Bringing Thaksin Home

[webfact]

Bringing Thaksin Home

Written by Richard S. Ehrlich

What are the conditions that would get the former premier home free?

BANGKOK: -- With the fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra forecasting his return to Thailand sooner rather than later, what are the conditions that would stop the assassins whom he says are hunting him and possibly allow him to dodge imprisonment?

That newest scenario apparently would include a fresh trial on charges of the conflict of interest deal that enabled his wealthy, politically savvy ex-wife to purchase government-owned real estate in Bangkok in 2003. Those charges would have sent him to prison for two years if he hadn’t fled into exile in 2008. The new trial would be under different judges amid speculation that even a guilty verdict should result merely in a fine, and not imprisonment.

"He has already told the media that he is willing to return, to go through the judicial process," said Defense Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat Wednesday. "The process must be really fair, especially the appointment of people in charge of the process. If things were fair, he would return."

Ultimately Thaksin wants the government to twist the constitution, the judicial system or other loopholes to cancel the prison sentence. That is not unlikely. Thailand’s courts have already dismissed a claim for nearly Bt12 billion in back taxes from Panthongtae and Pinthongta Shinawatra, the former prime minister’s son and daughter. [more...]

Full story: http://www.asiasenti...4445&Itemid=185

-- Asia Sentinel 2012-04-24

[Moruya]

"The process must be really fair, especially the appointment of people in charge of the process. If things were fair, he would return."

We all know what that means and an independent judiciary is there for very good reasons including cakeboxes.

[maidu]

Is that a joke? Wouldn't it be nice (for felons) to get re-tried each time they disagreed with the verdict. Not only that, they would get re-tried with their nepotistic government pulling the strings. Then if the 2nd re-trial didn't suit the accused, ...a 3rd or 4th re-trial until the results suit the accused.

Obviously, any trial for Thaksin, with the PT in power, would inevitably find him not guilty - of any of the half dozen cases he's facing. Indeed, PT would simply compel the judges to toss out the charges altogether. It's gone from silly to ridiculous. The Shinawatre clan is giving Thai justice the finger. Great example for Thai youngsters. Not.

[h90]

"The process must be really fair, especially the appointment of people in charge of the process. If things were fair, he would return."

We all know what that means and an independent judiciary is there for very good reasons including cakeboxes.

And the kids got already 12 billion stolen tax money back....enough to fill many cakeboxes. Thailand the hub of cakeboxes

[h90]

Is that a joke? Wouldn't it be nice (for felons) to get re-tried each time they disagreed with the verdict. Not only that, they would get re-tried with their nepotistic government pulling the strings. Then if the 2nd re-trial didn't suit the accused, ...a 3rd or 4th re-trial until the results suit the accused.

Obviously, any trial for Thaksin, with the PT in power, would inevitably find him not guilty - of any of the half dozen cases he's facing. Indeed, PT would simply compel the judges to toss out the charges altogether. It's gone from silly to ridiculous. The Shinawatre clan is giving Thai justice the finger. Great example for Thai youngsters. Not.

And think for the judges.....

cakebox or bullet

I don't want to be the judge. I think the Shinawatras can be difficult......

[Kernow86]

"The process must be really fair"

It seems wrong to ask for special treatment.

[OzMick]

The process he is seeking is called an appeal, which he had an opportunity to lodge, but declined. Amazing that he doesn't consider his other, much more serious, charges an obstacle to his return. He apparently has confidence in his family members to have them downgraded into obscurity, delayed until the SoL applies, or simply forgotten.

If a clear case of perjury can removed with a little legal double-talk (at Police level), I'm sure that financing terrorism could be reduced to soliciting prostitution.

OTOH if the Thai court system sentenced Arisman to death for inciting arson and terrorism, Thaksin wouldn't come within a 1000km of Thailand's borders.

[jalansanitwong]

Its all a moot point really. The game is rigged in favour of the super rich and ruling elite ala Thaksins two daughters and son and other families.

The poor suffer through rampant inflation almost on a weeky basis here.

Options ?? Pimp out your daughters and wives to foreign men for sex and marriage. With any luck you will get a kind generous farang(rich) and he will buy houses and take care of everything. Pathetic but so true. Nothing changes here except the faces.

[Markaew]

Just be done with it! Everybody knows the outcome. It's not like it's a secret how the system works here.

[Unkomoncents]

An exercise in lawlessness. I look forward to hearing about Thailand's long-term investment prospects over the next year. How can you know what "fair" is when you don't have ANY concept of truth, justice or morality?!

[Bakseedaa]

Well, seems I have to be happy with the families who are happy to pimp out their young daughters.. The more the merrier I say... Keep inflation going up ,up , up, and those frilly little thing coming, down, down , down...!

[Jim walker]

Everyone knows his charges were all politically motivated; It was just a warning from the Privy Council that even Thai elite don’t cross certain lines, now even Thaksin will have to eat humble pie to come home and be forgiven by the super elite in Thailand.

As you say MARKAEW #9

Everybody knows the outcome. It's not like it's a secret how the system works here.

[ianf]

Everyone knows his charges were all politically motivated; It was just a warning from the Privy Council that even Thai elite don’t cross certain lines, now even Thaksin will have to eat humble pie to come home and be forgiven by the super elite in Thailand.

As you say MARKAEW #9

Everybody knows the outcome. It's not like it's a secret how the system works here.

I don't think "everyone knows that the charges were politically motivated". Remember that some of the charges made in the courts did not stick and Thaksin was found not guilty on some. This is all part of a judicial process and there is no doubt that Thaksin was scamming left right and centre and the guy is to much of a coward to face his prison sentence. He was responsible for extra-judicial killings and if there was a huge judicial political process against him, then these deaths would have been art of the process against him. There is a level in this country were some, repeat some, judges take their work seriously and are not subject to corruption.

[Yunla]

I thought his home was Dubai.

[waza]

If things were fair? I noticed he didnt say just, or according to the rule of law.

[KireB]

Everyone knows his charges were all politically motivated; It was just a warning from the Privy Council that even Thai elite don’t cross certain lines, now even Thaksin will have to eat humble pie to come home and be forgiven by the super elite in Thailand.

The whole excuse of the charges being politically motivated hold no ground if you know who was the PM at the time he was sentenced. He was corrupt, just like many others, and will have to, just as those many others, do the time! Nothing politically motivated, all greed, arrogance and megalomaniac personality disorder.

[Ijustwannateach]

Is this a topic about Montenegro, then?

[h90]

Everyone knows his charges were all politically motivated; It was just a warning from the Privy Council that even Thai elite don’t cross certain lines, now even Thaksin will have to eat humble pie to come home and be forgiven by the super elite in Thailand.

As you say MARKAEW #9

Everybody knows the outcome. It's not like it's a secret how the system works here.

The charges and the evidence was very clear and everyone knows about the corruption and vote buying.

So the only thing political motivated might be that he could buy his way out of other cases.

[h90]

Is this a topic about Montenegro, then?

He has a different home country for every day of the week.....

couldn't he enter Thailand with a diplomatic passport, so they can't put him in jail?

[phiphidon]

Is that a joke? Wouldn't it be nice (for felons) to get re-tried each time they disagreed with the verdict. Not only that, they would get re-tried with their nepotistic government pulling the strings. Then if the 2nd re-trial didn't suit the accused, ...a 3rd or 4th re-trial until the results suit the accused.

Obviously, any trial for Thaksin, with the PT in power, would inevitably find him not guilty - of any of the half dozen cases he's facing. Indeed, PT would simply compel the judges to toss out the charges altogether. It's gone from silly to ridiculous. The Shinawatre clan is giving Thai justice the finger. Great example for Thai youngsters. Not.

I keep on asking this and never get a straight answer. Are the members of the Judiciary System adjudicating now the same as the ones doing so in the Abhisit years? Did you and your "likees" consider the judiciary at that time to be the epitome of judicial standards at the time? I refer to the overturning of the democrat dissolution cases, the support shown for them during the "videotape scandal", the jailing of the Red Shirts, their upholding of Article 112 and the computer crimes act.

And yet with the change of government, they have all been won over to do the bidding of the government and you cannot trust them to conduct a retrial without the Junta breathing down their necks? Curious. Has not one of Thaksins nieces just been found guilty and banned from politics for false declaration of assets, in this case a debt?

[OZEMADE]

I don't know what all the fuss is about really. If they can reduce the death sentence and let the guy out asap and get phones and drugs etc, Thaksin has nothing to worry about.

It's all starting to play into his hands.

Thai Prison Scandal: Jail officials let inmates go free early

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/550066-thai-prison-scandal-jail-officials-let-inmates-go-free-early/

[Skywalker69]

Is this a topic about Montenegro, then?

No it´s about a super-rich Montenegrian.

[Theboy]

Can't they just bring part of him back - suggest his head (on a plate) ?

[LPCustom69]

It seems simple enough to me. No homecoming without jail time and asset forfeiture.

[KireB]

I keep on asking this and never get a straight answers? Curious.

Self reflection is a valuable asset dear PhiPhiDon! You choose to ignore and ridicule those of us who have valid remarks and questions.

[louse1953]

Everyone knows his charges were all politically motivated; It was just a warning from the Privy Council that even Thai elite don’t cross certain lines, now even Thaksin will have to eat humble pie to come home and be forgiven by the super elite in Thailand.

As you say MARKAEW #9

Everybody knows the outcome. It's not like it's a secret how the system works here.

They may have been politically motivated but they were true.If he wasn't such a megalomaniac and a greedy bastard he'd still be in.

[Bagwan]

I read the thread heading and started to think of a large wooden box with brass handles. Why would I think that?

[emilyb]

That's always the problem, though. Yeah he's corrupt and yeah it's all true, but the second he was deposed in an extrajudicial coup the whole thing was destined to become a sore that would never stop being picked at (because unlike previous coup targets, it was clear Thaksin wouldn't go into exile quietly and return later under a backroom deal). They're all right where it comes to his situation unfortunately. He's guilty, the authorities charged with adjuticating are tainted by the fact that they're part of a government put in place post-coup and there's never going to be a clear cut answer to that. You don't have to love or hate either side in this war between the wealthy to want to throw up your hands and just go have a pint.

[Woodcaulk]

I read the thread heading and started to think of a large wooden box with brass handles. Why would I think that?

I think thats called wishful thinking.

[h90]

That's always the problem, though. Yeah he's corrupt and yeah it's all true, but the second he was deposed in an extrajudicial coup the whole thing was destined to become a sore that would never stop being picked at (because unlike previous coup targets, it was clear Thaksin wouldn't go into exile quietly and return later under a backroom deal). They're all right where it comes to his situation unfortunately. He's guilty, the authorities charged with adjuticating are tainted by the fact that they're part of a government put in place post-coup and there's never going to be a clear cut answer to that. You don't have to love or hate either side in this war between the wealthy to want to throw up your hands and just go have a pint.

Not to forget that he wasn't legally in power anymore when the coup happened and the courts were already helpless.