Thai Democrats Petition Court Against Pay-Out To Unrest Victims

[webfact]

Democrats petition court against pay-out to unrest victims

THE NATION

The opposition Democrat Party petitioned the Administrative Court yesterday, seeking a repeal of the Cabinet resolution to provide compensation to victims of the political unrest over the past six years.

Democrat MP Satit Pitutecha, an author of the petition, said that the resolution was unjustified and against the principle of equality.

"If the government insists on providing remedy, the compensation should cover all comparable cases, without preferential treatment. It seems the Cabinet resolution is likely to go against the administrative law that beholds the principle of equality for comparable cases," Satit said.

However, Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit said yesterday the government would continue with its plan to pay compensation without waiting for a court ruling.

"Whatever the Constitution Court verdict will be, we will follow that. But we will not wait until the verdict is made," Yongyuth said.

He said in the case of deaths, there would be no problem as the identity of the people was clear. But he expressed concern about cases of disability and injury, saying it could be difficult to verify that claimants really took part in protests and that a disability or injury was caused by violence during political unrest.

Yongyuth said people eligible for compensation were "victims of the incidents, and not perpetrators". He reiterated that the government would not pay compensation to lawbreakers.

Meanwhile, a group of senators expressed concern yesterday that government compensation mostly to its red-shirt supporters would lead to social division. They called for the decision to be reviewed.

Uttaradit Senator Narumon Siriwat said the Cabinet move to pay compensation to red shirts lacked transparency and went against legal principles. "It's frenzied remedy."

She said a feeling of unfairness by victims of insurgent violence in the deep South and other groups could negatively affect reconciliation efforts.

Senator Somchai Sawaengkarn said yesterday the Cabinet decision reflected double standards by the government. He said the payment of compensation should be postponed until a similar remedy could be implemented for victims of violence in the far South.

Elected Senator Wanchai Sornsiri said the move to pay compensation to law-breakers among the red-shirt protesters went against Ministry of Justice regulations.

Last Tuesday, the Cabinet backed a compensation package for people killed or injured in political violence since 2005, when Thaksin Shinawatra was PM, until 2010 when Abhisit Vejjajiva was government head.

According to the Cabinet resolution, Bt4.5 million would be paid for each case of death and disability.

People who lost organs would be given between Bt1.8 million and Bt3.6 million in compensation, while those who sustained injuries would get between Bt200,000 and Bt1.12 million, depending on the severity of their wounds.

All medical costs would be covered and distraught families compensated for the emotional impact they suffered.

-- The Nation 2012-01-17

[pimay11]

"Whatever the Constitution Court verdict will be, we will follow that. But we will not wait until the verdict is made," Yongyuth said.

So let me get this straight. Payments will be made first. Then if by chance the court repeals the resolution everyone has to give the money back to the government. Makes sense to me.

[Bakseedaa]

Of course its a completely illegal and unconstitutional payment.... but its for the Red Shirt Mafia... pay-off from their leader.. and taxpayers moneys is easier on his pockets than using his own cash....

[pimay11]

Of course its a completely illegal and unconstitutional payment.... but its for the Red Shirt Mafia... pay-off from their leader.. and taxpayers moneys is easier on his pockets than using his own cash....

The devil is in the details. Already the government has announced a certain amount of the payments will be in the form of investment funds redeemable in five years. Judging from the deceitful 2,000 baht coupon give away scheme the cash payments may be in the form of 5,000 baht per month instead of a lump sum of a few million.

[sparebox2]

Dems MPs against a freebie payout. No wonder they never got elected, ever.

[pimay11]

Dems MPs against a freebie payout. No wonder they never got elected, ever.

The way I read it is that the Dem MPs are not against a freebie payout as long as it includes other people who rightly deserve it, not just the red shirts which smacks with payback written all over it.

[DP25]

A necessary expenditure for this government. Soon they will be engaging in their attempt to pardon Thaksin and return his billions of baht confiscated during the previous administration. This is sure to set off mass protests. They will need a loyal cadre of thugs, ready and willing to engage in violence against their opponents, in order to quell opposition. The need to have paid out to the last batch of terrorists before signing up new ones.

[jonclark]

"Whatever the Constitution Court verdict will be, we will follow that. But we will not wait until the verdict is made," Yongyuth said.

So let me get this straight. Payments will be made first. Then if by chance the court repeals the resolution everyone has to give the money back to the government. Makes sense to me.

That;s exactly what i first thought.

[webfact]

Tul opposes compensation payments for red shirts

The Nation

Multicolour-shirt leader Tul Sithisomwong on Tuesday filed a petition calling for the government to delay paying compensation for the red shirts until the completion of judicial review on whether their rallies were legal.

"The government must stop doling out tax payer's money to the red shirts," he said.

Tul said in his view, the red-shirt rallies were not lawful as sanctioned by the Constitution. A number of rally organisers were facing terrorism and related charges in connection with the last year's disturbances, he added.

The government should await the outcome of judicial decisions on myriad of cases involving the red shirts before reviewing whether compensation should be paid, he said.

Should the government fail to heed his petition, he would initiate a court battle to block the payments, he said.

-- The Nation 2012-01-17

[OzMick]

"Yongyuth said...... that the government would not pay compensation to lawbreakers."

A state of emergency was declared in BKK and surrounding areas on 7th april 2010, and the red-shirts ordered to leave - a legitimate order under the SOE.

[ozzieman05]

"Whatever the Constitution Court verdict will be, we will follow that. But we will not wait until the verdict is made," Yongyuth said.

So let me get this straight. Payments will be made first. Then if by chance the court repeals the resolution everyone has to give the money back to the government. Makes sense to me.

In Thailand pink pigs fly through the air as well

[ozzieman05]

Dems MPs against a freebie payout. No wonder they never got elected, ever.

This is not their money

It is the hardworking Tax payers money

[ozzieman05]

"Yongyuth said...... that the government would not pay compensation to lawbreakers."

A state of emergency was declared in BKK and surrounding areas on 7th april 2010, and the red-shirts ordered to leave - a legitimate order under the SOE.

Tell me if I am wrong

But isn't anyone attending an unlawfull rally, breaking the law ?

[sparebox2]

Dems MPs against a freebie payout. No wonder they never got elected, ever.

This is not their money

It is the hardworking Tax payers money

Dems never say don't pay these guys.

Dems say they should also pay other similar cases dated back 50 years (or so).

In short, Dems want to give out more hardworking Tax payers money.

[blackout]

an ingenious plan, it doesn't matter what court verdict will be, it is only a win win to the ruling party.

if the verdict is yes, the ruling party get a lot of face and votes. it is not even their money buying the vote here.

if the verdict is no, the ruling party can always blame in on the Interfering by the opposition party. still they get face and vote.

not thing to loose here.

[pedro01]

Of course its a completely illegal and unconstitutional payment.... but its for the Red Shirt Mafia... pay-off from their leader.. and taxpayers moneys is easier on his pockets than using his own cash....

The devil is in the details. Already the government has announced a certain amount of the payments will be in the form of investment funds redeemable in five years. Judging from the deceitful 2,000 baht coupon give away scheme the cash payments may be in the form of 5,000 baht per month instead of a lump sum of a few million.

Yup and at the next election, those villages not voting PTP will not be able to redeem the bonds.

[Bagwan]

If this matter is referred to the Administrative Court will that mean that to ensure the 'correct' verdict emissaries willl be bringing 'cakes' ?

[tlansford]

Dems MPs against a freebie payout. No wonder they never got elected, ever.

The way I read it is that the Dem MPs are not against a freebie payout as long as it includes other people who rightly deserve it, not just the red shirts which smacks with payback written all over it.

It doesn't include only red shirts

[TAWP]

@wayne_hay: "Some red shirts gathering outside parliament today to protest Democrat calls for political violence compo package to be broadened"

[TAWP]

So now Red Shirts are against people getting money. If they are not Red Shirts.

Solidarity to myself, eh?

[phiphidon]

@wayne_hay: "Some red shirts gathering outside parliament today to protest Democrat calls for political violence compo package to be broadened"

So now Red Shirts are against people getting money. If they are not Red Shirts.

Solidarity to myself, eh?

So according to some twitter you deduce that the Red Shirts are against people getting money if they are not red shirts? How does that work when the cabinet resolution is about

"compensation to victims of the political unrest over the past six years" (that includes the illegal occupation of government house and the airport)

It seems equal to me, or is it that the dems are complaining because only one of their supporters families would "benefit" from the death payment as opposed to about 70 odd Red Shirt supporters families? Are they upset about the disprortionate number of red shirts injured when compared to the yellows?

[tlansford]

@wayne_hay: "Some red shirts gathering outside parliament today to protest Democrat calls for political violence compo package to be broadened"

So now Red Shirts are against people getting money. If they are not Red Shirts.

Solidarity to myself, eh?

So according to some twitter you deduce that the Red Shirts are against people getting money if they are not red shirts? How does that work when the cabinet resolution is about

"compensation to victims of the political unrest over the past six years" (that includes the illegal occupation of government house and the airport)

It seems equal to me, or is it that the dems are complaining because only one of their supporters families would "benefit" from the death payment as opposed to about 70 odd Red Shirt supporters families? Are they upset about the disprortionate number of red shirts injured when compared to the yellows?

*IF* the government had wanted to exclude by default most other victims, the payments would only have gone to 2009, not to 2006.

But hey, repeating any given tweet as TRUTH is cool. Don't need to think, just retweet.

This one is a no-brainer. Covers everyone *including* red shirts. Does the job politically for the government (helps their own), and even looks a little bit like "reconciliation" (helps the opposition) ...

If the Democrats wanted to extend it beyond 2006, it seems like they could call for a 2nd package to provide the same benefits for victims from Pre-2006.

[whybother]

It seems that some people didn't read all of the OP:

"If the government insists on providing remedy, the compensation should cover all comparable cases, without preferential treatment. It seems the Cabinet resolution is likely to go against the administrative law that beholds the principle of equality for comparable cases," Satit said.

...

She said a feeling of unfairness by victims of insurgent violence in the deep South and other groups could negatively affect reconciliation efforts.

And, according to the tweet, the red shirts don't want those in the south included.

[tlansford]

It seems that some people didn't read all of the OP:

"If the government insists on providing remedy, the compensation should cover all comparable cases, without preferential treatment. It seems the Cabinet resolution is likely to go against the administrative law that beholds the principle of equality for comparable cases," Satit said.

...

She said a feeling of unfairness by victims of insurgent violence in the deep South and other groups could negatively affect reconciliation efforts.

And, according to the tweet, the red shirts don't want those in the south included.

whybother - the person you are quoting is the author of the petition.

What ELSE would this person say?

[TAWP]

So according to some twitter you deduce/../

Since you guys are not informed who Tweeted it...he isn't some random person, he is the Al Jazeera correspondent for Thailand, and he was on location, live-tweeting.

You are welcome.

[whybother]

It seems that some people didn't read all of the OP:

"If the government insists on providing remedy, the compensation should cover all comparable cases, without preferential treatment. It seems the Cabinet resolution is likely to go against the administrative law that beholds the principle of equality for comparable cases," Satit said.

...

She said a feeling of unfairness by victims of insurgent violence in the deep South and other groups could negatively affect reconciliation efforts.

And, according to the tweet, the red shirts don't want those in the south included.

whybother - the person you are quoting is the author of the petition.

What ELSE would this person say?

Are you saying that is not what the red shirts were protesting about? Is there another source saying something different?

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

[Buchholz]

"If the government insists on providing remedy, the compensation should cover all comparable cases, without preferential treatment. It seems the Cabinet resolution is likely to go against the administrative law that beholds the principle of equality for comparable cases,"

PTP/Red Shirts caught out, once again, violating their own sacred oath of no double standards.... which has always been laughably bogus.

.

Edited January 18, 2012 by Buchholz

[phiphidon]

PTP/Red Shirts caught out, once again, violating their own sacred oath of no double standards.... which has always been laughably bogus.

.

What double standards? It is only the Senator that says its double standards. From the OP;

Last Tuesday, the Cabinet backed a compensation package for people killed or injured in political violence since 2005, when Thaksin Shinawatra was PM, until 2010 when Abhisit Vejjajiva was government head.

As far as I read it, this may include people in the south having been "killed or injured in political violence since 2005"

But yet again, do not forget that this recommendation was suggested by the TRCT set up by Abhisit whose recommendations he agreed to abide with.

The cabinet has approved a compensation package for victims of all the political violence which took place between 2005 and 2010.

The government followed recommendations from the Truth for National Reconciliation Commission.

http://digitaljourna.../article/317715

Interim Report Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand (TRCT)

8. TRCT recommends that the government should continually support and promote remedy and restoration for people from all parties that were affected by the violence. Such restoration should cover bodily injuries, mental injuries, loss of property, and restoration of livelihood.

http://robertamsterd...thailand/?p=664

It is recognised by many people that todays Thailand is divided and the most urgent requirement is to bridge this divide and the TRCT has come up with a number of proposals. I suggest that you read the report in its entirety to get a better idea of what is going on, and it doesn't involve double standards.

[Buchholz]

PTP/Red Shirts caught out, once again, violating their own sacred oath of no double standards.... which has always been laughably bogus.

What double standards? It is only the Senator that says its double standards. From the OP;

Last Tuesday, the Cabinet backed a compensation package for people killed or injured in political violence since 2005, when Thaksin Shinawatra was PM, until 2010 when Abhisit Vejjajiva was government head.

As far as I read it, this may include people in the south having been "killed or injured in political violence since 2005"

But yet again, do not forget that this recommendation was suggested by the TRCT set up by Abhisit whose recommendations he agreed to abide with.

It is recognised by many people that todays Thailand is divided and the most urgent requirement is to bridge this divide and the TRCT has come up with a number of proposals. I suggest that you read the report in its entirety to get a better idea of what is going on, and it doesn't involve double standards.

Thousands of people have died in the Deep South since 2005.

How many have received the 7.5 Million Baht the Red Shirts will receive?

Double Standards stand.

.

Edited January 19, 2012 by Buchholz

[phiphidon]

PTP/Red Shirts caught out, once again, violating their own sacred oath of no double standards.... which has always been laughably bogus.

What double standards? It is only the Senator that says its double standards. From the OP;

Last Tuesday, the Cabinet backed a compensation package for people killed or injured in political violence since 2005, when Thaksin Shinawatra was PM, until 2010 when Abhisit Vejjajiva was government head.

As far as I read it, this may include people in the south having been "killed or injured in political violence since 2005"

But yet again, do not forget that this recommendation was suggested by the TRCT set up by Abhisit whose recommendations he agreed to abide with.

It is recognised by many people that todays Thailand is divided and the most urgent requirement is to bridge this divide and the TRCT has come up with a number of proposals. I suggest that you read the report in its entirety to get a better idea of what is going on, and it doesn't involve double standards.

Thousands of people have died in the Deep South since 2005.

How many have received the 7.5 Million Baht the Red Shirts will receive?

Double Standards stand.

.

OK If you and the democrats are so upstanding on the double standards bandwaggon why stop at 2005, how about the deaths arising from political activities as follows?

6 deaths May 1949

45 deaths May 1952

3 alleged communists executed 1961-1962

the 3000 odd villagers/farmers etc killed - the Red Drum Killings 1972

77 deaths Ocober 73 uprising

47 - 100 deaths Thammarsat University Massacre

If you want equal standards it's hypocritical to cherrypick deaths resulting from fighting for a political cause. Do the democrats want to compensate the insurgents in the south as well?