Surapong tells Saudis he 'feels regret': al-Ruwaili verdict

[webfact]

THAI-SAUDI RELATIONS
Surapong tells Saudis he 'feels regret'
Nuntida Puangthong,
Kesinee Taengkhiao
The Nation

Saudi diplomats seeking a meeting with him in the wake of key court verdict

BANGKOK: -- CARETAKER Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said yesterday that Saudi diplomats were seeking a meeting with him in the wake of a key court verdict acquitting five policemen of the alleged abduction and murder of Saudi businessman Mohammad al-Ruwaili.

Surapong said he "felt regret" about the acquittal, which was a disappointment to the victim's relatives. He deplored that Thai-Saudi relations were not better and remained strained. "[However] the relations, I believe, will not get any worse, and travel or communication between the people of the two countries will not be affected," he added.

Asked whether he viewed the acquittal as an unjust decision, Surapong said: "No, we understand the Thai justice system, but we cannot stop the al-Ruwaili family from being disappointed in the acquittal."

Surapong said he was worried the justice system did not yield the outcome expected by the businessman's relatives. He said if Saudi Arabia was to discuss the acquittal with Islamic countries and found the Thai justice system had flaws, it might affect long-term investment and business opportunities "if we cannot give foreigners the justice they deserve".

Surapong said reform of the Thai justice system would be needed after a general election. "And after the new government takes power, reforms of many institutions would be conducted to create the greatest possible justice under international standards," he said.

Al-Ruwaili's relatives had said earlier at a press interview that it was Saudi authorities who would decide what to do if the court ruling was not in the family's favour.

A spokesman for the Office of the Attorney General, Nantasak Poolsak, said al-Ruwaili's relatives had informed the OAG they would take further action as joint plaintiffs in their appeals against the acquittal, and would discuss how to work together in furthering the legal process.

According to claims by the Department of Special Investigation, which sought a reopening of the trial through two new pieces of evidence it produced - a statement by a policeman and a ring thought to belong to the victim - the new evidence was discounted as unconvincing.

Pol Lt-Colonel Suwitchai Kaewphaluek claimed he was given the ring by one of the five defendants, who allegedly retrieved it from a steel barrel used to burn the victim's body at a ranch in Chon Buri. Suwitchai gave his statements about the ring in another country. That was in violation of criminal procedural law and the Constitution. As a result, his statements presented during the trial were discounted.

The ring, made of gold and bearing the image of a crescent moon, was discounted as suspicious, as it is against Islamic rules for Muslims to use gold as decorative items. The victim's relatives, when shown the ring prior to the trial, could not certify that al-Ruwalli owned it. The emergence of the ring was not even included as evidence by public prosecutors.


-- The Nation 2014-04-02

[Credo]

A couple of rather interesting statements:

"Surapong said reform of the Thai justice system would be needed after a general election. "And after the new government takes power, reforms of many institutions would be conducted to create the greatest possible justice under international standards," he said."

That seems to be an acknowledgement that there are flaws in the system. It's a rather loud and clear indictment, actually.

The other interesting statement is this:

"The ring, made of gold and bearing the image of a crescent moon, was discounted as suspicious, as it is against Islamic rules for Muslims to use gold as decorative items."

So what was the Saudi royal family doing with all those gems? If they weren't set in gold, what were they set in, stainless steel?

[Bluespunk]

"Surapong said he was worried the justice system did not yield the outcome expected by the businessman's relatives. He said if Saudi Arabia was to discuss the acquittal with Islamic countries and found the Thai justice system had flaws, it might affect long-term investment and business opportunities "if we cannot give foreigners the justice they deserve"."

So either he is going to change the law to suit saudi arabia's demands or he sees this as a chance to change the law to suit PT's agenda on making sure all courts follow their version of right and wrong. Could be both I guess.

[NongKhaiKid]

Oh Yes i'm sure he really regrets it after all he's an honest to goodness politician.

[AhFarangJa]

Oh Yes i'm sure he really regrets it after all he's an honest to goodness politician.

That is an oxymoron

[NongKhaiKid]

Oh Yes i'm sure he really regrets it after all he's an honest to goodness politician.

That is an oxymoron

In Thailand especially it's right out of the top drawer.

[AhFarangJa]

"The ring, made of gold and bearing the image of a crescent moon, was discounted as suspicious, as it is against Islamic rules for Muslims to use gold as decorative items."

So what was the Saudi royal family doing with all those gems? If they weren't set in gold, what were they set in, stainless steel?

I know that the gold souks are jammed with gold that cater mainly to the women, most Arab men wear silver or white gold jewellery. But I would like to share a quick funny story happened with a new colleague a couple of years ago. He was new in Saudi and at work with a short gold chain around his neck, and he said to me that he was getting a lot of "dirty looks" from the Saudis, and that he ddi not realise they were so sensitive to it. Then I pointed out that it was probably not the chain so much as the gold cross on the end of it!!

[JoeThePoster]

"The ring, made of gold and bearing the image of a crescent moon, was discounted as suspicious, as it is against Islamic rules for Muslims to use gold as decorative items."

Well, good luck to any Muslims who lose their gold in Thailand.

[lemonjelly]

A couple of rather interesting statements:

"Surapong said reform of the Thai justice system would be needed after a general election. "And after the new government takes power, reforms of many institutions would be conducted to create the greatest possible justice under international standards," he said."

That seems to be an acknowledgement that there are flaws in the system. It's a rather loud and clear indictment, actually.

The other interesting statement is this:

"The ring, made of gold and bearing the image of a crescent moon, was discounted as suspicious, as it is against Islamic rules for Muslims to use gold as decorative items."

So what was the Saudi royal family doing with all those gems? If they weren't set in gold, what were they set in, stainless steel?

In this neck of the woods, they use silver.

[pitrevie]

I think its very much the pot and the kettle. The Saudis have also gone down this path with several well documented miscarriages of justice. Their police also use similar methods of interrogation to obtain confessions. As one Saudi judge famously remarked the confession could not be false or obtained under duress as they know they would have to answer to Allah.

[Malone]

So what was the Saudi royal family doing with all those gems? If they weren't set in gold, what were they set in, stainless steel?

This prohibition applies to men only, not to women, as `Ali, (may Allah be pleased with him), reported that the Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) took a piece of silk in his right hand and a piece of gold in his left, and said: "These are forbidden for the males of my ummah. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said: "Wearing silk and gold is permitted for the women of my ummah and prohibited for the males.

https://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100712182842AAVFcmF

[Cnxforever]

"Suwitchai gave his statements about the ring in another country. That was in violation of criminal procedural law and the Constitution. As a result, his statements presented during the trial were discounted."

Of course he gave his statement in another country - he fears for his life! .

The judge brought in last minute - and in which country does one have a change of judge just before the verdict? - The judge brought in for the verdict got his degree where? The university of corrupt monkeys?

No word in the article above that the judge was brought in last minute to protect the people behind all this.

There is no hope for Thailand anymore - Banana Republic is almost a term too good to describe the state of the judiciary in this sorry excuse for a country!

24 years of lies, murder and deception - to shield a few wannabe "HiSo's" from embarrassment? Way to go Thailand! Next stop Zimbabwe!

This case alone makes me hope that there will be a revolution in this country that wipes out the gangsters or so called "elite" who think they are above the law just because they can direct court verdicts the way they please.

Get rid of them like they did before in most of Europe during the last century - the guillotine was far to humane for most of them! This people have no shame,no face - selfish greed dictates their life's - no loss to anybody if they are not around anymore!

[Mango Bob]

Just tell them your sorry, but this is the court system in Thailand, justice to only a few.

[expat888]

Well, from my experience, among other emotions Thais are incapable of feeling regret. They know when to say it but don't know how to feel it.

His statement about feeling regret is just correct timing.

[binjalin]

"to create the greatest possible justice under international standards"

to dream... the impossible dream...

(Elvis)

well hopefully in a decade with a REAL leader (where is he/she?) it 'could' be possible

[JessaDemocrat]

"to create the greatest possible justice under international standards"

to dream... the impossible dream...

(Elvis)

well hopefully in a decade with a REAL leader (where is he/she?) it 'could' be possible

FYI

"The Impossible Dream" was written by Joe Darion, Mitch Leigh.

[Bluespunk]

"to create the greatest possible justice under international standards"

to dream... the impossible dream...

(Elvis)

well hopefully in a decade with a REAL leader (where is he/she?) it 'could' be possible

FYI

"The Impossible Dream" was written by Joe Darion, Mitch Leigh.

[MMarlow]

A couple of rather interesting statements:

"Surapong said reform of the Thai justice system would be needed after a general election. "And after the new government takes power, reforms of many institutions would be conducted to create the greatest possible justice under international standards," he said."

That seems to be an acknowledgement that there are flaws in the system. It's a rather loud and clear indictment, actually.

The other interesting statement is this:

"The ring, made of gold and bearing the image of a crescent moon, was discounted as suspicious, as it is against Islamic rules for Muslims to use gold as decorative items."

So what was the Saudi royal family doing with all those gems? If they weren't set in gold, what were they set in, stainless steel?

"The ring, made of gold and bearing the image of a crescent moon, was discounted as suspicious, as it is against Islamic rules for Muslims to use gold as decorative items."

So what was the Saudi royal family doing with all those gems? If they weren't set in gold, what were they set in, stainless steel?"

Well they certainly weren't wearing them on their bodies which is what is meant by using them as decorative items as in the case of a ring. Keeping gems in a safe or on display is not using them as decorative items and those gems would not necessarily be set in anything at all. But that wouldn't suit your Saudi/Muslim bashing agenda, would it?

[graeme64]

for all the Americans on here bashing the thai legal system 3 words and 2 letters for yoy Rodney King - OJ Simpson.

For The Brits, 2 words - Steven Lawrence

why do you miserable <deleted> still live here if it is so bad. And if you dont live here - why do you care what happens here. How bad are your lives.

On a serperate note - Muslims can not wear Yellow gold, who would have thought I would learn something from Thai Visa.

[tx22cb]

So what was the Saudi royal family doing with all those gems? If they weren't set in gold, what were they set in, stainless steel?

This prohibition applies to men only, not to women, as `Ali, (may Allah be pleased with him), reported that the Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) took a piece of silk in his right hand and a piece of gold in his left, and said: "These are forbidden for the males of my ummah. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said: "Wearing silk and gold is permitted for the women of my ummah and prohibited for the males.

https://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100712182842AAVFcmF

So gold is OK for the taps in the bathrooms, but a guy can't be adorned in it?

I thought I have seen several American "gangstas/rappers" who are of the Muslim faith but wear huge gold chains, not to mention the "grills" ....

[asdecas]

This case has been going on since 1989. There are clearly some very bloody hands in official Thai circles, and obfuscation has been the name of the game from the beginning, in the hope that one day it will all blow over.

[rametindallas]

It's like the OJ Simpson trial. Everybody knows they're guilty but no one can prove they're guilty. I'm sure Surapong's fake Thai smile went down well with the Saudis. So many are culpable now that justice can never be done; there are lots of stories of those gems spread all over Thai society but only worn on occasions where foreigners won't see them. TiT

[HUAHIN62]

The Thai courts and justice system needs a big shake-up, how many more murder and rape accused must get bail and then commit further crimes while out on bail? How many more Red Bull cases must be swept aside because the elites have the money and power to make this happen ? How many more normal people must be locked up for 15 years for picking mushrooms in a national park, while a rich businessman walk away from fraud ? How many navy seal trainees died (drowned year after year) during training under the previous commander and nothing happened to him. There can be no democracy without justice. Justice for all and equality under the law is one of the cornerstones of any democracy.

[Baerboxer]

A couple of rather interesting statements:

"Surapong said reform of the Thai justice system would be needed after a general election. "And after the new government takes power, reforms of many institutions would be conducted to create the greatest possible justice under international standards," he said."

That seems to be an acknowledgement that there are flaws in the system. It's a rather loud and clear indictment, actually.

The other interesting statement is this:

"The ring, made of gold and bearing the image of a crescent moon, was discounted as suspicious, as it is against Islamic rules for Muslims to use gold as decorative items."

So what was the Saudi royal family doing with all those gems? If they weren't set in gold, what were they set in, stainless steel?

Moslem Arabic men don't where gold. They usually wear silver wedding rings. Expensive watches and diamond cuff links on their dishdash sleeve cuffs, different matter mind,

Molsem Arabic ladies are free to wear gold and jewels, and thoroughly expect their husbands, fathers, and family to spoil them!

[Baerboxer]

for all the Americans on here bashing the thai legal system 3 words and 2 letters for yoy Rodney King - OJ Simpson.

For The Brits, 2 words - Steven Lawrence

why do you miserable <deleted> still live here if it is so bad. And if you dont live here - why do you care what happens here. How bad are your lives.

On a serperate note - Muslims can not wear Yellow gold, who would have thought I would learn something from Thai Visa.

28 posts and he/she's using profanities and telling everyone to bugger off.

Wonder why he keeps reading all these posts if he doesn't like of understand them? He could always just log off.

Is there any judicial system that does not have miscarriages? Of course not. But to suggest the US and UK legal systems are on a par with the Thai, is well, a statement of his logical reasoning capabilities as much as anything.

On a separate note - Muslim men don't wear gold (yellow or otherwise) but Muslim ladies do. And, did you know Saudi Arabia has a large and productive gold mining industry?

There you've learnt several new things today,

Edited April 2, 2014 by Baerboxer

[EyesWideOpen]

Ahh the famous Blue Diamond case rears its ugly head again. Still waiting for Hollywood to make

a movie about this case, which is the most fascinating story to ever come out of Thailand....

Acquitting the policemen involved in the murder is simply rubbing salt in the wounds of

the Saudi Arabia... Those policemen must have been pretty well connected to get a pass like that,

knowing how angry the Saudi Arabia would get.

Am still waiting for the Blue Diamond to show

up one day, it is sort of sad that hundred of millions of dollars have been lost by Thai people

no longer being able to work in Saudi Arabia...... The diamond is probably worth 10 million at best....

[rametindallas]

The Thai courts and justice system needs a big shake-up, how many more murder and rape accused must get bail and then commit further crimes while out on bail? How many more Red Bull cases must be swept aside because the elites have the money and power to make this happen ? How many more normal people must be locked up for 15 years for picking mushrooms in a national park, while a rich businessman walk away from fraud ? How many navy seal trainees died (drowned year after year) during training under the previous commander and nothing happened to him. There can be no democracy without justice. Justice for all and equality under the law is one of the cornerstones of any democracy.

The Thai courts and justice system needs a big shake-up, I don't disagree with that how many more murder and rape accused must get bail and then commit further crimes while out on bail? Not so many as you intimate How many more Red Bull cases must be swept aside because the elites have the money and power to make this happen ? The case has not been 'swept aside'; the courts have done their job. It is up to law enforcement (police) to bring him in front of the court. How many more normal people must be locked up for 15 years for picking mushrooms in a national park, truly an out lier and not typical of Thai justice (which is why the case got so much publicity) while a rich businessman walk away from fraud ? Blame the lawyers or the intimidation of witnesses How many navy seal trainees died (drowned year after year) during training under the previous commander and nothing happened to him. The courts have zero jurisdiction over military matters. Did a prosecutor try to bring the case to the courts and the courts rejected it? No. No one brought a case against the commander. The courts cannot bring charges; they can only adjudicate. There can be no democracy without justice. Agree Justice for all and equality under the law is one of the cornerstones of any democracy. Where, on God's green Earth, does that happen? I will trade horror stories with you about the judicial system in Texas, which is about the same size as Thailand and 26 millions population against your stories of Thailand. Injustice is everywhere.

IMO, the courts are one of the last functioning institutions in the Kingdom. Of course they are not up to Western standards, but compared to the rest of the public institutions, they shine.

Edited April 2, 2014 by rametindallas

[bigbamboo]

You can almost feel Surapong squirming with embarrassment and loss of face as he alludes to what everyone including the Saudis already know.

Couldn't happen to a nicer chap.

[GentlemanJim]

"to create the greatest possible justice under international standards"

to dream... the impossible dream...

(Elvis)

well hopefully in a decade with a REAL leader (where is he/she?) it 'could' be possible

Well it wont be possible as long as nutjob farangs keep supporting criminal fugitive ex PM's who dream the hopefully impossible dream of establishing a one party dynastic republic in this country.

As to Surapong's assessment that this court verdict will not make things worse between Saudi and Thailand, by saying that it is clear he has absolutely no idea of just how bad it could get.