Thailand's new prime minister fails to win pardon for fugitive brother

By Richard S. Ehrlich — Special to The Washington Times

BANGKOK — The country’s new prime minister apparently failed in her first attempt to win a pardon for her fugitive brother, after his political opponents threatened legal action and demonstrations if his name appeared on a list of criminals eligible for a royal amnesty.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra reportedly sought a pardon for her brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted as prime minister in a military coup in 2006 and convicted on corruption charges in 2008. Thaksin fled the country to avoid a two-year prison sentence.

Mrs. Yingluck's government included Thaksin’s name on a secret list of 26,000 criminals eligible for pardons from King Bhumibol Adulyadej, according to news reports. The king is expected to consider clemency for the convicts to mark his 84th birthday on Dec. 5.

The royal pardon is an annual tradition, but the Justice Ministry usually does not include fugitives on a list of criminals it presents to the king because those eligible for amnesty must have served some of their prison terms.

After reports appeared of Thaksin’s possible pardon, the Justice Ministry denied that it included him on the list.

“Thaksin will not receive any benefit from the [royal] decree, and his name will not be included on the list of convicts eligible for a royal pardon,” Justice Minister Pracha Promnok said on Sunday. “Convicts on the run [more...]

Source: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/nov/23/thailands-new-prime-minister-fails-to-win-pardon-f/

-- washingtontimes.com 2011-11-24

"failed in her first attempt to win a pardon"

Does the Washington-Times not accept PM-Yingluck's claims, that she knew nothing about what was planned at the secret closed-door Cabinet-meeting, and that she isn't working for her brother's return ?

Well, shucks !

*ding*

*ding*

................should Photoshop Yingluck's face into that one

Thaksin fled the country to avoid a two-year prison sentence

When did he flee the country to avoid the sentence? Wasn't he out of the country when he was tried in absentia?

Geez, you'd think the Wash. Post could get basic facts like these correct.

Thaksin fled the country to avoid a two-year prison sentence

When did he flee the country to avoid the sentence? Wasn't he out of the country when he was tried in absentia?

Geez, you'd think the Wash. Post could get basic facts like these correct.

He will return to Thailand the night before the Pardon is given, he wont be a fugitive on the run anymore and then can recieve the pardon. He will probably have breakfast in Jail before his release.

Thaksin fled the country to avoid a two-year prison sentence

When did he flee the country to avoid the sentence? Wasn't he out of the country when he was tried in absentia?

Geez, you'd think the Wash. Post could get basic facts like these correct.

The OP is from the Washington Times, not the Washington Post, and is miles away from the latter in all aspects other than geography.

It was founded only in the 1980's and by Korean cult Moonie's leader Sun Myung Moon.

Edited November 24, 201114 yr by Buchholz

"failed in her first attempt to win a pardon"

Does the Washington-Times not accept PM-Yingluck's claims, that she knew nothing about what was planned at the secret closed-door Cabinet-meeting, and that she isn't working for her brother's return ?

Well, shucks !

sure and I did not know the Pop is catholic

Also this article stats with "BANGKOK— The country’s new prime minister apparently failed in her first attempt towin a pardon for her fugitive brother, after his political opponents threatenedlegal action and demonstrations if his name appeared on a list of criminalseligible for a royal amnesty."

what does apparently means. She either did or did not. Are we going to besurprise and his name somehow shows up accidently?

Thaksin fled the country to avoid a two-year prison sentence

When did he flee the country to avoid the sentence? Wasn't he out of the country when he was tried in absentia?

Geez, you'd think the Wash. Post could get basic facts like these correct.

He was here during the trial when his bother in-law was PM.

He got information about the sentence before the verdict and got permission from his brother in-law PM to leave the country.

Thaksin fled the country to avoid a two-year prison sentence

When did he flee the country to avoid the sentence? Wasn't he out of the country when he was tried in absentia?

Geez, you'd think the Wash. Post could get basic facts like these correct.

The OP is from the Washington Times, not the Washington Post, and is miles away from the latter in all aspects other than geography.

It was founded only in the 1980's and by Korean cult Moonie's leader Sun Myung Moon.

That is correct, and ironically the New York Post as opposed to the New York Times, is owned by Rupert Murdoch.

Key words in the Washington Times article ?

"apparently"

"reportedly"

"according to news reports"

"reportedly"

This is not news reporting ! This is at best a weak attempt at sensationalizing opinion.

How many attempts are allowed?:jap:

Thaksin fled the country to avoid a two-year prison sentence

When did he flee the country to avoid the sentence? Wasn't he out of the country when he was tried in absentia?

Geez, you'd think the Wash. Post could get basic facts like these correct.

He was here during the trial when his bother in-law was PM.

He got information about the sentence before the verdict and got permission from his brother in-law PM to leave the country.

If memory serves he left under Samak,

and then the trouble really started.

Key words in the Washington Times article ?

"apparently"

"reportedly"

"according to news reports"

"reportedly"

This is not news reporting ! This is at best a weak attempt at sensationalizing opinion.

An attempt to get a story out and not get sued for a billion baht.

Thaksin fled the country to avoid a two-year prison sentence

When did he flee the country to avoid the sentence? Wasn't he out of the country when he was tried in absentia?

Geez, you'd think the Wash. Post could get basic facts like these correct.

He was here for most of the trial, but before it was over he was granted permission to travel to the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony. He and his wife left for Beijing the day after she was convicted and sentenced to 3 years, a conviction that was overturned soon after the current government took over.

TH

Thaksin fled the country to avoid a two-year prison sentence

When did he flee the country to avoid the sentence? Wasn't he out of the country when he was tried in absentia?

Geez, you'd think the Wash. Post could get basic facts like these correct.

He was here during the trial when his bother in-law was PM.

He got information about the sentence before the verdict and got permission from his brother in-law PM to leave the country.

If memory serves he left under Samak,

and then the trouble really started.

He got special permission to leave so he could attend the olympics in China. He forgot to return for sentencing.

Forgot to return

Thaksin fled the country to avoid a two-year prison sentence

When did he flee the country to avoid the sentence? Wasn't he out of the country when he was tried in absentia?

Geez, you'd think the Wash. Post could get basic facts like these correct.

He was here during the trial when his bother in-law was PM.

He got information about the sentence before the verdict and got permission from his brother in-law PM to leave the country.

For the opening of the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Thaksin fled the country to avoid a two-year prison sentence

When did he flee the country to avoid the sentence? Wasn't he out of the country when he was tried in absentia?

Geez, you'd think the Wash. Post could get basic facts like these correct.

He was here during the trial when his bother in-law was PM.

He got information about the sentence before the verdict and got permission from his brother in-law PM to leave the country.

Sentenced in absentia, not the same as tried in absentia, which he wasn't, as several others have pointed out.

And what would the Olympic Games ever have been, without the presence of a major world leader, like DL ?

Forgot to return

An "honest" mistake.

Thaksin fled the country to avoid a two-year prison sentence

When did he flee the country to avoid the sentence? Wasn't he out of the country when he was tried in absentia?

Geez, you'd think the Wash. Post could get basic facts like these correct.

He was here during the trial when his bother in-law was PM.

He got information about the sentence before the verdict and got permission from his brother in-law PM to leave the country.

Sentenced in absentia, not the same as tried in absentia, which he wasn't, as several others have pointed out.

And what would the Olympic Games ever have been, without the presence of a major world leader, like DL ?

He also has several other court cases pending, which are suspended because he isn't present to answer for them. Even if he was granted a pardon for this sentence, he probably has a few more on the way.

He needs an amnesty really, it's the only way to bury all of it at once.

Forgot to return

It was an honest mistake!

Thaksin fled the country to avoid a two-year prison sentence

When did he flee the country to avoid the sentence? Wasn't he out of the country when he was tried in absentia?

Geez, you'd think the Wash. Post could get basic facts like these correct.

Guess you need a pair of new glasses. It's not the Wash. Post. It's the Times....:jap:

*ding*

After reports appeared of Thaksin's possible pardon, the Justice Ministry denied that it included him on the list.

After asking my wife for a 'special massage' she denied that it included her being on that list.

Edited November 24, 201114 yr by sirchai

Forgot to return

An "honest" mistake.

By an "honest" man. I cannot understand why he is not running Manchester City anymore , where did he get the money from to buy it in the first place?

Thaksin fled the country to avoid a two-year prison sentence

When did he flee the country to avoid the sentence? Wasn't he out of the country when he was tried in absentia?

Geez, you'd think the Wash. Post could get basic facts like these correct.

he fled the country after his wife was convicted and sentenced. it was obvious that he was next in line, as he should be

Thaksin fled the country to avoid a two-year prison sentence

When did he flee the country to avoid the sentence? Wasn't he out of the country when he was tried in absentia?

Geez, you'd think the Wash. Post could get basic facts like these correct.

he fled the country after his wife was convicted and sentenced. it was obvious that he was next in line, as he should be

I guess I was missing some facts there, thanks everyone for clearing that up

Thaksin fled the country to avoid a two-year prison sentence

When did he flee the country to avoid the sentence? Wasn't he out of the country when he was tried in absentia?

Geez, you'd think the Wash. Post could get basic facts like these correct.

He was here during the trial when his bother in-law was PM.

He got information about the sentence before the verdict and got permission from his brother in-law PM to leave the country.

What your saying is a Taksin controlled government was not able to save him from a court ruling on corruption? That reassuring to know. Glad to see the whole system is not corrupted by the party in power (whether that be PT, Democrats or whoever).

Richard S. Erhlich is a seasoned journalist who has been reporting on Thailand for two decades, so it's surprising to see such an unprofessional article from him. Aside from all the 'reportedly' 'allegedly' words, and the assumption that we all suspect she was in on this, the real story is that a report on changes to the pardon decree was leaked from a secret meeting. The local press hasn't even made it clear whether there was any documentation on the changes to eligibility, and no one has so far seen the list in public. It could all have been a 'false leak' to gauge the public sentiment. The details of the meeting have not been published. The govt has acknowledged that the move was made because it had to specifically announce the plan was being dropped (in so far as Thaksin would be eligible). It's possible that Yingluck was unaware that Chalerm was going to add this to the agenda at the last minute. It's possible she was tipped off to avoid the meeting. It's fact that this govt were being very sneaky and evasive about the issue.

All the same, it would be accurate to report that this gov't has pledged to bring back Thaksin and is very clearly being run as a proxy for Thaksin and that his sister the prime minister failed on the first 'opportunity'. She got an F from Dubai.

it would be accurate to report that this gov't has pledged to bring back Thaksin

Their repeated statement that they are not working for any individual in particular, which they have used since their election campaign, is now obviously untrue and people can now see right through it.

Simply mixing in Thaksin with thousands of others to make the statement appear techincally true is not going to work any more.