I Am In No Rush To Come Home, Says Fugitive Arisman

[webfact]

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

I am in no rush to come home, says fugitive Arisman

Fugitive red-shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong, in Cambodia escaping charges of terrorism in connection with last year’s unrest and riots, talks to the Nation News Agency’s Techawat Sukharak in an exclusive interview. The following are excerpts.

When will you return to Thailand to fight your legal case?

The cases in Thailand will have to wait for some time. The complainant in most of my cases is Veera Somkwamkid, who is now in jail in Cambodia. (Laughter). We [the red shirts] are trying to help Veera so that he can return to Thailand. … Regarding my cases, I am sure I did not do anything wrong. It is unclear if the court will hand down a guilty verdict, and there is no evidence. If they want me to return to Thailand, there must be no cases against me.

I don’t care about the cases against me. They stem from false allegations by my opponents. I did not commit any offence against the country or the people. It’s not important when I will return to Thailand if the country is fully democratic. If they don’t allow me to return, I can live in a foreign country. I believe that I can live overseas happily and proudly.

What are you waiting for before returning to Thailand?

I am waiting for the progress of the Truth for Reconciliation Committee’s work. An international judicial procedure should be allowed to investigate [last year’s political unrest and dispersal of red-shirt protesters]. If the international criminal court finds that I am guilty, I will admit to the wrongdoing. I do not believe in the country’s justice process. Judges are appointed from a group of people who can be ordered to turn left or right.

Are you going to return to Thailand late this year?

I have to wait for a right situation. There is no need for me to rush. I am spending my time overseas studying, such as agriculture.

What kind of situation are you waiting for?

I wait for the progress of work by the TRC and the Independent National Rule of Law Commission, both of which I can rely upon for justice.

Why don’t you return now when the government is led by the Pheu Thai Party [which is supported by the red shirts]?

I don’t want to make it a political issue. They [the government’s opponents] are finding ways to attack the government. I want the government to work for people who voted for them first.

What do you think about the allegation of lese majeste against red-shirt leaders?

This is not an allegation against me. We had an idea of building a memorial to celebrate His Majesty the King’s longest reign in 2006, when he had been on the throne for 60 years. Thaksin Shinawatra, who was then the prime minister, approved the project and chose the Railway Park as the site for the monument. I think this secret I have kept for many years should [now] be told. I had no chance to disclose it and this is the right time. This project disappeared after the coup… The red shirts don’t want to overthrow anything. We just want complete democracy. We want the sovereign power to really belong to the people.

-- The Nation 2011-09-27

[whybother]

They missed these excerpts:

Arisman told KomChadLuek he escaped from Rajprasong using a camouflage spell a monk taught him on the phone./ Via@tulsathit

Spiderman-in-camouflage Arisman also said he had to dodge "a hundred thousand bullets" during escape. cc @KribBKK @rebel_bay/ Via@tulsathit

To those asking why Arisman had to dodge 100,000 bullets if he could camouflage himself, I don't know./ Via@tulsathit

[siampolee]

If they don’t allow me to return, I can live in a foreign country. I believe that I can live overseas happily and proudly.

I do hope that this is a promise rather than a threat.

[FOODLOVER]

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=4M9XiJoWSSs

"Regarding my cases, I am sure I did not do anything wrong"

Cute couple!

" I believe that I can live overseas happily and proudly."

Sure, with Thaksin paying the bills, now why cant your criminal mastermind take a cue from you?

Edited September 27, 2011 by FOODLOVER

[Siripon]

Arisaman seems to have forgotten all his incitements to the red shirts to commit arson and turn Bangkok into a 'sea of fire' are on film.

[whybother]

Arisaman seems to have forgotten all his incitements to the red shirts to commit arson and turn Bangkok into a 'sea of fire' are on film.

But that's just a politically motivated charge. It's OK to do that when you're trying to overthrow a government.

[OzMick]

Arisaman seems to have forgotten all his incitements to the red shirts to commit arson and turn Bangkok into a 'sea of fire' are on film.

But that's just a politically motivated charge. It's OK to do that when you're trying to overthrow a government.

No, no, no! They weren't trying to overthrow the government! They were protesting the coup (admittedly a few years too late) and fighting for (their version of) democracy, and the government ordered all the killings, and.................and "THE RED SHIRTS DID NOTHING WRONG!"

All charges against them are politically motivated, and prosecuting them would be double standards, and the coup makers weren't prosecuted, and little Somchai's mother lets him steal from the market, and..............................

[rubl]

I am in no rush to come home, says fugitive Arisman

Pheu Thai UDD MPs Kokaew and Jatuporn, who tried to reason with him when they met him perchance in Cambodia, will be terribly disappointed. The "he's ready to come home" seems to have been a bit premature again.

[phiphidon]

I am in no rush to come home, says fugitive Arisman

Pheu Thai UDD MPs Kokaew and Jatuporn, who tried to reason with him when they met him perchance in Cambodia, will be terribly disappointed. The "he's ready to come home" seems to have been a bit premature again.

Better let Buchholz know so that he can add this to his "Another Red Shirt Leader Lie!" folder................

[Siripon]

I am in no rush to come home, says fugitive Arisman

Pheu Thai UDD MPs Kokaew and Jatuporn, who tried to reason with him when they met him perchance in Cambodia, will be terribly disappointed. The "he's ready to come home" seems to have been a bit premature again.

Better let Buchholz know so that he can add this to his "Another Red Shirt Leader Lie!" folder................

He'll have to buy another hard disc soon as the old one must be full by now!

[phiphidon]

I am in no rush to come home, says fugitive Arisman

Pheu Thai UDD MPs Kokaew and Jatuporn, who tried to reason with him when they met him perchance in Cambodia, will be terribly disappointed. The "he's ready to come home" seems to have been a bit premature again.

Better let Buchholz know so that he can add this to his "Another Red Shirt Leader Lie!" folder................

He'll have to buy another hard disc soon as the old one must be full by now!

[prvtdetdave]

I am just curious, how many of you are Thais born and raised here?

[rubl]

I am just curious, how many of you are Thais born and raised here?

A bit off topic and not really relevant, but a good guess would be that this international forum doesn't attract too many Thai.

[howzat]

Well done mate for sticking to what you believe.

[nurofiend]

haha, that's great