Thai judges want special court marshals to protect them

[webfact]

Judges want special court marshals to protect them

BANGKOK: -- A leading judge is pushing for the establishment of an independent special security unit of court marshals to be appointed solely by judges to guard them at all times.

He said his fellow judges were in fear for their safety in a time of "blatant intimidation."

"Peace in this country will be at stake if judges cannot issue their verdicts in a straightforward manner because they fear for their lives," Supreme Administrative Court president Hassavut Vititviriyakul, said during the 13th anniversary of the Administrative Court.


-- The Nation 2014-03-12

[MunterHunter]

It is fast becoming a necessity... the Reds will come bearing down on them soon for the court rulings going against their paymasters.

[TVGerry]

PTP government will never assign protection to judges. After all, Reds are 'peaceful' people. They can intimidate the judges with grenades and threats and are still peaceful.

[winstonc]

an obvious request considering ..the babies who throw their toys out of their pram as well as a few bombs..

[RockyBeerbelly]

I am getting confused now, since the the PTP was elected by a majority, I thought the UDD gestapo were allowed to kill anybody they feel are opposing their democratic views? If now marshals are going to protect the judges, they take away that democratic right. You see! They are unfair and biased!

[PepperMe]

hmmmmm....

Asking for 'court marshals' an unfortunate choice of words.

[Scamper]

A long time coming, this request should be urgently adhered to in order to safeguard the rule of law.

[kurtgruen]

The judges should definitely have protection for themselves and their families, so that they can do their job without fear and intimidation.

[Gunna]

I am getting confused now, since the the PTP was elected by a majority, I thought the UDD gestapo were allowed to kill anybody they feel are opposing their democratic views? If now marshals are going to protect the judges, they take away that democratic right. You see! They are unfair and biased!

Excellent, I totally agree

[Artisi]

Seeing as how lunch boxes don't work anymore, the next step is intimidation with violence - so it seems a reasonable request to have 24/7 security round the only people who seem to have the balls to call out the PTP and their corruption.

[samtam]

hmmmmm....

Asking for 'court marshals' an unfortunate choice of words.

Yes, confusing when there is a limited understanding of English, (not your's I hasten to add), but of course that to which you are referring is termed

"COURTS MARSHALL", as opposed to "COURT MARSHALLS".

[bino]

hmmmmm....

Asking for 'court marshals' an unfortunate choice of words.

Yes, confusing when there is a limited understanding of English, (not your's I hasten to add), but of course that to which you are referring is termed

"COURTS MARSHALL", as opposed to "COURT MARSHALLS".

Noooo.... I believe what PepperMe was referring to as an unfortunate choice of words would actually relate to "court-martials".

[pmugghc]

I think they'll get a sizeable budget cut instead, just like the 60% cut NACC got from the government.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Baerboxer]

I am getting confused now, since the the PTP was elected by a majority, I thought the UDD gestapo were allowed to kill anybody they feel are opposing their democratic views? If now marshals are going to protect the judges, they take away that democratic right. You see! They are unfair and biased!

You are indeed confused. PTP were not elected by a majority.

Foreign press ignored they got the largest minority and keep on referring to the landslide victory. So don't worry, you're not the only one confused!!

[Old Man River]

Seeing as how lunch boxes don't work anymore, the next step is intimidation with violence - so it seems a reasonable request to have 24/7 security round the only people who seem to have the balls to call out the PTP and their corruption.

Absolutely agree. Thailand is starting to look like Colombia.

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[WitawatWatawit]

hmmmmm....

Asking for 'court marshals' an unfortunate choice of words.

Yes, confusing when there is a limited understanding of English, (not your's I hasten to add), but of course that to which you are referring is termed

"COURTS MARSHALL", as opposed to "COURT MARSHALLS".

Noooo.... I believe what PepperMe was referring to as an unfortunate choice of words would actually relate to "court-martials".

Noooo ... he means people skilled in the marshal arts - as in herding people into the courts.

[rickirs]

Judges should be stuck with police "protection" like everyone else. Then maybe they can do something to make that organization more effective and professional. Frankly, another indepdendent organization is the last thing Thailand needs. But maybe the judges can hire Suthep's armed guards, even the military doesn't bother them.

[jayjayjayjay]

They need them because Thai politics is a joke. They are running the country now. I said it in 2006, judicial politics will dominate Thailand for 20 plus years to keep the elite in money.

Edited March 12, 2014 by jayjayjayjay

[jayjayjayjay]

A long time coming, this request should be urgently adhered to in order to safeguard the rule of law.

So when will Suthep be jailed? Or is it just a public service he is enacting? Don't worry about answering.

[bigbamboo]

It could be argued that protecting it's judges is more important to the nation than protecting it's government ministers just now.

[Cnxforever]

Now why was it that judges here are sometimes intimidated?

Maybe a good look into the mirror is in order??

My entire live I have never heard of a judge being threatened or intimidated in the country where I come from! That is because people respect the law - and nobody is above the law!

If a court thinks that it is responsible to people who are "above the law" who tell them which way certain judgments have to go - then they don't need protection but they need to be fired and replaced!

Until the country has a truly independent judiciary with judges who have the guts to stand up and have the people who try to interfere with their work arrested and thrown in jail - no matter who they are nothing will change!

Why would anybody respect somebody who tries to claim high moral ground but is just as corrupt as anybody else in this country?

[northernjohn]

A long time coming, this request should be urgently adhered to in order to safeguard the rule of law.

"safeguard the rule of law"

What a novel idea I wonder why the PTP couldn't think of some thing like that.

It does not bode well for the government with all the charges being brought up against them and the judges have to ask for protection. We know it is not Suthep who is going to attack them.

It should tell the PTP some thing when the Judges say they want to appoint the guards. Absulutly no trust in Yingluck and her band of merry ear medicine swigging band.

I don't blame them one bit.

[northernjohn]

A long time coming, this request should be urgently adhered to in order to safeguard the rule of law.

So when will Suthep be jailed? Or is it just a public service he is enacting? Don't worry about answering.

Don't let it bother you no problem at all answering a very good question.

It is a public service letting him expose the crooks.

Your welcome.

[jcb2001]

Every court in the USA has marshalls to protect the courts. I sure Europe has them also. I was surprised to hear Thailand has no dedicated protection for their judges and staff.

Very much needed.

[northernjohn]

They need them because Thai politics is a joke. They are running the country now. I said it in 2006, judicial politics will dominate Thailand for 20 plus years to keep the elite in money.

It is the same system used in the States and Canada.

When they appoint a judge to the Supreme Court it is a life time position so the one doing the appointing is in affect still having there version of the way things should go followed long after they are gone.

Don't worry about it. You will be kept safe unless you are in the way of a red shirt then the courts mean nothing.

[whoisyourdaddy]

Judges should be stuck with police "protection" like everyone else. Then maybe they can do something to make that organization more effective and professional. Frankly, another indepdendent organization is the last thing Thailand needs. But maybe the judges can hire Suthep's armed guards, even the military doesn't bother them.

Do you think judges are as stupid as the UDD?

Police are useless, some can hardly hold or fire a gun, not to mention easily bribed or bought.

If judges are seriously worried about their safety, perhaps best choice would be to bring pro bodyguards from overseas or rent Swiss guard at least until everything settles and law and order is restored

[espinoza]

I think this ncountry have more judges than generals. What is the problem ????? Start from scratch, the whole country !!! Everything here is f--ked up. You do not need 3000 generals in the armed forces. You do not njeed 3000+ generals in the police forces. 3 to 8 in each would be OK.

[sundrenched]

Yes they need protection so they can do their dirty work with impunity.

[sundrenched]

If judges are seriously worried about their safety, perhaps best choice would be to bring pro bodyguards from overseas or rent Swiss guard at least until everything settles and law and order is restored.

Even better, bring in judges and politicians from overseas!

[smedly]

The army should be taking care of this by providing CPU, any other country it would be the police but unfortunately that is not possible in Thailand, they should be making the call to the armed forces as could they really trust anyone appointed by the government