Thai PM defends herself against negligence charges

[webfact]

Thai PM defends herself against negligence charges
by Aidan JONES

BANGKOK, March 31, 2014 (AFP) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra testified Monday in front of anti-graft officials over negligence charges that could lead to her removal from office and a ban from politics.

Yingluck arrived at the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) in Bangkok on Monday but made no comment to the media as she entered the building or as she left ten minutes later, an AFP reporter said.

She was summoned to answer charges linked to a controversial rice subsidy scheme, which paid farmers above market rates for their crops.

Observers say that after months of street protests, the kingdom's political crisis is lurching towards a critical new phase, with the NACC appearing set to move against the embattled premier.

"The prime minister gave verbal and written testimony... she asked the NACC to question 10 more witnesses and give more time for her lawyers to submit more evidence," commission member Pakdee Pothisiri told reporters.

"We will discuss both of these requests tomorrow... we are glad that she came, the atmosphere was good," he added.

If indicted by the anti-graft agency, the prime minister would be immediately suspended from office pending an impeachment vote in the upper house of parliament within weeks.

But Pakdee refused to be drawn on a possible timeframe for the NAAC's response and denied accusations that the commission had sped up the process to assist the anti-government movement on Bangkok's streets.

Critics say the rice scheme battered Thai finances and fostered massive corruption, simply to shore up the rural base of Yingluck and her brother, the divisive self-exiled billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra who was ousted as premier in a 2006 coup.

The issue has become a lightning rod for Yingluck's political opponents who have massed on Bangkok's streets for months in a bid to topple her government.

Yingluck has protested her innocence, but if she is found guilty faces a possible five-year ban from politics, as well as imprisonment by the courts on criminal charges.

- Political limbo -

The kingdom, riven by a festering eight-year political division, is now trapped in legislative limbo with only a caretaker government following incomplete elections in February that were later annulled by the Constitutional Court.

While the nine-strong NACC panel is an independent body, government supporters say it is politically biased against the administration.

They accuse the NACC of failing to complete a near four-year-old graft case against former premier Abhisit Vejjajiva, while a welter of graft cases against Suthep Thaugsuban -- the firebrand leader of the anti-government street movement -- also remain unheard.

In recent days Thailand's upper house Senate, which would preside over any impeachment proceedings, has moved onto centre-stage of the political drama.

Polls for the elected portion of the Senate -- representing a narrow majority of the 150-seat upper house -- were held on Sunday.
The rest of the house is appointed by institutions seen as being allied to the anti-government establishment, including the Constitutional Court and Election Commission.

But as senators do not formally represent political parties it unclear how the vote would affect the balance of power in parliament.

Anti-government protesters appear to have pinned their hopes of ousting Yingluck on the kingdom's legal agencies and the upper house.

"The NACC is an independent body... but I'm sure it will provide justice over the case," their spokesman Akanat Promphan told AFP.

-- Reds ready to defend PM --

Thailand has been bitterly split since 2006 when Thaksin, a tycoon-turned-politician who lives in Dubai to avoid prison for a corruption conviction, was ousted as prime minister by a military coup.

Pro-government "Red Shirts" have vowed to fight any attempt to remove Yingluck from office, promising a show of force on Saturday after weeks of relative quiet.

Red Shirts have vowed not to spark any violence but several hardliners have told AFP they are preparing military-style training for volunteers in the event of Yingluck being ousted.

"We have practiced strategies... If there is a coup there is likely to be bloodshed," one militant Red Shirt leader from a province in northeastern Isaan told AFP, requesting anonymity.

The Red Shirts' street rallies against the previous government in 2010 resulted in bloody street clashes and a military crackdown that left dozens dead.

Political violence, often targeting protesters, has seen 23 people killed and hundreds wounded in grenade attacks and shootings in recent months, although the bloodshed has eased since rallies were scaled back at the start of March.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-03-31

[gemini81]

Too dense to know what she's gotten herself into; let alone address the press with coherent speech that would resemble a leader. Better to keep the trap shut; at least she's learning that.

[AleG]

She was carted in on a wheelchair and left after 20 minutes, was it that hard to do that you had to have your followers threatening civil war over it?

Red Shirts have vowed not to spark any violence but several hardliners have told AFP they are preparing military-style training for volunteers in the event of Yingluck being ousted.

Maybe AFP could have deigned to point out that Red Shirts were found to have attacked the NACC with grenades a few days ago, just to put in perspective their claims of non-violence.

[Thait Spot]

I wonder if her legal team could muster the nous to tell her that "I didn't do anything" wasn't a great line of defence against a negligence charge?

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[webfact]

Yingluck gives 200 pages of defence evidence to NACC, Suranand

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Monday gave 200 pages of evidence to the National Anti-Corruption Commission to defend herself the rice-pledging malfeasance case, PM's Secretary General Suranand Vejjajiva said.

Yingluck asked the NACC to consider her documents and she would be willing to provide more information if needed.

Yingluck also told the NACC that she has prepared 11 witnesses to argue against the charges in 13 points, according to Suranand.


-- The Nation 2014-03-31

[Local Drunk]

I wasn't there isn't much of a defense.

[webfact]

Caretaker PM Yingluck appears before graft busters
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, March 31 – Thailand's National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) today expressed appreciation to caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for personally defending herself against charges of dereliction of duty in her supervision of the rice pledging scheme.

Ms Yingluck briefly gave her verbal defence before presenting a written statement to the NACC.

NACC member Prasart Pongsivapai said the premier’s presence positively signified her willingness to go through the investigation process.

Ms Yingluck asked the NACC to question more than 10 more witnesses and said she would submit more documents on the case.

Mr Prasart said the NACC will discuss tomorrow if it would agree with the premier’s request and a decision would be made based on necessities and relevant factors.

He said the NACC will definitely treat Ms Yingluck fairly and straightforwardly without any presumption (of guilt).

It was reported that 10 witnesses whom the premier wanted the NACC to interrogate were politicians and senior government officials.

Ms Yingluck was charged with dereliction of duty in her capacity as chairperson of the National Rice Police Committee, supervising the controversial rice pledging scheme. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-03-31

[Local Drunk]

Don't you know who my brother is?

[tezzainoz]

for someone who had no time

she hit the courts with 200 pages in only 15 days

wow here legal team must be working triple time

Yingluck "I am only the PM, please ask my witnesses"

[worgeordie]

Left after 10 mins,OK that was easy,defense "do you know who i am"

regards Worgeordie

[Local Drunk]

Free Radio Bangkok spins this number to Her PMness... Dedicated from all the expats who still want to shag you no matter what you've done, and no matter what twisted position that you may be in.

[Fat Haggis]

What's the big deal about the amount of time she spent there? It was a hearing, in any normal court you turn up, listen to the charge, have your lawyer speak on your behalf, make a plea whether guilty or not, they accept the plea and the hearing is normally closed in less that 10 minutes, it's only to hear the charges, make a plea, and then the rest is up to the courts to decide as and when to proceed with any trial based on evidence presented.

Some of you are like vultures, it's quite funny really, that your lives seem to revolve around whether she gets the boot or not, must be exciting in your households

I wonder what you would all do if it was decided there wasn't enough evidence to pursue her, and she remained firmly where she is?? ( you never know, it should be a possibility to consider ) as this is Thailand, full of little surprises, and I also hope that the investigations into other high profile people get the same focus of attention, after all, graft is graft, no matter how big or small, and no amount of corruption should be acceptable..

She actually turned up to hear the charges laid against her, which is more than some people have bothered doing though eh

[marcusd]

To the MODS... it is exactly about this situation and how the REDS are going on April 43 to cause CHAOS if Yingluck is in trouble. They have been sprouting off thier mouths so much that the figures for Tourism appear down 30% across the board for the same comparative period last year. (this was on this forum yesterday) So regardless of TAT this is no tit for TAT and now the effects on Thailand will be hard. So Yinny and co, what do you have to say to the people who ENTRUSTED you to care for them,?

This was in the Australian newspaper THE AGE. Now that was today and each day there has been something about this little fiasco going on here. Australia is a LARGE PART opf the tourism market to thailadn considering our small population so this certainly will not help the little shops on the soi's.

http://www.theage.com.au/world/thailands-red-shirts-gear-up-for-a-fight-20140331-zqouc.html

[ginjag]

What's the big deal about the amount of time she spent there? It was a hearing, in any normal court you turn up, listen to the charge, have your lawyer speak on your behalf, make a plea whether guilty or not, they accept the plea and the hearing is normally closed in less that 10 minutes, it's only to hear the charges, make a plea, and then the rest is up to the courts to decide as and when to proceed with any trial based on evidence presented.

Some of you are like vultures, it's quite funny really, that your lives seem to revolve around whether she gets the boot or not, must be exciting in your households

I wonder what you would all do if it was decided there wasn't enough evidence to pursue her, and she remained firmly where she is?? ( you never know, it should be a possibility to consider ) as this is Thailand, full of little surprises, and I also hope that the investigations into other high profile people get the same focus of attention, after all, graft is graft, no matter how big or small, and no amount of corruption should be acceptable..

She actually turned up to hear the charges laid against her, which is more than some people have bothered doing though eh

She was PUSHED there. before a boot on -sympathy today-wheelchair, torn ligaments -my foot!!!

[Thailand]

To the MODS... it is exactly about this situation and how the REDS are going on April 43 to cause CHAOS if Yingluck is in trouble. They have been sprouting off thier mouths so much that the figures for Tourism appear down 30% across the board for the same comparative period last year. (this was on this forum yesterday) So regardless of TAT this is no tit for TAT and now the effects on Thailand will be hard. So Yinny and co, what do you have to say to the people who ENTRUSTED you to care for them,?

This was in the Australian newspaper THE AGE. Now that was today and each day there has been something about this little fiasco going on here. Australia is a LARGE PART opf the tourism market to thailadn considering our small population so this certainly will not help the little shops on the soi's.

http://www.theage.com.au/world/thailands-red-shirts-gear-up-for-a-fight-20140331-zqouc.html

Tourism down 30% and you are referring to what the red faction might do?

Do you think it is possible that Bangkok being shutdown by a lunatic and his mob for the last few months might just have something to do with it?

[Scamper]

After using every dodging tactic in the book to avoiding meeting with the NACC, Yingluck may be wondering what was so bad with a ten-minute appearance in the first place. Keep in mind that the NACC have already conducted their investigation and documented the evidence. Yingluck's appearance was to address those charges and to answer the NACC's questions, based on what they already knew. What actually happened is that Yingluck showed up, gave them 200 pages of documents, and asked them to interview 11 people. Their decision on this will be made tomorrow. Needless to say, Yingluck's behavior and antagonistic attitude towards the NACC is not the kind of resume that helps her with her request today. The NACC will need to balance if this is actually a legitimate request, or merely another delaying tactic.The documentation that she gave them today, though, will doubtless give them clues as to the legitimacy of her request, and on that they will base their decision.

[aussieinthailand]

Too dense to know what she's gotten herself into; let alone address the press with coherent speech that would resemble a leader. Better to keep the trap shut; at least she's learning that.

Did you read the bit in the OP were it say's, these guy's have still not finished a graft case against Mark after 4 years, and as for your hero Suthep well they can't even be bothered to make him front court let alone the plethora of corruption accusations against him,

But then your selective reading will not let you take in that little tit bit of info now will it, yellow tinted glasses...

I would like to challenge you, can you produce one iota of evidence that YL is corrupt??? cause if you can, better you go n tell them boy's you have all the answers, good luck with that, cheers

[scorecard]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

To the MODS... it is exactly about this situation and how the REDS are going on April 43 to cause CHAOS if Yingluck is in trouble. They have been sprouting off thier mouths so much that the figures for Tourism appear down 30% across the board for the same comparative period last year. (this was on this forum yesterday) So regardless of TAT this is no tit for TAT and now the effects on Thailand will be hard. So Yinny and co, what do you have to say to the people who ENTRUSTED you to care for them,?

This was in the Australian newspaper THE AGE. Now that was today and each day there has been something about this little fiasco going on here. Australia is a LARGE PART opf the tourism market to thailadn considering our small population so this certainly will not help the little shops on the soi's.

http://www.theage.com.au/world/thailands-red-shirts-gear-up-for-a-fight-20140331-zqouc.html

Tourism down 30% and you are referring to what the red faction might do?

Do you think it is possible that Bangkok being shutdown by a lunatic and his mob for the last few months might just have something to do with it?

So Thais should put up with mass manipulated and mistreatment by mafia and just ignore their country being raped because we don't want to damage tourism?

[scorecard]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Too dense to know what she's gotten herself into; let alone address the press with coherent speech that would resemble a leader. Better to keep the trap shut; at least she's learning that.

Did you read the bit in the OP were it say's, these guy's have still not finished a graft case against Mark after 4 years, and as for your hero Suthep well they can't even be bothered to make him front court let alone the plethora of corruption accusations against him,

But then your selective reading will not let you take in that little tit bit of info now will it, yellow tinted glasses...

I would like to challenge you, can you produce one iota of evidence that YL is corrupt??? cause if you can, better you go n tell them boy's you have all the answers, good luck with that, cheers

Well if the law / court cases works by a deli queue system then lets take some action to get the paymasters cases all resolved quick smart, then move on.

[DivinGuy]

To the MODS... it is exactly about this situation and how the REDS are going on April 43 to cause CHAOS if Yingluck is in trouble. They have been sprouting off thier mouths so much that the figures for Tourism appear down 30% across the board for the same comparative period last year. (this was on this forum yesterday) So regardless of TAT this is no tit for TAT and now the effects on Thailand will be hard. So Yinny and co, what do you have to say to the people who ENTRUSTED you to care for them,?

This was in the Australian newspaper THE AGE. Now that was today and each day there has been something about this little fiasco going on here. Australia is a LARGE PART opf the tourism market to thailadn considering our small population so this certainly will not help the little shops on the soi's.

http://www.theage.com.au/world/thailands-red-shirts-gear-up-for-a-fight-20140331-zqouc.html

What in the world does this rant mean? Are you blaming the half-dozen, maybe ten or so 'red shirts' on Thai Visa for the drop in tourism and expecting the MODS to stop them from posting their opinions even if they follow the rules of the board?

If the protest had stopped when the amnesty bill was killed, the tourist season would have probably been pretty normal. Tourists don't care whether the Thai government is 'good' or 'bad', but they get scared off by protests and riots and grenades. I doubt they get scared off by guys arguing on web forums. Endless, useless arguing has been a part of the internet since the days of usenet. It's not likely to change.

As long as the red's chaos is scheduled for April 43, we'll be safe. (edit was for a stupid typo.)

Edited March 31, 2014 by DivinGuy

[whybother]

What's the big deal about the amount of time she spent there? It was a hearing, in any normal court you turn up, listen to the charge, have your lawyer speak on your behalf, make a plea whether guilty or not, they accept the plea and the hearing is normally closed in less that 10 minutes, it's only to hear the charges, make a plea, and then the rest is up to the courts to decide as and when to proceed with any trial based on evidence presented.

Some of you are like vultures, it's quite funny really, that your lives seem to revolve around whether she gets the boot or not, must be exciting in your households

I wonder what you would all do if it was decided there wasn't enough evidence to pursue her, and she remained firmly where she is?? ( you never know, it should be a possibility to consider ) as this is Thailand, full of little surprises, and I also hope that the investigations into other high profile people get the same focus of attention, after all, graft is graft, no matter how big or small, and no amount of corruption should be acceptable..

She actually turned up to hear the charges laid against her, which is more than some people have bothered doing though eh

The reading of the charge was a few weeks ago. Today she was presenting her defense ... in 10 minutes.

[Thai at Heart]

Testifying about her conduct as a public official concerning a publically funded project, isn't held in public court?

Only in Thailand.....

If they convict her of negligence because there was corruption, it basically means you can convict just about any public official who heads up any public organisatoin with a budget.

[3NUMBAS]

the silent majority will come out fighting if shes removed

[whybother]

Too dense to know what she's gotten herself into; let alone address the press with coherent speech that would resemble a leader. Better to keep the trap shut; at least she's learning that.

Did you read the bit in the OP were it say's, these guy's have still not finished a graft case against Mark after 4 years, and as for your hero Suthep well they can't even be bothered to make him front court let alone the plethora of corruption accusations against him,

But then your selective reading will not let you take in that little tit bit of info now will it, yellow tinted glasses...

I would like to challenge you, can you produce one iota of evidence that YL is corrupt??? cause if you can, better you go n tell them boy's you have all the answers, good luck with that, cheers

What about proof that she's a perjurer?

[dinooz]

Too dense to know what she's gotten herself into; let alone address the press with coherent speech that would resemble a leader. Better to keep the trap shut; at least she's learning that.

Did you read the bit in the OP were it say's, these guy's have still not finished a graft case against Mark after 4 years, and as for your hero Suthep well they can't even be bothered to make him front court let alone the plethora of corruption accusations against him,

But then your selective reading will not let you take in that little tit bit of info now will it, yellow tinted glasses...

I would like to challenge you, can you produce one iota of evidence that YL is corrupt??? cause if you can, better you go n tell them boy's you have all the answers, good luck with that, cheers

I may be wrong, but I recall the case against the Dem's rice subsidy was only placed by the PTP after the NACC accepted the corruption cases against the PTP rice scheme a little over a year a go. Maybe just maybe the allegations against the Dems has very little evidence to prosecute or more evidence is required,it was a knee jerk reaction by the PTP after the Dems exposed the irregularities in the present system that was continuing to damage the country and was necessary to act to stop any further damage to Thailand"s fiscal position and reputation as a world leader in rice production.

[Gunna]

Too dense to know what she's gotten herself into; let alone address the press with coherent speech that would resemble a leader. Better to keep the trap shut; at least she's learning that.

Did you read the bit in the OP were it say's, these guy's have still not finished a graft case against Mark after 4 years, and as for your hero Suthep well they can't even be bothered to make him front court let alone the plethora of corruption accusations against him,

But then your selective reading will not let you take in that little tit bit of info now will it, yellow tinted glasses...

I would like to challenge you, can you produce one iota of evidence that YL is corrupt??? cause if you can, better you go n tell them boy's you have all the answers, good luck with that, cheers

they have been investigating Mark for 4 years and still haven't found enough evidence to charge him.

NACC is looking at charging YS with incompetence rather corruption actually done by her. I think she may have enough money of her own to not steal money from Thailand, although her brother still wants to take more. YS biggest problem is not being at rice scam meetings isn't a defence, it's proof she was/is incompetent and can only do and say what she is ordered from Dubai on Skype

[Crushdepth]

15 minutes, what a crock.

Sent from somewhere in the Pacific

[Soutpeel]

I would like to challenge you, can you produce one iota of evidence that YL is corrupt??? cause if you can, better you go n tell them boy's you have all the answers, good luck with that, cheers

I can,The fact she is related by blood to one Thaksin of Arabia, a wanted criminal, is evidence enough...

[JesseFrank]

What's the big deal about the amount of time she spent there? It was a hearing, in any normal court you turn up, listen to the charge, have your lawyer speak on your behalf, make a plea whether guilty or not, they accept the plea and the hearing is normally closed in less that 10 minutes, it's only to hear the charges, make a plea, and then the rest is up to the courts to decide as and when to proceed with any trial based on evidence presented.

Some of you are like vultures, it's quite funny really, that your lives seem to revolve around whether she gets the boot or not, must be exciting in your households

I wonder what you would all do if it was decided there wasn't enough evidence to pursue her, and she remained firmly where she is?? ( you never know, it should be a possibility to consider ) as this is Thailand, full of little surprises, and I also hope that the investigations into other high profile people get the same focus of attention, after all, graft is graft, no matter how big or small, and no amount of corruption should be acceptable..

She actually turned up to hear the charges laid against her, which is more than some people have bothered doing though eh

The reading of the charge was a few weeks ago. Today she was presenting her defense ... in 10 minutes.

Maybe she didn't have any defense, so why waste more time .

[Fat Haggis]

So by supporting one corrupt geezer in an attempt to get rid of another corrupt geezer, logic knows no bounds these days