Jatuporn Gets Suspended Jail Term For Defaming Abhisit

[webfact]

Jatuporn gets suspended jail term for defaming Abhisit

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court Tuesday found red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan guilty of libel and handed down a six-month jail term suspended for two years due to first offence.

In its decision, the court reprimanded Jatuporn for making malicious remarks against Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva in order to incite hatre.

Reacting to his guilty verdict, Jatuporn said he respected the judicial decision although he would seek to overturn it through the appellate review.

The case came to light in 2009 after Jatuporn gave a press interview portraying the then prime minister Abhisit for inappropriate conduct during an audience with the King.

"Abhisit was disrespectful to the King by deviating from the usual protocals required in a royal audience because he acted like an equal of His Majesty and sat on a chair, an act no past prime ministers had done," Jatuporn said in his interview.

Abhisit subsequently sued that such remarks had tarnished his reputation.

The court ruled that Jatuporn had no justification to criticise Abhisit before verifying facts and circumstances in connection with the royal audience and that the defence argument for ignorance on royal protocals was unconvincing since the defendant was a Pheu Thai MP.

-- The Nation 2012-07-10

[Thaddeus]

Ooops.

[Moruya]

Jatuporn gets suspended jail term for defaming Abhisit

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court Tuesday found red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan guilty of libel and handed down a six-month jail term suspended for two years due to first offence.

In its decision, the court reprimanded Jatuporn for making malicious remarks against Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva in order to incite hatre.

Reacting to his guilty verdict, Jatuporn said he respected the judicial decision although he would seek to overturn it through the appellate review.

The case came to light in 2009 after Jatuporn gave a press interview portraying the then prime minister Abhisit for inappropriate conduct during an audience with the King.

"Abhisit was disrespectful to the King by deviating from the usual protocals required in a royal audience because he acted like an equal of His Majesty and sat on a chair, an act no past prime ministers had done," Jatuporn said in his interview.

Abhisit subsequently sued that such remarks had tarnished his reputation.

The court ruled that Jatuporn had no justification to criticise Abhisit before verifying facts and circumstances in connection with the royal audience and that the defence argument for ignorance on royal protocals was unconvincing since the defendant was a Pheu Thai MP.

-- The Nation 2012-07-10

That last paragraph is hilarious

[Thaddeus]

From a different thread on the same topic.

Today, the Criminal Court find Jatuporn guilty of the above defamation charge.

He was sentenced to six months in jail (suspended for two years) and fined 50,000 baht.

He was also ordered to publish the verdict in ASTV Manager and Matichon dailies for seven consecutive days at his own expense.

The last paragraph of that one is also.

[slapout]

The carrot approach does not appear to be working with this man, but it seems it will tried again. Just being who and what he is, and the other items hanging over his head, the walls may finally be closing in on him.

If ever there was a canidiate for the application of a big stick (club) approach, to attempt to modify public behavior, this man should fit the profile.

[Moruya]

From a different thread on the same topic.

Today, the Criminal Court find Jatuporn guilty of the above defamation charge.

He was sentenced to six months in jail (suspended for two years) and fined 50,000 baht.

He was also ordered to publish the verdict in ASTV Manager and Matichon dailies for seven consecutive days at his own expense.

The last paragraph of that one is also.

His face will be like a bulldog chewing a wasp.

[h90]

From a different thread on the same topic.

Today, the Criminal Court find Jatuporn guilty of the above defamation charge.

He was sentenced to six months in jail (suspended for two years) and fined 50,000 baht.

He was also ordered to publish the verdict in ASTV Manager and Matichon dailies for seven consecutive days at his own expense.

The last paragraph of that one is also.

ASTV......I didn't know that judges can have humor.

[Moruya]

The carrot approach does not appear to be working with this man, but it seems it will tried again. Just being who and what he is, and the other items hanging over his head, the walls may finally be closing in on him.

If ever there was a canidiate for the application of a big stick (club) approach, to attempt to modify public behavior, this man should fit the profile.

A cricket bat over his lardy posterior would be the next immediately followed by Bang Kwang

[webfact]

Thai Red Shirt sentenced over royal seating claim

BANGKOK, July 10, 2012 (AFP) - A key Thai Red Shirt leader was on Tuesday given a suspended jail term for slander over claims he accused the former premier of sitting incorrectly during an audience with Thailand's revered king.

Jatuporn Prompan was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years, after the Thai Criminal Court found him guilty of slandering former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in 2009.

The court heard that the firebrand activist accused the then Thai leader of sitting on a chair of an equal height to one being used by King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

In Thailand where it is customary to remain at a lower level than the monarch, such a move could be perceived as discourteous.

In court Abhisit successfully argued that since the chair had been provided by the royal household, his sitting on it could not be seen as a mark of disrespect.

"The court finds the defendant did not honestly criticise the plaintiff," the judge said, adding that Jatuporn had been an opposition MP for the now-ruling Puea Thai party at the time, and that his comments had "political motivation".

Jatuporn, who is facing a slew of court cases including terrorism over massive 2010 Red Shirt protests that ended in bloodshed, saw his jail term suspended because he has not been convicted for any other crime.

He was stripped of his parliamentary seat in May after the Constitutional Court said that his election was invalid because he was held over a separate lese-majeste case at the time. He has yet to stand trial.

The monarchy is a highly sensitive topic in politically turbulent Thailand, where the 84-year-old king is revered as a demi-god by many Thais.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-07-10

[whybother]

Surely that's not his first offence. It certainly won't be his last.

[Thai at Heart]

I await a clarification of protocol.

What a complete non-event of a story.

[saltandpepper]

Surely that's not his first offence. It certainly won't be his last.

And he's still to be jailed for what he's been convicted for...still enjoying real good life out on bail.

[h90]

From a different thread on the same topic.

Today, the Criminal Court find Jatuporn guilty of the above defamation charge.

He was sentenced to six months in jail (suspended for two years) and fined 50,000 baht.

He was also ordered to publish the verdict in ASTV Manager and Matichon dailies for seven consecutive days at his own expense.

The last paragraph of that one is also.

His face will be like a bulldog chewing a wasp.

Come on...he is doing what he is paid for. I guess he proudly shows it to his boss and asks for an increase in salary.

[Buchholz]

his jail term suspended because he has not been convicted for any other crime.

Astounding, given his long and illustrious criminal history.

But alas, at least's it's done now and so we won't see it again when the "slew" get processed...

Jatuporn, who is facing a slew of court cases including terrorism over massive 2010 Red Shirt protests that ended in bloodshed

.

Edited July 10, 2012 by Buchholz

[Moruya]

From a different thread on the same topic.

Today, the Criminal Court find Jatuporn guilty of the above defamation charge.

He was sentenced to six months in jail (suspended for two years) and fined 50,000 baht.

He was also ordered to publish the verdict in ASTV Manager and Matichon dailies for seven consecutive days at his own expense.

The last paragraph of that one is also.

His face will be like a bulldog chewing a wasp.

Come on...he is doing what he is paid for. I guess he proudly shows it to his boss and asks for an increase in salary.

The way I see it the courts have been lenient with a few things. When he gets hit for six on terrorism he won't be able to call the injustice card.

[ratcatcher]

From a different thread on the same topic.

Today, the Criminal Court find Jatuporn guilty of the above defamation charge.

He was sentenced to six months in jail (suspended for two years) and fined 50,000 baht.

He was also ordered to publish the verdict in ASTV Manager and Matichon dailies for seven consecutive days at his own expense.

The last paragraph of that one is also.

His face will be like a bulldog chewing a wasp.

Edited July 10, 2012 by ratcatcher

[Buchholz]

I await a clarification of protocol.

There was no breach in protocol.

Many photos of others in the same position and seating is arranged by the Royal Household.

The protocol is so consistent and common, as part of the judgment it was pointed out that it should have been known by someone like an MP.

.

[h90]

The way I see it the courts have been lenient with a few things. When he gets hit for six on terrorism he won't be able to call the injustice card.

than the double standard card comes again.

[scorecard]

From a different thread on the same topic.

Today, the Criminal Court find Jatuporn guilty of the above defamation charge.

He was sentenced to six months in jail (suspended for two years) and fined 50,000 baht.

He was also ordered to publish the verdict in ASTV Manager and Matichon dailies for seven consecutive days at his own expense.

The last paragraph of that one is also.

His face will be like a bulldog chewing a wasp.

Come on...he is doing what he is paid for. I guess he proudly shows it to his boss and asks for an increase in salary.

If that's true (probably is) then it reconfirms the man has no morals whatever.

On another angle, he was today convicted, although the sentence was reduced. Unless i'm mistaken this conviction menas that he cannot be an MP right now, and also he cannot be an MP for the next 5 years.

Can somebody please clarify on these points.

Edited July 10, 2012 by scorecard

[Thai at Heart]

I await a clarification of protocol.

There was no breach in protocol.

Many photos of others in the same position and seating is arranged by the Royal Household.

The protocol is so consistent and common, as part of the judgment it was pointed out that it should have been known by someone like an MP.

.

I am sure there was no breach, it is just nice to think that if in doubt someone clears it up.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-charles/9388886/Cheryl-Cole-admits-Prince-Charles-etiquette-gaffe.html

Cheryl Cole has admitted making the Prince of Wales burst into laughter by addressing his as 'Charles' despite having etiquette lessons before meeting the future King.

[Thai at Heart]

The way I see it the courts have been lenient with a few things. When he gets hit for six on terrorism he won't be able to call the injustice card.

The very fact that the charge is terrorism makes that pretty unlikely.

[Morakot]

"...the defence argument for ignorance on royal protocals was unconvincing since the defendant was a Pheu Thai MP."

Strangely phrased by the Nation, or bizarre legal reasoning?

Should the dismissal not have been on the ground of his (in)competence of interpreting the protocol, or are only certain MPs convincing about certain protocols?

Edited July 10, 2012 by Morakot

[h90]

If that's true (probably is) then it reconfirms the man has no morals whatever.

On another angle, he was today convicted, although the sentence was reduced. Unless i'm mistaken this conviction menas that he cannot be an MP right now, and also he cannot be an MP for the next 5 years.

Can somebody please clarify on these points.

Well moral? I don't see any moral at any politicians. I don't even see the big difference if he is the political prostitute of Thaksin or like in Europe where they are hired by the banks.

[MEL1]

"...the defence argument for ignorance on royal protocals was unconvincing since the defendant was a Pheu Thai MP."

Strangely phrased by the Nation, or bizarre legal reasoning?

Should the dismissal not have been on the ground of his (in)competence of interpreting the protocol, or are only certain MPs convincing about certain protocols?

Maybe it would have been better worded as:

Fat boy, in light of the fact that you are, were, possibly once was a PTP MP, you should have known about Royal protocol therefore we shall sentence you to 6 months. However, we also appreciate that you appear to have all the etiquette of a second hand wellington boot therefore we shall suspend it for 2 years.

To me, the way it is written, it seems that his 6 mos is susupended for two years, then he has to do the 2 years. ?????

No, I think the six month imprisonment is commuted to two years on probation outside prison, with certain conditions and obligations, and is subject to “recall” to prison if something goes wrong.

But he has a criminal record, right?

-mel.

[Morakot]

No, I think the six month imprisonment is commuted to two years on probation outside prison, with certain conditions and obligations, and is subject to “recall” to prison if something goes wrong.

But he has a criminal record, right?

-mel.

I would think so. Suspended just means one is permitted to be “outside” on parole.

[geriatrickid]

his jail term suspended because he has not been convicted for any other crime.

Astounding, given his long and illustrious criminal history.

But alas, at least's it's done now and so we won't see it again when the "slew" get processed...

Long and illustrious criminal history?

What serious crimes has he been convicted of? Until he is convicted of multiple crimes, you are exagerating, as is your custom.

This specific case was idiotic. Jatuporn might have been foolish for making the allegations, aaaand should have kept his mouth shut instead of being petty, but it hardly ranks up there with an alleged murderer sitting as an MP in the house. The court passed judgement, which the accused respects, although he will file an appeal. If you consider the case a serious criminal event then how do you classify the case of the accused Democrat muderer sitting in the house?

edited To add accused.

Edited July 10, 2012 by geriatrickid

[Reasonableman]

Patience, GK, the show's not over yet. And it would probably be wise to avoid potentially becoming the subject of a libel action yourself. ;-)

[geriatrickid]

To me, the way it is written, it seems that his 6 mos is susupended for two years, then he has to do the 2 years. ?????

A rather crafty judicial decision. Jatuporn has to behave or else he gets tossed in jail. It's more effective than a jail term as he would have been a martyr if put in jail and while in jail could have still been politically active. With the suspended sentence, he has to walk a very thin straight line. I may not agree with the Thai law that allows the bringing of criminal charges for a civil dispute, but the judgement was quite effective if one is looking to silence the chap. A political win for the political elites as it gets Jatuporn out of the way, quietly.I don't think the PTP leadership is shedding any tears.

[Nisa]

I am sure there was no breach, it is just nice to think that if in doubt someone clears it up.

http://www.telegraph...ette-gaffe.html

Cheryl Cole has admitted making the Prince of Wales burst into laughter by addressing his as 'Charles' despite having etiquette lessons before meeting the future King.

What is interesting is the people who often care the least about these types of formalities are the royals themselves ... at least those that have earned respect through their position.

But I guess that "Waaaaaaaaaaaaz up Chuck?" would be a no no too. Good info to have should I ever run into the Prince.

[Morakot]

[...]

I may not agree with the Thai law that allows the bringing of criminal charges for a civil dispute

[...]

In that case you may not agree with many other non-common law jurisdictions around the world.

Edited July 10, 2012 by Morakot