Thai Court accepts murder trial of Yingluck and five top officials

[webfact]

Court accepts murder trial of Yingluck and five top officials



BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court has accepted for hearings two murder cases filed against caretaker prime minister and five top government officials in connection with the suppression of anti-government protesters on February 18 that left many deaths and injuries.

The dead included the plaintiffs’ husband and son who were slain during the suppression at Phan Fah bridge.

The plaintiffs, Mrs Jongjit sae Dan, wife of the slain Sathra sae Dan, and Mrs Umaporn Angthong, mother of the slain son Jirapong Chuichai named six top government officials responsible for the deaths of the two victims in the suppression in two criminal suits filed with the Criminal Court on February 24.

Named as respective defendants are caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Center for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) head Chalerm Yoobamrung, National Police Office commissioner Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew, Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief Tarit Pengdit, Second Provincial Police commander Pol Lt-Gen Kawee Supanand, and Chonburi police commander Pol Maj-Gen Katja Thatsart.

They were accused of a conspiracy to kill and order subordinates to kill others with intent on February 18.

Two police and two protesters were killed in the skirmishes.

Their lawyer Chairat Sithisuksakul disclosed yesterday that the Criminal Court has accepted the two cases for hearing on May 26.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/court-accepts-murder-trial-yingluck-five-top-officials/


-- Thai PBS 2014-03-04

[whybother]

Given the government pushing the same charges on Abhisit and Suthep, they can't really argue against this.

[Fat Haggis]

Very misleading headline, they've been accepted for a hearing, with regards to them going on trial, they're not on trial ....yet!!

[Tatsujin]

What's good for the goose, is good for the gander.

[uty6543]

Why don't they drop charges against Abhsit, Suthep, Yingluck & co because none of them are going to be convicted and everyone is just wasting the courts time.

[lostinsurin]

Why don't they drop charges against Abhsit, Suthep, Yingluck & co because none of them are going to be convicted and everyone is just wasting the courts time.

If you have ever tried to get someone in authority in Thailand to stamp and sign a document

then you will see the problem with what you are suggesting.

But I agree with you.

Edited March 4, 2014 by lostinsurin

[saltandpepper]

Time for another amnesty bill?

[Suriya4]

Why don't they drop charges against Abhsit, Suthep, Yingluck & co because none of them are going to be convicted and everyone is just wasting the courts time.

If you have ever tried to get someone in authority in Thailand to stamp and sign a document

then you will see the problem with what you are suggesting.

But I agree with you.

I am sure the court will Why don't they drop charges against Abhsit, Suthep.

But Yingluck & co will be found guilty and go to jail.

This is Thailand.

[dinom]

what goes around comes around.

[StealthEnergiser]

how Is R Amsterdam going to spin this one ?

[Crushdepth]

Why don't they drop charges against Abhsit, Suthep, Yingluck & co because none of them are going to be convicted and everyone is just wasting the courts time.

True, the murder charges against all parties are ridiculous. But it makes a good headline and gives the faithful something to believe and wave around.

[lostinsurin]

Very misleading headline, they've been accepted for a hearing, with regards to them going on trial, they're not on trial ....yet!!

Yes and 2 police/2 protesters killed in the same clashes by whom?

I think a very difficult case to prove.

But no doubt the other legal expert TV posters can sort this out.

Edited March 4, 2014 by lostinsurin

[binjalin]

it's all a circus

none of these nonsense charges, on either side, are helpful

[dru2]

Why don't they drop charges against Abhsit, Suthep, Yingluck & co because none of them are going to be convicted and everyone is just wasting the courts time.

If you have ever tried to get someone in authority in Thailand to stamp and sign a document

then you will see the problem with what you are suggesting.

But I agree with you.

A good point. When the British sent the Crawfurd Trade Mission to Vietnam and Siam in 1820-1821 they reported back that in Vietnam it was impossible to do anything without signed, authorised documents, while in Siam nobody could be bothered with (or wanted to take responsibility for) signing anything at all. Plus ca change...

Edited March 4, 2014 by dru2

[Prbkk]

...now a fully-fledged farce..

[dru2]

it's all a circus

none of these nonsense charges, on either side, are helpful

So you say, now that your heroine has been charged. I don't remember you posting anything like this earlier with regard to Abhisit or Suthep?

[Fat Haggis]

Ha ha ha, how the red brigage will bring the "but suthep is on murder charges" now?

Isn't he?

I'm neither red, nor yellow, more like a beige kind of colour, sometimes I like to be grey.. they're all as useless as each other!!

[Thaddeus]

...now a fully-fledged farce..

It has been for quite some time, now they have just added bells to the whistles.

Alarm bells.

[huanga]

Why don't they drop charges against Abhsit, Suthep, Yingluck & co because none of them are going to be convicted and everyone is just wasting the courts time.

All is well for the ones that have not lost loved ones in these senseless protests and clashes. A better way than to acquit all of them is to send all of them to jail, I say!

[billd766]

Very misleading headline, they've been accepted for a hearing, with regards to them going on trial, they're not on trial ....yet!!

Neither are Abhisit or Suthep.

[ratcatcher]

...now a fully-fledged farce..

Try saying that a few times after 5 beers.

[than]

Sorry PT don't cry that it's another judicial coup, you set a precedent by charge former government for murder

[BeforeTigers]

The protestors were armed. That pretty much cripples the legal argument for excessive force right there.

Edited March 4, 2014 by BeforeTigers

[heybruce]

Why don't they drop charges against Abhsit, Suthep, Yingluck & co because none of them are going to be convicted and everyone is just wasting the courts time.

Are you suggesting some kind of amnesty? Good idea, who could object to that?

[uty6543]

Why don't they drop charges against Abhsit, Suthep, Yingluck & co because none of them are going to be convicted and everyone is just wasting the courts time.

All is well for the ones that have not lost loved ones in these senseless protests and clashes. A better way than to acquit all of them is to send all of them to jail, I say!

I would love to see Yingluck in jail but not for this. There are plenty of other charges that will get her sent down if she stays in Thailand. I want to see fair justice for all. Many people have given their lives to uphold the way of life we enjoy in this country and in our home countries. Protests against governments are not senseless if they are protesting for the right reasons.

[geriatrickid]

It is important that the courts accept to hear the charges, otherwise some people will continue to argue that the alleged responsible parties are culpable. Although there may be insufficient evidence upon which to render a guilty verdict, that's not the point. The court is providing an outlet for angry people to express themselves. In the west, small claims courts provide a means by which regular people can seek redress. In Thailand, the principle is expanded to the criminal court system. We all know that there is a perception, often justified, that the wealthy and powerful are immune to being held responsible. The evidence will be heard, eventually. It has taken almost 4 years for the charges against Suthep, Abhisit and others to progress. As this is the PTP, I anticipate that we may see a case in less than a year.

[ChrisY1]

...now a fully-fledged farce..

Agree...however, it will certainly raise questions in the international media

[bigbamboo]

Hmm......... so we now have Abhisit, Yingluck and of course Thaksin all with murder charges hanging over them.

Who'd want to be a PM in Thailand?

[Thailand]

Why don't they drop charges against Abhsit, Suthep, Yingluck & co because none of them are going to be convicted and everyone is just wasting the courts time.

All is well for the ones that have not lost loved ones in these senseless protests and clashes. A better way than to acquit all of them is to send all of them to jail, I say!

Yes, no messing around with hearings or trials just assume guilt and jail them all.

[Crushdepth]

...now a fully-fledged farce..

You mean it wasn't before??