Yingluck: Thaksin Case To Be Reviewed

[webfact]

THE FUGITIVE

'Thaksin case to be reviewed'

By THE NATION

Yingluck tells CNN that reopening it is part of national reconciliation; Abhisit warns that including others will not hide true purpose

Prime minister-elect Yingluck Shinawatra, speaking on the most explosive issue facing her incoming government for the first time since her party's election victory, has told CNN her big brother's case will be reopened and reviewed "along with others" as part of national reconciliation.

The issue appears to have changed from the original idea of giving a blanket political amnesty for the sake of national reconciliation to a process of reviewing cases first before further action can be taken.

In the interview, Yingluck did not clarify whether or how the latest plan might affect normal judicial authority.

Yingluck told the US news network that she would not encourage Thaksin Shinawatra to come back and serve his two-year jail sentence. "Let's start with the principle of the rule of law first. [We must] make sure that everyone will be treated on equal basis," she said.

"Are you saying that his case along with others will be looked into - will be investigated again?" asked the CNN interviewer.

"Yes," Yingluck replied, but added: "His will be one of the cases." She insisted that the bottom line would be that the process and its results would be fair to everyone.

Asked later by Thai reporters whether her interview comment meant the amnesty plan for Thaksin was still on, Yingluck maintained the Pheu Thai Party's ambiguous line.

"I didn't mean it that way," she said. "Bringing him back is not the main point. Our policy is not meant for any particular person. Everything will have to wait for the Truth and Reconciliation Committee, which will work independently towards reconciliation," she said.

Although the Pheu Thai Party has surprised critics by keeping the top reconciliation job in the hands of the Kanit na Nakorn panel, its chairman has expressed concern that the change of political guard could affect the committee's ongoing work. He has yet to react in detail to Yingluck's disclosure that legal cases that were part of Thailand's political crisis could be reopened for review.

Outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday repeated his warning that an amnesty plan of any form would be bad for political peace.

"To help one man by also helping others is not different from helping him exclusively. Dragging others into it cannot hide the original purpose," Abhisit said.

Another troublesome issue facing Yingluck concerns red-shirt leaders on the Pheu Thai party list who have started laying claim to, or fighting for, Cabinet posts.

Some critics have said it seems all right for her to nominate red leaders for ministerial posts, citing the case of outgoing Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, who took part in the takeover of Suvarnabhumi Airport in late 2008.

Red-shirt leader Nuttawut Saikua, who was rumoured to be jockeying for a Cabinet position, denied yesterday that he was aspiring for a ministerial portfolio. He admitted that he had called Thaksin, but only to congratulate the former prime minister on the poll victory.

Another red-shirt leader, Kwanchai Prai-pana, said Nuttawut should stay away from the Cabinet and instead serve as government spokesman to "protect" Yingluck.

"The one suitable to be in the Cabinet is Jatuporn Prompan, who is a red-shirt hero and who has parliamentary experience," Kwanchai said.

When asked to confirm yesterday's news reports that red leaders would be barred from the Cabinet to avoid causing an immediate image problem for the new government, Yingluck was elusive. "We have not gone as far as discussing that," she said.

Sirote Klampaiboon, a Mahidol University lecturer in politics and human rights, said he did not mind seeing red-shirt leaders in the Cabinet. "I'm more worried about people with vested business interests given government positions," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-07-06

[steffi]

Let's play "Guess the technicality?"

Typically it ends up being something like they didn't have the authority to bla bla bla and to therefore the verdict is overturned. Just watch and see.

Edited July 5, 2011 by steffi

[virtualtraveller]

"Another red-shirt leader, Kwanchai Prai-pana, said Nuttawut should stay away from the Cabinet and instead serve as government spokesman to "protect" Yingluck."

Government Spokes-liar, more like!

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Enough already.. politicians, and political clans ALWAYS come back in Thailand.

Everyone knows it's going to happen, let's call amnesty for the Airport idiots, the Ratchaprasong idiots, the army generals who sent in war weapons, and Thaksin, who's actual 'conviction' on a conflict-of-interest charge is so minor you'd almost smile about it. (Looking at what past PM's got away with; if you jail Thaksin for that then you need to jail absolutely everyone with the possible exception of Chuan.)

Done.

Edited July 6, 2011 by WinnieTheKhwai

[eezergood]

Well they waited 2 days at least!

[steffi]

I keep losing track but has any of the clan ever paid taxes? Again who's asked her who or if she has already divested herself of her SC Asset shares? What assurance has been given that there is no conflict of interest at this time?

"The Securities and Exchange Commission has slammed the door on the possibility of launching any action against prime minister-hopeful Yingluck Shinawatra, issuing a statement that it has completed all actions permitted under the securities law."

Is that case going to be reopened too?

Edited July 6, 2011 by steffi

[whybother]

Enough already.. politicians, and political clans ALWAYS come back in Thailand.

Everyone knows it's going to happen, let's call amnesty for the Airport idiots, the Ratchaprasong idiots, the army generals who sent in war weapons, and Thaksin, who's actual 'conviction' on a conflict-of-interest charge is so minor you'd almost smile about it. (Looking at what past PM's got away with; if you jail Thaksin for that then you need to jail absolutely everyone with the possible exception of Chuan.)

Done.

THIS one is a conflict of interest charge.

Will he come back to face all the other charges against him?

Maybe they can re-open the assets concealment case as well.

[themockrat]

A review of his case sounds fair to me.

Let's remember that all the charges against Thaksin were brought forward by the "Assets Examination Committee" (AEC). The AEC was established after the coup by the military junta. It didn't exist before. There were 12 members on the panel. They include:

- Kaewsan Atibodhi: A vocal critic of Thaksin for many years and speaker at the PAD rallies. He has publicly called Thaksin a hijacker and rapist before being appointed to the AEC.

- Jaruvan Maintaka: She was well know for her criticism of Thaksin before being appointed to the AEC. She refused to resign her position as Auditor-General after the Constitution Court ruled that her nomination was illegal. She was also criticized for nepotism, hiring her own son as her personal secretary using the state budget and bringing her children on a state-funded trip. She is also a member of the Democrat party and a PAD speaker at rallies.

- Banjerd Singkaneti: Also a long-time critic of Thaksin, and a leader of the PAD since 2006. Most famously, he has said that Thaksin was worse than Hitler.

These are just some of the 12 people who have brought charges against Thaksin. Now, after reading the above, I'm sure everyone will agree with me that a review of Thaksin's case sounds more than fair.

[whybother]

A review of his case sounds fair to me.

Let's remember that all the charges against Thaksin were brought forward by the "Assets Examination Committee" (AEC). The AEC was established after the coup by the military junta. It didn't exist before. There were 12 members on the panel. They include:

- Kaewsan Atibodhi: A vocal critic of Thaksin for many years and speaker at the PAD rallies. He has publicly called Thaksin a hijacker and rapist before being appointed to the AEC.

- Jaruvan Maintaka: She was well know for her criticism of Thaksin before being appointed to the AEC. She refused to resign her position as Auditor-General after the Constitution Court ruled that her nomination was illegal. She was also criticized for nepotism, hiring her own son as her personal secretary using the state budget and bringing her children on a state-funded trip. She is also a member of the Democrat party and a PAD speaker at rallies.

- Banjerd Singkaneti: Also a long-time critic of Thaksin, and a leader of the PAD since 2006. Most famously, he has said that Thaksin was worse than Hitler.

These are just some of the 12 people who have brought charges against Thaksin. Now, after reading the above, I'm sure everyone will agree with me that a review of Thaksin's case sounds more than fair.

Will a review of the case find different facts because different people are investigating?

The AEC brought the case forward. But the DSI prosecuted, and the judges judged.

[themockrat]

A review of his case sounds fair to me.

Let's remember that all the charges against Thaksin were brought forward by the "Assets Examination Committee" (AEC). The AEC was established after the coup by the military junta. It didn't exist before. There were 12 members on the panel. They include:

- Kaewsan Atibodhi: A vocal critic of Thaksin for many years and speaker at the PAD rallies. He has publicly called Thaksin a hijacker and rapist before being appointed to the AEC.

- Jaruvan Maintaka: She was well know for her criticism of Thaksin before being appointed to the AEC. She refused to resign her position as Auditor-General after the Constitution Court ruled that her nomination was illegal. She was also criticized for nepotism, hiring her own son as her personal secretary using the state budget and bringing her children on a state-funded trip. She is also a member of the Democrat party and a PAD speaker at rallies.

- Banjerd Singkaneti: Also a long-time critic of Thaksin, and a leader of the PAD since 2006. Most famously, he has said that Thaksin was worse than Hitler.

These are just some of the 12 people who have brought charges against Thaksin. Now, after reading the above, I'm sure everyone will agree with me that a review of Thaksin's case sounds more than fair.

Will a review of the case find different facts because different people are investigating?

The AEC brought the case forward. But the DSI prosecuted, and the judges judged.

You're incorrect. The AEC charged Thaksin, the AEC froze Thaksin's assets and it was also the AEC who found Thaksin guilty. The decisions are available online for anyone to read.

The AEC members were the only judges. And as you can see above the AEC members were all PAD or Democrat party members.

[wolfmanjack]

too bad someone does not lay out ALL of the evidence in these cases on the internet for the whole world to see.

edited to add

as why bother said are they going to reopen the assets concealment charges when he had the richest maid and driver in the world?

Edited July 6, 2011 by wolfmanjack

[whybother]

You're incorrect. The AEC charged Thaksin, the AEC froze Thaksin's assets and it was also the AEC who found Thaksin guilty. The decisions are available online for anyone to read.

The AEC members were the only judges. And as you can see above the AEC members were all PAD or Democrat party members.

The AEC found Thaksin guilty in their investigation and froze his assets. The Supreme Court found him guilty of corruption and gave him a jail sentence.

http://en.ce.cn/Worl...7_9904861.shtml

The sub-committee concluded that Thaksin guilty in the land purchase case because Thaksin, then serving as prime minister, wasprohibited from being engaged in contractual agreements with state agencies under their authorization, according to the country's counter corruption act.

Pojaman, then as spouse of a state official, should also be prohibited from such activities. So the AEC also found her guilty of misconduct and corruption.

According to Sak, the next step would be for the FIDF to submit an appeal to the AEC to launch legal actions against Thaksin.

http://www.forbes.co...facescan03.html

Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand's fugitive former prime minister, has been sentenced in absentia to two years in prison for corruption by the country's Supreme Court.

The court decided by a 5-4 vote that Thaksin had used the influence of his office in 2003 to get a below-market price for his wife when she purchased a plot of land in Bangkok from the state.

Edited July 6, 2011 by whybother

[maidu]

Before and after the election, the #1 priority for the two Shinawatres is to get the money back which was taken in a fine handed down by the Thai supreme court. If that decision is somehow nullified/reversed (which it surely will be), the Shinawatres will be smiling ever more, but the Thai judicial system will be besmirched.

The #2 priority for them is to get T off the hook so he can return to Thailand. It's no secret that he want to take back the PM's seat. Several years ago in India, Ms Ghandi won the nod to become PM, but chose to hand the power seat to one of her friends instead - a position which Mr. Singh still holds.

There are unethical maneuverings the Shinawatres can do to get T off the hook. She's starting the hide and seek game already. Sometimes she mentions something remotely specific, but most of the time she hedges, vacillates, defers .....while continuing to grin and smile throughout.

[terryp]

When poor people selling second hand CD's on Bangkok streets have been given prison terms of up to 5 years... a PM rip the Country off for $BILLIONS get 5 years Prison,RUNS AWAY then constantly cause problems for the Country HE gets amnesty (it will happen just as He will be PM again) ...THE PLACE IS INSANE

I find this charade totally sickening but this shows Thailand exactly what it’s morals and principles are, to elect someone with only 6 weeks political canvassing experience ;never been an MP –Phu yai bahn or Kamnan into the highest Government office of the land is beyond a joke.

The people of Thailand have been brainwashed they deserve all they get as this Government will end just as all the other Frankenstein Children of TRT have ended.

An Almost Trillionaire with NO experience of Government running one of the most promising economies in Asia..give me a break, it stinks as does Thaksin grinning on TV with his “el Diablo” hand gestures; this man is sick, a power hungry megalomaniac that will most probably sell his sisters soul just to get his snout back into the trough. These are the type of people who are destroying peoples lives thro greed and corruption.

The power of money…if you are planning to invest here be very very careful as the Nationalistic Xenophobes are back (for now)

[looping]

Should read "Newsflash... Thaksin's case to be reviewed... by Thaksin. He promises himself a fair trial."

[OZEMADE]

Yingluck has not changed the committee that the outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva put in place as is quoted in the above article.

Asked later by Thai reporters whether her interview comment meantthe amnesty plan for Thaksin was still on, Yingluck maintained the Pheu ThaiParty's ambiguous line.

"I didn't mean it that way," she said."Bringing him back is not the main point. Our policy is not meant for anyparticular person. Everything will have to wait for the Truth andReconciliation Committee, which will work independently towardsreconciliation," she said. Although the Pheu Thai Party has surprised critics bykeeping the top reconciliation job in the hands of the Kanit na Nakorn panel,its chairman has expressed concern that the change of political guard couldaffect the committee's ongoing work. He has yet to react in detail toYingluck's disclosure that legal cases that were part of Thailand's politicalcrisis could be reopened for review.

I would give it a go and see what pans out before any comments were made.

Edited July 6, 2011 by OZEMADE

[wolfmanjack]

Yingluck has not changed the committee that the outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva put in place as is quoted in the above article.

Asked later by Thai reporters whether her interview comment meantthe amnesty plan for Thaksin was still on, Yingluck maintained the Pheu ThaiParty's ambiguous line.

"I didn't mean it that way," she said."Bringing him back is not the main point. Our policy is not meant for anyparticular person. Everything will have to wait for the Truth andReconciliation Committee, which will work independently towardsreconciliation," she said. Although the Pheu Thai Party has surprised critics bykeeping the top reconciliation job in the hands of the Kanit na Nakorn panel,its chairman has expressed concern that the change of political guard couldaffect the committee's ongoing work. He has yet to react in detail toYingluck's disclosure that legal cases that were part of Thailand's politicalcrisis could be reopened for review. I would give it a go and see what pans out before any comments were made.

she hasn't changed the committee yet but she did say she was going to add people to it to "help" them get the job done.

[steffi]

Yingluck has not changed the committee that the outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva put in place as is quoted in the above article.

Asked later by Thai reporters whether her interview comment meantthe amnesty plan for Thaksin was still on, Yingluck maintained the Pheu ThaiParty's ambiguous line.

"I didn't mean it that way," she said."Bringing him back is not the main point. Our policy is not meant for anyparticular person. Everything will have to wait for the Truth andReconciliation Committee, which will work independently towardsreconciliation," she said. Although the Pheu Thai Party has surprised critics bykeeping the top reconciliation job in the hands of the Kanit na Nakorn panel,its chairman has expressed concern that the change of political guard couldaffect the committee's ongoing work. He has yet to react in detail toYingluck's disclosure that legal cases that were part of Thailand's politicalcrisis could be reopened for review. I would give it a go and see what pans out before any comments were made.

she hasn't changed the committee yet but she did say she was going to add people to it to "help" them get the job done.

The media will simply report some ABAC poll stating the the majority of the population favors amnesty and it will be a done deal.

[OZEMADE]

Yingluck has not changed the committee that the outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva put in place as is quoted in the above article.

Asked later by Thai reporters whether her interview comment meantthe amnesty plan for Thaksin was still on, Yingluck maintained the Pheu ThaiParty's ambiguous line.

"I didn't mean it that way," she said."Bringing him back is not the main point. Our policy is not meant for anyparticular person. Everything will have to wait for the Truth andReconciliation Committee, which will work independently towardsreconciliation," she said. Although the Pheu Thai Party has surprised critics bykeeping the top reconciliation job in the hands of the Kanit na Nakorn panel,its chairman has expressed concern that the change of political guard couldaffect the committee's ongoing work. He has yet to react in detail toYingluck's disclosure that legal cases that were part of Thailand's politicalcrisis could be reopened for review. I would give it a go and see what pans out before any comments were made.

she hasn't changed the committee yet but she did say she was going to add people to it to "help" them get the job done.

I dont see a problem with that. If they are going to add people to assist/help the Committee, it is probably to speed the process up. As you said.

[hammered]

Enough already.. politicians, and political clans ALWAYS come back in Thailand.

Everyone knows it's going to happen, let's call amnesty for the Airport idiots, the Ratchaprasong idiots, the army generals who sent in war weapons, and Thaksin, who's actual 'conviction' on a conflict-of-interest charge is so minor you'd almost smile about it. (Looking at what past PM's got away with; if you jail Thaksin for that then you need to jail absolutely everyone with the possible exception of Chuan.)

Done.

We might as well just get the group amnesties over now and see the country move on as delaying it is just going to add more and more people to those needing amnesty and increasing utter hatred and eventually it will still happen but after more acrimony.

The establishment have lost. They need to accept this as if they dont the only options they have left are a horrible violent coup that will probably result in failure or ever more court cases that more and more people see as poltically motivated and unfair to the point where the whole justice system is discredited. This was a let the people chose election and they have. They have rejected the establishment and their supporters and chosen Thaksin and his even after the establishment and the poltical parties close to them had two years to change minds or even crush their opponents. They failed in such a way that PTP are now stronger and more united than PPP 4 years ago. Unless anyone wants to see more tragedy, it is time to put this to bed, and if that means a few old elite figures have to go to tending their flower beds rather than sitting in smoke filled rooms plotting what the government are allowed to do then so be it.

Right now the country has a senate, a reasonable sized opposition and the courts havent been totally undermined in government supporters minds. There is also the media. This is a check and balance enough on a government coalition. Thailand remains a functioning developing democracy if it is allowed to be. Sadly further interferance will only destroy this with the only possible outcomes being a military backed up hated government of probably useless old people with no forward vision but plenty of backward vision, or a Thaksin government full of suspicion, utter hatred and control of everything and with absoltuely no check and balance on it. Neither of these scenarios is anywhere near as good as letting the elected goevernment get on with its job and the check and balances theirs while those who like to interfere find more pastoral pursuits and enjoy family time

[OZEMADE]

It would be good if this could happen. However there would be a lot of people sweating that this does not happen. They would be, number one in the Military and number two in the Police Force.

[johnno2]

thailand will get the type of government that thailand deserves AGAIN. hire a business person who is only interested in profits for themselves and thats what you will get.

[DumFarang]

Well that didn't take long.

...and so it begins.

[CosmicSurfer]

And let the Games Begin....

CS

[happysanook]

A review of his case sounds fair to me.

Let's remember that all the charges against Thaksin were brought forward by the "Assets Examination Committee" (AEC). The AEC was established after the coup by the military junta. It didn't exist before. There were 12 members on the panel. They include:

- Kaewsan Atibodhi: A vocal critic of Thaksin for many years and speaker at the PAD rallies. He has publicly called Thaksin a hijacker and rapist before being appointed to the AEC.

- Jaruvan Maintaka: She was well know for her criticism of Thaksin before being appointed to the AEC. She refused to resign her position as Auditor-General after the Constitution Court ruled that her nomination was illegal. She was also criticized for nepotism, hiring her own son as her personal secretary using the state budget and bringing her children on a state-funded trip. She is also a member of the Democrat party and a PAD speaker at rallies.

- Banjerd Singkaneti: Also a long-time critic of Thaksin, and a leader of the PAD since 2006. Most famously, he has said that Thaksin was worse than Hitler.

These are just some of the 12 people who have brought charges against Thaksin. Now, after reading the above, I'm sure everyone will agree with me that a review of Thaksin's case sounds more than fair.

Will a review of the case find different facts because different people are investigating?

Ummm.... Yes.

[regfrancis]

What about the now deceased Prime ministers ''moonlighting at a TV chief'' charges. OMG...such corruption

[Madivad]

Well they waited 2 days at least!

So transparent. "We're reviewing many cases". You're right, it didn't take long and yeah they waited at least two days. They should at least wait til she was sworn in (or whatever the process is called here)...

Comments from the Army???

[ccarbaugh]

When poor people selling second hand CD's on Bangkok streets have been given prison terms of up to 5 years... a PM rip the Country off for $BILLIONS get 5 years Prison,RUNS AWAY then constantly cause problems for the Country HE gets amnesty (it will happen just as He will be PM again) ...THE PLACE IS INSANE

I find this charade totally sickening but this shows Thailand exactly what it’s morals and principles are, to elect someone with only 6 weeks political canvassing experience ;never been an MP –Phu yai bahn or Kamnan into the highest Government office of the land is beyond a joke.

The people of Thailand have been brainwashed they deserve all they get as this Government will end just as all the other Frankenstein Children of TRT have ended.

An Almost Trillionaire with NO experience of Government running one of the most promising economies in Asia..give me a break, it stinks as does Thaksin grinning on TV with his “el Diablo” hand gestures; this man is sick, a power hungry megalomaniac that will most probably sell his sisters soul just to get his snout back into the trough. These are the type of people who are destroying peoples lives thro greed and corruption.

The power of money…if you are planning to invest here be very very careful as the Nationalistic Xenophobes are back (for now)

B I N G O !!!!!

[DumFarang]

A review of his case sounds fair to me.

Let's remember that all the charges against Thaksin were brought forward by the "Assets Examination Committee" (AEC). The AEC was established after the coup by the military junta. It didn't exist before. There were 12 members on the panel. They include:

- Kaewsan Atibodhi: A vocal critic of Thaksin for many years and speaker at the PAD rallies. He has publicly called Thaksin a hijacker and rapist before being appointed to the AEC.

- Jaruvan Maintaka: She was well know for her criticism of Thaksin before being appointed to the AEC. She refused to resign her position as Auditor-General after the Constitution Court ruled that her nomination was illegal. She was also criticized for nepotism, hiring her own son as her personal secretary using the state budget and bringing her children on a state-funded trip. She is also a member of the Democrat party and a PAD speaker at rallies.

- Banjerd Singkaneti: Also a long-time critic of Thaksin, and a leader of the PAD since 2006. Most famously, he has said that Thaksin was worse than Hitler.

These are just some of the 12 people who have brought charges against Thaksin. Now, after reading the above, I'm sure everyone will agree with me that a review of Thaksin's case sounds more than fair.

I see your point, but you act as if the group that acquits him will do it fairly. He was condemned by enemies and he'll be acquitted by friends. Where's the fairness in that?

[Crushdepth]

Yingluck told the US news network that she would not encourage Thaksin Shinawatra to come back and serve his two-year jail sentence. "Let's start with the principle of the rule of law first. [We must] make sure that everyone will be treated on equal basis," she said.

Overturning judicial decisions: The hallmark of a despot. And this is only the third day.