Abhisit postpones 2010 crackdown deaths trial

[webfact]

Abhisit Postpones 2010 Crackdown Deaths Trial



BANGKOK: -- Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has postponed a court appearance for the murder charges he received for his role in authorising the military crackdown on the Redshirts protesters in 2010.

More than 90 people have lost their lives in the political violence that engulfed Bangkok from April to May 2010.

After the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra came to power, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva and his Deputy Prime Minister at the time, Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban, have been charged by the Division of Special Investigation (DSI) with conspiring to murder the protesters and other civilians during the crackdown.

Both Mr. Abhisit and Mr. Suthep have denied the allegation and have been scheduled to appear at the court today. However, the lawyers representing the pair have postponed the trial, citing the busy schedule of Mr. Abhisit and Mr. Suthep who are serving as MPs.

The Prosecutor for the case, Mr. Ruj Kuensuwan, also said his team has not yet finalised the necessary documents. The court therefore agreed to grant the postponement, setting the next date of court appearance for Mr. Abhisit and Mr. Suthep to 31 October.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNE1ERXdOVGc0T0E9PQ==

-- KHAOSOD English 2013-09-25

[siampolee]

Good for the defendants.

Use the system the way that the Dubai fugitive does along with a few or rather a large number of other political figures and monks and failed business people who live outside of Thailand due to not having the courage to face up to the accusation.

[LuckyLew]

I thought MP had immunity from prosecution?

[otherstuff1957]

If I recall correctly, they both agreed to waive their parliamentary immunity and face the charges.

[Soutpeel]

cant wait to see the responses from the red faithful on TV on this

[bigbamboo]

I must admit I find this particular example of Thainess where someone can effectively tell the lawyers and judges to go f*** themselves quite quirkily amusing!

Imagine telling the courts in the UK that you can't make it today because you're too busy or you've got the sniffles or the man from Hotpoint is coming round to look at the fridge that morning.....

I wonder who'll appear in court first...... Rasputin, 'Toss' or Mark?

[Pib]

Abhisit is just following the Red Bull heir example on how to avoid court appearances. Just say you are sick, busy, etc., on whatever day the court appearance is scheduled for and the govt will reschedule it for you. And if you forgot about the court appearance and missed it (can happen to anyone), just call up and say you forgot...govt will reschedule. And if you are embarrassed by saying you just forget, well, just say you had a flat tire on the way to the court appearance...once again, can happen to anyone. Excellent customer service offered by the court appearance scheduling section...highly recommended by all of those with money and power.

[philw]

cant wait to see the responses from the red faithful on TV on this

It can be deferred, delayed, postponed, whatever, for a long time but eventually the PM serving at that time will be brought to court to justify his actions / decisions and to account for the unarmed civilians who were murdered and injured by the military during his period of tenure and under his authority.

[bigbamboo]

cant wait to see the responses from the red faithful on TV on this

It can be deferred, delayed, postponed, whatever, for a long time but eventually the PM serving at that time will be brought to court to justify his actions / decisions and to account for the unarmed civilians who were murdered and injured by the military during his period of tenure and under his authority.

Quite right. That's why the current PM prefers to run the country from his desert bunker.

[Thai at Heart]

I love how it's OK for the accused in trials to claim they are too busy to go to court.

It's only conspiracy to murder 90 people. Crap system....

[Baerboxer]

cant wait to see the responses from the red faithful on TV on this

It can be deferred, delayed, postponed, whatever, for a long time but eventually the PM serving at that time will be brought to court to justify his actions / decisions and to account for the unarmed civilians who were murdered and injured by the military during his period of tenure and under his authority.

Ah, that would be during the terrorist insurgency orchestrated by a criminal fugitive trying to take over the country then.

Sad that anyone lost their lives in pursuit of one person's personal ambition and obsession.

Edited September 25, 2013 by Baerboxer

[rubl]

If I recall correctly, they both agreed to waive their parliamentary immunity and face the charges.

I don't recall the precise rules and laws on this, but MP's cannot just 'waive' their parliamentary immunity. The House has to agree and seems to jealously guards this prerogative. Our illustruous Pheu Thai party listers and UDD leaders Dr. weng, Nattawut and Jaruporn also tried it but were told by parliament to desist.

Life can be tough

[rubl]

cant wait to see the responses from the red faithful on TV on this

It can be deferred, delayed, postponed, whatever, for a long time but eventually the PM serving at that time will be brought to court to justify his actions / decisions and to account for the unarmed civilians who were murdered and injured by the military during his period of tenure and under his authority.

Probably a slip of the pen, but the 'murdered' part should be 'killed' if only till a court has come to a verdict on this

[Tigre101]

Abhisit is just following the Red Bull heir example on how to avoid court appearances. Just say you are sick, busy, etc., on whatever day the court appearance is scheduled for and the govt will reschedule it for you. And if you forgot about the court appearance and missed it (can happen to anyone), just call up and say you forgot...govt will reschedule. And if you are embarrassed by saying you just forget, well, just say you had a flat tire on the way to the court appearance...once again, can happen to anyone. Excellent customer service offered by the court appearance scheduling section...highly recommended by all of those with money and power.

I thought Potjaman had the best excuse to postpone her trial.

To go on an overseas shopping trip to Hong Kong.

Maybe her sister-in-law, who has a penchant for overseas shopping, might need to use the same one at some future point.

[Robby nz]

I doubt these charges are ever meant to be brought before a court.

The amount of evidence that would be brought out by the defense would be devastating for PT the reds and the crim in Dubai.

Every carefully recorded speech from the red stage, every phone in, all the TV and news reports, the videos and videos and photos of the men in black and the atrocities committed by the reds would be brought out.

There would likely be a money trail from Dubai that would show who funded the riots.

There would be testimony by army officers who have so far been ignored by PT.

No doubt the red leaders themselves would be called a witnesses, then when they lied there would be their previous statements to prove their lies.

Then remember Yingluck's recent statement that "The law must be obeyed" that alone would be enough to prove their innocence.

It was after all the red rioters who were breaking the law.

[rametindallas]

I must admit I find this particular example of Thainess where someone can effectively tell the lawyers and judges to go f*** themselves quite quirkily amusing!

Imagine telling the courts in the UK that you can't make it today because you're too busy or you've got the sniffles or the man from Hotpoint is coming round to look at the fridge that morning.....

I wonder who'll appear in court first...... Rasputin, 'Toss' or Mark?

"The Prosecutor for the case, Mr. Ruj Kuensuwan, also said his team has not yet finalised the necessary documents. The court therefore agreed to grant the postponement'

Since both sides were not ready at this point to go to trial, what were the judges supposed to do? Nobody 'told' the court; they 'respectfully requested' the delay. You don't get far disrespecting the judges by demanding of telling officers of the court to go ef themselves. This is obviously within the framework of what is allowed.

[rametindallas]

I love how it's OK for the accused in trials to claim they are too busy to go to court.

It's only conspiracy to murder 90 people. Crap system....

'The Prosecutor for the case, Mr. Ruj Kuensuwan, also said his team has not yet finalised the necessary documents. The court therefore agreed to grant the postponement'

The prosecution would have delayed the proceedings if Abhisit's lawyers hadn't.

[rametindallas]

I doubt these charges are ever meant to be brought before a court.

The amount of evidence that would be brought out by the defense would be devastating for PT the reds and the crim in Dubai.

Every carefully recorded speech from the red stage, every phone in, all the TV and news reports, the videos and videos and photos of the men in black and the atrocities committed by the reds would be brought out.

There would likely be a money trail from Dubai that would show who funded the riots.

There would be testimony by army officers who have so far been ignored by PT.

No doubt the red leaders themselves would be called a witnesses, then when they lied there would be their previous statements to prove their lies.

Then remember Yingluck's recent statement that "The law must be obeyed" that alone would be enough to prove their innocence.

It was after all the red rioters who were breaking the law.

Also, add the conflict of interest from the head of he prosecution, Mr. Tarit, who is as culpable as those he is prosecuting.

[webfact]

Decision on Abhisit, Suthep indictment postponed
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Public prosecutors yesterday postponed a decision on whether to indict former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his former deputy Suthep Thaugsuban, members of the current opposition Democrat Party, over the death of protesters during the 2010 riots.

The prosecutors deferred the decision until October 31 because the two are members of Parliament performing their duty as Parliament is in session, while investigations have still not been concluded.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) had asked public prosecutors to indict Abhisit and Suthep for ordering the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation to launch the crackdown, which resulted in many deaths and left many injured.

DSI deputy chief Pol Lt-Colonel Wannapong Kotcharak, chief investigator of cases, handed over nine boxes with 11,242 documents as evidence and investigation files to the prosecutors in June.


-- The Nation 2013-09-26

[Anon999]

I must admit I find this particular example of Thainess where someone can effectively tell the lawyers and judges to go f*** themselves quite quirkily amusing!

Imagine telling the courts in the UK that you can't make it today because you're too busy or you've got the sniffles or the man from Hotpoint is coming round to look at the fridge that morning.....

I wonder who'll appear in court first...... Rasputin, 'Toss' or Mark?

The Prosecutor for the case, Mr. Ruj Kuensuwan, also said his team has not yet finalised the necessary documents. Try reading all the OP it does help to avoid making comments to suit yourself.

[bigbamboo]

I must admit I find this particular example of Thainess where someone can effectively tell the lawyers and judges to go f*** themselves quite quirkily amusing!

Imagine telling the courts in the UK that you can't make it today because you're too busy or you've got the sniffles or the man from Hotpoint is coming round to look at the fridge that morning.....

I wonder who'll appear in court first...... Rasputin, 'Toss' or Mark?

The Prosecutor for the case, Mr. Ruj Kuensuwan, also said his team has not yet finalised the necessary documents. Try reading all the OP it does help to avoid making comments to suit yourself.

Indeed he hasn't and neither have Abhisit's lawyers and that's hardly surprising given the amount of charges that have been piled up.

My comment was a general observation of the Thai legal practices of which this is simply one example.

[pisico]

Abhisit is just following the Red Bull heir example on how to avoid court appearances. Just say you are sick, busy, etc., on whatever day the court appearance is scheduled for and the govt will reschedule it for you. And if you forgot about the court appearance and missed it (can happen to anyone), just call up and say you forgot...govt will reschedule. And if you are embarrassed by saying you just forget, well, just say you had a flat tire on the way to the court appearance...once again, can happen to anyone. Excellent customer service offered by the court appearance scheduling section...highly recommended by all of those with money and power.

Ditto. Except if the defendants are Farang. Even then, let us remember that this country has the best judicial system that money can buy.

Have money, will skedaddle.

[Chrisswe]

How in earth can he postponed this trail !!?? Peoples who compared khun Thaksin and Abhisit / Suthep murder changes , please SHUT UP !!!

[Soutpeel]

cant wait to see the responses from the red faithful on TV on this

It can be deferred, delayed, postponed, whatever, for a long time but eventually the PM serving at that time will be brought to court to justify his actions / decisions and to account for the unarmed civilians who were murdered and injured by the military during his period of tenure and under his authority.

Absolutely no problem with this statement, leaders and former leaders need to be brought to account for their alleged wrong doings, and if a Thai court decides that that the accused parties have infact committed a crime, they should serve their court imposed sentances...

or of course they could be found guilty and run for the hills and hide away...

It certainly appears that these charges have been laid against the former PM in an attempt to strong arm him into agreeing to an amesty bill, which will absolve a certan other PM from any wrong doing...ie agree to what we want and we will drop the charges

So its good to see the former PM calling their bluff and not doing a runner and standing by his principles, which is not common in Thai politics or any politics for that matter

[jayboy]

cant wait to see the responses from the red faithful on TV on this

It can be deferred, delayed, postponed, whatever, for a long time but eventually the PM serving at that time will be brought to court to justify his actions / decisions and to account for the unarmed civilians who were murdered and injured by the military during his period of tenure and under his authority.

Absolutely no problem with this statement, leaders and former leaders need to be brought to account for their alleged wrong doings, and if a Thai court decides that that the accused parties have infact committed a crime, they should serve their court imposed sentances...

or of course they could be found guilty and run for the hills and hide away...

It certainly appears that these charges have been laid against the former PM in an attempt to strong arm him into agreeing to an amesty bill, which will absolve a certan other PM from any wrong doing...ie agree to what we want and we will drop the charges

So its good to see the former PM calling their bluff and not doing a runner and standing by his principles, which is not common in Thai politics or any politics for that matter

I'm not quite sure what principles are being upheld by Abhisit refusing to turn up at the courts - just like the Red Bull youth.It seems a little ironic that Abhisit boasts of his respect for the courts and Thai justice, and then finds a weird excuses to avoid his case being considered.Perhaps I am being premature and he will turn up next month - we shall see.But as several members pointed out months ago everyone in this game knows Abhisit will never serve a day in prison - even though his alleged crime is far worse than the relatively trivial crime with which Thaksin has been charged.He knows it, the educated Thai population knows it and Thaksin knows it.the only group that don't know it are the usual suspects.

[FarangTalk]

Abhisit is just following the Red Bull heir example on how to avoid court appearances. Just say you are sick, busy, etc., on whatever day the court appearance is scheduled for and the govt will reschedule it for you. And if you forgot about the court appearance and missed it (can happen to anyone), just call up and say you forgot...govt will reschedule. And if you are embarrassed by saying you just forget, well, just say you had a flat tire on the way to the court appearance...once again, can happen to anyone. Excellent customer service offered by the court appearance scheduling section...highly recommended by all of those with money and power.

Ditto. Except if the defendants are Farang. Even then, let us remember that this country has the best judicial system that money can buy.

Have money, will skedaddle.

Best justice system in the World according to Suthep.

The sooner these delusional fascists are brought to justice the better.

[hammered]

Yesterday the courts accepted a bunch of anti-government cases while yet again delaying a case against government opponents. Does anyone here think that this goes unnoticed?

[Nowhereman60]

Watch what happens. On the 31st of October Abhisit is going to ask for the case to be postpone because he has something else to do that day. Do I hear Red Bull?

[hammered]

cant wait to see the responses from the red faithful on TV on this

It can be deferred, delayed, postponed, whatever, for a long time but eventually the PM serving at that time will be brought to court to justify his actions / decisions and to account for the unarmed civilians who were murdered and injured by the military during his period of tenure and under his authority.

Absolutely no problem with this statement, leaders and former leaders need to be brought to account for their alleged wrong doings, and if a Thai court decides that that the accused parties have infact committed a crime, they should serve their court imposed sentances...

or of course they could be found guilty and run for the hills and hide away...

It certainly appears that these charges have been laid against the former PM in an attempt to strong arm him into agreeing to an amesty bill, which will absolve a certan other PM from any wrong doing...ie agree to what we want and we will drop the charges

So its good to see the former PM calling their bluff and not doing a runner and standing by his principles, which is not common in Thai politics or any politics for that matter

I'm not quite sure what principles are being upheld by Abhisit refusing to turn up at the courts - just like the Red Bull youth.It seems a little ironic that Abhisit boasts of his respect for the courts and Thai justice, and then finds a weird excuses to avoid his case being considered.Perhaps I am being premature and he will turn up next month - we shall see.But as several members pointed out months ago everyone in this game knows Abhisit will never serve a day in prison - even though his alleged crime is far worse than the relatively trivial crime with which Thaksin has been charged.He knows it, the educated Thai population knows it and Thaksin knows it.the only group that don't know it are the usual suspects.

I would say virtually every Thai knows it educated or not. The red bull heir parallels are obvious. What the democrats fails to consider is that he is going to lead them into the next election while charged with murder. This is going to be a red flag to the bull reminder to all of government supporters to get out and vote PTP again. The irony of Thaksin being quickly found guilty and given a jail sentence for a comparatively minor crime compared to murder also only serves to reinforce the (rather bizarre) notion that Thaksin is the same as "us" among so many of the rural and urban poor.

Oh I guess I am assuming their will be an election and no kind of political game to remove the elected government.

[Valentine]

It can be deferred, delayed, postponed, whatever, for a long time but eventually the PM serving at that time will be brought to court to justify his actions / decisions and to account for the unarmed civilians who were murdered and injured by the military during his period of tenure and under his authority.

Absolutely no problem with this statement, leaders and former leaders need to be brought to account for their alleged wrong doings, and if a Thai court decides that that the accused parties have infact committed a crime, they should serve their court imposed sentances...

or of course they could be found guilty and run for the hills and hide away...

It certainly appears that these charges have been laid against the former PM in an attempt to strong arm him into agreeing to an amesty bill, which will absolve a certan other PM from any wrong doing...ie agree to what we want and we will drop the charges

So its good to see the former PM calling their bluff and not doing a runner and standing by his principles, which is not common in Thai politics or any politics for that matter

I'm not quite sure what principles are being upheld by Abhisit refusing to turn up at the courts - just like the Red Bull youth.It seems a little ironic that Abhisit boasts of his respect for the courts and Thai justice, and then finds a weird excuses to avoid his case being considered.Perhaps I am being premature and he will turn up next month - we shall see.But as several members pointed out months ago everyone in this game knows Abhisit will never serve a day in prison - even though his alleged crime is far worse than the relatively trivial crime with which Thaksin has been charged.He knows it, the educated Thai population knows it and Thaksin knows it.the only group that don't know it are the usual suspects.

I would say virtually every Thai knows it educated or not. The red bull heir parallels are obvious. What the democrats fails to consider is that he is going to lead them into the next election while charged with murder. This is going to be a red flag to the bull reminder to all of government supporters to get out and vote PTP again. The irony of Thaksin being quickly found guilty and given a jail sentence for a comparatively minor crime compared to murder also only serves to reinforce the (rather bizarre) notion that Thaksin is the same as "us" among so many of the rural and urban poor.

Oh I guess I am assuming their will be an election and no kind of political game to remove the elected government.

Good that you conveniently omit Mr T would also be facing a host of serious charges had he actually returned to Thailand after he used the excuse of attending the Olympics & promising to return.