to think that he simply paid and paid well to get Pasit to set up a scandal? It doesn't matter if the scandal is real or imagined to Thaksin and his cronies if he can spin it right.

I do not believe that a coup is inevitable but I do think that it may be a goal for Thaksin. Impugning the courts here certainly work to Thaksin's favor, even though he was found guilty on clear and damning evidence by a totally different court. Even with the bakery scandal where a bribe was rejected by the court administration ... even with all of this, if he can make it look as if the High Court is not trustworthy then he can attempt to salvage his image internationally.

IMHO --- the courts are taking the right action. Step up, Deny the charges, prove the guilt of someone else. If they can show that Jatuporn was part of a conspiracy to impugn the courts it will not go well against him. If Parliament impeaches him then his parliamentary immunity evaporates immediately.

[Buchholz]

Meanwhile, MP Jatuporn Promphan, from the opposition Pheu Thai Party, said yesterday what he had learned about the court was "more than that on YouTube". He expected more damaging clips would be posted about the court.

What's the status of k. Pasit, still in HongKong ? When he comes back the court should also request he return his salary of the last months (years?). It doesn't seem he did his assigned work, he was mostly videotaping to build up a library.

He's still AWOL and has been gone 3 weeks now. His passport has been revoked and Hong Kong has been asked to locate him.

His world is getting smaller as he doesn't have the resources of the other well-known, globe-trotting fugitive.... but then again...

[Buchholz]

If Parliament impeaches him then his parliamentary immunity evaporates immediately.

and steps to that end have already been put in motion... from outside Parliament:

a motion supported by 20,800 voters seeking to launch the impeachment proceedings against three Pheu Thai MPs linked to the red shirts.

The three MPs targetted for impeachment are Jatuporn Promphan, Karun Hosakul, and Apinan Wiriyachai.

[asiawatcher]

The endemic virus of corruption leaves nothing untouched in Thailand.... Silence means nothing.

[SergeiY]

It might appear that this Pasit was placed there as a sort of sleeper,

or converted to a cause while at the Uni for his further political learning.

He doesn't seem legally based in any sense, but more a political animal,

placed with the head judge for use at some later time,

and that time seems to have arrived.

Was he placed with this judge by 'an influential' having some leverage

to get his man installed? And if so, for what case back then?

And then did he continue to be a useful pressure point to be used

as a bargaining chip in his controllers political life.

Is this so? Who knows? But in the arcane world of Thai manipulations,

this is very much a possibility. The old families think, long term ;

dynasties not just decades. Why would the nouveau riche think

in any shorter term?

Information is power, and having an inside man next to the head of the court is a ready source of information. And if there was a big enough issue, he would blow his cover and do one final service. This might be the case now. One last action for the liege lord, and an early retirement and 7th change of name.

[whybother]

It might appear that this Pasit was placed there as a sort of sleeper,

or converted to a cause while at the Uni for his further political learning.

He doesn't seem legally based in any sense, but more a political animal,

placed with the head judge for use at some later time,

and that time seems to have arrived.

Was he placed with this judge by 'an influential' having some leverage

to get his man installed? And if so, for what case back then?

And then did he continue to be a useful pressure point to be used

as a bargaining chip in his controllers political life.

Is this so? Who knows? But in the arcane world of Thai manipulations,

this is very much a possibility. The old families think, long term ;

dynasties not just decades. Why would the nouveau riche think

in any shorter term?

Information is power, and having an inside man next to the head of the court is a ready source of information. And if there was a big enough issue, he would blow his cover and do one final service. This might be the case now. One last action for the liege lord, and an early retirement and 7th change of name.

Clearly ...

[animatic]

'animatic' timestamp='1288666835' post='3996300'

It might appear that this Pasit was placed there as a sort of sleeper, or converted to a cause while at the Uni for his further political learning. He doesn't seem legally based in any sense, but more a political animal, placed with the head judge for use at some later time, and that time seems to have arrived.

Was he placed with this judge by 'an influential' having some leverage to get his man installed? And if so, for what case back then? And then did he continue to be a useful pressure point to be used as a bargaining chip in his controllers political life.

Is this so? Who knows? But in the arcane world of Thai manipulations, this is very much a possibility. The old families think, long term ; dynasties not just decades. Why would the nouveau riche think in any shorter term?

Information is power, and having an inside man next to the head of the court is a ready source of information. And if there was a big enough issue, he would blow his cover and do one final service. This might be the case now. One last action for the liege lord, and an early retirement and 7th change of name.

Clearly ...

Quote clear WB.

And we can see which side dear Serge is working for.

Don't imagine dear child that I really care about your serial attempted flames of me.

Those who can think here already have made up their minds about you.

Edited November 2, 2010 by animatic

[canuckamuck]

As if anyone thought the courts had integrity, this is a foreign concept. The only thing surprising is... umm

I can't think of anything surprising here

[jayboy]

Looking back over Thaksin's past behavior to destroy the checks and balances needed in a Democracy; is it unreasonable to think that he simply paid and paid well to get Pasit to set up a scandal? It doesn't matter if the scandal is real or imagined to Thaksin and his cronies if he can spin it right.

I do not believe that a coup is inevitable but I do think that it may be a goal for Thaksin. Impugning the courts here certainly work to Thaksin's favor, even though he was found guilty on clear and damning evidence by a totally different court. Even with the bakery scandal where a bribe was rejected by the court administration ... even with all of this, if he can make it look as if the High Court is not trustworthy then he can attempt to salvage his image internationally.

IMHO --- the courts are taking the right action. Step up, Deny the charges, prove the guilt of someone else. If they can show that Jatuporn was part of a conspiracy to impugn the courts it will not go well against him. If Parliament impeaches him then his parliamentary immunity evaporates immediately.

In the pay of Thaksin ! You couldn't make it up.

[jdinasia]

Looking back over Thaksin's past behavior to destroy the checks and balances needed in a Democracy; is it unreasonable to think that he simply paid and paid well to get Pasit to set up a scandal? It doesn't matter if the scandal is real or imagined to Thaksin and his cronies if he can spin it right.

I do not believe that a coup is inevitable but I do think that it may be a goal for Thaksin. Impugning the courts here certainly work to Thaksin's favor, even though he was found guilty on clear and damning evidence by a totally different court. Even with the bakery scandal where a bribe was rejected by the court administration ... even with all of this, if he can make it look as if the High Court is not trustworthy then he can attempt to salvage his image internationally.

IMHO --- the courts are taking the right action. Step up, Deny the charges, prove the guilt of someone else. If they can show that Jatuporn was part of a conspiracy to impugn the courts it will not go well against him. If Parliament impeaches him then his parliamentary immunity evaporates immediately.

In the pay of Thaksin ! You couldn't make it up.

With Thaksin's lawyers caught in an attempted payoff of the courts not too long ago ... you don't HAVE to make it up

edit to add link ----

Now --- if Thaksin (or his lawyers in this case) would pay attempt to pay 2,000,000.00 Baht in the past ... how much would he have to offer someone like Chat's aide?

Edited November 2, 2010 by jdinasia

[SergeiY]

Looking back over Thaksin's past behavior to destroy the checks and balances needed in a Democracy; is it unreasonable to think that he simply paid and paid well to get Pasit to set up a scandal? It doesn't matter if the scandal is real or imagined to Thaksin and his cronies if he can spin it right.

I do not believe that a coup is inevitable but I do think that it may be a goal for Thaksin. Impugning the courts here certainly work to Thaksin's favor, even though he was found guilty on clear and damning evidence by a totally different court. Even with the bakery scandal where a bribe was rejected by the court administration ... even with all of this, if he can make it look as if the High Court is not trustworthy then he can attempt to salvage his image internationally.

IMHO --- the courts are taking the right action. Step up, Deny the charges, prove the guilt of someone else. If they can show that Jatuporn was part of a conspiracy to impugn the courts it will not go well against him. If Parliament impeaches him then his parliamentary immunity evaporates immediately.

In the pay of Thaksin ! You couldn't make it up.

With Thaksin's lawyers caught in an attempted payoff of the courts not too long ago ... you don't HAVE to make it up

Who knows. That was maybe just a set up, a trap to frame Thaksin. Planned by someone in the background who placed these lawyers as 'sleepers' near Thaksin many many years ago.

[jdinasia]

Looking back over Thaksin's past behavior to destroy the checks and balances needed in a Democracy; is it unreasonable to think that he simply paid and paid well to get Pasit to set up a scandal? It doesn't matter if the scandal is real or imagined to Thaksin and his cronies if he can spin it right.

I do not believe that a coup is inevitable but I do think that it may be a goal for Thaksin. Impugning the courts here certainly work to Thaksin's favor, even though he was found guilty on clear and damning evidence by a totally different court. Even with the bakery scandal where a bribe was rejected by the court administration ... even with all of this, if he can make it look as if the High Court is not trustworthy then he can attempt to salvage his image internationally.

IMHO --- the courts are taking the right action. Step up, Deny the charges, prove the guilt of someone else. If they can show that Jatuporn was part of a conspiracy to impugn the courts it will not go well against him. If Parliament impeaches him then his parliamentary immunity evaporates immediately.

In the pay of Thaksin ! You couldn't make it up.

With Thaksin's lawyers caught in an attempted payoff of the courts not too long ago ... you don't HAVE to make it up

Who knows. That was maybe just a set up, a trap to frame Thaksin. Planned by someone in the background who placed these lawyers as 'sleepers' near Thaksin many many years ago.

No need for elaborate conspiracies ... Thaksin's bought people and attempted to buy people in the past. Occam's Razor suggests that he did that with Chat's aide. Remember during the recent redshirt insurrection in BKK when one of the leaders shot his mouth off about the cash he had in the bank?

[jayboy]

No need for elaborate conspiracies ... Thaksin's bought people and attempted to buy people in the past. Occam's Razor suggests that he did that with Chat's aide. Remember during the recent redshirt insurrection in BKK when one of the leaders shot his mouth off about the cash he had in the bank?

In the minds of hysterical foreigners with nothing on their minds but the next visa run, perhaps.

[animatic]

Looking back over Thaksin's past behavior to destroy the checks and balances needed in a Democracy; is it unreasonable to think that he simply paid and paid well to get Pasit to set up a scandal? It doesn't matter if the scandal is real or imagined to Thaksin and his cronies if he can spin it right.

I do not believe that a coup is inevitable but I do think that it may be a goal for Thaksin. Impugning the courts here certainly work to Thaksin's favor, even though he was found guilty on clear and damning evidence by a totally different court. Even with the bakery scandal where a bribe was rejected by the court administration ... even with all of this, if he can make it look as if the High Court is not trustworthy then he can attempt to salvage his image internationally.

IMHO --- the courts are taking the right action. Step up, Deny the charges, prove the guilt of someone else. If they can show that Jatuporn was part of a conspiracy to impugn the courts it will not go well against him. If Parliament impeaches him then his parliamentary immunity evaporates immediately.

In the pay of Thaksin ! You couldn't make it up.

With Thaksin's lawyers caught in an attempted payoff of the courts not too long ago ... you don't HAVE to make it up

edit to add link ----

http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__2423043

Now --- if Thaksin (or his lawyers in this case) would pay attempt to pay 2,000,000.00 Baht in the past ... how much would he have to offer someone like Chat's aide?

Spot on.

With trillions of baht in profits to be made controlling the budget allocations,

and with face to be reclaimed for a certain square headed personage, money

enough to keep Pasit in comfortable seclusion would be a good deal,

to send their enemies to political purgatory and regain power.

Easy enough to specifically target one greedy man to do this.

[jdinasia]

No need for elaborate conspiracies ... Thaksin's bought people and attempted to buy people in the past. Occam's Razor suggests that he did that with Chat's aide. Remember during the recent redshirt insurrection in BKK when one of the leaders shot his mouth off about the cash he had in the bank?

In the minds of hysterical foreigners with nothing on their minds but the next visa run, perhaps.

Thanks for such a kind bit of flaming I am neither hysterical nor do I make visa runs (nor am I a teacher:), but if it makes you happy to attack the man instead of the argument, then by all means, continue

Let me add that link again, where Thaksin's lawyers were released from jail after serving 6 months for contempt of court ... by trying to bribe court officials.

Edited November 2, 2010 by jdinasia