8 P A D Members Indicted Over Airport Seizures

[webfact]

8 PAD members indicted over airport seizures
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Public prosecutors yesterday indicted eight more members of the People's Alliance for Democracy on conspiracy charges in connection with the seizures of two Bangkok airports in 2008.

All eight defendants were released on bail.

The accused were Saken Suthiwong, a singer; Lakhana Dissayasarin, an international school director; Chaiporn Kerdmongkol, a singer known as Jum Dankwian; Suthi Achasai, an NGO coordinator; Gen Panthep Puwanartnurak, a former deputy permanent secretary of the Defence Ministry; Somchai Wongwet; Kusuma Plaengsorn; and Somsak Issamanyee, deputy leader of the New Politics Party.

They are charged with assembling with more than 10 people to instigate unrest, teaming up to take over and hide in the premises of others, using force and conspiring with more than two people to violate orders issued under the security law.

The Criminal Court has scheduled the first hearing on April 29, which is the same day that the case against PAD leaders Chamlong Srimuang, Sondhi Limthongkul and 75 others would be heard in connection with the occupation of Don Mueang Airport and Suvarnabhumi Airport.

PAD lawyer Puangthip Bunsanong used funds provided by the Justice Ministry to post Bt600,000 bail for each of six suspects, while Lakhana used her own assets for Bt600,000 bail and Panthep used his position as a pension official as bail.

-- The Nation 2013-04-12

[Locationthailand]

This will be interesting - my bet judging from the way the charges have been stated, they may get a wrist slap and a few baht fine and be sent on their way.

[Thai at Heart]

Once again the justice ministry provides funds for bail.

This has to be the most bizarre aspect of the Thai legal system

[Chrisswe]

Only 8 !!?? This is the highest degree of Terrorism !!! Put the leaders life time in Jail !!!

[Pimay1]

Only 8 !!?? This is the highest degree of Terrorism !!! Put the leaders life time in Jail !!!

And no double standards right?

[WhizBang]

Only 8 !!?? This is the highest degree of Terrorism !!! Put the leaders life time in Jail !!!

Hardly terrorism, and especially NOT the highest degree.

If I remember correctly, the PAD went to the airport to protest when the current Thaksin proxy PM was due to return, but his plane got diverted. Then the PAD ran inside the terminal, at which point the staff fled, abandoning the terminal.

The police, once again, failed to do their job, as the PAD should never have been allowed inside in such numbers.

I had concerns over how much damage the terminal might suffer, but after the PAD vacated, the terminal was open for business again in just over 24 hours. So in reality, little or no damage was done by the PAD.

Should the PAD have 'occupied' the terminal. No, of course not. Should the police have done their job. Yes. Did they? No.

But it was not terrorism. Bad judgement perhaps, but not terrorism.

Now contrast that with what the Reds did in 2010. THAT was terrorism.

[phantomfiddler]

This must be what they mean by the promised "reconciliation" ! Armed redshirt thugs roamed the streets, and peaceful protesters (I must admit they did cause some inconvenience) are villified. Hypocracy lives and thrives.

[whybother]

Only 8 !!?? This is the highest degree of Terrorism !!! Put the leaders life time in Jail !!!

Protesting at an airport is "the highest degree of Terrorism"??? Where does throwing a few grenades stand?

[Bluespunk]

Panthep used his position as a pension official as bail.

Do the people paying into the pension know he is doing this? Do they get a say?

[rametindallas]

_{This will be interesting - my bet judging from the way the charges have been stated, they may get a wrist slap and a few baht fine and be sent on their way.}

_{The 'least' penalty should be eight days in jail for the eight days they held Thailand and the flying public hostage. The same for Red Shirts who occupied Rajaprasong. Preferably sharing the same cells. The 'leaders' should be punished much more harshly for letting/causing the situation to get out of control. I supported the PAD when they were peacefully protesting. They lost my support when they broke into Government House and they became an enemy when they occupied the airports. They are not Patriot but Rabble and should be treated as such. The Royal Thai Police Dept. is worse than useless in both cases. Just my opinion.}