Chalerm Defends Amnesty Move

[EyesWideOpen]

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

Hmmmm... wonder if that jail threat applies to TV posters who have also questioned this amnesty in droves. Also Thaksin seems a bit vengeful. So seems pretty obvious upon his triumphant return there will be some housecleaning going on. Think that will apply to the anti- Thaksin contingent here? Can I go back and delete all my Thaksin bashing posts???

Edited November 17, 2011 by EyesWideOpen

[BarryM]

^nah. She'd have to do something really nasty, like shooting a decorated policeman in the head whilst her friends held him down, dodging the military service draft, hiding in the family house before fleeing to Cambodia etc.....

Actually, that seems to be acceptable in Thailand too. I'm sure the girl has nothing to worry about. She just has to talk to daddy n'est ce que pas?

[janverbeem]

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

Seems Chalerm is promoting the freedom of speech amendment in the proposed new constitution.

[janverbeem]

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!!

Since corruption is included in this years "qualifications" to be pardoned I'm actually surprised that the number is as low as 26.000.I'm sure they missed a 0.

[Toany]

Taksin willcome back. That is the plan all along. Just accept the innevitable

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.

[metisdead]

A post with reference to HM the King has been removed. Speculation, comments and discussion of either a political or personal nature are not allowed when discussing HM The King or the Royal family.

[ThaiOats]

So is "deny everything" the new tactic for this government? Deny about knowing the Red shirts, deny knowing the secret meetings, Thaksin's daughter's wedding, the flood and etc. I guess you can't be hold accountable if you play the "I don't know card". Oh.. and running away to another country when the heat picks up... Yingluck is learning from her brother.

[MEL1]

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

Hmmmm... wonder if that jail threat applies to TV posters who have also questioned this amnesty in droves.

Didn't you know Thaksin hates farangs being in Thailand, unless they are short term travellers?

However, working for a Swiss bank on your CV would put you in good stead for a long term stay.

If you are farang, and don't work for a bank where his assets are frozen, and he makes it back as PM here, then I suggest you get something like 200K Baht of readies available quickly. You'll be able to buy a residency permit from a red shirt in LopBuri immigration for less, and if that doesn't work then, when he cancels all farang work permits until his readies are released from overseas banks, then at least you've got your flight money. Unless, of course, Suvarna hasn't been burnt to a cinder before then. mwa ha ha ha

Hitlers were poodles..... Pol-Pots were chihauhuas, Thais are like sheep and farangs, well farangs we're just like noodles.

mel.

[elcent]

I doubt this govt will be around for a full term. It can be clearly seen that younger generations are fed-up and they, when get moving, will bring a fast change. Congrats to the lady in that interview.

Good example of a young person.

[elcent]

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

Hmmmm... wonder if that jail threat applies to TV posters who have also questioned this amnesty in droves.

Didn't you know Thaksin hates farangs being in Thailand, unless they are short term travellers?

However, working for a Swiss bank on your CV would put you in good stead for a long term stay.

If you are farang, and don't work for a bank where his assets are frozen, and he makes it back as PM here, then I suggest you get something like 200K Baht of readies available quickly. You'll be able to buy a residency permit from a red shirt in LopBuri immigration for less, and if that doesn't work then, when he cancels all farang work permits until his readies are released from overseas banks, then at least you've got your flight money. Unless, of course, Suvarna hasn't been burnt to a cinder before then. mwa ha ha ha

Hitlers were poodles..... Pol-Pots were chihauhuas, Thais are like sheep and farangs, well farangs we're just like noodles.

mel.

He hates Thai people more, because most of them wouldn't stop him when he has his hand in the cookie jar. Kinda kleptomania.

Nah, who are the yellow noodles then?

[Skywalker69]

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?!

A country can´t but it´s MPs can, big time.

[Skywalker69]

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!!

The Governments upcomming "war on drogs" will reach Biblical propotions.

[rubl]

No public debate allowed in 'secret' draft on amnesty: Chalerm

The Nation November 18, 2011 12:10 pm

The government will not release details of the draft decree for amnesty before it is endorsed by the palace, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said yesterday, adding that it needed to be kept confidential to avoid public debate.

"Every pardon is granted at each government's discretion and there is no law dictating that every pardon should be the same," he said in his rebuttal to an urgent motion filed by the Democrats.

Chalerm said the decree would be within legal boundaries and that the draft was not designed to favour a single individual, like former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

He added that the government was relying on a draft prepared by a Justice Ministry panel that was formed under the previous Democrat-led administration.

The draft is being kept confidential due to several factors, such as an incomplete drafting process and vetting by the Council of State, he said, adding that he could face impeachment proceedings if he disclosed details about a Cabinet debate held behind closed doors.

Chalerm added that a debate on the subject could cause confusion because the enforcement of pardon provisions might differ from the draft. He said there were several cases in which royal clemency was granted despite opposition from the Justice Ministry.

Democrat MP Satit Wongnongtaey said he wanted an explanation as to why the government had departed from the legal tradition of granting pardon to a broader group of individuals rather than just those sentenced by the judiciary. He voiced suspicion that the new classification was meant to apply to fugitives like Thaksin.

He also criticised Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and said she was being irresponsible by finding a pretext to stay away from the Cabinet debate.

Meanwhile, Tul Sitthisomwong, leader of the multi-coloured shirts, lodged a complaint with the Council of State against the draft decree. He said opponents of the decree would hold a rally at Lumpini Park today to air their opposition to pardoning Thaksin.

Rak Santi Party leader Purachai Piumsombun said the Cabinet debate on pardon should not be kept confidential because it would have an impact on a large number of people.

"Thaksin was a police cadet and should remain a gentleman," he said, adding that royal pardon should only be granted to those who show remorse and are not fugitives. He added that during his time as interior minister in Thaksin's reign, he had advised against pardon sought by a daughter for her fugitive father.

-- The Nation 2011-11-18

[rubl]

The government will not release details of the draft decree for amnesty before it is endorsed by the palace, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said yesterday, adding that it needed to be kept confidential to avoid public debate.

Translation: only when the decree has been royally endorsed, becomes legal and irrevocable will we allow the public to know about the details and allow meaningless discussions because it will be too late. Terribly sorry and all that. This is democracy 'Thaksin thinks, Phue Thai acts' style

[nurofiend]

won't he first have to admit guilt to be given amnesty?

[webfact]

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No public debate allowed in 'secret' draft on amnesty: Chalerm

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