PM Abhisit Recounts His Ordeal Under Rioting Reds

[webfact]

Abhisit recounts his ordeal under rioting reds

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Tuesday described terror inflicted on him while he was inside the car attacked by rioting red shirts at the Interior Minister in April 2009.

From the witness stand at the Criminal Court, Abhisit outlined his ordeal during the libel trial against Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan.

"I was sitting with Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban in the car besieged by the red shirts," he said.

The attack lasted for about 20 minutes before his driver sped away by crashing a gate, he said.

Following his testimony, the prosecution showed the news clip depicting the April, 2009 riots and the picture of wreckage caused to Abhisit's car..

As plaintiff, the prime minister is suing Jatuporn for defamation related to the April, 2009 mayhem.

-- The Nation 2010-11-30

[jdinasia]

Grrrr "defamation" ----

Jatuporn's more serious crimes need to be addressed. Defamation is the least of the things he has done. Time to revoke his bail imho!

[timekeeper]

are these the same peaceful red protesters that people speak about in such loving tones or were they those damned ''fake reds'' stirring up descent upon the salt of the earth red movement?

[rubl]

With the many court cases things take time, even with various courts involved in the cases. Justice is best served cold, like revenge, but legally.

Anyway recently k. Thaksin won a defamation case against k. Sondhi and no one protested. I can only assume any verdict here would also be accepted in the same good spirit even when k. Abhisit wins ?

[Thai at Heart]

What did Jatuporn actually say?

I find it interesting that this case follows so quickly on the heels of Abhsit telling the CRES to butt out of stopping putting his face on a shoe. That is constitutionally protected, but defamation is not.

A very clever move by Abhisit and a great example of how the rule of law can be used.

[rubl]

What did Jatuporn actually say?

I find it interesting that this case follows so quickly on the heels of Abhsit telling the CRES to butt out of stopping putting his face on a shoe. That is constitutionally protected, but defamation is not.

A very clever move by Abhisit and a great example of how the rule of law can be used.

This case was filed months ago if not earlier. As is normal the court sets specific dates for hearings. Mostly months later. You can find more on this forum and/or yahoo/google a bit.

No need for a conspiracy theory here.

http://news.brunei.fm/2010/01/18/thailand-court-accepts-pms-defamation-suit-against-red-shirt-leader/

Note the case against k. Arisman seems to be on hold for the moment

(edit: link)

Edited November 30, 2010 by rubl

[webfact]

PM Takes Stand in Libel Case against Red-shirt Leader

The prime minister today takes the stand in a libel case he brought against a red-shirt core leader, insisting he did not order a violent crackdown on protesters during their mass rally in April last year.

Testifying in a Criminal Court hearing as the plaintiff's first witness, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva insisted he did not order a massacre of red-shirt protesters during last year's April rally as alleged by protest leader Jatuporn Prompan, who is also a party list MP of the opposition Pheu Thai Party.

Abhisit, meanwhile, stated that Jatuporn incited people to physically assault him, particularly after the declaration of the state of emergency during the protest in 2009, when protesters stormed the Interior Ministry and attacked his car.

The prime minister went on to say that Jatuporn also urged the protesters to later join another red-shirt leader Arisman Ponruangrong to disrupt the ASEAN Summit in Pattaya.

Arisman is now at large after being charged for instigating the red-shirt riots in May this year.

Abhisit insisted the unrest in April 2009 was not aggravated by the government and no red-shirt protester was killed in the operation to dissolve their gathering.

Abhisit and his lawyer today also submitted another complaint against Jatuporn, alleging that he conspired with other red-shirt leaders to stir chaos at the Interior Ministry and the ASEAN Summit venue in April 2009.

They presented pictures and footage of the two unruly incidents for the court's consideration.

Today's security at the Criminal Court was not especially tight with only the prime minister's escort team and assigned police personnel present in the area.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-30

[Buchholz]

What did Jatuporn actually say?

He announced, at the stage of a Red Shirt rally, that Prime Minister Abhisit had issued an order to kill Red Shirts.

Today, it was Deputy Prime Minister Suthep's turn to take the stand and reiterated that Abhisit did not issue the order.

He further testified about the ASEAN Summit that was forced to be closed down and also the attack and smashing of the PM's car that was done.

.

Edited December 1, 2010 by Buchholz

[jdinasia]

What did Jatuporn actually say?

He announced, at the stage of a Red Shirt rally, that Prime Minister Abhisit had issued an order to kill Red Shirts.

Today, it was Deputy Prime Minister Suthep's turn to take the stand and reiterated that Abhisit did not issue the order.

He further testified about the ASEAN Summit that was forced to be closed down and also the attack and smashing of the PM's car that was done.

.

But when will they revoke K Jatuporn's bail?

I actually hate the overuse of the defamation laws here in Thailand, but this case is special (to raise the fear and violence levels from the stage with a lie!)

[SergeiY]

How many defamation and libel cases has the PM as the plaintiff running?

[animatic]

How many defamation and libel cases has the PM as the plaintiff running?

How many egregious and totally false claims have been made publicly against him, might be another way of looking at it. I would say the number of suits filed pales in comparison to the lies told from Red and yellow stages. The ones actually prosecuted against are rather few in comparison.

Edited December 1, 2010 by animatic

[Siam Simon]

What did Jatuporn actually say?

He announced, at the stage of a Red Shirt rally, that Prime Minister Abhisit had issued an order to kill Red Shirts.

Today, it was Deputy Prime Minister Suthep's turn to take the stand and reiterated that Abhisit did not issue the order.

He further testified about the ASEAN Summit that was forced to be closed down and also the attack and smashing of the PM's car that was done.

.

Shame he didn't expand on his failed attempt to ramp things up at the ASEAN 2008 protests with best buddy Newin.

[whybother]

What did Jatuporn actually say?

He announced, at the stage of a Red Shirt rally, that Prime Minister Abhisit had issued an order to kill Red Shirts.

Today, it was Deputy Prime Minister Suthep's turn to take the stand and reiterated that Abhisit did not issue the order.

He further testified about the ASEAN Summit that was forced to be closed down and also the attack and smashing of the PM's car that was done.

.

Shame he didn't expand on his failed attempt to ramp things up at the ASEAN 2008 protests with best buddy Newin.

Jatuporn's failed attempt?

[Buchholz]

How many defamation and libel cases has the PM as the plaintiff running?

1.4% of the total Thaksin filed.

[Siam Simon]

What did Jatuporn actually say?

He announced, at the stage of a Red Shirt rally, that Prime Minister Abhisit had issued an order to kill Red Shirts.

Today, it was Deputy Prime Minister Suthep's turn to take the stand and reiterated that Abhisit did not issue the order.

He further testified about the ASEAN Summit that was forced to be closed down and also the attack and smashing of the PM's car that was done.

.

Shame he didn't expand on his failed attempt to ramp things up at the ASEAN 2008 protests with best buddy Newin.

Jatuporn's failed attempt?

No, Suthep's. There's a video out there somewhere of him giving a pep talk to the Blue shirt thugs at the roadside in Pattaya, with Newin at his side wearing a baseball cap. I think it may have been linked on here shortly after the aborted ASEAN 2008. John would find it quickly enough if he wanted to: He's good at that sort of thing. Go on John, I dare you .

[Buchholz]

Is your mouse broken?

[SergeiY]

How many defamation and libel cases has the PM as the plaintiff running?

How many egregious and totally false claims have been made publicly against him, might be another way of looking at it. I would say the number of suits filed pales in comparison to the lies told from Red and yellow stages. The ones actually prosecuted against are rather few in comparison.

Can you name a few examples?

And lies were told by the yellow? Who did this. Kasit? Korn? and what lies exactly?

If Jatuporn keeps talking that Abhisit ordered a violent crackdown, Abhisit should let him talk and not try to silence him with lawsuits. The PM must convince the public that he did everything right and nothing wrong and not seeking 'revenge' for a defamation in a court.

[jdinasia]

How many defamation and libel cases has the PM as the plaintiff running?

1.4% of the total Thaksin filed.

Do you think the percentage is that High?

Serge ----

Actually the PM needs to have cases like this one heard and adjudicated. The question isn't did he order a crackdown (violent or not), the question is did Jatuporn lie about Abhisit ordering the murder of people. This is the 2009 case and has nothing to do with April and May of 2010. To try and minimize the statement made by Jatuporn is kinda sad don't you think?

This isn't a case of silencing opposition through the courts (That was Thaksin's thing!). This is a case of spreading malicious lies that are criminal in nature. Where do you deal with criminals? Oh yeah! The courts!

[jdinasia]

No, Suthep's. There's a video out there somewhere of him giving a pep talk to the Blue shirt thugs at the roadside in Pattaya, with Newin at his side wearing a baseball cap. I think it may have been linked on here shortly after the aborted ASEAN 2008. John would find it quickly enough if he wanted to: He's good at that sort of thing. Go on John, I dare you .

I don't see anyone named John in this thread. Is there something besides water in your water SS?

[whybother]

No, Suthep's. There's a video out there somewhere of him giving a pep talk to the Blue shirt thugs at the roadside in Pattaya, with Newin at his side wearing a baseball cap. I think it may have been linked on here shortly after the aborted ASEAN 2008. John would find it quickly enough if he wanted to: He's good at that sort of thing. Go on John, I dare you .

I don't see anyone named John in this thread. Is there something besides water in your water SS?

He might mean me. According to Simon, I'm Thai, paid to post and probably an alter ego of SRJ.

[jdinasia]

No, Suthep's. There's a video out there somewhere of him giving a pep talk to the Blue shirt thugs at the roadside in Pattaya, with Newin at his side wearing a baseball cap. I think it may have been linked on here shortly after the aborted ASEAN 2008. John would find it quickly enough if he wanted to: He's good at that sort of thing. Go on John, I dare you .

I don't see anyone named John in this thread. Is there something besides water in your water SS?

He might mean me. According to Simon, I'm Thai, paid to post and probably an alter ego of SRJ.

oooooh and does he have any proof of this? If so he should present it to the Mods, if not then .....

[eurasianthai]

We had big hopes, Thaksin was so corrupted and Abhisit sure looked good in comparison.

He was going to make Thailand a democracy the world would envy, kind of a Scandinavian country of the East.

No corruption, good welfare, education...

Ooops, where did it go wrong?

[whybother]

We had big hopes, Thaksin was so corrupted and Abhisit sure looked good in comparison.

He was going to make Thailand a democracy the world would envy, kind of a Scandinavian country of the East.

No corruption, good welfare, education...

Ooops, where did it go wrong?

It went wrong when you thought things could change in only 2 years.

[TAWP]

I am still waiting for red apologist to reiterate the lies that Abhisit never was in the car...(as if attempted murder is ok as long as one picks the wrong target...)

[eurasianthai]

Not really.

It went wrong when I thought things could change.

[SergeiY]

How many defamation and libel cases has the PM as the plaintiff running?

1.4% of the total Thaksin filed.

Do you think the percentage is that High?

Serge ----

Actually the PM needs to have cases like this one heard and adjudicated. The question isn't did he order a crackdown (violent or not), the question is did Jatuporn lie about Abhisit ordering the murder of people. This is the 2009 case and has nothing to do with April and May of 2010. To try and minimize the statement made by Jatuporn is kinda sad don't you think?

This isn't a case of silencing opposition through the courts (That was Thaksin's thing!). This is a case of spreading malicious lies that are criminal in nature. Where do you deal with criminals? Oh yeah! The courts!

PM testifies libel suit against UDD top leader Jatuporn

BANGKOK, 17 August 2009 (NNT) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has travelled to the Ratchada Criminal Court to testify for a defamation case earlier filed against United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) top leader Jatuporn Prompan.

Earlier, Mr Jatuporn alleged the Prime Minister for not being in his motorcade while the UDD besieged the Interior Ministry on 12 April 2009. The accusations were made in forms of interviews and political speeches.

However, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva insisted his presence in his car and therefore filed a lawsuit against Mr Jatuporn for false accusation. This case is the second case that the Prime Minister filed a lawsuit against the UDD core leader.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255208170017

Court Accepts PM's Defamation Suit against Red-Shirt Leader

UPDATE : 27 July 2009

After the Prime Minister has given his testimony for the defamation suit he filed against a red-shirt leader, the Criminal Court decides to accept the suit and schedules to meet both parties on August 31.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva gave his testimony at the Criminal Court for the defamation suit he filed against Pheu Thai party-list MP and red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan. The legal action was taken after Jatuporn accused him of having an inappropriate conduct by sitting at the same level as His Majesty the King while reporting the country's situation on January 22 this year.

The PM said Jatuporn intended to defame him in public by suggesting that he did not show proper respect to the King. Abhisit added that the chair was prepared in the position for him by the Royal Household Bureau. He said other prime ministers, such as Samak Sundaravej and Chuan Leekpai, also sit in a similar position during their audiences with the King.

http://www.tannetwork.tv/tan/ViewData.aspx?DataID=1016551

Court accepts PM´s defamation suit against UDD core figure

BANGKOK, 18 January 2010 (NNT) - Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva made an appearance on Monday at the Criminal Court for the first hearing of the case against Puea Thai Party MP and anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) core figure Jatuporn Prompan.

The PM said he decided to lodge the defamation lawsuit against Mr Jatuporn because the remarks made by the UDD core leader were deemed as completely untrue. He dismissed an allegation by Mr Jatuporn by saying that he had ordered the security officers to avoid the use of force and to take peaceful means to handle the protesters in April last year. The PM also defended that the two deaths of anti-government supporters were not caused by the government's action according to the investigation conducted by the House-appointed committee. ...

Mr Jatuporn earlier accused the Prime Minister of ordering the killing of protesters during the Songkran mayhem and also alleged him of stalling the UDD's petition for royal pardon for the former prime minister.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255301180035

Court accepts PM's defamation suit against Arisman

BANGKOK, Jan 25 (TNA) - Thailand's Criminal Court on Monday accepted Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's defamation suit against Red Shirt anti-government leader Arisman Pongruangrong, who accused him of causing the illness of his Majesty the King and with ordering the killing of Red Shirt protesters during last year's mid-April chaos.

The premier earlier appeared at court after filing a complaint against Mr Arisman, a key leader of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) for speaking to the Red Shirt protesters rallying in Bangkok on October 11 and 17 last year that Mr Abhisit caused the king's illness and became premier by "robbing the people's power."

http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=13893&t=2

Supreme Court issues arrest warrants against 2 former Thai Rak Thai MPs

The Supreme Court Friday issued arrest warrants against 2 former Thai Rak Thai MPs after they failed to turn up to hear the verdict of the court in a defamation case filed by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

The court ordered that Suporn Atthawong and Thirachai Saenkaew be arrested and brought to the court to hear the verdict at 9 am on April 21.

The two were accused of defaming Abhisit by saying the prime minister was unusually rich.

The lower courts gave 12-month suspended jail term against Suporn and a six-month suspended jail term against Thirachai. ...

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/Supreme-Court-issues-arrest-warrants-against-2-for-30125074.html

Thaksin slandered me in red-shirt addresses, Abhisit tells court

By The Nation Published on August 3, 2010

The Criminal Court will decide next Monday whether to proceed with a libel lawsuit that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva filed yesterday against fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Abhisit accuses his predecessor of making libellous remarks about him in March when Thaksin alleged that the prime minister was brutal and mentally ill, given the way he dealt with anti-government protests in April last year by red-shirt supporters. ...

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/08/03/politics/Thaksin-slandered-me-in-red-shirt-addresses-Abhisi-30135079.html

Court’s acceptance of PM’s libel suit against Jatuporn to be decided on 24 Sep

BANGKOK, 20 September 2010 (NNT) - Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has testified in court in his defamation suit against Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Prompan while the court will decide on 24 September whether to accept the case.

Prime Minister Abhisit today arrived at the Criminal Court to testify in the case he had earlier lodged against Mr Jatuporn, core leader of the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), who allegedly slandered him on stage and through the media during 29 January-15 February 2010.

Mr Jatuporn accused the Prime Minister of ordering the killing of people taking part in anti-government protests. He also alleged the Prime Minister of evading military conscription.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255309200030

Has the PM nothing better to do than arguing in a court about what these 'criminals' had said? There are at least 3 or 4 different cases against Jatuporn about such important issues. The examples above are surely not a complete list and i guess there are much more similar cases filled by Abhisit and all of them filled by him personally and not by some law enforcement authorities like it would be the case in real crime issues.

[Buchholz]

How many defamation and libel cases has the PM as the plaintiff running?

1.4% of the total Thaksin filed.

Do you think the percentage is that High?

You're right. After seeing the posting of the minuscule number of Abhisit's lawsuits, we'll have to revise that number downward to 0.23% of the total Thaksin filed.

[SergeiY]

I am still waiting for red apologist to reiterate the lies that Abhisit never was in the car...(as if attempted murder is ok as long as one picks the wrong target...)

Abhisit filed a defamation lawsuit about that. Its from last year. I don't know if there was a final ruling yet and what the court said about that.

If Jatuporn was/is found guilty of defamation in can imagine that the court also ordered that Jatuporn has to publish an apology in a few newspapers for a couple consecutive days.

Court accepts PM´s defamation suit against UDD core figure

BANGKOK, 17 August 2009 (NNT) - The Criminal Court has resolved to accept the Prime Minister's defamation lawsuit against the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) core leader Jatuporn Prompan.

Earlier, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva filed a libel charge against Mr. Jatuporn for his false statement on stage at the UDD demonstration at Wat Phai Khiew on May 10. The UDD core leader accused the Prime Minister of not being present inside the car that was severely damaged by the UDD at the Interior Ministry and also exercising excessive force against the anti-government protesters during the Songkran mayhem.

The Supreme Court has set the hearing date of the case on 14 December.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255208170057

Anyway, i know little about Abhisits lawsuits unlike some other members here. I would like to get more information, also about his 'success' rate in general and of course also in this 'was he in that car or not' case.

Who has the burden of proof in such an issue? Probably the plaintiff has do bring evidence that the defamation is indeed a false statement or is it enough that the court thinks such statement is indeed slander and prohibit to repeat that statement an ordered an apology without coming to a finding if Abhisit actually was in that car or not?

[SergeiY]

How many defamation and libel cases has the PM as the plaintiff running?

1.4% of the total Thaksin filed.

Do you think the percentage is that High?

You're right. After seeing the posting of the minuscule number of Abhisit's lawsuits, we'll have to revise that number downward to 0.23% of the total Thaksin filed.

Be sure not to make a false statement, Abhisit could sue you if he feels slandered when you totally underrate his litigious skills.

Why this comparison with Thaksin anyway? Either you see nothing wrong with these defamation lawsuits or you argue its totally unnecessary and a politician or the PM should handle these issues in a different way.

[rubl]

I am still waiting for red apologist to reiterate the lies that Abhisit never was in the car...(as if attempted murder is ok as long as one picks the wrong target...)

Abhisit filed a defamation lawsuit about that. Its from last year. I don't know if there was a final ruling yet and what the court said about that.

If Jatuporn was/is found guilty of defamation in can imagine that the court also ordered that Jatuporn has to publish an apology in a few newspapers for a couple consecutive days.

Court accepts PM�s defamation suit against UDD core figure

BANGKOK, 17 August 2009 (NNT) - The Criminal Court has resolved to accept the Prime Minister's defamation lawsuit against the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) core leader Jatuporn Prompan.

Earlier, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva filed a libel charge against Mr. Jatuporn for his false statement on stage at the UDD demonstration at Wat Phai Khiew on May 10. The UDD core leader accused the Prime Minister of not being present inside the car that was severely damaged by the UDD at the Interior Ministry and also exercising excessive force against the anti-government protesters during the Songkran mayhem.

The Supreme Court has set the hearing date of the case on 14 December.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255208170057

Anyway, i know little about Abhisits lawsuits unlike some other members here. I would like to get more information, also about his 'success' rate in general and of course also in this 'was he in that car or not' case.

Who has the burden of proof in such an issue? Probably the plaintiff has do bring evidence that the defamation is indeed a false statement or is it enough that the court thinks such statement is indeed slander and prohibit to repeat that statement an ordered an apology without coming to a finding if Abhisit actually was in that car or not?

The really valid part I and most likely many here can agree with:

"Anyway, i know little"

Thank you, SergeiY for this profound statement. I'm proud of you, I only manage something like this after studying for a while