Thai Red Shirt Protest Leaders To Go On Trial

[webfact]

Thai 'Red Shirt' protest leaders to go on trial

by Thanaporn Promyamyai

BANGKOK, Nov 27, 2012 (AFP) - Thai leaders of "Red Shirt" opposition protests that rocked Bangkok in 2010 are set to stand trial Thursday for terrorism, in a case that risks inflaming the kingdom's political tensions.

The 24 accused, who include five current lawmakers, could in theory face the death penalty for their roles in the demonstrations, which at their height drew around 100,000 people, mostly supporters of ousted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

About 90 people were killed and nearly 1,900 were wounded in a series of street clashes between demonstrators and security forces, which culminated in a bloody military crackdown. Two foreign journalists were among those killed.

The Reds were demanding immediate elections, accusing the previous government of being undemocratic because it took office in 2008 through a parliamentary vote, after a court stripped Thaksin's allies of power.

The Red Shirt leaders, most of whom surrendered to police after the government sent in armoured vehicles and troops firing live rounds, say they are confident they can prove their innocence.

"In many countries, those in power will find any accusations to support their use of force against the people," said top Red Shirt Nattawut Saikuar, now deputy commerce minister in Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's cabinet.

He denied the protest leaders incited their followers to cause violence.

"I'm certain that the protesters did not need any speeches to provoke them. They saw more and more people injured and dying. The situation was already very heated," Nattawut told AFP in an interview.

After the May crackdown, protest leaders asked their supporters to disperse, but authorities accused hardcore demonstrators of setting fire to dozens of buildings, including a shopping mall and the stock exchange.

The leaders pleaded not guilty in August 2010 to terrorism charges. Their trial is expected to last months or even years because hearings can only be held when parliament is not in session as sitting lawmakers have immunity.

No government or military officials who oversaw the riots have been charged over the deaths, prompting accusations by the Red Shirts of double standards.

Their hero Thaksin, adored by many poor Thais for his populist policies while in power, was toppled by royalist generals in a 2006 coup that unleashed years of street protests by the Reds and the rival royalist Yellow Shirts.

The bloody 2010 crackdown followed weeks of rallies by the Red Shirts which brought parts of central Bangkok to a standstill.

Former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who oversaw the military crackdown, insisted the protest leaders should accept responsibility and said his government had no choice but to take tough action.

"It was the job of the government of that day to also restore order," he told AFP ahead of the trial.

Rights campaigners, however, said both the protesters and the authorities of the time should be held accountable.

"The military, the security forces were responsible for larger casualties but both sides were clearly responsible," said Sunai Pasuk, a Thai researcher with New York-based Human Right Watch.

Elections in 2011 brought Thaksin's Red Shirt-backed Puea Thai party to power and swept his sister Yingluck into office.

A proposed amnesty might allow Thaksin back from self-imposed exile, to the dismay of his opponents who staged their own anti-government protests in Bangkok on Saturday, sparking clashes with the police.

Activists fear an amnesty would let perpetrators of the unrest on both sides off the hook.

"It may help political leaders and military leaders to co-exist and the survival of the government is guaranteed but this is not justice for victims of violence," said Sunai.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-11-27

[animatic]

I wonder how those dozens or even hundreds of videos in the public domain showing these Red Leaders doing exactly what they are charged with will be nullified in court. That is their only hope.

Edited November 27, 2012 by animatic

[rubl]

"I'm certain that the protesters did not need any speeches to provoke them. They saw more and more people injured and dying. The situation was already very heated," Nattawut told AFP in an interview.

with lots of speeches and actions before March - May 2010 I'm sure the situation was already heated. Furthermore, although the protesters didn't need any speeches to provoke them, UDD leaders just gave those hate-filled shoutcasts to be sure.

Anyway, with the ICC soon taking over the investigation and judgement of the March - May 2010 mayhem ... ...

[Thai at Heart]

Throw the book at them

[Nickymaster]

"He (Mr. Nattawut) denied the protest leaders incited their followers to cause violence"

Mr. Nattawut...really? Why don't you ask your good friend Mr. Arisman what you said and did in 2010 while you were on stage day in and out for WEEKS (in case you don't remember).

Wait, maybe my friend Youtube can help out:

Mr. Nattawut, you also said you would take responsibility. A fairly straightforward case IMO.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2vRhaHRzuo&feature=related

Edited November 27, 2012 by Nickymaster

[saltandpepper]

I would be very surprised to see any of these terrorist being found guilty of anything.

They were after all only innocent unarmed protesters weren't they. The fact that brought chaos, weapon, molotov cocktails, is nothing. The fact that they were violent was just their way to ask something. The fact that leaders incited them to bring petrol and burn the city was just a joke, wasn't it....

[johnlandy]

Throw the book at them

Yep, and put them in front of a firing squad.

That might get their attention.

[bob4you]

Throw the book at them

Yep, and put them in front of a firing squad.

That might get their attention.

Their attention span will be short lived, but the rest of the followers might take notice on the next protest.

[FOODLOVER]

"He denied the protest leaders incited their followers to cause violence",

See the video evidence? This is not someone said to someone else that it might have come from that direction thus it has to be the army. These buffoons incited terrorism, that's a fact that can be entered into the court records as evidence if allowed by the current administration, that is.

[Farang0tang]

Another whitewash is a coming!

[cloudhopper]

I would be very surprised to see any of these terrorist being found guilty of anything.

They were after all only innocent unarmed protesters weren't they. The fact that brought chaos, weapon, molotov cocktails, is nothing. The fact that they were violent was just their way to ask something. The fact that leaders incited them to bring petrol and burn the city was just a joke, wasn't it....

The entire legal system here is just a joke, isn't it?

[KunMatt]

Brilliant news.. Hope justice prevails and they all spend a lot of time inside a horrible jail with horrible conditions for everything they did.

One can only hope...

[ratcatcher]

I would be very surprised to see any of these terrorist being found guilty of anything.

They were after all only innocent unarmed protesters weren't they. The fact that brought chaos, weapon, molotov cocktails, is nothing. The fact that they were violent was just their way to ask something. The fact that leaders incited them to bring petrol and burn the city was just a joke, wasn't it....

And the most innocent of all of them. Their patron saint.

[jonclark]

I would be very surprised to see any of these terrorist being found guilty of anything.

They were after all only innocent unarmed protesters weren't they. The fact that brought chaos, weapon, molotov cocktails, is nothing. The fact that they were violent was just their way to ask something. The fact that leaders incited them to bring petrol and burn the city was just a joke, wasn't it....

And the most innocent of all of them. Their patron saint.

Agreed - there is no way in hell PTP will allow the iconic leaders of the red shirt movement to be put in prison. By allowing that to happen they would lose a large number of votes from some rural areas and that is the name of the game - keep the voters voting for you. Additionally by having these guys found innocent - it puts more pressure on the dems as they will by definition of being the opposition or enemy of the UDD (the innocent) by deemed guilty. As the can't both be innocent, can they?

[Moruya]

May justice be served

[Roadman]

I would be very surprised to see any of these terrorist being found guilty of anything.

They were after all only innocent unarmed protesters weren't they. The fact that brought chaos, weapon, molotov cocktails, is nothing. The fact that they were violent was just their way to ask something. The fact that leaders incited them to bring petrol and burn the city was just a joke, wasn't it....

And the most innocent of all of them. Their patron saint.

Agreed - there is no way in hell PTP will allow the iconic leaders of the red shirt movement to be put in prison. By allowing that to happen they would lose a large number of votes from some rural areas and that is the name of the game - keep the voters voting for you. Additionally by having these guys found innocent - it puts more pressure on the dems as they will by definition of being the opposition or enemy of the UDD (the innocent) by deemed guilty. As the can't both be innocent, can they?

How can PTT as governement over rule the judicary? Bearing in mind that if they get their way with constitution change to gain control over the judicary then they will do what they like to place themselves above the law. That aside they all deserve - but mostly those hiding behind the garbage MP immunity to do what they like - the death penalty for treason as prescribed by thai law. Next in line is the criminal in Dubai who led and paid for the attack on Thailand, its people, Army and Bangkok - treason charges with the death penalty for him especially.

Edited November 27, 2012 by Roadman

[MikeOboe57]

Let's see what will be the outcome:

1. Acquitall, as the defendants acted in good faith? Nah, makes it too obvious that the trial was a joke. So maybe

2. Minor (and first!) offense, fine THB 1000 each. Surely they can find something like illegally operating a loudspeaker in downtown Bangkok or obstructing traffic by blocking a road. No appeal, case closed. Or, worst case

3. Guilty as charged, 25 years each and immediately released on a 1 Mio THB bail paid by the finance minister to appeal the sentence. Retrial scheduled for early 2037.

Anything else will have the judges addresses and phone numbers read aloud on a public square in cities all over Thailand.

[Misterwhisper]

"He denied the protest leaders incited their followers to cause violence."

...except of course their well-documented repeated calls for each protester to bring bottles of petrol and setting Bangkok ablaze and other similar shenanigans.

I am flabbergasted how they can still deny this when one can find literally dozens of videos on the Internet that show them on stage and calling for such mayhem; videos, which hopefully the prosecution will use as evidence. Claiming now that none of them incited their followers to use violence is either a case of shutting one's eyes to reality or being completely delusional. Probably both.

[Pimay1]

Brilliant news.. Hope justice prevails and they all spend a lot of time inside a horrible jail with horrible conditions for everything they did.

One can only hope...

Something like a menu of maggots every day?

[Nickymaster]

Be careful guys. There are attempts to derail this thread. Let's stick to the topic:

Thai Red Shirt Protest Leaders To Go On Trail

[theajarn]

Lot of dreamers here. No one is going to jail... unless there are loose ends to clean up. Like what happened to one of Mr. T's best-friend Generals.

[metisdead]

Off topic posts and replies have been removed.

A post containing a reference to HM the King has been removed as well as the replies quoting that post.

There is to be No Discussion Of The Monarchy In Political Context.

[TPI]

Can you imagine how much "face" would be lost if the man in Dubai's minions were even found guilty?? Perish the thought! With the court sitting once a week how long do you think it will take them to try 24 offenders/defenders @ 100 witnesses each = a very, very long time! More than enough time to write and put into law the new constitution.

[asiawatcher]

"He denied the protest leaders incited their followers to cause violence."

...except of course their well-documented repeated calls for each protester to bring bottles of petrol and setting Bangkok ablaze and other similar shenanigans.

I am flabbergasted how they can still deny this when one can find literally dozens of videos on the Internet that show them on stage and calling for such mayhem; videos, which hopefully the prosecution will use as evidence. Claiming now that none of them incited their followers to use violence is either a case of shutting one's eyes to reality or being completely delusional. Probably both.

Standard defence - deny deny and continue to deny. The courts here will come up with cockeyed punishment that will mean nothing, justice will appear to have been done and the red scourge will continue on its poisonous tasks. Video evidence is very real. Deaths as a result of the seizure were very real. Use of weapons and violence with everything from ripping up footpaths for missiles intended to be used for grievous bodily harm, muting security cameras to hide their dirty deeds, use of arms firing randomly at unspecified targets with M79 grenade launchers, inciting treason and riots, continuous 24/7 verbal brainwashing through sound systems blaring way beyond any legal limitation for health or safety let alone content, inciting violent acts inclusive of bombings and burning a city apart from total disregard to life or property resulting in deaths. And yet there still are moronic posts here saying the government handling these riots were not legally elected and were at fault? etc., Get a life.

But let's complete the charade, put the kangaroo court in place, let judgements fall on these terrorists (execution is preferable) or at least 10 years for each life that was lost served simultaneously without parole and just may seem to have been served.

[Baerboxer]

The nature of this trial should attract international press coverage. I hope the government and judiciary realise that Thailand's justice system will be on trial just as much as those charged with terrorism.

Edited November 27, 2012 by Baerboxer

[Pimay1]

The nature of this trial should attract international press coverage. I hope the government and judiciary realise that Thailand's justice system will be on trial just as much as those charged with terrorism.

Good point but these buffons could not care less about international press coverage. Case in point, "sorry USA we don't want or need your assistance for flood control we are experts". Result 900+ citizens died. Mai pen rai.

[culicine]

If found guilty, can't they appeal and escape the country? Plenty of room in Dubai for them...

The video evidence is compelling though. Maybe they can share a cell with Boolert and co...

[otherstuff1957]

I wonder if the judges like pastry?

[bobmac10]

One wonders why a democratically elected government was removed by a military coup and the people are angry.

Seems clear to me they had a valid greivance.

When totalitarian regimes installed themselves in Eastern Europoe after the second world war and people took to the streets to protest and fight, we applauded them.

When the students took to Tianamen Square to protest and fight the communist Chinese government, we applauded them.

When the Burmese people were fighting the military regime in the streets we applauded them.

Double standards anyone?

[Pimay1]

I'm waiting for our hero Jutaporn's take on this. He is probably consulting his amulets before making a profound statement.

Edited November 27, 2012 by Pimay1