Thaksin Shinawatra escapes 'terrorism' charge

[webfact]

Thaksin escapes 'terrorism' charge
KESINEE TAENGKHIAO,
PIYANUT TUMNUKASETCHAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- PUBLIC PROSECUTORS have dropped terrorism charges against fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in connection with the unrest and riots of 2010, due to "weak evidence", attorney-general Athapol Yaisawang said.

He said it was a decision taken by his predecessor Chulasingh Vasantasingh, who cited weak evidence as reason not to prosecute Thaksin.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) submitted its reports on the terrorism charges to the Office of the Attorney-General. In addition to Thaksin, charges were also filed against 23 red-shirt protesters, allegedly connected with the 2010 political violence.

Athapol said yesterday that prosecutors had reviewed the charges against Thaksin as a separate case, because the accused was a fugitive.

Chulasingh had the final word on whether to try Thaksin because the alleged offence happened outside the country.

Office of the Attorney-General spokesman Nanthasak Pulsuk said Thaksin had only phoned in from abroad and there was no clear evidence that he had instigated people to take part in terrorism.

"Thaksin's address [to the red shirts] did not call on the protesters to violate the law by burning city halls, embassies, consulate offices, or by toppling the Constitution. The violence at the Ratchaprasong intersection was because the government used military force to reclaim the protest area - with armoured vehicles and war weapons - to disperse the red-shirt protest, leading to many injuries and deaths," he said.

DSI chief Tarit Pengdith said yesterday that the attorney-general's decision was deemed final and the DSI would not reopen the case.


-- The Nation 2013-10-11

[Chittychangchang]

What a crock of crap! Who dreams this stuff up?

CCC

[jcb2001]

There you have it. Thai justice at it's best.

Plain and Simple. All the videos of Thaksin's remarks of "destroying Bangkok" in his 2010 speeches to the red shirts . What more evidence do you need to convict this man.

Edited October 10, 2013 by jcb2001

[Tatsujin]

Well, no surprise there then.

[Roadman]

Even with Seh Dueang prior to his being taken out admitting on television that Thaksin was calling the shots.

No suprises thou as agencies in a democracy who should be representing the people are under the kowtow of the Shinawatras. The criminal fugitive's sister as the puppet PM shows her utter stupidity by spouting crap on the world stage that Thailand is democratic. Yeah right.

[trainman34014]

Just his financial contributions alone were enough to incite violence let alone the rhetoric. Seems the amnesty bill has already been passed; typical Thailand, turn your back on reality, turn the other cheek and.....NEXT !

[Marcel1]

Taksin's charges dropping one by one... 2.2t baht loan is getting through. My guess is that someone is coming back to collect his lost revenue.

[gemini81]

But he can't escape karma, nor his insecurities that gnaw at him.

[mrtoad]

There you have it. Thai justice at it's best.

Plain and Simple. All the videos of Thaksin's remarks of "destroying Bangkok" in his 2010 speeches to the red shirts . What more evidence do you need to convict this man.

And they haven't even charged him for instigating 2009 either.

There is no surpise here, The Con is on, and Thaksin's puppet government will absolve him of all wrong doing.

[WhizBang]

Another DSI Thaksin/Red/UDD whitewash. Disgraceful Thailand.

[GeorgeO]

And whilst all of this bullsh1t is going on, the rift between the two major factions of this society just gets wider and wider.

What happens now to the "murder" charges against Abhisit and Suthep? If this kind of treatment is thought to be 'reasonable' for the PTP, the red shirts and their 'true' Prime Minister, then why should the Democrats be treated any differently?

I have always said that a coup was not the way forward, as I think the only way to dispose of these crooks, once and for all, is through the ballot box. Sadly, the followers of this mafia, which thinly disguises itself as a government, are just too plain stupid to see through the facade, so there may be little choice left to those who oppose them.

[kotsak]

I am surprised that everyone was surprised.. :>

[firestar]

These are the same commisions, departments and justice system that were uncriticizable when the shoe was on the other foot post-coup. Funny to see how when it fits ones political view they are above all criticism but corrupt when it doesn't.

Edited October 11, 2013 by firestar

[siampolee]

DSI chief Tarit Pengdith said yesterday that the attorney-general's decision was deemed final and the DSI would not reopen the case.

The above comment was made as a large lunch box containing the necessary items to sustain ones well being was delivered to and opened by T.D.S.I. chief Tarit Pengdith.

''Indeed manna from heaven'' he was later heard to exclaim.

[ratcatcher]

He may have been absolved by the OAG & the court, but he still has to set foot in Thailand and that is when the knives and guns will come out.

He is a wanted man, wanted by those who adore him and by those who hate him.

[firestar]

There you have it. Thai justice at it's best.

Plain and Simple. All the videos of Thaksin's remarks of "destroying Bangkok" in his 2010 speeches to the red shirts . What more evidence do you need to convict this man.

Links to that speech?

Not Thaksin but Nattawut Saiku made those remarks you can make that shortcut but a justice system can't.

Edited October 11, 2013 by firestar

[roger rederer]

Move along folks, nothing to see here. Dr T is innocent of any allegations made by the increasingly desperate Dems. Shouldn't you lot be in Rangsit or Lumpini with the other members of the 'People's Army'? I'm sure there's room for another 2 or 3 in the telephone box.

Yes Dr T will soon be returning in triumph so get over it or get out of it!

[NanLaew]

One step closer.

It's going to be a wonderful homecoming.

[siampolee]

Indeed Ratcatcher makes pertinent comments.

It is not about the '' state justice system'' here in Thailand, Thaksin is manipulating that without any problems at all for the time being anyway.

However as has been said the vigilante system is the one that Thaksin nor his clan or their brown nosing acolytes can control.

Also just how many of those aforementioned Thaksin support groups are infiltrated by those who desire to become the top piggy and thus be able to command the biggest portion of the swill from the trough of corruption?

''Keep your enemies close but keep your friends closer,'' along with that considering the various filial factions in the Thaksin clan Thaksin would do well to remember that ''a divided house is an easily destroyed house.''

His multi facet minds are indeed being and are going to be taxed to the limit to maintain his hold on his aim of ultimate power.

[animatic]

DSI head works for the Thaksin clan, quite obviously for some time,

so his evidence is weak...big surprise. BS floats to the top in most cesspools.

[waza]

I guess the banks never kept a record of the money trail coming from Thakin, through his sisters accounts to the Redshirt hired goons.

Edited October 11, 2013 by waza

[siampolee]

What I personally find perplexing is the fact that Thaksin has not returned of his own accord.

In his multi faceted mind sets he is the savior of the Thai people and innocent of any wrongdoing thus there is no need for a government whitewash cosmetic makeover.

Hundreds of thousands would be wherever Thaksin set foot on Thai soil upon his return to welcome him, a triumphant cavalcade of loyal fans to escort him to the seat of honour and ultimate power.

Come on Thaksin do come back A.S.A.P. Let us see you live your dream or is it that you are afraid your dream will become your living nightmare?

Perhaps though Thaksin's supporters do not want him back having tasted from the dish of corruption set upon the table, having partaken of the 30 pieces of silver for their services and still doing so. Perhaps the families of the luckless Red Shirt pawns still incarcerated and a multitude of somewhat disillusioned red Shirts may now have seen through the facade of Red Shirted leadership and are not to be relied upon or even trusted to rally to the cause having been duped before.

Or truth is perhaps Thaksin is afraid to return, many an enemy in many a camp, perhaps this whole scenario is being played out slowly so as to delay or forestall any unfortunate incidents that may befall Thaksin, his family and their brown nosing acolytes upon his often promised return to Thailand and of course to safeguard the addiction that a number of political, military police and (un) civil servants figures have for power and income too!!.

Playing power games becomes a veritable tangle of friends and foes, in that tangle one is not sure who is who, what is what, and what and who is to be trusted.

A bit more regarding Thaksins possible return and the consequences of such an action I posted a while back

[X pat]

I don't know which is worst for corruption,Thailand or America.

[alant]

somewhat bewildered by the farang anti Thaksin barrage

[firestar]

What I personally find perplexing is the fact that Thaksin has not returned of his own accord.

In his multi faceted mind sets he is the savior of the Thai people and innocent of any wrongdoing thus there is no need for a government whitewash cosmetic makeover.

Hundreds of thousands would be wherever Thaksin set foot on Thai soil upon his return to welcome him, a triumphant cavalcade of loyal fans to escort him to the seat of honour and ultimate power.

Come on Thaksin do come back A.S.A.P. Let us see you live your dream or is it that you are afraid your dream will become your living nightmare?

Perhaps though Thaksin's supporters do not want him back having tasted from the dish of corruption set upon the table, having partaken of the 30 pieces of silver for their services and still doing so. Perhaps the families of the luckless Red Shirt pawns still incarcerated and a multitude of somewhat disillusioned red Shirts may now have seen through the facade of Red Shirted leadership and are not to be relied upon or even trusted to rally to the cause having been duped before.

Or truth is perhaps Thaksin is afraid to return, many an enemy in many a camp, perhaps this whole scenario is being played out slowly so as to delay or forestall any unfortunate incidents that may befall Thaksin, his family and their brown nosing acolytes upon his often promised return to Thailand and of course to safeguard the addiction that a number of political, military police and (un) civil servants figures have for power and income too!!.

Playing power games becomes a veritable tangle of friends and foes, in that tangle one is not sure who is who, what is what, and what and who is to be trusted.

A bit more regarding Thaksins possible return and the consequences of such an action I posted a while back

The worst thing that could happen to Thaksin is that a Democrat led initiative brings him back to Thailand.

Partly by reaction to raging anti-Thaksin sentiment do many still vote for him, bring him back and the internal fighting begins, as long as he stays in exile he stays in power. And god forbid he dies abroad, his opponents will never be forgiven and Thaksin's clan will rule for the next 20 years.

[fab4]

Another DSI Thaksin/Red/UDD whitewash. Disgraceful Thailand.

Notwithstanding the embarassingly loaded "escapes" tag line from the Nation, you do realise that it is the Attorney General who made this decision not the DSI Cief, Tharit.

You may also want to keep in mind that both the Attorney General and DSI Chief were appointed by Abhisit. Was there any criticism of those characters during the Abhisit years?

It is more likely that after Abhisit had made the first accusation of terrorism (a convenient post 9/11 buzz word used to excuse any kind of difficulty any government found itself in) words were whispered into his ear by the Insurance Companies about the fact that they would refuse to pay up if terrorism was involved, which brings us neatly to the present day.

[alfalfa19]

Wow, whoda thunkit? Never saw this coming in a million years.

[ratcatcher]

somewhat bewildered by the farang anti Thaksin barrage

You'd be even more bewildered by the Thai anti Thaksin "barrage" if you could hear it.

What you call a 'barrage' is a few Thai Visa forum members airing their opinions. Don't let it bother you.

There aren't 65 million Thaksin fans out there either.

[webfact]

Terrorism charges dropped against ex-PM Thaksin
By English News



BANGKOK, Oct 11 – Thailand’s public prosecutors have dropped charges of terrorism against ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra for his alleged involvement in the 2010 political upheaval in Bangkok, it was officially announced yesterday.

Newly-appointed Attorney General Attapol Yaisawang said the decision was made by his predecessor Chulasingh Watasangtasingh following a proposal by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

Mr Thaksin allegedly collaborated with 23 leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) in instigating unrest during the government of Abhisit Vejjajiva.

According to the DSI, the fugitive prime minister addressed and appeared on a video link and social media Twitter from abroad, urging protestors in Bangkok and upcountry to fight for democracy. He also attacked the Surayuth Chulanond and Abhisit Vejjajiva governments which came to power after the military coup.

The Attorney General ruled that Mr Thaksin did not persuade the demonstrators to violate the law by setting fire to provincial administration buildings, embassies and consulates, nor did he instigate the protesters to unlawfully abolish the Constitution.

The Attorney General reportedly said the violence at Bangkok’s Rajprasong intersection came on the heels of the government’s assigning the military to put pressure on the demonstrators and encircle the rally site with armoured vehicles, and the use of war weapons resulted in many deaths and injuries.

The protest spread to the provinces where four city halls were torched and instigators set bombs and fired into commercial banks and government buildings.

The Attorney General said there was no information to connect former premier Thaksin with the incidents, and evidence was insufficient to determine that Mr Thaksin collaborated in the unrest, urged other people to do so, or that hebsupported terrorism.

The opinions were jointly agreed by the DSI and a public prosecutor working committee but the Attorney General is the sole person authorised to make a decision as the case involved a suspect residing overseas, said Mr Attapol. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-10-11

[Tatsujin]

Bought and paid for. The triumphant return will happen very soon perhaps.