Sondhi Limthongkul Faces Prosecution Over Storming Of Thai Government House

[OzMick]

It's good to see the courts doing their jobs and defendants not running away to hide from justice.

ok let's make this about thaksin then shall we, there's certainly not enough said about him on this forum.

do you think if thaksin had stayed with the charges they had for him at that time, that he would have been walking around like sondhi?

please, i beg you, be honest.

Your question implies that you believe otherwise, that although found guilty of a relatively minor offence, he would have been dragged kicking and screaming to a cell without the opportunity to lodge an appeal or apply for bail. I (honestly) believe that the opposite is true, that the normal conventions of Thai law would be carried out. I very doubt that bail would be set beyond his means knowing his successful career plundering the country.

But of course we will never know because Thaksin was never going to stand in court and listen to (what he considers) a lesser mortal declare him guilty of any of the corrupt acts he committed, to the extent of an attempted bribe, probably a more serious offence than the original.

No he fled, leaving the way open for half-witted conspiracy theories about what would have happened to the Great Leader had he not decided to deprive us of his semi-divine presence.

[Chrisswe]

How much damage has this man Sondhi Limthongkul done for Thailand ??

[DocN]

It took TV -members a whole 11 posts, to turn this from Sondhi to the Reds? Guys...I am disapointed!

by a person who always cries "but abhisit, but the yellows" to boot.

Are you talking about me?

Have you ever seen me out, being the first one to come up with something like that?

I usually come up with something like that, after we had 3 pages of red bashing and constantly forgetting (or simply denial) the fact that there are trials to be made on stuff that came way before Ratchaphrasong- exactly these posters are blind on one eye.

I am all for the prosecution of f.e. Jatuporn and other Red leaders about what went down here.

And that fact alone, is what separates me from "them"!

I want justice to work on Reds and Yellows alike and I never said anything else!

Are you advocating for yellow shirt leaders to be in the cabinet.

I am advocating that they are all the same lot of disgusting criminals.

And that is it.

[animatic]

the timing of this is very strange.

Just pure coincidence of course.

exactly what i meant.

Not really surprising timing at all,

it is intended to coincide with the new anti-government protests for next week.

A shot across their bows in case they think to grow much bigger and bring down PTP

as they did for TRT / PPP.

[animatic]

It's good to see the courts doing their jobs and defendants not running away to hide from justice.

And the irony is running dozens of rows deep and hundreds wide.

[animatic]

It's good to see the courts doing their jobs and defendants not running away to hide from justice.

ok let's make this about thaksin then shall we, there's certainly not enough said about him on this forum.

do you think if thaksin had stayed with the charges they had for him at that time, that he would have been walking around like sondhi?

please, i beg you, be honest.

If it ultimately is not about Thaksin's control of Thailand, what is it about?

[animatic]

How much damage has this man Sondhi Limthongkul done for Thailand ??

Plenty certainly, but not so much compared to his nemesis Thaksin.

[SeaVisionBurma]

Several of you are close to having posts removed and warnings issued for flaming.

If you can't discuss and debate in a mature manner, then don't post anything at all - and leave the thread to those who can post sensible comments without flaming each other..

[masterbiker49]

The witch hunt continues

[Moruya]

It's good to see the courts doing their jobs and defendants not running away to hide from justice.

ok let's make this about thaksin then shall we, there's certainly not enough said about him on this forum.

do you think if thaksin had stayed with the charges they had for him at that time, that he would have been walking around like sondhi?

please, i beg you, be honest.

I wasn't referring to Thaksin - I was making reference to Red Shirt leaders absconding to Cambodia when they were due to be arrested.

As to your question - I think he'd be walking around like his ex-wife in all honesty.

[fstarbkk]

It's good to see the courts doing their jobs and defendants not running away to hide from justice.

ok let's make this about thaksin then shall we, there's certainly not enough said about him on this forum.

do you think if thaksin had stayed with the charges they had for him at that time, that he would have been walking around like sondhi?

please, i beg you, be honest.

To answer your question: Of course Thaksin would have been walking around on bail, cluttering the system with appeals, like any other rich fat-cat in Thailand, red or yellow.

That's how the system is designed and it works very reliably, for those who can afford it. So there!

[Cnxforever]

They have to post 90,000 - 100,000 baht for not showing up in court. How about the hit and run cop killing by the Ferrari driver? What ever happened to the additional warrants and indictments that were supposed to happen in this case by the end of last September? This lack of prosecution in this case makes Thailand's violation of laws with impunity a laughing joke not to be taken seriously. It illustrates the privileged preferential system, bribery, corruption and flaunting of the laws of Thailand.

The driver was supposedly under the influence of drugs and alcohol according to previous news reports when he ran down a policeman in this hit and run. Not only hit and run, but dragging the fallen officer through the streets of Bangkok to a residential compound and hiding place. Then colluding with staff and senior police to obstruct justice. This makes the Thai persistence in running down, photographing, and displaying petty thieves and their loot preposterous displays of pseudo law and order. The newspaper's lack of follow up on this hit and run killing of a police officer is a travesty.

You might be new in this country? You have to understand that if any of the really rich people in Thailand commit a crime it is an incredible oportunity for those involved in the investigation / prosecution to make tons of money.

The more wronfdoing they find - the more charges they file (or threaten to file) the further the money pipe is opened to keep the privileged few out of prison.

It is a win win situation for everybody involved. Why do you think my drug test for all kinds of drugs for a company medical was done within 5 days while in the case you mentioning here it takes forever for the results to come back ?

Because my tests were straight forward - not depending on how many millions would go to which bank account dragging out the test results while the negotiations where going on.

The result will then be released - or the samples lost or tampered with - after everybody is happy with what they got.

The law is only applied when you are poor and have no laywers and money! - and then very swift....going back to the topic ....and here you have your confirmation....Mr. Sondhi has now been found guilty by how many Thai courts in different cases? He has been sentenced to how much time in prison? But has never spent a single day in a prison cell so far! This is Thailand... if you have the connections and money......

[webfact]

2008 STREET PROTESTS

Court delays Sondhi's trial to next month

The Nation

File photo : Sondhi

BANGKOK: -- Public prosecutors have agreed to postpone the trial for People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi Limthongkul to December 20 on grounds for health reason.

Sondhi's lawyer Suwat Aphaisak on Tuesday sought and received the prosecution consent for delay due to Sondhi's physical rehabilitation following his gun injuries in 2009.

Under Tuesday's original schedule, Sondhi would have to report to the prosecutors in order to acknowledge prosecution orders on three separate cases in connection with the 2008 street protests.

In the first case, Sondhi and some 20 yellowshirt defendants will be tried for criminal violations related to the twoday blockade of Parliament in October, 2008.

The second case will see Sondhi, his coleader Chamlong Srimuang and four other yellow shirts on trial for the seizure of Government House in August, 2008.

For the third case, the prosecution will try Sondhi for defaming former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The charges are based on Sondhi's rally speeches during the 193day protests in 2008.

-- The Nation 2012-11- 20

[ridkun]

It would be so ridiculous if seizing the government's house was not a crime. If the court rules so, I will immediately go for camping inside Parliament wall and make some campfire.

[nurofiend]

the timing of this is very strange.

Just pure coincidence of course.

exactly what i meant.

Not really surprising timing at all,

it is intended to coincide with the new anti-government protests for next week.

i was being sarcastic.

[backtonormal]

What happened to the Statute of Limitations?

No limitation on crimes of Treason

[OzMick]

What happened to the Statute of Limitations?

No limitation on crimes of Treason

But it might be a hard charge to prove. I can only think of one foreign enemy of this country.

[backtonormal]

you are always snipping comments with no mention, but you only apologise here because you want to say "hey mods, look at this guy baiting and being derogatory"

seriously,

You should discuss the topic at least once in your seven posts here thus far.

.

and what was my first post about? a mission to mars?

anyway, i don't really have much to say about it other than i don't think sondhi will see jail anytime soon.

I stand corrected. 1 out of 7 is slightly better than 0 out of 7.

It remains to be seen if he does prison time or not, but with the charges just now being filed, it won't be anytime soon. As with other defendant's cases, begun much earlier, still have yet to be adjudicated.

.As for above, it'll be interesting to learn of the differences between that case and the slander case against Thaksin that prosecutors have decided on.

Why would a forum contributor aseloquent of you forget to mention that Sondhi has already been sentenced to 23 years and hes out free. The only case against him where he was found not guilty was Les Majeste. Funny that under 112 there is no right of appeal. He must still have a few mates on the bench

[backtonormal]

What happened to the Statute of Limitations?

No limitation on crimes of Treason

But it might be a hard charge to prove. I can only think of one foreign enemy of this country.

Make sure you get your bogeyman quote in. Hes coming to get you. Also holding the airport to ransom is treason so with any luck he will be doing 80-90 years or the rope

[backtonormal]

2008 STREET PROTESTS

Court delays Sondhi's trial to next month

The Nation

File photo : Sondhi

BANGKOK: -- Public prosecutors have agreed to postpone the trial for People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi Limthongkul to December 20 on grounds for health reason.

Sondhi's lawyer Suwat Aphaisak on Tuesday sought and received the prosecution consent for delay due to Sondhi's physical rehabilitation following his gun injuries in 2009.

Under Tuesday's original schedule, Sondhi would have to report to the prosecutors in order to acknowledge prosecution orders on three separate cases in connection with the 2008 street protests.

In the first case, Sondhi and some 20 yellowshirt defendants will be tried for criminal violations related to the twoday blockade of Parliament in October, 2008.

The second case will see Sondhi, his coleader Chamlong Srimuang and four other yellow shirts on trial for the seizure of Government House in August, 2008.

For the third case, the prosecution will try Sondhi for defaming former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The charges are based on Sondhi's rally speeches during the 193day protests in 2008.

-- The Nation 2012-11- 20

No way Chamlong (the farmer) is going to prison.

[nurofiend]

It's good to see the courts doing their jobs and defendants not running away to hide from justice.

ok let's make this about thaksin then shall we, there's certainly not enough said about him on this forum.

do you think if thaksin had stayed with the charges they had for him at that time, that he would have been walking around like sondhi?

please, i beg you, be honest.

If it ultimately is not about Thaksin's control of Thailand, what is it about?

when i said let's make this about thaksin, i was just highlighting the hypocritical way in how some members act.. when nearly every thread is about thaksin/ptp/red shirts and if someone brings up a comparison with the yellows/abhisit they will give it that "but abhisit button" hilarious catchphrase.

but in the very few threads there ever is about yellows or abhisit, they're the very ones to bring the reds/thaksin straight into it.

thing is, i don't mind either action as i believe comparisons are perfectly fair to be made in two sided political discussions, such as in this topic, comparisons of thaksin with sondhi are fair to make.

it's just the blatant hypocrisy that i detest.

Edited November 20, 2012 by nurofiend

[rubl]

public prosecutors would file indictments today against Sondhi and PAD leaders for surrounding Parliament on October 5-7 in 2008 and a case that Sondhi and six others stormed into Government House from August 26-31 in 2008.

The second case seems obvious, as in "that's not to be tolerated", the first needs many more details before it can be judged. The third about defaming k. Thaksin, well where some think the LM law should be amended I think the law on defamation really need a going-over and now if possible. Imagine, put your thoughts to it, and with some effort you might also smile at the suggestion politicians can be defamed

[SuperScouse]

Yellow/red - probably best that people have a good read of the UN report regarding the 'slight disturbances' that occured in the centre of BKK two and a half years ago. Both sides were found to be at fault.

As far as the Sondhi/Thaksin debate is concerned, I've not much time for either of them. However, at least one of them has stayed in the country and has actually attended numerous court proceedings....

[webfact]

UPDATE

Sondhi trials delayed for a month for health reasons

Kesinee Taengkhiao

The Nation

Sondhi

BANGKOK: -- Public prosecutors have agreed to postpone the trial for People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi Limthongkul to December 20 for health reasons.

Sondhi's lawyer Suwat Aphaisak yesterday sought and received prosecution consent for a delay due to Sondhi's physical rehabilitation from injuries following a shooting attack on his car in 2009.

Under yesterday's schedule, Sondhi must report to prosecutors to acknowledge orders on three separate cases in connection with street protests in 2008.

In the first case, Sondhi and some 20 yellow-shirt defendants will be tried for criminal violations related to the two-day blockade of Parliament in October 2008.

The second case will see Sondhi, his co-leader Chamlong Srimuang and four other yellow shirts on trial for the seizure of Government House in August 2008.

For the third case, the prosecution will try Sondhi for defaming former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The charges are based on rally speeches by Sondhi during the 193-day protests in 2008.

Prosecutor Prayuth P Sattayarak said the defence had promised not to seek further delay. He warned he would issue warrants to arrest Sondhi and other defendants if they tried to cite frivolous reasons to delay these cases going to court.

Suwat said his client Sondhi suffered from back pain and weakened muscles in the right leg because of gunshot wounds. Also, he said Sondhi and other defendants were also applying for support from a Justice Ministry fund for bail during the trial.

So far the fund had not replied to requests by the yellow shirts, he said, reminding the authorities that assistance was granted to red shirts.

-- The Nation 2012-11- 21

[Buchholz]

I think the law on defamation really need a going-over and now if possible. Imagine, put your thoughts to it, and with some effort you might also smile at the suggestion politicians can be defamed

Another aspect in need of going-over is the ridiculous procedure whereby defendants are charged by the Justice Ministry and the Justice Ministry subsequently provides the taxpayer-funded bail money for these same defendants.

Had to chuckle at the news that Sondhi is attempting to highlight the absurdity of this cock-eyed practice by applying for it in his case.

he said Sondhi and other defendants were also applying for support from a Justice Ministry fund for bail during the trial.

So far the fund had not replied to requests by the yellow shirts, he said, reminding the authorities that assistance was granted to red shirts.

[Halion]

Red Yellow , green, blue. !! What does it matter, All this pontificating about criminal acts and democratic rule of law under the Thai penal code is a waste of breath

There is simply no rule of law in this country . There is however a myriad of laws of self intrest which are applied to suit every occasion and bear little or no resemblance to actuality.

This is a country where any form of civil or social morality only exist within the masses who have long since come to realize that if you can't beat them , then join them.

Greed, power, corruption and status are the elements that energise this nation for the benefit of the few and at the expense of the many.

This is not just a collection of morally bankrupt opertunists, It is a well oiled gangrenous machine.

The majority of these power mongers are inept and incapable of performing their duties and their individual ablilities and intelect of most, are poor at best. They are there out for themselves, collectively. The system, country and people are merely a means to an end

. They fought for the positions they hold for the way it is and are most unlikely to want to change the status quo. Try taking a juicy bone away from a rabid dog .

Any real change towards a free,transparent and democratic society without radical intervention is a pipe dream.

You can't make omletes without breaking eggs.

[JurgenG]

How about prosecuting these criminals for closing the airport? The airport closing was probably the biggest "man-made" event that negatively impacted tourism and harmed business.

Absolutely agree with you.

That was probably the single event that damaged the most Bangkok ambition to be South East Asia trade and business centre.

[carra]

How about prosecuting these criminals for closing the airport? The airport closing was probably the biggest "man-made" event that negatively impacted tourism and harmed business.

Absolutely agree with you.

That was probably the single event that damaged the most Bangkok ambition to be South East Asia trade and business centre.

ahhhhh but the forum yellows will tell you the yellows did not close the airport, they simply went for a singalong and some good food and were peaceful, it was the airport authority that closed the airport

didnt you know an international airport could function with all the roads there blocked and thousands of protestors meandering around the terminal, not to mention the protestors that gained access to the control tower.

those pesky authorities closing the airport to make the yellow shirts look bad

[OzMick]

What happened to the Statute of Limitations?

No limitation on crimes of Treason

But it might be a hard charge to prove. I can only think of one foreign enemy of this country.

Make sure you get your bogeyman quote in. Hes coming to get you. Also holding the airport to ransom is treason so with any luck he will be doing 80-90 years or the rope

. Violation of allegiance toward one's country or sovereign, especially the betrayal of one's country by waging war against it or by consciously and purposely acting to aid its enemies.

Your definition may be different to mine (I'd be surprised if it wasn't) but the generally accepted version doesn't mention airports. If we go to the broader sense of "attempts to undermine the government" you might get close except for the defence that the government in question was swearing fealty to a fugitive criminal, and that was shortly later judged to have achieved power corruptly.

[rubl]

How about prosecuting these criminals for closing the airport? The airport closing was probably the biggest "man-made" event that negatively impacted tourism and harmed business.

Absolutely agree with you.

That was probably the single event that damaged the most Bangkok ambition to be South East Asia trade and business centre.

ahhhhh but the forum yellows will tell you the yellows did not close the airport, they simply went for a singalong and some good food and were peaceful, it was the airport authority that closed the airport

didnt you know an international airport could function with all the roads there blocked and thousands of protestors meandering around the terminal, not to mention the protestors that gained access to the control tower.

those pesky authorities closing the airport to make the yellow shirts look bad

Does that cover the grenade attacks on the yellow shirt protesters outside which forced them to go into the Airport Terminal ?