Court Postpones Bail Revocation Decision On Red Shirt Leader Jatuporn

[webfact]

Court postpones bail revocation decision on red shirt leader Jatuporn

BANGKOK, July 23 - The Criminal Court on Monday postponed its decision to review the arguments for bail for red shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan to next month, saying some facts are yet to be established.

The court postponement came as the Constitution Court earlier initiated a petition to the criminal court seeking the revocation of Mr Jatuporn's bail after he criticised the charter court's decision to review petitions against the government-sponsored charter amendment bills on June 7.

In its bail petition, the court said it regarded Mr Jatuporn's criticisms as a threat, violating a condition of his bail prohibiting him from disseminating information in a way that may damage court procedures.

Key leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) including Thida Thavornsreth, Weng Tojirakarn and Natthawaut Saikua led the crowd to give moral support to Mr Jatuporn at the court compound in the morning amid tight security of 300 police.

Mr Jatuporn appeared at court at 9.30am and insisted that his June 7 comment was simply meant to criticise the work of the Constitution Court, not threaten the court judges or destroy the judicial system as accused.

He added that his speech did not instigate the public as no red shirt supporters appeared at the Constitution Court compound during the hearing and on the ruling days after the protest leaders told their supporters not to gather there.

Constitution Court Sec-Gen Chavana Traimas however reasserted to the court during today’s hearing that Mr Jatuporn's remarks did affect the court judges and was intended to destroy the judicial system.

After four hours of the hearing, the court postponed its decision to Aug 9, together with the consideration of similar cases of 24 red shirt leaders whose bail revocations were sought by the opposition Democrat Party and the Constitution Court.

The court warned the defendant that, although he has the freedom of expression under the Constitution, he could not make any speech that defames others, and instructed him to strictly comply with his bail conditions which ban any public speech istigating the public to cause chaos.

Mr Jatuporn expressed gratitude to the court for combining his case to those of the other Red Shirt leaders and said he is ready to abide by the court's order.

Prosecuted for terrorism charges in connection with the violence during the ten-week red shirt demonstrations against the then Abhisit Vejjajiva administration in 2010, Mr Jatuporn was released on bail after the Election Commission officially endorsed his status as a member of Parliament.

However, the Constitution Court on May 18 disqualified him as a Pheu Thai party-list MP as he forfeited his party membership by failing to exercise his right to vote in the July 3 election because he was in jail during the weeks before the 2011 general election.

Mr Jatuporn earlier announced that if his bail is revoked, he will walk from the Democracy Monument to prison and stage a hunger strike. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-07-23

[webfact]

POLITICS

Criminal Court defers decision on Jatuporn

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court on Monday deferred its decision to August 9 as to whether or not to revoke the bail of red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan.

The Criminal Court Monday held a hearing to consider the request by nine Constitution Court judges for Jatuporn's bail to be revoked on the grounds that he had intimidated the judges during a political rally.

The Constitution Court judges sought the revocation of Jatuporn's bail after comments by the former Pheu Thai MP during a red-shirt rally in front of Parliament were interpreted as intimidatory.

Jatuporn made the speech after the Constitution Court ruled on May 18 to disqualify him as a Pheu Thai MP.

The Criminal Court asked Jatuporn to hear the court's decision at 9 am on August.

The court also warned Jatuporn and red-shirt leaders to be careful about using an amplifier system in front of the court as the loud noise violated other people's rights.

The court also warned Jatuporn and other red-shirt leaders to be careful about their public comments.

Thousands of red-shirt people gathered in front of the Constitution Court Monday morning to express moral support for Jatuporn who appeared in the hearing to defend himself

After the Criminal Court judges heard Jatuporn's testimony, the judges ordered a 15-minute break and announced that it would make a decision on August 9 as the judges would need more information.

-- The Nation 2012-07-23

[Farang0tang]

But wouldnt he be taken by car to Jail, no need to walk.

[Buchholz]

But wouldnt he be taken by car to Jail, no need to walk.

normal protocol would be bus

[candid]

Jatuporn could be seen as a thorn in the flesh of his own Party leaders. A thorn in the flesh is often described as a little prick

[Unkomoncents]

The authorities are only going to be able to keep delaying these flash-point decisions for so long.

[siampolee]

The worrying thing is that these creatures want to take the reins of power. No doubt democracy will flourish under them in the the shape that they would like, I.E. dictatorship

Perhaps not as draconian as North Korea or the dubious delights of Pol Pots delightful regime, possibly more in the line with the tactics used by Mao Tse Tung.

Always have an enemy, if there isn't one create a class enemy classic tactics as used by Mao Tse Tung which of course resulted in th 'Cultural Revolution''.

Note the Red Shirt membership surrounding the court indeed a warning of things to come if these creatures ever assume power, rather reminiscent of the Tumbrels rolling through the streets during the French revolution. However remember though the revolutionaries turned on their own leaders in the end. However many innocents were slaughtered in the mob rule at the time

Listening to Jutuporns rant on the news tonight I was reminded of the newsreel over the years of all those dictators ranting on about the evil of their opponents.Jutuporn brought to my mind the persona of that character Idi Amin

[rubl]

After four hours of the hearing, the court postponed its decision to Aug 9, together with the consideration of similar cases of 24 red shirt leaders whose bail revocations were sought by the opposition Democrat Party and the Constitution Court.

I must say that this is really thoughtful of the court. Now at least all reds-shirts can concentrate on the 9th of August for their protests. A certain protest ennui might have set in if we had 25 separate days, one for each UDD leader under investigation :-)

[OzMick]

"In 2006, Karun assaulted a guard at an abandoned cinema, when he and his friends were refused entry."

My first thought was why does an abandoned cinema have a security guard? Obviously, to stop people going in.

But why did Karun and company WANT to enter an abandoned cinema? To not watch a film with wild abandon? Or gay abandon? Is there some usage of "abandon" which I an missing?

Any enlightenment welcome !

[animatic]

But wouldnt he be taken by car to Jail, no need to walk.

normal protocol would be bus

Seems they forgot the dancing bears for this trip.

[dru2]

I absolutely concur. Thank you again.

[metisdead]

Off topic obfuscatory post and replies have been removed.

Other posts criticizing of the Thai courts have been removed as per forum rule 15.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?app=forums&module=extras&section=boardrules

[mamypoko]

"In 2006, Karun assaulted a guard at an abandoned cinema, when he and his friends were refused entry."

My first thought was why does an abandoned cinema have a security guard? Obviously, to stop people going in.

But why did Karun and company WANT to enter an abandoned cinema? To not watch a film with wild abandon? Or gay abandon? Is there some usage of "abandon" which I an missing?

Any enlightenment welcome !

all hope? ship? reckless...............

Edited July 23, 2012 by mamypoko

[hellodolly]

But wouldnt he be taken by car to Jail, no need to walk.

normal protocol would be bus

Seems they forgot the dancing bears for this trip.

He looks like he is excited about a gay old time.

Edited July 23, 2012 by hellodolly

[orchidlady]

I live just around the corner from the criminal court. The red shirts took over two lanes of Phaholyonthin Rd today, in front of the court, just parked their cars, big buses in the lanes. Several vendors selling their red gear put up tables in the street. They also took over the sidewalk in the area.They were blaring their loud speakers as usual. Police were just standing there not even directing traffic around these obstacles-the red shirts were in the street directing traffic! So I guess we should expect a repeat on August 9th.

[hellodolly]

I live just around the corner from the criminal court. The red shirts took over two lanes of Phaholyonthin Rd today, in front of the court, just parked their cars, big buses in the lanes. Several vendors selling their red gear put up tables in the street. They also took over the sidewalk in the area.They were blaring their loud speakers as usual. Police were just standing there not even directing traffic around these obstacles-the red shirts were in the street directing traffic! So I guess we should expect a repeat on August 9th.

Says a lot when the police watch as the red shirts do their job for them.

[webfact]

POLITICS

Watch your tongue, court tells Jatuporn

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court yesterday said another hearing was needed on August 9 on whether to grant a Constitution Court request for red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan

However, the court advised him to abide by the law, be careful about his public remarks - particularly at political rallies - and avoid any act that would infringe on the rights and liberties of other people, for the sake of peace in the country.

Jatuporn, who is also an MP for the ruling Pheu Thai Party, has been accused by the Constitution Court of threatening its judges before the court was to hand down its verdict on the constitutional amendment case on July 13. In yesterday's hearing, Jatuporn told the Criminal Court he simply exercised his right to criticise certain Constitution Court judges - but he denied making any threats against them.

Jatuporn and other red-shirt leaders have been granted bail despite being charged with terrorism and causing unrest in connection with the 2010 riots.

After Jatuporn's testimony yesterday, the court concluded there was no clear evidence he committed any violation of the law. There was a need to question other defendants, so the court scheduled another hearing at 9am on August 9.

Jatuporn's lawyer Winyat Chartmontri asked the Criminal Court to give a guideline on what could be done or not.

The red-shirt leader told reporters later that the court did not prohibit him from addressing red-shirt rallies but that he was advised to be careful about his words - "which I will follow".

A number of Jatuporn's red-shirt supporters gathered in front of the Criminal Court yesterday under the watchful eyes of some 70 police.

Meanwhile, Natthawut Saikua, another red-shirt leader, expressed confidence yesterday that the Criminal Court would not withdraw bail granted to Jatuporn and other red-shirt leaders accused of having threatened the judges.

"I believe the court will understand the situation and ensure justice [for Jatuporn]," said Natthawut, who is also deputy agriculture minister.

But he still insisted the Constitution Court had no power to rule on the case filed against the proponents of constitutional amendment.

Cases against him

Cases against red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan, and where the cases are now

- Terrorism case: Jatuporn granted bail. (Currently being probed by the Department of Special Investigation.)

- Libel case: Jatuporn in 2009 gave a press interview accusing then prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of inappropriate conduct during an audience with the King. The Criminal Court on July 10 found Jatuporn guilty of libel and handed down a six-month jail term suspended for two years due to it being his first offence.

- Libel case: Jatuporn in 2009 made an accusation against Abhisit in relation to an attack on Abhisit's vehicle at the Interior Ministry and Abhisit's involvement in the dispersal of red-shirt protesters in 2009. (Currently in the court-hearing process.)

- Libel case: At a rally, Jatuporn accused Abhisit of seizing His Majesty the King's power and of involvement in chaos at the Din Daeng Triangle, Petchaburi Road and in Pattaya. (Currently in the court-hearing process.)

- Libel case: Jatuporn accused Abhisit of ordering the killings of people and of evading conscription. (Currently in the court-hearing process.)

- Libel case: Jatuporn read a court verdict on his TV programme allegedly causing viewers to misunderstand that Teepsurang Pukditanakul, the wife of Constitution Court judge Jaran, is a bad person. (Currently in the court-hearing process.)

-- The Nation 2012-07-24

[OzMick]

Terrorism case: Jatuporn granted bail. (Currently being probed by the Department of Special Investigation.)

Somehow, I doubt the veracity of this statement.

[Buchholz]

However, the court advised him to abide by the law, be careful about his public remarks - particularly at political rallies - and avoid any act that would infringe on the rights and liberties of other people, for the sake of peace in the country.

In other words, stop doing what he's been doing repeatedly since 2007.

The red-shirt leader told reporters later that the court did not prohibit him from addressing red-shirt rallies but that he was advised to be careful about his words - "which I will follow".

That would be a first if he actually did.

.

[saltandpepper]

It is amazing that this guy is still walking around freely. Some have spent years in jails for much less than what he did.

[1weatherman]

Same song, second verse. Or third verse, fourth verse......

[phiphidon]

It is amazing that this guy is still walking around freely. Some have spent years in jails for much less than what he did.

Care to give some examples (not including LM charges)

[carra]

It is amazing that this guy is still walking around freely. Some have spent years in jails for much less than what he did.

Care to give some examples (not including LM charges)

the convicted many times Sondhi is still walking the streets despite having been sentenced to jail

[Buchholz]

It is amazing that this guy is still walking around freely. Some have spent years in jails for much less than what he did.

Care to give some examples (not including LM charges)

the convicted many times Sondhi is still walking the streets despite having been sentenced to jail

Potjaman did the same walking the streets for over three years after being sentenced to jail.

No shortage of examples on all sides .

Welcome to Thailand.

Edit to add disclaimer: The above post is not intentionally insinuating that Potjaman was, in a vernacular sense, a street walker.

Edited July 24, 2012 by Buchholz

[saltandpepper]

It is amazing that this guy is still walking around freely. Some have spent years in jails for much less than what he did.

Care to give some examples (not including LM charges)

Recently, I liked an answer that said something like "Google is your friend"

So, I'll let you meet your new friend!

You will certainly find some amazing stories about poor chaps who did not threaten judges, call for a capital city burning, call for fight against army, etc..... who have been locked because they were just common people...

If not, I will express my sincere apologies

[chotthee]

Prosecuted for terrorism charges in connection with the violence during the ten-week red shirt demonstrations against the then Abhisit Vejjajiva administration in 2010, Mr Jatuporn ....

Once a terrorist, always a terrorist.

Except Khun Nelson M.

[Moruya]

It is amazing that this guy is still walking around freely. Some have spent years in jails for much less than what he did.

Care to give some examples (not including LM charges)

the convicted many times Sondhi is still walking the streets despite having been sentenced to jail

So is Thaksin

So what?

Makes it all OK in your "no rules" world?

[asiawatcher]

I live just around the corner from the criminal court. The red shirts took over two lanes of Phaholyonthin Rd today, in front of the court, just parked their cars, big buses in the lanes. Several vendors selling their red gear put up tables in the street. They also took over the sidewalk in the area.They were blaring their loud speakers as usual. Police were just standing there not even directing traffic around these obstacles-the red shirts were in the street directing traffic! So I guess we should expect a repeat on August 9th.

What? You think the police will actually enforce civil obedience as a part of their duty? Unless Thailand gets serious about this and every other form of outright disregard to law and order, the country will never progress. And as for motor mouth, he is proving time and again he has impunity against anything the law wishes to throw at him so who is paying for that? Again not rocket science.

[animatic]

Same song, second verse. Or third verse, fourth verse......

adverse

[drdoom6996]

But wouldnt he be taken by car to Jail, no need to walk.

He needs the exercise and the diet.