Yellow-Shirt Leader Karun Denies Charges Over Seizure Of Airports

[webfact]

Karun denies charges over seizure of airports

THE NATION

Karun

BANGKOK: -- Yellow-shirt leader Karun Sai-ngam has denied all police charges against him in connection with the seizure of two Bangkok airports in 2008, police said yesterday.

Police had completed questioning Karun, who was arrested after a 24-hour drama, and he denied all the charges, according to chief investigator, Pol General Somyot Pumpanmuang.

Somyot said Karun would be released temporarily after he was formally informed about the charges he faces. Police would then submit an investigation report to public prosecutors for further action, he said.

Somyot said Karun was the last of 46 people involved with the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), who are accused of seizing Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in November 2008.

But Buri Ram police also accuse Karun of resisting arrest, he noted.

On Sunday, Karun defied arrest by police in his home province of Buri Ram. He sat defiantly in his pickup truck as police hauled him and his vehicle for over 300 kilometres from the northeastern province to the Crime Suppression Division in Bangkok. Police later got a lock expert to open a door of the vehicle so they could arrest him.

Meanwhile, Pongniwat Yuthapanboripan, director-general of the Attorney-General Office's Department of Criminal Litigation, said yesterday public prosecutors were studying police investigation reports on 114 PAD leaders allegedly involved in the airports' seizure. Prosecutors were waiting for reports from police on extra charges against 10 yellow-shirt leaders, including Karun, he said.

-- The Nation 2012-05-15

[nurofiend]

He sat defiantly in his pickup truck as police hauled him and his vehicle for over 300 kilometres from the northeastern province to the Crime Suppression Division in Bangkok. Police later got a lock expert to open a door of the vehicle so they could arrest him.

well no one can say that he didn't go down without a fight

[noitom]

Shouldn't he be charged with resisting arrest as well? What are the actual charges on this airport thing that is 3 1/2 years old?

[noitom]

Makes one wonder how in the world that this airport seizure actually took place for all those days totally with impunity and unchallenged by government, military, or any airport security forces? Absolutely astonishing. The single most outstanding event that stands out as a big negative question about Thailand's ability to manage its affairs and operate as a secure, reliable state in the world.

[LuckyLew]

Thai people must be so proud of their leaders

[sparebox2]

PAD did not seize the airport.

AOT made the decision without consulting PAD, and close it down themselves.

[Thai at Heart]

PAD did not seize the airport.

AOT made the decision without consulting PAD, and close it down themselves.

Just as well they all went home promptly then isn't it. Why would they have to consult the PAD, if the PAD had nothing to do with it?

[Curt1591]

PAD did not seize the airport.

AOT made the decision without consulting PAD, and close it down themselves.

I think that occupying it, to the point that it ceases to function, might qualify as "seizing" the airport.

And, if people can't come and go, an airport serves little purpose.

But, then again, maybe it was "mysterious dark figures" who actually shut it down!

[Dibbler]

PAD did not seize the airport.

AOT made the decision without consulting PAD, and close it down themselves.

Then perhaps each PAD leader should be charged with intimidation of public officials (AOT) leading to the shutting down of public infrastructure. In developed countries that's a fairly serious charge. If the case fails in court, then there should be a movement by deep pocketed individuals to mount a mass of civil lawsuits against the PAD leaders. That should keep them away from parliament and other government buildings, public facilities and country borders, and otherwise working to pay solicitors fees for a few years.

[OzMick]

PAD did not seize the airport.

AOT made the decision without consulting PAD, and close it down themselves.

Then perhaps each PAD leader should be charged with intimidation of public officials (AOT) leading to the shutting down of public infrastructure. In developed countries that's a fairly serious charge. If the case fails in court, then there should be a movement by deep pocketed individuals to mount a mass of civil lawsuits against the PAD leaders. That should keep them away from parliament and other government buildings, public facilities and country borders, and otherwise working to pay solicitors fees for a few years.

Think how much better his defence would be if he'd had the forethought to buy a cheap flight ticket for that day. He might even have been able to get a refund.

[hellodolly]

If they let him go back home I hope they have the foresight to get a copy of his truck keys.

[craigt3365]

A few posts have been removed. One advocating violence and a few referring to "Uncle SMS". It is against forum policy to discuss "Uncle SMS". As it is on most other forums here in Thailand.

[warfie]

Are there no locksmiths in Buriram?

I don't know who to laugh at more, the #### who tries to avoid arrest by sitting in his car or the police who have to tow the car 300km before getting someone to open the door...

[tragickingdom]

These jokers first closed down two airports causing billions in damages for the country and for travelers, next they enter the traffic tower and than they claim that the authorities shut down the airports and no them. It is pure and simple conic terrorism. It is utterly madness that it took so long to get the proceedings going while simple protestors were accused of terrorism for sitting in a square in Bangkok. The fact that courts are proceeding now is more proof of the incompetence and the lack of independence of anyone working in the Thai justice system. Judges, prosecutors and investigators dance to the tune of the political leaders of the moment.

[unanimosity]

PAD did not seize the airport.

AOT made the decision without consulting PAD, and close it down themselves.

You really need to learn what you are saying. Seizing and closing are two different things.

[unanimosity]

Are there no locksmiths in Buriram?

I don't know who to laugh at more, the #### who tries to avoid arrest by sitting in his car or the police who have to tow the car 300km before getting someone to open the door...

Keystone cops all over again facing a guy whose penchant for occupying extends to his own pickup.

[unanimosity]

These jokers first closed down two airports causing billions in damages for the country and for travelers, next they enter the traffic tower and than they claim that the authorities shut down the airports and no them. It is pure and simple conic terrorism. It is utterly madness that it took so long to get the proceedings going while simple protestors were accused of terrorism for sitting in a square in Bangkok. The fact that courts are proceeding now is more proof of the incompetence and the lack of independence of anyone working in the Thai justice system. Judges, prosecutors and investigators dance to the tune of the political leaders of the moment.

Political leaders play the tune but who actually composed it?

[whybother]

These jokers first closed down two airports causing billions in damages for the country and for travelers, next they enter the traffic tower and than they claim that the authorities shut down the airports and no them. It is pure and simple conic terrorism. It is utterly madness that it took so long to get the proceedings going while simple protestors were accused of terrorism for sitting in a square in Bangkok. The fact that courts are proceeding now is more proof of the incompetence and the lack of independence of anyone working in the Thai justice system. Judges, prosecutors and investigators dance to the tune of the political leaders of the moment.

"simple protestors were accused of terrorism for sitting in a square in Bangkok."

[carra]

PAD did not seize the airport.

AOT made the decision without consulting PAD, and close it down themselves.

i can't believe people still peddle this nonsense

[Thai at Heart]

These jokers first closed down two airports causing billions in damages for the country and for travelers, next they enter the traffic tower and than they claim that the authorities shut down the airports and no them. It is pure and simple conic terrorism. It is utterly madness that it took so long to get the proceedings going while simple protestors were accused of terrorism for sitting in a square in Bangkok. The fact that courts are proceeding now is more proof of the incompetence and the lack of independence of anyone working in the Thai justice system. Judges, prosecutors and investigators dance to the tune of the political leaders of the moment.

He is guilty of something, but I very much doubt it is terrorism. I didn't like it when the previous government tried to run around and prosecute under terrorism legislation, and I don't think this charge is quite appropriate either. Problem is, that the laws on the books in the system in Thailand are never set upon for legal review, with their penalties jigged to meet the crimes.

Someone needs desperately to conduct a review of all the laws on the books and make the punishments meet the crime so that you don't end up with having to charge people with terrorism for things that are more tied to civil disobedience, intimidating public officials, breaking and entering, vandalism, obstructing road ways, and the such. Using the terrorism charge is too broad brushed and open to abuse by all sides.

[Nigel1500]

Was a miss-quote - should have read 'loss' not 'profit

that would make sense

Like always.... AMAZING THAILAND

Hey, no one consulted me either!

[Nigel1500]

PAD did not seize the airport.

AOT made the decision without consulting PAD, and close it down themselves.

Hey, no one consulted me either.

[retarius]

PAD did not seize the airport.

AOT made the decision without consulting PAD, and close it down themselves.

what do you base this on? I was there with thousands of armed yellow shirts....the airport was definitely seized and the yellow shirts took over the control tower at knife point

[GentlemanJim]

PAD did not seize the airport.

AOT made the decision without consulting PAD, and close it down themselves.

what do you base this on? I was there with thousands of armed yellow shirts....the airport was definitely seized and the yellow shirts took over the control tower at knife point

So are you a terrorist as well? Why were you with a group of armed yellowshirts?

The leaders of the yellows and reds should ALL be locked up.

[OzMick]

PAD did not seize the airport.

AOT made the decision without consulting PAD, and close it down themselves.

what do you base this on? I was there with thousands of armed yellow shirts....the airport was definitely seized and the yellow shirts took over the control tower at knife point

So are you a terrorist as well? Why were you with a group of armed yellowshirts?

The leaders of the yellows and reds should ALL be locked up.

Allow for the possibility that there were passengers arriving and departing, and friends farewelling/meeting those passengers.

As i said before, if the PAD leaders had the foresight to buy a cheap flight ticket for that day, it would make it very difficult to prove that they were there illegally.

[whybother]

Allow for the possibility that there were passengers arriving and departing, and friends farewelling/meeting those passengers.

As i said before, if the PAD leaders had the foresight to buy a cheap flight ticket for that day, it would make it very difficult to prove that they were there illegally.

Good defence! They all happened to be there to pick up / drop off friends, and when the AOT shut the airport, they just waited.

Edited May 15, 2012 by whybother

[Siam Simon]

PAD did not seize the airport.

AOT made the decision without consulting PAD, and close it down themselves.

what do you base this on? I was there with thousands of armed yellow shirts....the airport was definitely seized and the yellow shirts took over the control tower at knife point

So are you a terrorist as well? Why were you with a group of armed yellowshirts?

The leaders of the yellows and reds should ALL be locked up.

Allow for the possibility that there were passengers arriving and departing, and friends farewelling/meeting those passengers.

As i said before, if the PAD leaders had the foresight to buy a cheap flight ticket for that day, it would make it very difficult to prove that they were there illegally.

I actually thought you were showing a rare bit of half-decent humour when you posted that the first time. Silly me! Applying your warped logic to the 2010 troubles, Red Shirt protesers were just on extended shopping trips .

[ableguy]

Makes one wonder how in the world that this airport seizure actually took place for all those days totally with impunity and unchallenged by government, military, or any airport security forces? Absolutely astonishing. The single most outstanding event that stands out as a big negative question about Thailand's ability to manage its affairs and operate as a secure, reliable state in the world.

Remmember the 30 armed men in black who siezed the airport parking lot last year ? npolice never even showed up I believe it was about the skimming and someone was not getting his fair share. Thailand only money is important

[JohnAllan]

He will be released temporarily . . . and another 300 kilometre farce will no doubt follow . . .

[JohnAllan]

These jokers first closed down two airports causing billions in damages for the country and for travelers, next they enter the traffic tower and than they claim that the authorities shut down the airports and no them. It is pure and simple conic terrorism. It is utterly madness that it took so long to get the proceedings going while simple protestors were accused of terrorism for sitting in a square in Bangkok. The fact that courts are proceeding now is more proof of the incompetence and the lack of independence of anyone working in the Thai justice system. Judges, prosecutors and investigators dance to the tune of the political leaders of the moment.

"simple protestors were accused of terrorism for sitting in a square in Bangkok."

I doubt many residents, businesses or employees of businesses in the area would agree with Tragickingdom's description of Ratchaprasong as a 'square', never mind his viewing an illegal occupation as a case of 'simple protestors sitting in a square in Bangkok.'

Edited May 15, 2012 by JohnAllan