Jatuporn, Reds Face Bail Ruling Today

[webfact]

COURT

Jatuporn, reds face bail ruling today

THE NATION

Jatuporn

BANGKOK: -- Trying to predict whether the Criminal Court will revoke bail today granted earlier to red-shirt leaders may be as tough as reading the minds of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her big brother on the issue.

It's natural to assume that Yingluck and Thaksin want their most outstanding front-line political soldier, Jatuporn Promphan, to remain a free man. Under the surface, however, it's a bit more complicated, as a free-wheeling Jatuporn will almost surely stake a claim for a Cabinet post.

Giving Jatuporn a ministerial post could put the government's purported "reconciliation" agenda in jeopardy. But keeping him out of the Cabinet could be hard for the government to explain the reason why to the red shirts. Jatuporn back in jail would deflect this dilemma, with all the blame and criticism shifted to the court.

Jatuporn and 18 other red-shirts face the Criminal Court today with possible bail revocation hanging in the balance. Number one red-leader Jatuporn put himself in this trouble after aggressively attacking the Constitution Court for halting the government-advocated charter reform process.

Facing charges related to the bloody political strife in 2010 and no longer enjoying parliamentary immunity after losing his MP status, Jatuporn will return to jail if the Criminal Court rules that his verbal attacks on the Constitution Court constituted behaviour warranting the loss of bail.

The bail situation for another senior red-shirt, Yoswarit Chuklom (Jeng Dokjik), looks equally fragile, if not more. He revealed the phone numbers of Constitution Court judges at a red-shirt rally, virtually asking those opposed to the charter reform delay to call the judges to voice their disapproval.

Today's crucial court session was postponed from August 9. On that day, a few thousand red-shirts gathered to give those facing bail revocation moral support. Today's gathering is not expected to be bigger than that held on August 9.

One red-shirt leader, Nutthawut Saikua, is already in the Cabinet, serving as deputy agriculture minister. But observers say if Jatuporn joins him, possibly as deputy interior minister, it will not only reinforce the perception that the government is confrontational, but also create a rumble of discontent among other factions within the ruling party.

Legal analysts find it hard to predict today's verdicts, as any decision would have different political implications, which may be taken into consideration by the judges. One compromise scenario has the Criminal Court allowing the 19 red-shirt members to remain free on bail but imposing more restrictions on their activities, violation of which would lead to undisputed bail revocation.

Such probation should be greeted with delight by the reds, but not necessarily Prime Minister Yingluck and her brother Thaksin.

-- The Nation 2012-08-22

[webfact]

Top red-shirts ready to accept verdict: Natthawut

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Nineteen red-shirt leaders are prepared to abide by today's verdict on their bail review and have appealed to their supporters not to become unruly if the outcome is unfavourable, Deputy Agriculture Minister Natthawut Saikua said yesterday.

The bail review for five other red-shirt leaders, including Natthawut, will take place on November 29, coinciding with the House adjournment and the end of their legislative immunity.

"Regardless of whether there is a positive or negative verdict, it will be accepted by the red shirts," Natthawut said.

Of the 19, he said the court had already heard rebuttals from 18, and only Yotwarit Chooklom, aka Jeng Dokjik, would submit extra evidence in his defence in this morning's session.

The court was expected to rule by the afternoon, he said.

Natthawut said he believed Yotwarit would use the session to apologise to Constitution Court judges for revealing their home addresses and phone numbers. An earlier apology made on the rally stage should be proof he meant no harm to the judges, he said.

Red-shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong said he hoped for leniency, admitting that the leaders might have got carried away by their emotions while making rally speeches.

Yotwarit had apologised for his remarks and sought forgiveness from the judges, Arisman said.

He was optimistic the court would issue a caution in lieu of bail cancellation.

-- The Nation 2012-08-22

[asiawatcher]

Hard decisions are needed when it comes to this guy. You don't take on the court and think you can get away with it. If the court concedes and does not revoke bail Thailand will be out at risk. The last thing the country needs is this narcissist back gloating to the public and causing more unrest.

[Notstupid30]

Hope these SOB goes down for along time

Edited August 21, 2012 by Notstupid30

[somtumlion]

These guys have no redeeming qualities. They should go back to jail.

[ratcatcher]

I was surprised to see a photograph of Mr Jatuporn with his mouth open.

[slapout]

Jataprorn and his henchmen are a perfect example of the need for the courts to use a big stick, at times, to get the attention of those who feel they are above the rules/laws of society. They have apparently have been spared the rod all of their life, so this is a good oppurnity to give them a reality lesson and see if they want to or can be contributing citizens in Thailand.

[ramrod711]

I do. I think Thaksin should do soul-searching. Statesmen's paths are those with thorns and obstacles such as those of Nelson Mandela, Ang San Suu Kyi, Mahatma Gandhi. If Thaksin agrees to go to jail, he will win the hearts of people all over the country. He will rise to being a statesman.

I say, make statesmen out of the whole bunch, throw them back in jail.

[Moruya]

I was surprised to see a photograph of Mr Jatuporn with his mouth open.

Mid-rant to be sure, wagging his offensive finger at some poor, virtual soul

The only other time he opens it is to masticate

[saltandpepper]

I am longing for the day that this clown will finally sleep in jail. May he be sentenced and stay there.

While judges are at it, there is still a whole bunch of characters to throw there, both reds and yellow. Maybe a big cleaning day would help the country to move forward....

[MunterHunter]

I am longing for the day that this clown will finally sleep in jail. May he be sentenced and stay there.

While judges are at it, there is still a whole bunch of characters to throw there, both reds and yellow. Maybe a big cleaning day would help the country to move forward....

I'm looking forward to the day this clown becomes "Bubba's love toy" in jail... a fitting end for this guy methinks!

[h90]

putting him in jail for speaking his opinion would be wrong......I think the same people who want Assangne free want to have Jatuporn in jail.

He isn't the problem he is the symptom.

And he should be in jail for his other crimes, sure a lot can be found if dig deep enough....Did he pay tax for the money he received from Thaksin?

[Ban Sao]

This is how thaksin can get rid of jutupom who has served his purpose but is no longer needed, Jail will be a win win for dems and and the man from far away.

Edited August 22, 2012 by Ban Sao

[ratcatcher]

I do. I think Thaksin should do soul-searching. Statesmen's paths are those with thorns and obstacles such as those of Nelson Mandela, Ang San Suu Kyi, Mahatma Gandhi. If Thaksin agrees to go to jail, he will win the hearts of people all over the country. He will rise to being a statesman.

I say, make statesmen out of the whole bunch, throw them back in jail.

I like your last line, however, are you sure you meant to say " If Thaksin agrees to go to jail, he will win the hearts of people all over the country. He will rise to being a statesman." ?

Mentioning the name of Thaksin in the same sentence as the others gives him some sort of credibility that he does not deserve. The three characters mentioned all made personal sacrifices for the freedom and betterment of their peoples.

Sadly Thaksin Shinawatra will go down in history as someone who sacrificed nothing for the freedom and betterment of the Thai people, but he will be remembered as someone who enriched himself, his family and friends by his business dealings and major corruption.

Gandhi, Mandela, and Suu Kyi never benefited from massive corruption at the expense of their countrymen.

As for him going to jail and winning hearts, had he done that five years ago and admitted that he had overstepped the line and was genuinely sorry, I speculate that he could today be legitimately running Thailand as the P.M. as opposed to pretending not to be involved in politics and letting his sister carry the burden.

He is as much reviled by his enemies as he is loved by his followers.

In short, Thaksin will never be regarded as a statesman, rather just another greedy, corrupt Thai politician who couldn't handle the truth..

Edited August 22, 2012 by ratcatcher

[Sateev]

The SOBs were out in front of the court building last night, with particularly loud PA system until nearly 11PM. We could barely hear ourselves think, with all the windows closed and the AC on. I thought the police warned them not to use loudspeakers, as a condition of their permission to gather.

Pathetic that poor people in this country back this bunch of thugs, and hope for some improvement in their plight if they prevail. The only improvement will be in the Big Reds' position at the trough.

Edit: typos

Edited August 22, 2012 by Sateev

[saltandpepper]

The SOBs were out in front of the court building last night, with particularly loud PA system until nearly 11PM. We could barely hear ourselves think, with all the windows closed and the AC on. I thought the police warned them not to use loudspeakers, as a condition of their permission to gather.

Pathetic that poor people in this country back this bunch of thugs, and hope for some improvement in their plight if they prevail. The only improvement will be in the Big Reds' position at the trough.

Edit: typos

Red democracy in action....

[Arkady]

I think The Nation is right in suggesting that Yinglulck and her brother are hoping against hope that Jatuporn gets put away again. He is an asset in prison as he can be used to stir up red shirt hatred against the courts and so called amarts when needed. On the outside he is a serious liability. The Shinawatras would not be able to deny him a cabinet portfolio for much longer and that would create a huge obstacle to "reconciliation". In addition he is a dangerous cannon liable to misfire and cover his own side in blood and guts at any moment.

[Nickymaster]

_{Don't expect too much from this hearing guys. History has taught us that whenever the Reds start threatening and blackmailing, they don't have things "under control". If they lay low and act cooperative, they must probably have a very good "feeling" of what the outcome will be.}

Edited August 22, 2012 by metisdead
: Font.

[Moruya]

I think The Nation is right in suggesting that Yinglulck and her brother are hoping against hope that Jatuporn gets put away again. He is an asset in prison as he can be used to stir up red shirt hatred against the courts and so called amarts when needed. On the outside he is a serious liability. The Shinawatras would not be able to deny him a cabinet portfolio for much longer and that would create a huge obstacle to "reconciliation". In addition he is a dangerous cannon liable to misfire and cover his own side in blood and guts at any moment.

I can see a six week delay in this decision whilst the judges await additional information.

It would feel better to see him imprisoned having been jilted by his boyfriend in Dubai or plucked from the corridors of corruption once again.

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: 11:45am Red Shirts have now set up tents in front of Criminal Court leaving 2 lanes for traffic (Pic @jigoro_max) http://thai.vi/OvS4R0

[MunterHunter]

I'm pretty sure the Judges said not to do this... can we expect wide-spread arrests for contempt of court?

Nah, that would mean the police having to do something without extorting money from someone.

[saltandpepper]

I'm pretty sure the Judges said not to do this... can we expect wide-spread arrests for contempt of court?

Nah, that would mean the police having to do something without extorting money from someone.

Police arresting reds? Are you kidding?

[h90]

I'm pretty sure the Judges said not to do this... can we expect wide-spread arrests for contempt of court?

Nah, that would mean the police having to do something without extorting money from someone.

Thaksins brother in law is the police boss

[GarryP]

I was surprised to see a photograph of Mr Jatuporn with his mouth open.

You mean without his foot in it????

[ramrod711]

I do. I think Thaksin should do soul-searching. Statesmen's paths are those with thorns and obstacles such as those of Nelson Mandela, Ang San Suu Kyi, Mahatma Gandhi. If Thaksin agrees to go to jail, he will win the hearts of people all over the country. He will rise to being a statesman.

I say, make statesmen out of the whole bunch, throw them back in jail.

I like your last line, however, are you sure you meant to say " If Thaksin agrees to go to jail, he will win the hearts of people all over the country. He will rise to being a statesman." ?

Mentioning the name of Thaksin in the same sentence as the others gives him some sort of credibility that he does not deserve. The three characters mentioned all made personal sacrifices for the freedom and betterment of their peoples.

Sadly Thaksin Shinawatra will go down in history as someone who sacrificed nothing for the freedom and betterment of the Thai people, but he will be remembered as someone who enriched himself, his family and friends by his business dealings and major corruption.

Gandhi, Mandela, and Suu Kyi never benefited from massive corruption at the expense of their countrymen.

As for him going to jail and winning hearts, had he done that five years ago and admitted that he had overstepped the line and was genuinely sorry, I speculate that he could today be legitimately running Thailand as the P.M. as opposed to pretending not to be involved in politics and letting his sister carry the burden.

He is as much reviled by his enemies as he is loved by his followers.

In short, Thaksin will never be regarded as a statesman, rather just another greedy, corrupt Thai politician who couldn't handle the truth..

Sorry, I should have used quotation marks, the first paragraph is from the new senate speaker, Mr. Nikom Wairatpanich. I don't agree with any part of it. I was attempting to be sarcastic when I said make statesmen out of them, I just want them back in jail for breaching the conditions of their bail.

[khunken]

I was surprised to see a photograph of Mr Jatuporn with his mouth open.

Actually I'd be more surprised to see one with his mouth shut.

[Sateev]

Big cheers from the crowd outside the Court (and my window!) a few minutes ago. Anyone know if a verdict was rendered?

[bkkjames]

let me guess, decision delayed ?

[Nickymaster]

let me guess, decision delayed ?

Last warning...

[Moruya]

RT @RichardBarrow: 11:45am Red Shirts have now set up tents in front of Criminal Court leaving 2 lanes for traffic (Pic @jigoro_max) http://thai.vi/OvS4R0

Quit fittingly camped out beneath the elephant's vent