Court dismisses weapons trafficking case against red-shirt Surachai

[webfact]

Court dismisses weapons trafficking case against red-shirt Surachai
Kesinee Taengkhiao
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court yesterday dismissed a weapons trafficking case involving red-shirt defendant Surachai "Rang" Thewarat, seen as close to the late red-shirt leader Maj General Kattiya "Seh Daeng" Sawasdipol.

The court cited insufficient evidence and suspicious investigative procedures as grounds for acquittal.

Surachai was charged following a sting operation in connection with the red protests in 2010.

The court said prosecutors failed to provide witnesses to establish the connection between Surachai and the seized weapons and there were no witnesses who saw Surachai carrying the seized weapons. The court said the sting operation appeared doubtful.

Surachai has been detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison without being released on bail.

-- The Nation 2013-10-09

[waza]

No suprises there, obviously they were Abihists stash of weapons.

[dcutman]

Mr Tharit, accompanied by his deputy Pol Col Narat Savetnant, outlined a sting operation conducted jointly by DSI officials and navy marines to buy war weapons from Mr Surachai and four other people in Sattahip district of Chon Buri province on June 10.

The undercover agents bought war weapons including two AK47 rifles, M79 grenade launchers, hand grenades, and assorted ammunition for 60,000 baht from Mr Surachai and other members of the gang, he said http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?35054-DSI-Surachai-involved-in-arms-trade.

These people that bought these weapons must have vanished of the face of the planet then.

[Noistar]

Whatever

[Noistar]

Can some of the expats who've been here a long time, venture an opinion - are things getting worse or has it always been like this?

[siampolee]

Mr Tharit = D.S.I.

Seems as if the worthy Mr. Tharit was or is unable to understand the due process of law. Seems as if he is the epitome of a bumbling fool

Could anyone explain just how is the worthy Mr. Tharit may be considered a suitable person to be in charge of the D.S.I. when we can clearly see the man is ignorant of the operation and due legal process of the law?

Is there a missing link somewhere, is he was he a double agent for the Red Shirts and their sponsor a Thai Sidney Reilly thus his current position is his reward for being a Thai Sidney Reilly and also a keep out of jail card as well as a get out of jail free card for services rendered?

[siampolee]

Can some of the expats who've been here a long time, venture an opinion - are things getting worse or has it always been like this?

There has always been '' flexibility and creative problem solving '' within the system, however I feel that in my 22+ years here it is the worst it has even been regarding political chicanery, corruption, nepotism and outright contempt for the laws of the land and its peoples .

Edited October 9, 2013 by siampolee

[waza]

Can some of the expats who've been here a long time, venture an opinion - are things getting worse or has it always been like this?

There has always been '' flexibility and creative problem solving '' within the system, however I feel that in my 22+ years here it is the worst it has even been regarding political chicanery, corruption, nepotism and outright contempt for the laws of the land and its peoples .

I agree, things were tolerable before, in the late 90s, the exchange rate was good, the "I love Farrang" campaigne was in full swing and Thailand truely was the land of smiles. It all seemed to change in the 2000s when the PM Thaksin said, its the duty of all Thais to rip off Farrangs and he led by example. Thai society became less friendly as crimes against humanity became a regular feature, personal freedom , freedom of the press and judical checks and balances were eroded and government policies were changes to enrich the few at the expense of the many. Some tried to reverse this trend in 2006 but that led to a division of society that further facilitated an increase in lawlessness, greed and social disobedience. This trend is not only continuing but accelerating as the warlords continue to battle for control of Thai society.

[tomross46]

Can some of the expats who've been here a long time, venture an opinion - are things getting worse or has it always been like this?

SSDD Same SH--T Different Day. The CT were doing this 50 years ago, but than there was not the communications ability as today.

[tomross46]

Could the main reason they were released be that they are members of the Red Shirt Brigade, and part of the ruling Dynasty?

[Thaddeus]

Could the main reason they were released be that they are members of the Red Shirt Brigade, and part of the ruling Dynasty?

How could you think such a thing, that would never happen.

[hitz]

Mr Tharit, accompanied by his deputy Pol Col Narat Savetnant, outlined a sting operation conducted jointly by DSI officials and navy marines to buy war weapons from Mr Surachai and four other people in Sattahip district of Chon Buri province on June 10.

The undercover agents bought war weapons including two AK47 rifles, M79 grenade launchers, hand grenades, and assorted ammunition for 60,000 baht from Mr Surachai and other members of the gang, he said http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?35054-DSI-Surachai-involved-in-arms-trade.

These people that bought these weapons must have vanished of the face of the planet then.

DSI Chief Tharit effectively has an entire team buying war weapons from the red shirts with its attendant pallet load of evidence...

all for it to disappear along with no witnesses now.

Nothing dodgy about that.

Insufficient evidence, indeed.

[Halion]

Can some of the expats who've been here a long time, venture an opinion - are things getting worse or has it always been like this?

Have had a social and professional relationship with this country for over 30 years and am currently residing here with my family. IMO things are getting worse at an alarming rate especially over the past 4 years and there would appear to be no end in site as to this decline in both social and administrative accountability.

In just about every facet of Government and administration there is a total lack of transparency and zero credibility. Corruption ,both financial and political has become an excepted way of life and there is little recourse to this from a public that simply accept this as a function of the Thai culture existing only in isolation and ignorance. Som nam nah.

[Baerboxer]

Can some of the expats who've been here a long time, venture an opinion - are things getting worse or has it always been like this?

Have had a social and professional relationship with this country for over 30 years and am currently residing here with my family. IMO things are getting worse at an alarming rate especially over the past 4 years and there would appear to be no end in site as to this decline in both social and administrative accountability.

In just about every facet of Government and administration there is a total lack of transparency and zero credibility. Corruption ,both financial and political has become an excepted way of life and there is little recourse to this from a public that simply accept this as a function of the Thai culture existing only in isolation and ignorance. Som nam nah.

Absolutely agree.

[drdoom6996]

Can some of the expats who've been here a long time, venture an opinion - are things getting worse or has it always been like this?

15 years ago it wasn't so bad. Yeah some corruption at the top, but not like now where everybody with a badge or a title is corrupt. And then the Sin Clan decided to go from buying politicians to being politicians, and it's gotten worse every day since then, IMHO.

[Dap]

Can some of the expats who've been here a long time, venture an opinion - are things getting worse or has it always been like this?

There has always been '' flexibility and creative problem solving '' within the system, however I feel that in my 22+ years here it is the worst it has even been regarding political chicanery, corruption, nepotism and outright contempt for the laws of the land and its peoples .

Very well said khun s. and I'll venture it will continue in this vein as long as this increasingly single party operation runs the show.

Downright frightening future for many.

No ethics, no morals and no conscience.

Edited October 9, 2013 by Dap

[philw]

"No ethics, no morals and no conscience........."

And of course, precious little evidence for this assertion.

[dcutman]

"No ethics, no morals and no conscience........."

And of course, precious little evidence for this assertion.

In this case Philw there seemed to be plenty of evidence(link post #3), at one time. Not unlike the case with the Red Shirt terroist firing an RPG was dismissed because of an issue about a hat he was wearing or not.

It is amazing how you defend this load of dung government.

[Noistar]

"No ethics, no morals and no conscience........."

And of course, precious little evidence for this assertion.

Obviously posters can post from a viewpoint, as well as a stack of 'facts'.

Mind you, if the facts originated in Thailand, I personally would be wary about staking my life on them.

Without being confrontational I would like to ask if you are in a position to give any input regarding my question? Are you an expat who's been living here for a long time? I am honestly trying to get a feel for how Thailand is developing.

At the moment there SEEMS to be an attempt to mould the legal process to benefit the party in power and their supporters.

Is Thailand getting worse?

[Yunla]

We wont see any serious justice being carried out until a new government takes the wheel and PTP are marginalised. It looks an incredibly distant and even unlikely prospect though. Any independent organs of state have been absorbed or terrorised into submission by the Dictatorship. The State a quivering jelly. Anybody trying to to step infront of the PTP corruption train gets their home address handed out to thugs in the street, or those same thugs parade outside sovereign-institution buildings threatening 'civil war' if their wishes are not obeyed. It is the rule of the jackboot.

Edited October 9, 2013 by Yunla

[Dap]

"No ethics, no morals and no conscience........."

And of course, precious little evidence for this assertion.

It really wouldn't matter to you if I listed the evidence (ad infinitum)

supporting my assertion. I figure I will waste my time and you will

maintain your perspective anyway. Pointless.

[Noistar]

Could the main reason they were released be that they are members of the Red Shirt Brigade, and part of the ruling Dynasty?

How could you think such a thing, that would never happen.

Indeed.

A country standing on the foundation of morality.

A government with their prime objective of doing everything they can to improve the lives of the Thai people - especially those in the poorer regions who gave their votes to elect their saviour.

[philw]

"No ethics, no morals and no conscience........."

And of course, precious little evidence for this assertion.

Obviously posters can post from a viewpoint, as well as a stack of 'facts'.

Mind you, if the facts originated in Thailand, I personally would be wary about staking my life on them.

Without being confrontational I would like to ask if you are in a position to give any input regarding my question? Are you an expat who's been living here for a long time? I am honestly trying to get a feel for how Thailand is developing.

At the moment there SEEMS to be an attempt to mould the legal process to benefit the party in power and their supporters.

Is Thailand getting worse?

You ask a sincere question and I give you a sincere answer.

I have lived in Thail and since 1989 and currently run an export manufacturing company with about 50 staff ( yes i have a work permit and we are fully in compliance with all laws ). ( only on Thai visa is that comment necessary )

"Is Thailand getting worse ?"

In my opinion not, I think there is general all round improvement in almost every regard except education, where i think standards have deteriorated over the years.

Is there more corruption ??'

Probably about the same as 20 yrs ago, maybe the figures are bigger because the projects are bigger, but the principles and principals have not changed.

It's the same old story and nothing new.

Perhaps a bit more blatant, but corruption ( moral and financial ) is endemic and it will take generations to remove it.

The moral corruption is in my opinion more long term damaging than the financial.

I am no fan of Thaksin and his ilk and i think he is only a symptom of a bigger problem facing Thai society.

I do not think he is anything close to Marcos or PolPot as the more dramatic loonies on here assert

The exaggerated and personal hatred poured on him from here is generally rather ill informed and stupid, in my opinion.

Regarding Yingluck and co, that is for the Thai electorate to decide, but for those obsessed with her boots and shopping habits, she seems to me to be doing a creditable job in a very delicate political and emotionally charged environment.

We live in the tropics, in a flood prone country.

Rain and flooding is a consequence of tropical depressions, not the direct fault of any government.

The Thai people deal with it with great aplomb, patience and skill.

The noise is only coming from moaning farangs.

I would think it will take years of engineering skills and know how to eradicate the problem.

You may disagree, but I think she has to be very politically savvy to have survived thus far.

Even more so, if she wins the next election which is almost a certainty.

The major players are so far largely silent, presumably because she has electoral support and possibly because they don't know what to do.

I would guess that if even 10% of the allegations against her and her brother that have been made on this forum were true, she would already be long gone.

Ergo,.........

i think the various statements made by forum members about " the dictatorship" and the "rule of the jackboot" are just silly.

Thailand now has about the same level of political and civil violence as it has had for the last 30 years, with exactly the same political structure.

The only thing different and that sticks in the craw of some here, is that Thaksin had and arguably still has, a political mandate.

Bought or not, in the good old Thai way.

Am i worried or pessimistic about the long term future for Thailand ???

Most certainly not.

Will it get worse before it gets better ??

I hope and think probably not, but that depends on things that cannot be spoken of.

The Thai people are, in this digital age, starting to find information and a voice that they did not have previously.

That surely has to be for the good.

We live in interesting times and it is not a curse.

[Thai at Heart]

Held on remand since 2010 and then found not guilty?

How the hell did this even get to court? Meanwhile clearly guilty murderers run to Singapore... .

[dcutman]

Held on remand since 2010 and then found not guilty?

How the hell did this even get to court? Meanwhile clearly guilty murderers run to Singapore... .

This got to court because at a time, there were military and and DSI agents that directly bought weapons from this guy. Apparently now, these law enforcement people are no longer available to be witnesses in this case.

[philw]

"No ethics, no morals and no conscience........."

And of course, precious little evidence for this assertion.

It really wouldn't matter to you if I listed the evidence (ad infinitum)

supporting my assertion. I figure I will waste my time and you will

maintain your perspective anyway. Pointless.

Please do.

It does matter to me that you list your evidence.

Go ahead, show us.

[dcutman]

"No ethics, no morals and no conscience........."

And of course, precious little evidence for this assertion.

It really wouldn't matter to you if I listed the evidence (ad infinitum)

supporting my assertion. I figure I will waste my time and you will

maintain your perspective anyway. Pointless.

Please do.

It does matter to me that you list your evidence.

Go ahead, show us.

Is this not good enough?

Mr Tharit, accompanied by his deputy Pol Col Narat Savetnant, outlined a sting operation conducted jointly by DSI officials and navy marines to buy war weapons from Mr Surachai and four other people in Sattahip district of Chon Buri province on June 10.

The undercover agents bought war weapons including two AK47 rifles, M79 grenade launchers, hand grenades, and assorted ammunition for 60,000 baht from Mr Surachai and other members of the gang, he said

http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?35054-DSI-Surachai-involved-in-arms-trade

Edited October 9, 2013 by dcutman

[hammered]

There are many reasons that people may not want to stick by evidence that was produced during a time when a dubiously installed government was being kept in place by the army and the only policy was discredit those demonstrating against them unsuccessful as that policy was. At that time undercover agents said...

It seems anyway that there is in fact no real evidence and hence the case has collapsed. I wonder if the dude can sue for all the time he was kept locked up for no reason.

[northernjohn]

Can some of the expats who've been here a long time, venture an opinion - are things getting worse or has it always been like this?

Have had a social and professional relationship with this country for over 30 years and am currently residing here with my family. IMO things are getting worse at an alarming rate especially over the past 4 years and there would appear to be no end in site as to this decline in both social and administrative accountability.

In just about every facet of Government and administration there is a total lack of transparency and zero credibility. Corruption ,both financial and political has become an excepted way of life and there is little recourse to this from a public that simply accept this as a function of the Thai culture existing only in isolation and ignorance. Som nam nah.

In the 3 years I have been here I would have to say worse. Today it is in your face with no attempt to conceal it.

Held on remand since 2010 and then found not guilty?

How the hell did this even get to court? Meanwhile clearly guilty murderers run to Singapore... .

No he has run to Dubai

Edited October 9, 2013 by northernjohn

[dcutman]

There are many reasons that people may not want to stick by evidence that was produced during a time when a dubiously installed government was being kept in place by the army and the only policy was discredit those demonstrating against them unsuccessful as that policy was. At that time undercover agents said...

It seems anyway that there is in fact no real evidence and hence the case has collapsed. I wonder if the dude can sue for all the time he was kept locked up for no reason.

So you are saying the DSI director Tharit, the same man now as then is/was lying and fabricated this event?