7 Red Shirt Leaders Released - A Catalyst For Peace Or Chaos

[webfact]

A Catalyst for Peace or Chaos

The political situation in Thailand will be worth following after the Criminal Court granted bail for seven key leaders of the red-shirt Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) and one protester who have spent months behind bars since last year’s red riots.

The red-shirt leaders who have been allowed a brief reprieve are Nattawut Saikua, Weng Tojirakarn, Korkaew Pikulthong, Nisit Sinthuprai, Kwanchai Praipanna, Wibhoothalaeng Pattanabhumthai and Yawarit Chooklom. Each of them was released on a 600,000-baht bail and they must abide by two conditions. The first condition is that they must not engage in any activities that could incite chaos. The other condition forbades them from leaving the country unless the court permits it.

That's definitely a good news to the families and relatives of the seven red-shirt leaders but the temporary freedom has also invalidate red-shirts' favorite claim that the Abhisit Vejjajiva is biased against the anti-government protesters. However, it remains questionable whether the release was a result of public pressure or testimonies by Kanit Na Nakhon, chairman of the independent fact-finding and reconciliation committee, and Deputy Prime Minister Major General Sanan Kajornprasart, who told the court that a short-term freedom will bode well for the peace process.

DAAD’s caretaker leader Thida Thawornset said the release is a sign of good things to come for the country while it also marks a new chapter in the Thai justice system. Thida said she has no doubt the seven red-shirt leaders will adhere to the conditions given.

Yet, it is doubtful whether the seven honchos can make good on the bail requirements, considering that Pheu Thai Party Jatuporn Promphan hardly observed it when he was prohibited from a public gathering with more than five people or giving interviews or information that could obstruct ongoing investigations except in a parliamentary debate.

Then instead of being an impetus for national reconciliation, the release could turn out to be the end of such a hope. This is highly possible if the red-shirt leaders do not comply with court's orders but take the cues from the self-exiled former prime minister and create a new round of disturbance. However, that will be a legitimate reason the government can use to crackdown on the red-shirt movements to maintain order in the society.

And it must not be forgotten that the temporary release is not a proof of innocence and the seven red-shirt leaders therefore have not yet been absolved of the crimes they've been accused of.

Editorial, Daily News newspaper, Page 3, February 23rd, 2011

Translated and rewritten by Wacharapol Isaranont.

Please note that the views expressed in our "Analysis" segment are translated from local newspaper articles and do not reflect the views of the Thai-ASEAN News Network.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-24

[Who, me ?]

chaos is more likely than peace. They have nothing to gain by being peaceful, so they think....

[webfact]

Red-shirt leader Kwanchai says 7 released leaders to run as partylist MP candidates for Pheu Thai Party to gain MP immunity /TAN_Network

[Robby nz]

Red-shirt leader Kwanchai says 7 released leaders to run as partylist MP candidates for Pheu Thai Party to gain MP immunity /TAN_Network

So how is that going to work?

Do they have to wait till after the next election of are 7 present list MP's going to gracefully step aside to let them take their place?

Either way its going to Pee off some more PTP list MP's.

No doubt these heroes of the poor will be put on top of the party list forcing others who may have been expecting to get a job off the bottom of the list.

Wait for more defections.

[pedro01]

Does this mean that anyone comitting a crime can just sign up to become an MP in order to avoid prosecution?

Crazy.

[Who, me ?]

They just show how honest and responsible they are, and what a high idea of democracy they have. How about the other red shirts still detained? Will they be offered the same chance?

[givenall]

Security obeying the law is a joke over here anyways. Money drive everything so anything is possible

[yoshiwara]

Any further rioting organised by the released red leaders prior to the election is unlikely. Firstly they would be re-arrested very quickly and secondly there is insufficient time to ratchet up the violence to force the government out which given the timeline doesn't make any sense. No doubt if they were still in prison at the time of the election they would question the legitimacy of the election. If there is going to be a return of violence by the reds it would take place either during the election if their returns showed that they were losing it or immediately after the election once they had. For Jatuporn, the man with 2 faces, having his mate 'Burn Down Bangkok' Arisman still on the run is not good PR.

[animatic]

Well PTP didn't do too well with their last Red Shirt candidates, no reason to assume this will improve. Anyone believe Jatuporn would actually get elected if he wasn't Party List?

No, no connection between Thaksin and the Red Shirt leaders:

other than the political party he owns and controls,

his farang lawyer he pays to cause political trouble, and who goes behind the Red Shirt Racha. stage to advise them, BEFORE the riots,

and many of Thaksin's family members and cronies bank accounts.

Nah, no connections at all.

Edited February 24, 2011 by animatic

[frodo]

Red-shirt leader Kwanchai says 7 released leaders to run as partylist MP candidates for Pheu Thai Party to gain MP immunity /TAN_Network

A person can commit various violent crimes over a 3-4 year span, be arrested, jailed, and eventually bailed and during bail, they can become an MP. If elected, they will have immunity for any prior crimes including murder, terrorism, and arson if the courts find them guilty. Some very strange laws on the books here. PT should be very proud to sponsor and endorse such people and actions in their ranks.

[jonclark]

Red-shirt leader Kwanchai says 7 released leaders to run as partylist MP candidates for Pheu Thai Party to gain MP immunity /TAN_Network

So how does one become an elected party list MP? Surely if the DAAD / UDD leaders became PTP MP's then it is the clearest of indications that PTP is UDD. So does that mean Thida is leading PTP or is Yoongyuth leading UDD/DAAD ??

I just find it hard to understand how a red short leader can claim to speak for others..........oh hang on.....they do it all the time. I see my mistake!

Why do they want immunity anyway, they claim to have done nothing wrong so why do they need immunity. Surely only cowards and the guilty seek immunity from their own actions!

[Insight]

Red-shirt leader Kwanchai says 7 released leaders to run as partylist MP candidates for Pheu Thai Party to gain MP immunity /TAN_Network

Was he wearing the famous red Ghandi teeshirt when he spouted this one?

[frodo]

Red-shirt leader Kwanchai says 7 released leaders to run as partylist MP candidates for Pheu Thai Party to gain MP immunity /TAN_Network

So how does one become an elected party list MP? Surely if the DAAD / UDD leaders became PTP MP's then it is the clearest of indications that PTP is UDD. So does that mean Thida is leading PTP or is Yoongyuth leading UDD/DAAD ??

I just find it hard to understand how a red short leader can claim to speak for others..........oh hang on.....they do it all the time. I see my mistake!

Why do they want immunity anyway, they claim to have done nothing wrong so why do they need immunity. Surely only cowards and the guilty seek immunity from their own actions!

Agreed, especially the last sentence.

From Kwanchai's statement it is rather evident that these leaders had never been interested in democracy to begin with. There is nothing about how he, or the six others, will work as an MP to solve problems, to educate and assist the so-called poor (Bonanza anyone?), to eradicate corruption or improve the justice system. It's all about their own self-serving interests only and nothing more. As Jonclark said, if they had done nothing wrong, there is no need to hide behind the facade of MP immunity.

[junglist]

Red-shirt leader Kwanchai says 7 released leaders to run as partylist MP candidates for Pheu Thai Party to gain MP immunity /TAN_Network

Was he wearing the famous red Ghandi teeshirt when he spouted this one?

He is not worthy to clean Mahatma Gandhi toilet!

[asiawatcher]

amazing Thailand - that seems to cover it all.