Thai anti-graft panel to charge hundreds of Thai MPs

[Lite Beer]

Thai anti-graft panel to charge hundreds of MPs

BANGKOK, January 7, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's anti-graft panel said Tuesday it would press charges against hundreds of politicians, mostly from the party of embattled Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, over a failed attempt to amend the constitution.

The ruling adds to the political uncertainty in the kingdom, where the main opposition party is boycotting February elections called by Yingluck in an unsuccessful attempt to end weeks of mass anti-government protests.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) -- whose mandate includes investigating possible abuse of power -- cleared 73 politicians including Yingluck of wrongdoing in connection with a bid to make the senate, the legislature's upper house, fully elected.

But 308 others from the upper and lower houses were found to have violated the law, based on a preliminary investigation, by drafting or proposing changes to the charter, panel spokesman Vicha Mahakun told reporters.

If officially found guilty by the commission their cases will be sent to the upper house of parliament, which has the power to ban them from politics for five years.

Yingluck's supporters see the case as one of a number of political manoeuvres aimed at removing her Puea Thai party from power.

Protesters seeking to curb the political dominance of the premier's billionaire family have vowed to block the February 2 election. They have the support of many in the kingdom's elite.

The demonstrators want an unelected "people's council" to run the country to oversee vague reforms, such as an end to alleged "vote buying" through populist policies, before new elections are held.

The anti-government movement is threatening to "shut down" Bangkok from January 13, with measures including setting up protest stages around the capital and cutting off power and water to government buildings.

They held a second "warm-up" march on Tuesday with thousands marching through the capital's riverside districts.

Security officials said Tuesday that Yingluck was ready to declare a state of emergency if needed next week.

"Everything has been prepared to declare emergency rule if the protests seem likely to escalate into violence, for example with attacks on people, buildings or acts of terrorism," National Security Council chief Paradorn Pattanatabut told reporters.

"Soldiers would be deployed at public buildings while police would act as fast response units and on the frontline," he said.

Thailand has been periodically convulsed by political bloodshed since Yingluck's older brother Thaksin Shinawatra was overthrown by royalist generals in a coup in 2006.

Eight people have been killed and about 400 wounded in recent street violence.

Legal rulings have played an important role in politically turbulent Thailand in the past, and Yingluck's opponents fear her party could fall victim to another judicial or military coup.

The attempt to reform the senate would have returned it to its pre-coup structure -- -- something observers say the establishment wants to avoid in order to limit Thaksin's electoral dominance.

Puea Thai deputy spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said those charged were only doing their duty.
"They were MPs and their job was to issue laws," he said, adding that most of the lawmakers under investigation were planning to run in the upcoming election.

Yingluck's government still enjoys strong support in the north and northeast of the country and is expected to win the polls if they go ahead.

Adding to the uncertainty, the army chief has refused to rule out launching another coup.

But Thaksin's "Red Shirt" supporters have warned of a possible uprising if the military intervenes again.

"Once a coup takes place Red Shirts and all democracy-loving people will retaliate and Thailand will not be the same again," Red Shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan said Tuesday.

The recent civil strife is the worst since 2010, when more than 90 people were killed in a bloody military crackdown on pro-Thaksin Red Shirt protests under the previous government.

Ex-deputy premier Suthep Thaugsuban, who is leading the current protests, is due in court Wednesday to face a murder indictment over those deaths but it is unclear if he will attend.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-01-07

[TVGerry]

Good! This is one of the good things that came out of the so called reconcillation bill failing!

[angsta]

Ban them from politics for 5 years? That was so successful last time Abhisit you moron...

[JetsetBkk]

But 308 others from the upper and lower houses were found to have violated the law, based on a preliminary investigation, by drafting or proposing changes to the charter, panel spokesman Vicha Mahakun told reporters.

So it is against the law - and worthy of being barred for 5 years - to "draft or propose changes to the charter"?

By "charter", is Mr Vicha Mahakun talking about the constitution?

Good grief! This country is on the way to joining Bangladesh at the top of the "failed democracy" list.

[Prbkk]

Yes, anyone unfamiliar with the 'Thai Way' read right: graft charges for trying to make a partly appointed legislature fully elected. Has so many westerners outraged and up in arms, via the keyboard

[clockman]

Anything in Thailand about these people, Its all talk. Never believe anything they say. Love the sound of there own voices. Another thing. No Jail space left.

[cooked]

So this is where it stops being funny.

[scorecard]

Yes, anyone unfamiliar with the 'Thai Way' read right: graft charges for trying to make a partly appointed legislature fully elected. Has so many westerners outraged and up in arms, via the keyboard

You write rubbish.

[DrTuner]

Reform 101: Ban them from politics. Forever.

[Robby nz]

Ban them from politics for 5 years? That was so successful last time Abhisit you moron...

if you even knew a little bit about what was going on in this country you would know that before they lost the election the Dems had a bill before the house that would have increased the term of ban to life.

This was dumped when PT took over.

You should also realize that the 220 who have just come back from their ban were in fact convicted of corruption and the ban was in fact the same thing as a jail term.

That means they are convicted fraudsters and they have been welcomed back with open arms by PT where they will fit in perfectly.

[geriatrickid]

The investigation only says that there are sufficient grounds in which to bring charges. It is not a finding of guilt. The cases have to go through a judicial inquiry and often, the charges cannot be proven, or the "evidence" is shown to be unreliable. In other cases, the evidence is sufficient to obtain a guilty verdict, in which case, the guilty party should indeed suffer the penalty.

The charges may have been politically motivated, but that doesn't mean they may not be valid. I would expect that most will be dismissed. That being said, by the time the cases make their way through court, the PTP will have been re-elected and the MPs sitting for at least 2 years.The Democrats also face politically motivated charges that could see the party dissolved if successful. Again, while unlikely, it is doubtful the case(s) will be resolved anytime soon.

Some of you will be enjoying PM Yingluck for another term of office. Isn't that marvelous?

Edited January 7, 2014 by geriatrickid

[theslime]

Yes, anyone unfamiliar with the 'Thai Way' read right: graft charges for trying to make a partly appointed legislature fully elected. Has so many westerners outraged and up in arms, via the keyboard

I didn,t read of any westerners up in arms about changing the senate, Corruption yes, State Murder yes, Failed Flood scam yes, Failed Rice Scam yes, Land Scams yes,Pay no Tax Scam yes, Lying Police Stories yes,Protesters being set upon, yes Bombing of Protest Leaders Homes yes Trying to get their opinions across either way on TV, yes Amnesty Bill, yes and you a few times.But no, not much about the Senate Scam. Over to you red leader one.

[bubblegum]

Yes, anyone unfamiliar with the 'Thai Way' read right: graft charges for trying to make a partly appointed legislature fully elected. Has so many westerners outraged and up in arms, via the keyboard

Are you Thai ? If not you should realize that most democratic countries have a "upper" and "lower" chamber, or in my case a 1st and 2nd. Where the people elected draft bill in legislation and once accepted it goes to the senate (upper house / 1st house) where NON elected members, who gain no votes about the way they vote decide if or if not the bill is legit.

Now if you have the same people in both house you might as well dismember one of them since it would be of no use !

So quoting another member on this forum " ALL you write is rubbish"

Edited January 7, 2014 by bubblegum

[ggold]

Now if you have the same people in both house you might as well dismember one of them since it would be of no use !

dismember, Hmmn I can think of one or two who need dismembering. Chalerm promised to cut off his head, but obviously, he can't decide which part of his body that is!

[Robby nz]

Yes, anyone unfamiliar with the 'Thai Way' read right: graft charges for trying to make a partly appointed legislature fully elected. Has so many westerners outraged and up in arms, via the keyboard

Another one who has no idea of whats going on.

There was no problem with making the senate fully elected the opposition agreed.

Where the trouble started was with the add ons.

That family and friends of sitting MP's and cabinet ministers could become senators.

That the 6 year term be abolished and senators could be there for life.

These two combined meant that a party in power could stack the senate with their supporters and therefore eliminate the check on the lower house, that was why the opposition voted against the bill .

Then came the sneaky way in which the bill was passed, that was why it ended up before the court.

Now that shysterism is coming back to haunt PT.

[ramrod711]

Ban them from politics for 5 years? That was so successful last time Abhisit you moron...

Abhisit? He has been charged with murder, is no longer an MP, and is definitely not a member of the NACC.

[selftaopath]

"police would act as fast response ... " lol lol lol oh man that's a good one.

[ginjag]

The investigation only says that there are sufficient grounds in which to bring charges. It is not a finding of guilt. The cases have to go through a judicial inquiry and often, the charges cannot be proven, or the "evidence" is shown to be unreliable. In other cases, the evidence is sufficient to obtain a guilty verdict, in which case, the guilty party should indeed suffer the penalty.

The charges may have been politically motivated, but that doesn't mean they may not be valid. I would expect that most will be dismissed. That being said, by the time the cases make their way through court, the PTP will have been re-elected and the MPs sitting for at least 2 years.The Democrats also face politically motivated charges that could see the party dissolved if successful. Again, while unlikely, it is doubtful the case(s) will be resolved anytime soon.

Some of you will be enjoying PM Yingluck for another term of office. Isn't that marvelous?

You just sent me a detailed reply to another topic, then come out with this pig sick wind up post. We all have to believe GK Yingluck back in after a landslide un opposed win. Your minority posters may well be right about your next government -but will be very shy after when the courts throw them out of office.

[aguy30]

angsta, on 07 Jan 2014 - 19:30, said:

Ban them from politics for 5 years? That was so successful last time Abhisit you moron...

Interesting that you call Abhisit a moron.

I would like to know in what ways you exceed him. Would that be Education? Intellect? Achievements? Finances? Career? What?

Maybe the one that you might exceed him is having a bigger belly.

[fab4]

"The attempt to reform the senate would have returned it to its pre-coup structure -- -- something observers say the establishment wants to avoid in order to limit Thaksin's electoral dominance."

And that's what it's all about - unconstitutional, my A!

[Bluespunk]

Ban them from politics for 5 years? That was so successful last time Abhisit you moron...

Ok. Read story three times now. Can't see any mention of Abhisit, I can see the law being upheld but nothing about Abhisit.

[aguy30]

Prbkk, on 07 Jan 2014 - 19:32, said:

Yes, anyone unfamiliar with the 'Thai Way' read right: graft charges for trying to make a partly appointed legislature fully elected. Has so many westerners outraged and up in arms, via the keyboard

You should, but probably don't feel embarrassed for what you post.

[wprime]

Zzz AFP always seems to word their articles to be pro - government.

[Spartakos]

I suggest to reform the PTP party to be composed of just 1 person think how much trouble it would save the country. Cut the brigade of useless cronies and just direct all the stolen money to 1 account. Simplicity is the key.

Saves so much trouble memmorising the useless names and looking for a guilty individual.

Edited January 7, 2014 by Spartakos

[aguy30]

Spartakos, on 07 Jan 2014 - 21:46, said:

I suggest to reform the PTP party to be composed of just 1 person think how much trouble it would save the country. Cut the brigade of useless cronies and just direct all the stolen money to 1 account. Simplicity is the key.

http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/162240/dictatorship

dictatorship, form of government in which one person or a small group possesses absolute power without effective constitutional limitations.

I can think of someone who might have that as the ultimate dream. Can anyone guess who I'm thinking of?

[fab4]

Ban them from politics for 5 years? That was so successful last time Abhisit you moron...

if you even knew a little bit about what was going on in this country you would know that before they lost the election the Dems had a bill before the house that would have increased the term of ban to life.

This was dumped when PT took over.

You should also realize that the 220 who have just come back from their ban were in fact convicted of corruption and the ban was in fact the same thing as a jail term.

That means they are convicted fraudsters and they have been welcomed back with open arms by PT where they will fit in perfectly.

And if you knew a bit more you wouldn't keep on posting rubbish.

Firstly it wasn't 220 MP's who were banned for 5 years, it was 110.

Secondly they were not all guilty of corruption - they were executive members of the TRT political party that was dissolved after it's Chief Executive Officer, General Thammarak Isaragura na Ayuthaya was found guilty of electoral fraud.

Thirdly, said General Thammarak Isaragura na Ayuthaya has just been aquitted of those charges and therefore the TRT should theoretically not have been dissolved.

Incidentally the Democrat Party who were accused at the same time of bribing smaller parties to expose the involvement of high-profile Thai Rak Thai party members in election fraud in April 2006 were acquitted of all charges

[Local Drunk]

Yes, anyone unfamiliar with the 'Thai Way' read right: graft charges for trying to make a partly appointed legislature fully elected. Has so many westerners outraged and up in arms, via the keyboard

Seriously work on your grammar and you could be a star here... Then again, how else could we post and respond except via the keyboard.

[Mampara]

angsta, on 07 Jan 2014 - 19:30, said:

Ban them from politics for 5 years? That was so successful last time Abhisit you moron...

Interesting that you call Abhisit a moron.

I would like to know in what ways you exceed him. Would that be Education? Intellect? Achievements? Finances? Career? What?

Maybe the one that you might exceed him is having a bigger belly.

Now that we are getting off the subject, did u know that Thai women just love men with big bellies! and another thing is if u have a bigger belly u are never lonely because when u go to sleep your belly always sleeps next to u.

[manarak]

Zzz AFP always seems to word their articles to be pro - government.

yes, most french journalists are leftists

[Scamper]

" ... with attacks on people, buildings or acts of terrorism "

Strange. For a moment one would have thought the administration was referring to Ratchaprason. They must be somehow confusing this protest with Nuttawutt.

" Soldiers would be deployed at public buildings while police would act as fast response units and on the frontline," he said.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is not a French general dictating strategy during a futile World War I campaign. It is how this administration is prepared to handle a peaceful protest, fending off crowds of people armed with scarves, whistles, and handbags. Let us all sit back and bask in Nuttawutt's particular brand of democracy, where true democratic expression is not represented by this but rather apparently personified by the spread of fire.