Family works on pardon for Kamnan Poh

Piyanuch Thamnukasetchai,

Jeerapong Prasertphonkrang

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Less than a week after the notorious former godfather Somchai Khunpluem was arrested and sent to jail, his family has begun to seek a Royal pardon for him.

The plan comes after the 76-year-old convict was moved from a prison to a hospital in his hometown and political stronghold, Chon Buri. The Chon Buri Prison approved the transfer citing Somchai's need for medical treatment.

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"We are going to ask for a Royal pardon. We will be proceeding in line with laws and an appropriate timeframe," Culture Minister Sonthaya Kunplome, one of Somchai's sons, said yesterday. "I am doing my duty as a son."

Observers say that thanks to Somchai's business and political influence, his children have had a smooth, successful ride in politics.

Somchai, widely known as Kamnan Poh, went on the run only after he was convicted of corruption and then of a murder. He had been in hiding for about seven years before being arrested late last month in Bangkok.

Sonthaya yesterday shrugged off a suggestion the Khunpluem family would run into trouble for illegally sheltering Somchai during the past many years.

"My father has moved around on his own. He goes wherever he wants," Sonthaya said. He also believed his father's case would not affect his political status.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung also dismissed a suggestion Somchai had enjoyed preferential treatment.

"When an inmate is ill, he can get treatment," he said. On the move to ask for a Royal pardon, Chalerm said any inmate had the right to request one.

Crime Suppression Division commander Maj-General Supisal Pakdeenareunart, meanwhile, said police would summon the director of the Samitivej Hospital's Srinakarin branch for questioning.

Records showed Somchai had received treatment at the hospital, sometimes as an inpatient and sometimes as an outpatient, for over a year. Suspicion is growing among officials that someone there might have intentionally provided treatment for Somchai without alerting the authorities, despite the fact he was wanted on murder and corruption charges.

-- The Nation 2013-02-06

Records showed Somchai had received treatment at the hospital, sometimes as an inpatient and sometimes as an outpatient, for over a year. Suspicion is growing among officials that someone there might have intentionally provided treatment for Somchai without alerting the authorities, despite the fact he was wanted on murder and corruption charges.

Looks like someone is planning to pass the buck.

How thick skinned are these corrupt mafia? Seeking a royal pardon???

How thick skinned are these corrupt mafia? Seeking a royal pardon???

More like arrogant over inflated sense of self importance. It's a Thai thing in general, but this carries it over the edge.

Rotten at the very core.

I could be wrong about this, but recalling the past debates about a potential Royal pardon for Thaksin....

I'm recalling that a couple of points were part of any pardon discussion:

--the individual involved has to have served some meaningful portion of their sentence.

--those convicted of corruption typically aren't eligible.

Convicted of corruption and murder and then on the run for seven years with no time served.

A now a royal pardon. On what grounds exactly?

Am I missing something here. Oh yes, I forgot.

Power, influence, money, supreme arrogance and the appropriate connections, which in Thailand, are all above the law.

Pass me a bucket someone... quickly.

He's doing what all old folks do, when they see themselves shuffling off the mortal coil soon. Finding God and asking forgiveness to try to get into heaven lol.

"We are going to ask for a Royal pardon. We will be proceeding in line with laws and an appropriate timeframe," Culture Minister Sonthaya Kunplome, one of Somchai's sons, said yesterday. "I am doing my duty as a son."

A Royal Pardon for this scumbag? That must be a violation of the Thai Penal Code, Section 112.

Convicted of corruption and murder and then on the run for seven years with no time served.

A now a royal pardon. On what grounds exactly?

Am I missing something here. Oh yes, I forgot.

Power, influence, money, supreme arrogance and the appropriate connections, which in Thailand, are all above the law.

Pass me a bucket someone... quickly.

royal pardon are selected by the government, or? So where is the problem? They are in power at the moment.

Convicted of corruption and murder and then on the run for seven years with no time served.

A now a royal pardon. On what grounds exactly?

Am I missing something here. Oh yes, I forgot.

Power, influence, money, supreme arrogance and the appropriate connections, which in Thailand, are all above the law.

Pass me a bucket someone... quickly.

on the grounds of being too old and unhealthy

unbelievable! This is why Thailand is never taken seriously in the real world.

I hope this guy rots and his sons all lose their jobs.

"We are going to ask for a Royal pardon. We will be proceeding in line with laws and an appropriate timeframe," Culture Minister Sonthaya Kunplome, one of Somchai's sons, said yesterday. "I am doing my duty as a son."

He maybe doing his duty as a son, but he's setting an absolutely shocking example to the younger generation as a government minister. With role models like this one understands the moral bankruptcy which is sweeping Thailand.

Put him back in his cell

If a man were to receive a pardon for premeditated murder, then Thailand would really have to do some serious soul searching... if there is any soul left to search.

Disgusting! The way this is carrying on. Then you have this as well, Channel 3 Actor Admits To Thong Lor Shooting: Bangkok, no wonder Thai kids and the general public look up to them and want to be like them. Maybe his tour is going to be 7-8 years long.

Edited February 6, 201313 yr by Psych01

A prime example of Thailand as a third-rate, backwater country. Oh, and btw, there is no sex industry in Thailand and it's offensive for anyone to suggest it!

Ahh, what the hell. Let`s just abolish the police, courts and prisons, not have any more laws and let everyone do exactly as they please. Sometimes it can feel like that is what is going on anyway and just think of the money the country would save...

I am somewhat amazed by this headline. Shouldn't the " culture " minister be working to keep himself out of jail ??? Sometime I feel like I am living inside Alice in Wonderland......

So the doctors/hospitals might get charged over not alerting authorities, while his family sheltered him for years will see no consequences....only in Thailand!

Man on the run for murder and gangsterism seeking a pardon b4 he sees the clink. Yes! In Thailand!

For a pardon, one needs to show repentance and a desire to reform. Heard nothing on that front so far.

If there was one case totally undeserving a pardon, this would be the one.

He's doing what all old folks do, when they see themselves shuffling off the mortal coil soon. Finding God and asking forgiveness to try to get into heaven lol.

Being a "good" Buddhist, Somchai will, when he's dead, first burn at the Wat, then be reincarnated as a soi dog.

He's doing what all old folks do, when they see themselves shuffling off the mortal coil soon. Finding God and asking forgiveness to try to get into heaven lol.

Being a "good" Buddhist, Somchai will, when he's dead, first burn at the Wat, then be reincarnated as a soi dog.

He would only deserve to be a gnat on a flea on soi dog.

I could be wrong about this, but recalling the past debates about a potential Royal pardon for Thaksin....

I'm recalling that a couple of points were part of any pardon discussion:

--the individual involved has to have served some meaningful portion of their sentence.

--those convicted of corruption typically aren't eligible.

All very correct. However, those were the stipulations placed on any pardon being sought for Thaksin. It would be very naive to think that these would easily apply in this case. However, if political horse trading (and money bunged in the right places) makes these restrictions go away and KP gets his pardon, then the precedent has been set for Thaksin to get in line for his. It is only a matter of time anyway.

duty as a son, wow... i guess he won't resign any day, that would be losing face and power

You only have to look at the glowing example our dear beloved DPM and his sons act to know the justice system is a mockery. I thought the agenda of the current government and their red friends was to stop these double standards.

I am not a the brightest bulb on the pack ..

but I am pretty sure this is not good for Thailand's image

Maybe Thailand is try to lure other king pins with large bank accounts

Disgusting Thailand!