Chalerm Defends Amnesty Move

[webfact]

Govt Defends Amnesty Move

A deputy premier insists that the government's push for an amnesty decree will not instigate a new round of political conflict given the move proceeds lawfully.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung pledged that the government will comply with the law in its push for the draft royal decree that was allegedly created to benefit ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra

Chalerm insisted that the government has no power to facilitate Thaksin's return to the country without his serving time in prison.

He claimed he was not aware of Thaksin's remark that he intends to return home before the year end to attend his daughter's wedding.

The deputy premier maintained that the draft amnesty decree was not initiated by the government, but by the Justice Ministry, and suggested that the Council of State be asked to rule whether the move is pemissible by law.

Meanwhile, vice president of the Lawyer Council of Thailand, Kriengsak Worramongkolchai, stated that the royal pardon decree, which is promulgated on an annual basis, normally excludes individuals convicted of corruption or in drug cases, so it is uncertain whether the decree for this year will cover them.

He said if it does, many people convicted of corruption as well as fugitives could benefit from the amnesty, which is against the rule of law.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-17

[webfact]

Chalerm: Royal pardon decree not aimed at helping particular person

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said Thursday that the draft royal pardon decree has been drafted according to the legal framework.

Chalerm said the decree was not drafted with an intention to help a particular person.

Critics said the criteria for convicts to be eligible for royal pardon on His Majesty's birthday were designed to help former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra escape jail term.

Chalerm said if the opposition submits an interpollation to question him about the draft decree, he would be able to explain the issue

-- The Nation 2011-11-17

[wayned]

Taksin will fly to Bangkok on the 4th and be immediately arrested and put in "prison". Then on the 5th he will be pardoned and be a free man. He is over 50, his sentence was less than three years and he spent time in prison, all be it a suite in a five star hotel. He meets the criteria so he's a free man to purge and pillage!

[bigbamboo]

Be fair, Chalerm has said he is not aware that Thaksin said he plans to return to Thailand for his daughters wedding. It's obviously all a big misunderstanding.

[webfact]

Deputy PM Chalerm says Royal Pardon Decree has no hidden agenda, will benefit not one, but 26,000 /TAN_Network

[WinnieTheKhwai]

LOL.. I'm not a Thaksin hater (and actually think he needs to come back so everyone can move on as a nation) but come on.. pull the other one.

[sparebox2]

Taksin will fly to Bangkok on the 4th and be immediately arrested and put in "prison". Then on the 5th he will be pardoned and be a free man. He is over 50, his sentence was less than three years and he spent time in prison, all be it a suite in a five star hotel. He meets the criteria so he's a free man to purge and pillage!

The welcome receiption put up by PAD (Sondhi) could be huge. Maybe 100,000 yellow people.

Will the airport get closed?

[Soutpeel]

Deputy PM Chalerm says Royal Pardon Decree has no hidden agenda, will benefit not one, but 26,000 /TAN_Network

Think the esteemed deputy PM should provide a detailed list of the 26,000 names then...

I wonder how many are on the run and are billionaries and in addtion have houses in Dubai

Edited November 17, 2011 by Soutpeel

[Thaddeus]

Be fair, Chalerm has said he is not aware that Thaksin said he plans to return to Thailand for his daughters wedding. It's obviously all a big misunderstanding.

That's a very interesting way to spell lie.

[E1717007]

Be fair, Chalerm has said he is not aware that Thaksin said he plans to return to Thailand for his daughters wedding. It's obviously all a big misunderstanding.

Chalerm: read my lips, i dont lie! LOL

how can a country prosper thru lies?!

[whybother]

Chalerm said the decree was not drafted with an intention to help a particular person.

*cou ... BS ... gh*

[daiwill60]

Meanwhile, vice president of the Lawyer Council of Thailand, Kriengsak Worramongkolchai, stated that the royal pardon decree, which is promulgated on an annual basis, normally excludes individuals convicted of corruption or in drug cases, so it is uncertain whether the decree for this year will cover them.

He said if it does, many people convicted of corruption as well as fugitives could benefit from the amnesty, which is against the rule of law.

So all the secret meetings are about how they can word the amnesty decree, to only allow one person to benefit, while the rest of the baddies stay in jail. It is still secret because they havent come up with anything yet, that will sound convincingly good and rational, that also wont let the real baddies off the hook. If they can manage that, then I for one do not want to hear anything about Thai IQ levels on here ever again, or on the other hand maybe it would be worth discussing again, in even more depth if they do let Thaksin back in.

[webfact]

PAD Plans Legal Action against Govt over Amnesty Decree

A legal adviser to the People's Alliance for Democracy is planning to ask the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the Office of Ombudsman and the Senate to consider filing complaint with the Constitution Court against the Cabinet for abusing its authority by approving an amnesty decree draft.

Suwat Apaipak, who is the main legal adviser to the People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, is preparing to ask the National Anti-Corruption Commission to charge the Cabinet for abusing its authority by approving an amnesty decree draft.

Suwat claimed that the Cabinet has acted outside the law by introducing the draft with the sole intention of absolving former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra of his crimes.

Moreover, he added that this may lead to the release of more than 26,000 convicts even though Thaksin has never atoned for his wrongdoings.

The PAD lawyer asserted that the move has put the whole judicial system at risk and would create a corrupt precedent that the wealthy are immune to the law.

Suwat will also ask the Office of Ombudsman and the Senate to seek the Constitution Court's interpretation on whether the Cabinet's action is lawful.

He points out that he will inform the Privy Council that His Majesty the King will not be pressured to approve the decree if it is still being deliberated by the court.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-17

[Orac]

Meanwhile, vice president of the Lawyer Council of Thailand, Kriengsak Worramongkolchai, stated that the royal pardon decree, which is promulgated on an annual basis, normally excludes individuals convicted of corruption or in drug cases, so it is uncertain whether the decree for this year will cover them.

He said if it does, many people convicted of corruption as well as fugitives could benefit from the amnesty, which is against the rule of law.

Can anyone clarify these points. There are some articles which seem to suggest that the corruption clause was something added by the Democrats in the last government whereas this statement seems to suggest it has always been there. Is there a precedence for people convicted of corruption being pardoned before??

Also, on the second paragraph, I thought that what was being talked about here was a royal pardon and not an amnesty and as such was seperate to the rule of law rather than against it.

[RegularReader]

LOL.. I'm not a Thaksin hater (and actually think he needs to come back so everyone can move on as a nation) but come on.. pull the other one.

Don't often agree with much of what you say Winnie, but I must admit this time you have a point.

The only way the country can move on is for him to come back.

Then maybe people can see the "real man", rather than the Wizard of Oz" figure, he has become

[sbk]

Off topic post deleted, Thailand remember???

[OzMick]

LOL.. I'm not a Thaksin hater (and actually think he needs to come back so everyone can move on as a nation) but come on.. pull the other one.

Don't often agree with much of what you say Winnie, but I must admit this time you have a point.

The only way the country can move on is for him to come back.

Then maybe people can see the "real man", rather than the Wizard of Oz" figure, he has become

how much more true your 2nd statement would be if you added "...........in a box."

[sparebox2]

Meanwhile, vice president of the Lawyer Council of Thailand, Kriengsak Worramongkolchai, stated that the royal pardon decree, which is promulgated on an annual basis, normally excludes individuals convicted of corruption or in drug cases, so it is uncertain whether the decree for this year will cover them.

He said if it does, many people convicted of corruption as well as fugitives could benefit from the amnesty, which is against the rule of law.

Can anyone clarify these points. There are some articles which seem to suggest that the corruption clause was something added by the Democrats in the last government whereas this statement seems to suggest it has always been there. Is there a precedence for people convicted of corruption being pardoned before??

Also, on the second paragraph, I thought that what was being talked about here was a royal pardon and not an amnesty and as such was seperate to the rule of law rather than against it.

You are correct. Corruption was added specifically to stop Thaksin from coming home.

Come to think of it. Is corruption more bad than other crimes like murder, rape etc?

Edited November 17, 2011 by sparebox2

[Moruya]

Such a natural liar.

Why all the secrecy Chalerm?

[Cayenne]

Pity those redshirts who are now in jail; their beloved leader has a chance to be free without spending a day in jail while they themselves will probably rot away in some forgotten jail. Talk about "double standards"

[travelmann]

Meanwhile, vice president of the Lawyer Council of Thailand, Kriengsak Worramongkolchai, stated that the royal pardon decree, which is promulgated on an annual basis, normally excludes individuals convicted of corruption or in drug cases, so it is uncertain whether the decree for this year will cover them.

He said if it does, many people convicted of corruption as well as fugitives could benefit from the amnesty, which is against the rule of law.

Can anyone clarify these points. There are some articles which seem to suggest that the corruption clause was something added by the Democrats in the last government whereas this statement seems to suggest it has always been there. Is there a precedence for people convicted of corruption being pardoned before??

Also, on the second paragraph, I thought that what was being talked about here was a royal pardon and not an amnesty and as such was seperate to the rule of law rather than against it.

You are correct. Corruption was added specifically to stop Thaksin from coming home.

Come to think of it. Is corruption more bad than other crimes like murder, rape etc?

you forgot that most evil of Thai crimes.........slander

Edited November 17, 2011 by travelmann

[yoshiwara]

Taksin will fly to Bangkok on the 4th and be immediately arrested and put in "prison". Then on the 5th he will be pardoned and be a free man. He is over 50, his sentence was less than three years and he spent time in prison, all be it a suite in a five star hotel. He meets the criteria so he's a free man to purge and pillage!

It is highly unlikely that Thaksin will want to return as a guilty man. If that were the case he would have requested a pardon. He doesn't want a pardon. He wants a 'nullify'.

The government puppets will have difficulty with that one. They will try though. That's what they are paid for.

And the Thaksin apologists will be getting soooo excited. Back to business.

Edited November 17, 2011 by yoshiwara

[MEL1]

Meanwhile, vice president of the Lawyer Council of Thailand, Kriengsak Worramongkolchai, stated that the royal pardon decree, which is promulgated on an annual basis, normally excludes individuals convicted of corruption or in drug cases, so it is uncertain whether the decree for this year will cover them.

He said if it does, many people convicted of corruption as well as fugitives could benefit from the amnesty, which is against the rule of law.

Can anyone clarify these points. There are some articles which seem to suggest that the corruption clause was something added by the Democrats in the last government whereas this statement seems to suggest it has always been there. Is there a precedence for people convicted of corruption being pardoned before??

Also, on the second paragraph, I thought that what was being talked about here was a royal pardon and not an amnesty and as such was seperate to the rule of law rather than against it.

You are correct. Corruption was added specifically to stop Thaksin from coming home.

Come to think of it. Is corruption more bad than other crimes like murder, rape etc?

Corruption normally precludes, includes or coerces murder, extorsional rape and hidden measures of the varying ways to make physical or mental/emotional torture.

So, yes, it it worse.

mel.

[moe666]

How do you tell if a Thai politician is lieing, his lips are moving.

[lannarebirth]

Meanwhile, vice president of the Lawyer Council of Thailand, Kriengsak Worramongkolchai, stated that the royal pardon decree, which is promulgated on an annual basis, normally excludes individuals convicted of corruption or in drug cases, so it is uncertain whether the decree for this year will cover them.

He said if it does, many people convicted of corruption as well as fugitives could benefit from the amnesty, which is against the rule of law.

Can anyone clarify these points. There are some articles which seem to suggest that the corruption clause was something added by the Democrats in the last government whereas this statement seems to suggest it has always been there. Is there a precedence for people convicted of corruption being pardoned before??

Also, on the second paragraph, I thought that what was being talked about here was a royal pardon and not an amnesty and as such was seperate to the rule of law rather than against it.

You are correct. Corruption was added specifically to stop Thaksin from coming home.

Come to think of it. Is corruption more bad than other crimes like murder, rape etc?

No it is not generally, but the greater the office the corrupt politician holds the more people that will be affected by his actions. Also, corrupt politicians whom belong to a party , generally always have advocates for their pardons, whether they are worthy for pardon or not.

[MEL1]

How do you tell if a Thai politician is lieing, his lips are moving.

How do you know Mr T when you see him?

He denies all knowledge of the A-Team.

In fact there's a picture of Mr T in action, not too far from here...... "It wasn't me, it was my sister!"

Take a look left.........

<------------------------------

mel.

[TheWalkingMan]

He claimed he was not aware of Thaksin's remark that he intends to return home before the year end to attend his daughter's wedding.

Oh c'mon...

[EyesWideOpen]

Holy cow !!!! 26,000 people are to be pardoned?? The total prison population in Thailand is 224,000 from the latest numbers. As near as I can tell from reading the news here for 12 years, you have to be REALLY guilty before the " justice" system actually puts you in jail. The normal route seems to be a tap on the wrist, the criminal shows remorse and promises not to do it again, the proper amount of money is paid to the BIB, and the criminal is on their way to freedom.

So I am bit stunned by the sheer amount of people they wish to pardon. I thought it would be a couple hundred people that could show they were improperly incarcerated, did not think it would be 10 % of the entire prison population about to unleashed upon Thailand ready to repeat their crimes. Is this some clever strategy to gain support from the 200,000 family and friends of the people about to be let out?

I sure hope this does not come to pass. The riots and the standard coup will be dam_n annoying to deal with. :jap: While the foreigner population are seen by many on TV as lucky guests to be here , in the end we will pay the price of massive civil unrest , although certainly not at the same level as the Thais on the front line. Hey didn't Thaksin make some idiotic quote about leading his red shirt buffaloes into battle. Maybe soon he will have his chance when he comes back!!

[TAWP]

Thailand's Deputy PM warns reporter she could end up in jail for her questioning of amnesty for Thaksin. Video in Thai.

[lannarebirth]

Thailand's Deputy PM warns reporter she could end up in jail for her questioning of amnesty for Thaksin. Video in Thai.

Wow! Brave woman. Thailand needs more like her.