Thaksin Returns As Pm

[Plus]

Wow!!!! Now that's evidence. People walking up and down a corridor, that's gota be a hanging offense. As CubaGjr. said in Jerry McGuire.... "Show me the money!!!" You'd have to be living in dreamland and on drugs to see it anywhere in those pics. You can't tell what they are doing, hope the Democrats have better evidence than this otherwise they are wasting the courts time.

This video corraborates witness' accounts that the money has changed hands on that same day in that same location between these same people.

Isn't it the party that already have been dismantled for accepting the bribes?

The video shows enough evidence to link "convicted" bribe takers to bribe givers.

It's not a criminal case, the criteria for "reasonable doubt" are different or do not apply altogether. They don't need fingerprints, for example.

[Old Man River]

Wow!!!! Now that's evidence. People walking up and down a corridor, that's gota be a hanging offense. As CubaGjr. said in Jerry McGuire.... "Show me the money!!!" You'd have to be living in dreamland and on drugs to see it anywhere in those pics. You can't tell what they are doing, hope the Democrats have better evidence than this otherwise they are wasting the courts time.

This video corraborates witness' accounts that the money has changed hands on that same day in that same location between these same people.

Isn't it the party that already have been dismantled for accepting the bribes?

The video shows enough evidence to link "convicted" bribe takers to bribe givers.

It's not a criminal case, the criteria for "reasonable doubt" are different or do not apply altogether. They don't need fingerprints, for example.

The witnesses were lying. The people on the tape were actually discussing the upcoming World Cup. Where is the proof needed to prove otherwise? Right now it is simply one person's word against another's. I am all for disbanding the TRT for many reasons, but if done it should be based on fact, not opinions. Surely, the Demo's can do better than this.

[sriracha john]

but then,... what exactly is the TRT offering up?... the 4-star General ... the HEAD of Defence is saying they don't even have these cameras in the locations described... ergo, all the photos and video are forged and fake...

using what?... actors?...

but then, who is the actor portraying the General, himself?

OR is saying these photos aren't from his office building... then where? the Emporium?

the strength of a case is often determined by how the defense (in a legal sense of the word)... explains the evidence put forth by the prosecution.

and right now... they are sounding ... mmmm.. how to put it?

not so good.

[Plus]

Investigation panel already pointed to Thamarak as one of high ranking TRT members who paid bribes to small parties, even without a video.

They traced the money transfers and have details of all the meetings. Small parties have already been punished for this, we are just waiting when the EC forwards the case against TRT to courts. The current commissioners dug up their heels precisely for that reason - they can stall getting the matter to the courts as long as they are in charge.

Wasana flying to Australia together with TRT businessmen was mere coincidence, of course.

The current case is against the EC, btw, not against TRT, so this evidence is only a preview of what is coming.

[ando]

I had no idea this forum had so many QC's.

It certainly looks like a huge oversell of the so-called evidence to me.

[ando]

66% of Thais don't care about the laws, however. From now on TRT will completely ignore its reputation in Bangkok and among the middle class and focus on developing greed and avarice of rural population.

avarice

n 1: reprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealth (personified as one of the deadly sins) [syn: greed, covetousness, rapacity, avaritia] 2: extreme greed for material wealth [syn: avariciousness, covetousness, cupidity]

Source: WordNet ® 2.0, © 2003 Princeton University

Those pesky peasants should show more consideration for the wealthy minority. How dare they hope for a better life for their kids.

[Plus]

Extreme greed and desire for better life are not synonyms.

Ever heard of self-sufficiency concept propagated by HM the King?

TRT has never incorporated it in their "policies", though it successfully managed to entice every villager into buying phones and motorcycles on credit, and mortgage their land for quick money.

[sriracha john]

Hmmm…The chairman of a commission…

accused of malfeasance...

for not fulfilling his responsibilities...

of abusing his authority...

and....

then...

sentenced to jail for three years…

Hmmm.....

Is this a harbinger of things to come for the illustrious Election Commission chairman?

Court sentences former audit chairman to jail

The Criminal Court judge Tuesday sentenced former State Audit Commission chairman Panya Tantiyavarong to a three-year jail term for breaching regulations when nominating candidates to the Senate to consider in selecting the new auditor-general.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=100003

[Old Man River]

Investigation panel already pointed to Thamarak as one of high ranking TRT members who paid bribes to small parties, even without a video.

They traced the money transfers and have details of all the meetings. Small parties have already been punished for this, we are just waiting when the EC forwards the case against TRT to courts. The current commissioners dug up their heels precisely for that reason - they can stall getting the matter to the courts as long as they are in charge.

Wasana flying to Australia together with TRT businessmen was mere coincidence, of course.

The current case is against the EC, btw, not against TRT, so this evidence is only a preview of what is coming.

I hope you are right that there is real, hard evidence coming as the preview is weak. At present, you can get the General for forgetting about cameras etc., but this is hardly enough to disband a political party. Tracing the money will be very, very difficult if the amounts are not material (and THB 50,000 is not material). There are too many possible excuses for flows of small amounts. In addition, while the TRT may be guiltier than sin, court decisions against powerful people in Thailand have been almost non-existant in the past. Evidence needs to be something that cannot be argued away, not something that just seems to be a certain way.

[hammered]

The corrorobrative video evidence may catch the press imagination, but in all likelihood the Dem plan is to get the Nam report (finding allegations of party buying against 2 TRT heavyweights credible, and recomending prosecution of the PM) to the election commision brought before a court, which is exactly what the EC (and almost certainly TRT) dont want.

[Old Man River]

The corrorobrative video evidence may catch the press imagination, but in all likelihood the Dem plan is to get the Nam report (finding allegations of party buying against 2 TRT heavyweights credible, and recomending prosecution of the PM) to the election commision brought before a court, which is exactly what the EC (and almost certainly TRT) dont want.

While you may be right, there is one thing that has puzzled me and I haven't seen anywhere explained. The Nam investigation was set up by the EC on behalf of the EC. Now all of a sudden the Nam report is contra to the EC, or at least what we think is against what they want. How did this all happen? If Pol. Gen. Wassana is so bad, then why did he set up the Nam investigative team in the first place? Did he make an error of judgement on what they could uncover?

[Plus]

EC was obliged to start investigations when Democrats petitioned them or get sued for dereliction of duty, as it is now, for not following up on investigative panel findings.

Right now it is simply one person's word against another's.

Thamarak's line of defence has been that he has never met the men. Obviously his words carry no weight anymore, against the produced evidence.

Question is if this evidence is admissible at all.

Money transfers have been traced already, though maybe not exactly this batch, as it was in cash.

I don't know how this particular meeting fit in the overall scheme. It was published in the Nation two weeks ago - with names, dates, and amounts. Let's wait for someone to explain it to us again.

>>>>>

The overall direction of the courts decisions is competely different from a month ago when the chance of convicting TRT was slim to none. They can't simply ignore evidence like this anymore, not after being ordered by the King to "clear the mess".

Oldmanriver, do you seriously belive that Thamarak talked about WC with the guys or you are just playing devils advocate?

[John K]

It is just my imagination or has Thaksin been noticeably absent from the public’s eye for about the last 48 hours.

I wonder how fast can he buy gold and store it offshore under another name?

[John K]

Court set trial date against EC commissioners

The Criminal Court Tuesday set the trial date against four members of the Election Commission on June 19 charging them for the dereliction of duty relating to a decision to allow additional candidates to contest the repeat vote on April 23.

The scheduling of trial date followed on heels of the Tuesday's hearing on cause.

The arraignment hearing is scheduled for Friday.

The litigation was initiated by Democrat Party deputy secretary general Thaworn Senniam.

In its list of defendants, the court singled out EC chairman Vasana Puemlarp and three EC members, Prinya Nakchudtree, Virachai Naewboonnien and Jarupat Ruangsuwan.

Although Jarupat resigned his office last Monday, he would be tried for alleged violations committed before.

In his plaintiff writ, Thaworn named the EC and EC secretary general Ekachai Warunprapha as potential defendants. The court ruled that the two had no bearing on the case.

For commencing trial, the court said it found cause to suspect the four defendants for involving in criminal and electoral violations stemming from the management of the repeat vote.

The upcoming trial will focus on the four defendants' management of the repeat vote for 38 constituencies located in 15 provinces.

A key legal question is whether the decision to allow the additional registration triggered candidacy frauds by candidates running in multi-constituencies between the April 2 election and the repeat vote.

Thaworn said he wanted to set precedents on the electoral management because the EC had heightened voter's discontent by its decision seen as favourable to the Thai Rak Thai Party to overcome the 20-per cent rule.

After the ruling party's candidates failed to muster the support of 20 per cent of eligible voters to declare victory in the unopposed race, the EC went out of its way to help propping up additional candidates, he said.

He also said he would oppose bail applications from the four defendants on grounds that they should be locked up to speed up the trial proceedings. The detention of the four defendants might prevent them for causing damage to the new election, he added.

The Nation

[sriracha john]

meanwhile... the TRT Cabinet just goes right along with the EC like nothing has been derailed... like no one has been told to resign... like they have not a care in the world.... and end up...with lo and behold, a "new" election date:

Cabinet approves Oct 15 re-election

BANGKOK, May 30 (TNA) - The Cabinet has approved the new polling date on Oct15 as proposed by the Election Commission, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-Ngam announced on Tuesday.

Speaking to journalists after the weekly Cabinet meeting, Dr. Wissanu said the Cabinet chaired by caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra approved the new election date, and MPs are allowed to switch party membership within nine days from Tuesday until Thursday June 8.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=100005

[Plus]

Here are the quotes about the guys in the video:

The EC on Friday decided to dissolve Pattana Chartthai Party and Thai Ground Party after the EC's sub-committee found there were grounds to the allegation that they were hired to run in the April 2 election.

Pattana Chart Thai Party leader Bunthaweesak Amornsin and directors Chawakarn Tosawat and Suksan Chaithet would likely face charges of violating criminal law and the Election Act for Senators and MPs...

Chawakan Tosawat, candidate from Pattana Chat Thai, gave his statement detailing the financial link between his party and the ruling party...

In regard to culprits involved, the panel found that a total of 140 candidates from the two small parties had filed false records for party membership in order to qualify for the race.

It singled out two Thai Rak Thai executives, Thamarak Isarangura and Pongsak Ruktapongpisal, as masterminds in the funding of small parties.

http://nationmultimedia.com/search/page.ne...d=5&id=30002338

http://nationmultimedia.com/search/page.ne...d=5&id=30002269

http://nationmultimedia.com/search/page.ne...d=2&id=30003811

[Siripon]

What will be fun is seeing how many TRT heavyweights come to Thammarak's defence. Minister Pongthep said in an interview he knew nothing,the journalists would have to ask Thammarak himself.

You won't see them for dust!

Disarray rules in TRT, that's for sure.

[stumonster]

they might wish to get a few into the witness box and induce them to perjure themselves, knowing they have the evidence to shoot them down.

[sriracha john]

oooohhhhh noooooooo...... say it ain't so, Joe :

THAKSIN VENTS FURY

Thamarak blasted over video links

Minister in denial; TRT's legal team is ordered to find a plausible explanation for damning photos

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday slammed caretaker Defence Minister Thamarak Isarangura over security camera footage linking him with allegations that the Thai Rak Thai Party hired smaller parties to run in the April elections, a source said.

Thaksin was quoted as saying: "Why was it so obvious? It is on state premises. Whoever sees it knows where it is. They are so clear that we know who is in them. It is damning evidence. How can you come up with a defence?"

Continued here (with lots more juicy tidbits):

http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/05/31/hea...es_30005339.php

-------------------------------------------

Bangkok Herald-Examiner:

Later on and while openly weeping, Thaksin was heard to exclaim to General Thamarak...

"I can't believe TRT is going to be dismantled and I'm going to jail ... just because of you!! Idiot!! Did you learn nothing from me?? I thought I taught you morons the fine art of bribery passing better than this!!

He was then seen aimlessly wondering the halls of Government House mumbling to himself while still crying like a lonely teen-age girl without a prom-dance date.

Edited May 30, 2006 by sriracha john

[John K]

I could say a lot more but this is only a snapshot in time. Tomorrow’s news will bring new spices for this stew.

On the new news clippings you just added it adds support to the fact he seated unqualified people. If they can’t run things without Thaksin then they should not be there.

As in comparison, George Bush is an idiot surrounded by smart people. In this case it appears to be to opposite. I must admit image is everything in Thailand, and the image is that Thaksin is the only one who is not an idiot. Oh well a few more faces being stepped on again by him.

Have we come full circle yet?

This is worth a second read. It sounds like he is discovering the down side of not having qualified people.

If you build your house in a swamp, the foundation is bound to crack and leak.

Edited May 30, 2006 by john Krukowski

[lukamar]

It always worries me when some reasonably intelligent people can't seem to see what is happening.

Forget about TS and the TRT for a moment, pretend the don't exist, think like a Democrat organizer for a second.

The Democrats know they don't have a hope of forming the government in the next election, if something very drastic does not happen soon. Their alliance with the PAD did not see a huge downturn in TRT votes, the TRT did not implode, they have not made any inroads in the rural north and the King nixed their Article 7 bid. Politically they are not in good shape. The Democrats are now bringing suit against any and everyone hoping that the courts will find someone, anyone, guilty of something to strengthen their position for the next election. For them the "Hail Marry Pass" is the dissolution of the TRT just like Article 7 was during the boycott, but they will settle for any crumb the courts would give them and run with it for all it is worth. This is all political posturing for the next election and anyone that thinks that the Democrats, or any other party, would never sink to that low level. has been in the sun too long.

[penzman]

I could say a lot more but this is only a snapshot in time. Tomorrow’s news will bring new spices for this stew.

On the new news clippings you just added it adds support to the fact he seated unqualified people. If they can’t run things without Thaksin then they should not be there.

As in comparison, George Bush is an idiot surrounded by smart people. In this case it appears to be to opposite. I must admit image is everything in Thailand, and the image is that Thaksin is the only one who is not an idiot. Oh well a few more faces being stepped on again by him.

Have we come full circle yet?

This is worth a second read. It sounds like he is discovering the down side of not having qualified people.

If you build your house in a swamp, the foundation is bound to crack and leak.

... and you' be covered with leeches, surrounded by crawling snakes , slow moving turtles and all kinds of unwanted political critters.

Edited May 30, 2006 by penzman

[sriracha john]

PM passes the buck to Gen Thammarak

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was visibly annoyed yesterday when pressed by reporters to comment on closed-circuit TV printouts revealed by Democrat party Secretary-General Suthep Thaugsuban that allegedly show leaders of small political parties receiving payments at the Defense Ministry in exchange for fielding candidates in the April 2 election.

Thaksin said he has assigned caretaker Defense Minister Gen Thammarak Isarangura Na Ayutthaya to clarify the matter, adding that he believed the minister can handle the issue satisfactorily.

Gen Thammarak remained tight-lipped yesterday over the series of printouts produced by Suthep at a court hearing on Monday, which purportedly show leaders of some of the small parties near his office at the Defense Ministry. The Democrat party claims they were there to receive payments in exchange for fielding candidates in the April 2 election, which was later nullified.

Thaksin also dismissed questions whether the issue was raised at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, saying that only affairs of the state were discussed.

Meanwhile, Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva called on all concerned to provide the facts instead of playing politics and adding to the confusion.

Abhisit poured scorn over Gen Thammarak’s earlier statements denying that he knew, or had met, the leaders of the small parties. “If that was true, what were these people doing at the Defense Ministry? I think it’s better to talk facts and stop causing more confusion to the public,” Abhisit said.

The printouts received extensive coverage in the media. Political analysts said they have seriously dented the credibility of the Thai Rak Thai party.

- TD

[sriracha john]

EDITORIAL

New smoking gun implicates TRT

Thaksin and Thai Rak Thai have tried to distance themselves from Thamarak. They say the deputy party leader must explain to the public whether a meeting between him and a senior member of an obscure political party actually took place on March 3 at the Defence Ministry, as claimed by Suthep and supposedly corroborated by photographic evidence. But since Thamarak is a deputy Thai Rak Thai leader, Thaksin and the party's executive committee will find it difficult to avoid sharing the blame if Thamarak is proven to have committed such serious electoral fraud.

Earlier, Thamarak denied he had ever met with Chavakarn Tosawat, a member of the Pattana Chart Thai Party's executive committee, or any of his colleagues. He also rejected the accusation made by Suthep that he had paid the politicians or the Pattana Chart Thai Party to contest the April 2 election. The court has yet to decide whether the photos submitted by Suthep as evidence were authentic or admissible, but forgery can easily be proven by digital-imaging experts.

On the other hand, the documentary evidence shown to the court by Suthep was equally damning to the EC. Suthep says the 18-person EC subcommittee headed by former Supreme Court senior judge Nam Yimyaem presented its findings to the EC, saying there was sufficient evidence to initiate a formal investigation against Thai Rak Thai for allegedly hiring obscure parties to contest the April 2 election. The subcommittee report and recommendation leant credence to Suthep's allegation but has since been ignored by the EC.

Continued here:

http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/05/31/opi...on_30005294.php

[penzman]

This fire is spreading fast and the roof's about to collapse.

[lukamar]

Payoff visit footage met with a shrug

POST REPORTERS

Gen Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayudhaya was tight-lipped and seemingly unperturbed yesterday in the wake of what was seen as evidence supporting allegations the Thai Rak Thai party hired small parties to stand in the April elections. According to defence permanent secretary Gen Sirichai Tunyasiri, the caretaker defence minister laughed and said he knew nothing.

''He let out a laugh and told me he didn't know anything. He insists that he has never seen the person in the footage,'' said Gen Sirichai.

The permanent secretary was referring to the still images from surveillance cameras at the Defence Ministry taken on March 3 this year.

The footage showed a group of people visiting Gen Thammarak, a Thai Rak Thai deputy leader, at his office at the Defence Ministry. One in the group was said to be Chawakarn Tosawat, leader of the Pattana Chart Thai party, which was allegedly paid to contest the April 2 snap polls to help Thai Rak Thai avoid one-horse races in several constituencies.

The images were presented as evidence to the Criminal Court in one of the cases against the Election Commission (EC) on Monday by Democrat party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban.

Gen Sirichai admitted the images presented by Mr Suthep were taken from the surveillance camera at the ministry and he said he had ordered a probe to find out how they were leaked.

Gen Sirichai said the pictures from the surveillance cameras were classified.

A source at the Defence Ministry said the cameras were only operational in late-February, a few days before the visit, and said Gen Thammarak might have been unaware of their presence.

Gen Thammarak's close aide said the man on the right-hand side of the caretaker minister was a district chief in Nong Khai.

Mr Suthep yesterday insisted that the images were genuine and that he could prove their authenticity in court.

''We didn't make them up or tamper with the footage. I'm not a James Bond movie director,'' said Mr Suthep. He said he had more evidence and was ready to disclose it to the public if pressured.

Mr Suthep said the information was leaked because Gen Thammarak's aide failed to hand over the money to the small party representatives and intimidated them.

Mr Suthep also advised Thai Rak Thai to keep quiet, saying he was not after the rival party, but rather the EC.

The EC had failed to take action against Thai Rak Thai and even accused the Democrats of trying to block the elections.

EC chairman Wasana Permlarp said the photos in question were not submitted to the EC when it looked into the bankrolling allegations.

''We asked them to bring in witnesses, but they didn't. We dismissed the complaint, yet they cried foul,'' he said.

Pol Gen Wasana said this was not the first time the Democrat party had acted like this.

He said the party refused to hand over an audio tape in which Newin Chidchob, then deputy agriculture minister, allegedly directed canvassers to mobilise support for Thai Rak Thai in return for cash rewards in last year's general election.

In another case, the Criminal Court yesterday agreed to hear a lawsuit filed by Democrat deputy secretary-general Thaworn Senniam against four election commissioners for allowing failed candidates to hop constituencies for by-elections.

The four are to be summoned to hear the charges within three days while the court set June 19 for the trial's opening.

Meanwhile, the Democrat party's Thaikorn Polsuwan said he would submit his resignation to the party today after it set up a committee to probe his qualifications.

The inquiry was forced by Thai Rak Thai's claim that he is a former convict and thus barred from being a member of a political party.

Mr Thaikorn, who alleged there had been Thai Rak Thai attempts to hire small parties to contest the election, was caught on a video telling the leader of the Better Life party to implicate Thai Rak Thai in allegedly hiring Better Life to run in the by-elections following the now-invalidated general election on April 2.

[sriracha john]

He insists that he has never seen the person in the footage,'' said Gen Sirichai.

Gen Sirichai admitted the images presented by Mr Suthep were taken from the surveillance camera at the ministry and he said he had ordered a probe to find out how they were leaked.

Gen Thammarak's close aide said the man on the right-hand side of the caretaker minister was a district chief in Nong Khai.

[Plus]

The Democrats are now bringing suit against any and everyone hoping that the courts will find someone, anyone, guilty of something ...

They are pretty sure of who is guilty of what. In this case they are ###### sure that TRT bribed those small parties. Why don't you find some cases where Democrats were crying wolf, without any substance, as you claim.

Bribery is illegal in this country and the party engaged in it is not allowed to stand the elections, no matter how many votes it might get. The elections should be held according to the laws, not the laws adjusted to the projected election results.

Courts finally starting to enforce the laws make playing field level. It's everyone's right to demand justice. Democrats are surely happy about it - it's fair play, no more no less.

>>>>>>>>>

You sound just like Thaksin. When accused of something blame the accuser for having ulterior motives and avoid clearing the matter by all possible means.

Forget about TS and the TRT for a moment, pretend the don't exist, think like a Democrat organizer for a second.

Time to snap back to reality where TRT and Thaksin still pretty much rule the day and none of us are Democrat organizers.

[stumonster]

Later on and while openly weeping, Thaksin was heard to exclaim to General Thamarak...

"I can't believe TRT is going to be dismantled and I'm going to jail ... just because of you!! Idiot!! Did you learn nothing from me?? I thought I taught you morons the fine art of bribery passing better than this!!

He was then seen aimlessly wondering the halls of Government House mumbling to himself while still crying like a lonely teen-age girl without a prom-dance date.[/i][/size]

This is what happens when the real brains behind the outfit - mr 't's missus is too busy organising the expatriation of substantial ill gotten gains to oversee the distribution of the local cash.

the TR(L)T was only held together by cash , these court cases are designed to cause it to shatter into its individual groups.

[Plus]

Just to make sure, quotes from Bangkok Herald Examiner are made up by SJ.