Red-Shirt Co-Leader Arisman Gets Jail Sentence For Defaming Abhisit

[webfact]

Arisman gets jail sentence for defaming Abhisit

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt co-leader Arisman Pongruanrong was sentenced to one year in prison yesterday for defaming opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva by saying Abhisit had robbed political power and ordered the killings of red-shirt protesters in 2009.

The criminal court read the verdict yesterday morning, stating that Arisman had violated Article 326, 328 and 332 of the criminal code.

Arisman was granted bail later in the afternoon, after offering a surety of Bt200,000.

Abhisit had earlier filed the defamation case against Arisman stating that on October 11 and 17 of 2009, Arisman had made several remarks during a red-shirt rally at Democracy Monument and Government House.

People were told that Abhisit had robbed power from the people, ordered the killings of protesters and that the Abhisit administration had borrowed a lot of money, which had distressed His Majesty the King.

The remarks were also broadcast on the now defunct red-shirt station PTV.

A number of corruption allegations were also made, including about 4,000 NGV buses and the Thai Khem Khaeng project.

Abhisit was also accused of delaying the process of seeking a royal pardon for ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

Abhisit said all these allegations were false and had damaged his reputation.

-- The Nation 2012-12-04

[cloudhopper]

Another prison sentence for one of the elite that will never be served...

[whybother]

Has he actually appealed?

Sent from my HTC phone.

[culicine]

What's the purpose of a prison sentence if you can just bail yourself out??? Prisons are for the poor only....

[whybother]

Has he actually appealed?

I read in the other paper that he is planning an appeal.

[Noistar]

Has he actually appealed?

I read in the other paper that he is planning an appeal.

On the grounds of 'I was found guilty'?

[jcw]

Red-shirt co-leader Arisman Pongruanrong was sentenced to one year in prison yesterday

Arisman was granted bail later in the afternoon

[animatic]

Still a major face erasing slap. Hope he DOES do the time.

And it set a precedent, even if precedent law isn't used here,

that what he said is over the top.

[Thai at Heart]

I don't know why they don't change it to

"sentenced to an appeal".

[beano2274]

Granted Bail of 200,000baht apparently, think he might do a runner to Cambodia again.

Surely they must realise he has the potential to flee.

[animatic]

I don't know why they don't change it to

"sentenced to an appeal".

In this case he has no appealing qualities.

El porko, hasn't sung on key in a decade,

and just a screaming ranter, who ran away when the going got tough..

Edited December 4, 2012 by animatic

[Hugo6]

one year for telling the truth. TIT

[Thai at Heart]

I don't know why they don't change it to

"sentenced to an appeal".

In this case he has no appealing qualities.

El porko, hasn't sung on key in a decade,

and just a screaming ranter, who ran away when the going got tough..

The defamation law isn't a good example, because that shouldn't carry a criminal penalty anyway, but it would probably give everyone a little pause for thought if the system didn't let you out repeatedly once you lodge an appeal. If appeals had to be made from prison, it would make everyone behave a hell of a lot better.

After all, the defendant has been dound guilty, but is allowed home. Better than sentenced to appeal, actually they are sentenced to bail in the comfort of their own home.

[Moruya]

Granted Bail of 200,000baht apparently, think he might do a runner to Cambodia again.

Surely they must realise he has the potential to flee.

They probably hope he does

[saltandpepper]

He certainly does not care much about 200k... The rice thing brings him so much more!

[AleG]

It's preposterous that defamation can lead to criminal convictions, Thailand needs to get rid of laws like this.

A hefty finem public apology and some other civil penalty (like community service) is the proper course.

[Ricardo]

Perhaps he could give talks, in Bangkok schools, on fire-safety & the dangers of playing with matches or bottles of petrol ?

[h90]

jail for defaming???

That is complete crazy....

[DP25]

Arisman should be in jail, but not for this. Thailand needs to drastically reform it's defamation laws. Unfortunately not likely as they are a favorite tool of Thaksin in order to silence his opposition. The occasional backfire can be dealt with.

If he should be jailed it should be for his role in the burning of Bangkok.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M9XiJoWSSs

[jonclark]

And the red shirts reckon they are going get Abhisit jailed for his role in the deaths of their supporters - dream on!! He'll appeal and be on bail within an 20 minutes of sentencing (if it gets that far and if he is found guilty) and never see a day inside.

So they should just remember that Arisman, Abhisit and all the rest (sonthi, weng etc) have been dealt with in the same manner - court, sentence, appeal, bail and freedom and not complain when their leaders promises and demands for Abhisit to be punished go unheard or unheeded.

The rule is this simple

Money for bail, no go jail. end of story, end of justice.

[Zooheekock]

If you're accused of the wrong crime, it doesn't matter how much money you have - you're not going to get bail and you are going to be found guilty. Unless, of course, you committed the crime whilst wearing a yellow polo shirt, in which case an exception may be made.

Edited December 4, 2012 by Zooheekock

[jonclark]

If you're accused of the ,wrong crime it doesn't matter how much money you have - you're not going to get bail and you are going to be found guilty. Unless, of course, you committed the crime whilst wearing a yellow polo shirt, in which case an exception may be made.

the wrong crime?? and the right crime is what??

[Zooheekock]

the right crime is what??

Anything other than 112 and/or computer crimes.

[hellodolly]

one year for telling the truth. TIT

Yes you are obviously allowed to post things you know to be false here on Thai Visa.

If you weren't some people would have nothing to say.

[hellodolly]

Granted Bail of 200,000baht apparently, think he might do a runner to Cambodia again.

Surely they must realise he has the potential to flee.

They probably hope he does

Not a bad idea. Be like Thaksin running. Just more proof that he is guilty.

Also make the courts less willing to grant bail in the future,

[tominbkk]

If he can say what is in my sig and get away with it, he can get away with saying anything!

[hellodolly]

If you're accused of the ,wrong crime it doesn't matter how much money you have - you're not going to get bail and you are going to be found guilty. Unless, of course, you committed the crime whilst wearing a yellow polo shirt, in which case an exception may be made.

the wrong crime?? and the right crime is what??

What ever Zooheekock thinks. The courts will have to check with him on every case to see if the crime is a wrong crime or a right crime.

I wonder if Zooheekock thinks Thaksin is going to relinquish that power to him,

[Zooheekock]

What ever Zooheekock thinks. The courts will have to check with him on every case to see if the crime is a wrong crime or a right crime.

I wonder if Zooheekock thinks Thaksin is going to relinquish that power to him,

Your post is so stupid, I worry it might make god cry.

Edited December 4, 2012 by Zooheekock

[dcutman]

I think this guy has set the Thai national record for the number of times being released on bail, without standing trial for any of the crimes he has been charged with.

In 2011 he was granted bail on terrorism chaqrges, 5 minutes later he was rearrested for an outstanding warrant for defamation against then MP Sirichok and a couple days later was released again on bail. Not sure what happen in that case.

[Crushdepth]

Bail? Isn't this the same guy that was on the run for a few years?