Kamnan Poh's Family May Seek Royal Pardon, Says His Son, Minister Sonthaya

[webfact]

Kamnan Poh's family may seek royal pardon, says his son, Minister Sonthaya

The Nation

Somchai Khunpluem appears at the Criminal Court yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- The Khunpluem family is considering whether to seek a royal pardon for its patriarch Somchai, Culture Minister Sonthaya Kunplome, Somchai's son, said yesterday.

Somchai has been detained since his arrest on Wednesday after years on the run following corruption and murder convictions.

Sonthaya said family members were in the process of making several major decisions regarding Somchai - better known as Kamnan Poh - including seeking a pardon from His Majesty the King. "We have talked about the legal steps involved and what is to be done," he said.

newsjs

All convicts have the right to seek a royal pardon after their final verdicts are reached, according to Kobkiat Kasiwiwat, deputy director-general of the Corrections Department.

Regarding a possible request that Somchai be allowed to serve his time at Chon Buri Prison, in his hometown, Kobkiat said the Corrections Department is authorised to make such concessions only in cases where the convict does not have a serious illness requiring close medical attention. "Chon Buri Prison has no doctors," he said. Somchai, 76, was believed to be returning home from a hospital at the time of his arrest. Considered an influential figure in his heyday, Somchai yesterday admitted to being the same person convicted in a corruption case, subjecting him immediately to a five-year-and-four-month prison term, a Criminal Court hearing heard yesterday.

A coming session will soon hear from Somchai on whether he is the same person convicted and sentenced to 30 years' imprisonment for masterminding the murder of a fellow kamnan, Chief Justice Thawee Prajuablarb said. He presided over the session confirming Somchai's identity and finalising the prison term in the corruption case.

The two days Somchai has spent at Bangkok Remand Prison would be deducted from Somchai's full term. Under Corrections Department regulations, he will be moved to Bang Khwang maximum-security prison, as the former detention facility can only be used to house convicts serving combined sentences of less than 15 years.

In the coming session, an arrest warrant for Somchai will also be revoked, due to his apprehension. The number of days he is detained during that process will also be deducted from his 30-year term in the murder case, Thawee said. The chief justice explained that sick inmates are allowed to be transferred to another prison only when corrections officials agree and their recommendations are approved by the court that sentenced the inmate.

Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan said a new identity card for a person named Kim sae Tang had been falsely issued to Somchai.

Winai Phonphal, an active kamnan who owned the black Lexus SUV Somchai was travelling in at the time of his arrest and who was also in vehicle, will likely be disciplined as a civilian official under the Interior Ministry's supervision, Charupong said.

While his status as an elderly inmate qualifies Somchai for a reduction in his prison term or a total pardon, Somchai must serve at least one-third of his term. Whether this one-third provision will apply to the five-years-and-four-month corruption sentence or the 30-year murder sentence will depend on which imprisonment term commences first, according to a senior Corrections Department official.

After serving one-third of the sentence, the remaining combined time must be no more than five years, said deputy director-general Kittiphat Dechaphahul. However, any convict can begin a process to seek a royal pardon once the conviction is finalised, either through a Supreme Court verdict, or when a fugitive convict is arrested and their identity confirmed.

Sonthaya said that during his father's seven-year run from the law, Somchai had contacted the family through social networks and Skype, and sometimes through Internet-based chat applications available on mobile phones. The minister said he had not visited his father, but would do so once he was free from his ministerial duties. "In the meantime, all legal proceedings regarding my father will carry on through normal steps," he added.

"No one earns a privilege or stays above the law or regulations - I'd like to stress that." He repeated a statement by Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, an influential party-list MP of the coalition-leading Pheu Thai Party, that Somchai's arrest would not affect his position as culture minister.

Despite Somchai's chronic diseases and advanced age, Sonthaya said the Khunpluem clan was not seeking Somchai's transfer to the provincial prison in Chon Buri, where Somchai and his family have long been based and where it established its political and business influence.

He said the clan celebrated Somchai's birthday in his absence on September 30 every year, which may have led to misunderstanding on the part of neighbours that Somchai showed up at the clan's family home regularly for the parties. "Also, my father never phoned in, as people are saying, but live footage of the birthday celebrations from inside the house and from the parties was always sent to my father to watch," Sonthaya said.

Suspension of prison term

Suspension of imprisonment is a new correctional method made possible under a 2010 justice ministerial regulation allowing inmates to be released before their term of imprisonment is complete. It is aimed at solving the prison overpopulation problem while giving prisoners an incentive to behave well.

Qualifications:

- Inmates must be considered well behaved, industrious, or competent in their prison tasks; or have obtained an educational diploma through distance learning.

- Inmates must have served no less than one-third of their combined prison terms.

- Inmates sentenced to life imprisonment must have served no less than 10 years.

- Old age can be a factor if the above conditions are met.

-- The Nation 2013-02-02

[Pimay1]

He said the clan celebrated Somchai's birthday in his absence on September 30 every year, which may have led to misunderstanding on the part of neighbours that Somchai showed up at the clan's family home regularly for the parties.

I suppose there must be a twin or an imposter that the neighbors saw showing up at the birthday parties.

Hopefully the investigators will interview these misinformed neighbors.

[arthurboy]

The Khunpluem family is considering whether to seek a royal pardon for its patriarch Somchai, Culture Minister Sonthaya Kunplome, Somchai's son, said yesterday.

And so it begins.

[siampolee]

"No one earns a privilege or stays above the law or regulations - I'd like to stress that." He repeated a statement by Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, an influential party-list MP of the coalition-leading Pheu Thai Party, that Somchai's arrest would not affect his position as culture minister.

The quote above reinforces my and I am sure many other peoples feelings concerning the chronic infestation that this creature and his clan are upon the face of Thailand. Note that the clan are in bed politically with that other well known convicted bail jumping criminal,

Birds of the feather all flock together. 0r perhaps it would be more apt to consider that which sticks to a baby's blanket as the non mentioned classification of the clans and its social and political circle of friends status.

The proposal highlights just what contempt these creatures have for justice and the people of Thailand.Indeed pond life is more acceptable than the scum mentioned above.

It's all about money and power and to hell with the country and its peoples.

Edited February 2, 2013 by siampolee

[EyesWideOpen]

What an insult to his Majesty to even consider this. This is truly a move of desperation on behalf of the " clan"

who now are about to see their power be vaporized......

[Pimay1]

Sonthaya's story is as full of holes as a sieve. During the seven years of this "social media" contact no one ever asked dear old sick dad where he was. And it is obvious he was living in Chon Buri.

[rkidlad]

I'm yet to see any of the Thai rich and/or powerful admit to anything.

This guy was convicted of crimes. Whether you agree that conviction was fair or not, you're not allowed to run away. It's also a crime.

When you're in such a high position, you should be saying "My dad did wrong. He knows he did and he will accept whatever punishment the courts decide to impose upon him"

Is there a Thai elite with even a single shred of class, honour or decency?

[beano2274]

On the run for so many years keeping away from justice, then wants a Royal Pardon, as a poster above has said this is being very disrespectful to H.M The King.

[OzMick]

"

Winai Phonphal, an active kamnan who owned the black Lexus SUV Somchai was travelling in at the time of his arrest and who was also in vehicle, will likely be disciplined as a civilian official under the Interior Ministry's supervision......"

Civil service disciplinary measures over-rule/replace criminal charges? I think I've fallen down a rabbit hole - wait, I hear the red queen saying "Off with his charges!"

STOP CORRUPTION

[LuckyLew]

Is there a Thai elite with even a single shred of class, honour or decency?

NO

[mrtoad]

A country run by crooks, for the benefit of crooks

[scorecard]

The Khunpluem family is considering whether to seek a royal pardon for its patriarch Somchai, Culture Minister Sonthaya Kunplome, Somchai's son, said yesterday.

And so it begins.

Yes, and so it begins, and they think, regardless of convictions for murder and corruption, that he / that their family are entitled to some special dispensation of the appropriate laws, including the right to just walk away.

What's probably also in this picture is hundreds of lies told when needed to try to cover his whereabouts, in other words total disrespect for the law and the institutions which try to uphold the law.

Also total disrespect for the rights of the family of the murder vistim - their right to natural justice.

The day will come when the attitudes of society will put the brakes on people like this. But, unfortunately, not tomorrow.

Edited February 2, 2013 by scorecard

[canopus1969]

Royal pardon, what a cheek, the bugger should be strung up at dawn

[robblok]

On the run for so many years keeping away from justice, then wants a Royal Pardon, as a poster above has said this is being very disrespectful to H.M The King.

Sure this guy is even worse then mr T ordering a hit and all such. And even mr T did not try to get a royal pardon. I hope this guy will rot in jail But i doubt it.

[oldsailor35]

There seems to be "no end" to this family who believe that just because they are rich and have power, that they can use His Royal Highness to get anything that they want. What an insult to His Majesty even thinking that he would favour them.

[clockman]

As i have said before, a moraly bankrupt country!

[oldsailor35]

"No one earns a privilege or stays above the law or regulations - I'd like to stress that." He repeated a statement by Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, an influential party-list MP of the coalition-leading Pheu Thai Party, that Somchai's arrest would not affect his position as culture minister.

The quote above reinforces my and I am sure many other peoples feelings concerning the chronic infestation that this creature and his clan are upon the face of Thailand. Note that the clan are in bed politically with that other well known convicted bail jumping criminal,

Birds of the feather all flock together. 0r perhaps it would be more apt to consider that which sticks to a baby's blanket as the non mentioned classification of the clans and its social and political circle of friends status.

The proposal highlights just what contempt these creatures have for justice and the people of Thailand.Indeed pond life is more acceptable than the scum mentioned above.

It's all about money and power and to hell with the country and its peoples.

On the contrary, this man and the person to whom you are obviously referring were known to be enemies. So do please get it right next time. Thank you !

and again

[ratcatcher]

When I saw this creature's picture above mention of a pardon by H.M., I wanted to .

Is this the sort of pathetic moron that Thai people admire, or is it really a case of those who have the power think they are above the law?

Heck, I just answered my own question.

On a lighter note, I await the movie production of this man's life story and the power hold his mob have on the Chonburi area.

I read also that his family have requested that his prison time be spent in a facility closer to his home, as traveling to Bangkok to see the bas#ard is inconvenient.

Stunning indeed!

Edit to add comment.

Edited February 2, 2013 by ratcatcher

[jayboy]

The Khunpluem family is considering whether to seek a royal pardon for its patriarch Somchai, Culture Minister Sonthaya Kunplome, Somchai's son, said yesterday.

And so it begins.

Yes, and so it begins, and they think, regardless of convictions for murder and corruption, that he / that their family are entitled to some special dispensation of the appropriate laws, including the right to just walk away.

What's probably also in this picture is hundreds of lies told when needed to try to cover his whereabouts, in other words total disrespect for the law and the institutions which try to uphold the law.

Also total disrespect for the rights of the family of the murder vistim - their right to natural justice.

The day will come when the attitudes of society will put the brakes on people like this. But, unfortunately, not tomorrow.

Good post.Personally I would like to see a police investigation into whether Khun Sonthaya was aware of his father's presence.If he was that should mean dismissal and possibly imprisonment.

[Artisi]

Of course they are above the law, just ask them.

[AleG]

On the run for so many years keeping away from justice, then wants a Royal Pardon, as a poster above has said this is being very disrespectful to H.M The King.

Sure this guy is even worse then mr T ordering a hit and all such. And even mr T did not try to get a royal pardon. I hope this guy will rot in jail But i doubt it.

Actually he did, a couple years ago IIRC.

[ratcatcher]

On the run for so many years keeping away from justice, then wants a Royal Pardon, as a poster above has said this is being very disrespectful to H.M The King.

Sure this guy is even worse then mr T ordering a hit and all such. And even mr T did not try to get a royal pardon. I hope this guy will rot in jail But i doubt it.

Actually he did, a couple years ago IIRC.

Quite correct.

Just for the record............................

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2099665,00.html

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-11-17/thaksin-pardon-would-destabilize-thailand-korn.html

[ballpoint]

"No one earns a privilege or stays above the law or regulations - I'd like to stress that." He repeated a statement by Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, an influential party-list MP of the coalition-leading Pheu Thai Party, that Somchai's arrest would not affect his position as culture minister.

The quote above reinforces my and I am sure many other peoples feelings concerning the chronic infestation that this creature and his clan are upon the face of Thailand. Note that the clan are in bed politically with that other well known convicted bail jumping criminal,

Birds of the feather all flock together. 0r perhaps it would be more apt to consider that which sticks to a baby's blanket as the non mentioned classification of the clans and its social and political circle of friends status.

The proposal highlights just what contempt these creatures have for justice and the people of Thailand.Indeed pond life is more acceptable than the scum mentioned above.

It's all about money and power and to hell with the country and its peoples.

On the contrary, this man and the person to whom you are obviously referring were known to be enemies. So do please get it right next time. Thank you !

and again

So the son is perhaps a minister of the church? How confusing. I suggest you write to the media and correct their assertion that he is a minister in the "Thaksin thinks" government. I don't see how he could be a member though, because, after all, this is the government and movement that have stamped down on influential people and assorted elites from getting off convictions. All are now equal. Or so some would try and have us believe.

[Fozfromoz]

The Khunpluem family is considering whether to seek a royal pardon for its patriarch Somchai, Culture Minister Sonthaya Kunplome, Somchai's son, said yesterday.

And so it begins.

Yes, and so it begins, and they think, regardless of convictions for murder and corruption, that he / that their family are entitled to some special dispensation of the appropriate laws, including the right to just walk away.

What's probably also in this picture is hundreds of lies told when needed to try to cover his whereabouts, in other words total disrespect for the law and the institutions which try to uphold the law.

Also total disrespect for the rights of the family of the murder vistim - their right to natural justice.

The day will come when the attitudes of society will put the brakes on people like this. But, unfortunately, not tomorrow.

Good post.Personally I would like to see a police investigation into whether Khun Sonthaya was aware of his father's presence.If he was that should mean dismissal and possibly imprisonment.

It will no doubt be a "desktop" investigation. Plods feet will remain firmly resting on the desktop. One quick phone call. " Were you aware of your fathers whereabouts all this time?" Answer "No, and do you know who I am?"

Investigation complete, ready for archive filing.

[Bluespunk]

Unbelievable even for PT. This man's disconnect from reality is insane. The only thing madder than this would be if it happens.

[sprq]

I could have cried but I laughed instead.

[annabel]

He said the clan celebrated Somchai's birthday in his absence on September 30 every year, which may have led to misunderstanding on the part of neighbours that Somchai showed up at the clan's family home regularly for the parties.

I suppose there must be a twin or an imposter that the neighbors saw showing up at the birthday parties.

Hopefully the investigators will interview these misinformed neighbors.

They obviously knew where he was ... how else did they send him live footage of the B/day parties..?? Or was that also sent through Skype ? Pffffffff!!!

" "Also, my father never phoned in, as people are saying, but live footage of the birthday celebrations from inside the house and from the parties was always sent to my father to watch," Sonthaya said.

[scorecard]

The Khunpluem family is considering whether to seek a royal pardon for its patriarch Somchai, Culture Minister Sonthaya Kunplome, Somchai's son, said yesterday.

And so it begins.

Yes, and so it begins, and they think, regardless of convictions for murder and corruption, that he / that their family are entitled to some special dispensation of the appropriate laws, including the right to just walk away.

What's probably also in this picture is hundreds of lies told when needed to try to cover his whereabouts, in other words total disrespect for the law and the institutions which try to uphold the law.

Also total disrespect for the rights of the family of the murder vistim - their right to natural justice.

The day will come when the attitudes of society will put the brakes on people like this. But, unfortunately, not tomorrow.

Good post.Personally I would like to see a police investigation into whether Khun Sonthaya was aware of his father's presence.If he was that should mean dismissal and possibly imprisonment.

Agree, and if he's not dismissed and/or punished it shows very well the very poor morals and values of the government.

Having said that, the reality is there has probably never been a Thai government which could get and overall high score for morals or values

[scorecard]

"No one earns a privilege or stays above the law or regulations - I'd like to stress that." He repeated a statement by Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, an influential party-list MP of the coalition-leading Pheu Thai Party, that Somchai's arrest would not affect his position as culture minister.

The quote above reinforces my and I am sure many other peoples feelings concerning the chronic infestation that this creature and his clan are upon the face of Thailand. Note that the clan are in bed politically with that other well known convicted bail jumping criminal, Birds of the feather all flock together. 0r perhaps it would be more apt to consider that which sticks to a baby's blanket as the non mentioned classification of the clans and its social and political circle of friends status. The proposal highlights just what contempt these creatures have for justice and the people of Thailand.Indeed pond life is more acceptable than the scum mentioned above. It's all about money and power and to hell with the country and its peoples.

On the contrary, this man and the person to whom you are obviously referring were known to be enemies. So do please get it right next time. Thank you ! and again

So the son is perhaps a minister of the church? How confusing. I suggest you write to the media and correct their assertion that he is a minister in the "Thaksin thinks" government. I don't see how he could be a member though, because, after all, this is the government and movement that have stamped down on influential people and assorted elites from getting off convictions. All are now equal. Or so some would try and have us believe.

"... I don't see how he could be a member though, because, after all, this is the government and movement that have stamped down on influential people and assorted elites from getting off convictions. All are now equal...."

Thanks, the joke of the year!

[TackyToo]

Of course they are above the law, just ask them.

In the Thailight Zone there is no law unless you want to sue and extort money of a farrang.