Criminal Court postpones trial against Abhisit and Phra Suthep

[webfact]

2010 POLITICAL VIOLENCE
Criminal Court postpones trial against Abhisit and Phra Suthep


Photo : Kunlaphun Sirimamporn

BANGKOK: -- Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva greets Phra Suthep Thaugsuban who arrived at the Criminal Court to defend in a trial involving the crackdown on the redshirts protests in 2010.

The Court however postponed the trial to August 29.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Criminal-Court-postpones-trial-against-Abhisit-and-30239621.html


-- The Nation 2014-07-28

[Just1Voice]

And this is a surprise to anyone?

[CiaranO]

and the circus continues

[than]

And this is a surprise to anyone?

The difference with red leaders this to men show themself to court and not make a false medical certificate to exempt them....

[Tatsujin]

Well, unlike some other well-known "leaders", at least they turned up at Court.

[siampolee]

There is of course the fact that perhaps certain other accused may be let off of the hook so to speak thus there may well be tacit approval for the accused here in this case to be let of off the hook which in their case was very heavily barbed as we all are aware.

[Robby nz]

Before it goes any farther lets get it straight what this court appearance was all about, to use the official words: " For verification of documents and evidence"

If you remember back not that far when Yingluck refused to appear as ordered and sent her lawyers in her place she was then refused full access to the evidence against her because she did not appear in person.

That it seems is the law.

After much wringing of hands and tears she was eventually given the evidence.

By turning up as requested Abhisit and Suthep and their lawyers now have full access to the evidence against them and have until the 29th August to study that evidence before their next court appearance. They have also shown their respect for the court and the law by complying as they should.

[Hawk]

Well, unlike some other well-known "leaders", at least they turned up at Court.

Mr. T did turn up for court but when the going got tough, the tough got going. When the enemy are in control best option is retreat, not surrender.

Edited July 28, 2014 by Hawk

[ginjag]

And this is a surprise to anyone?

2 of your rosy friends only got suspended sentences, another surprise ??

[ginjag]

Well, unlike some other well-known "leaders", at least they turned up at Court.

Mr. T did turn up for court but when the going got tough, the tough of going. When the enemy are in control best option is retreat, not surrender.

Hit and run coward comes to mind, then became the biggest S##T stirrer in the world.

[Basil B]

Well, unlike some other well-known "leaders", at least they turned up at Court.

Mr. T did turn up for court but when the going got tough, the tough got going. When the enemy are in control best option is retreat, not surrender.

But any fair and uncorrupted judicial system would not be to his liking.

[Bernard Flint]

Well, unlike some other well-known "leaders", at least they turned up at Court.

Mr. T did turn up for court but when the going got tough, the tough of going. When the enemy are in control best option is retreat, not surrender.

Hit and run coward comes to mind, then became the biggest S##T stirrer in the world.

I love a poo poo stirrer, makes for a funny world

[ezzra]

Did anybody expected any other out come than this? this was part of the deal done to disband

Suthep people and bring peace to the streets....

[webfact]

Abhisit, Suthep appear in court for red shirt protest crackdown trial
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, July 28 -- Democrat party leader and former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban appeared in Thailand's Criminal Court this morning for trial in the cases in which they were accused of ordering crackdowns on red shirt protests in 2010.

The Court however postponed the trial to August 28.

The Criminal Court approved combining the cases against Mr Abhisit and Phra Suthep (Mr Suthep, who is now in the Buddhist monkhood), former director of the Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) during the Abhisit administration, because both cases share the same set of witnesses and evidence.

The court will resume its examination of evidence and witnesses on August 28.

Mr Abhisit and Phra Suthep arrived at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok this morning as the court checked their accounts, evidence and witnesses.

The public prosecution charged them with ordering and attempting the murders of others in relation to fatal crackdowns on red shirt protesters in 2010.

After listening to the charges, Phra Suthep denied them all.

Mr Abhisit and Phra Suthep asked the court to decide if the Department of Special Investigation had authority to investigate their cases because they were accused of malfeasance.

Their argument caused the court to postpone the examination of evidence and witnesses to 9am on August 28.

Phra Suthep said he felt at peace and did not plan to leave the monkhood yet. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-07-28

[Gunna]

And this is a surprise to anyone?

No surprise as charges short of evidence, ie they never order anyone to be killed.

Charges came from Takin's lapdog Tarit who may well have overstepped his authority - another with scant respect for the law, only his cronies.

" Mr Abhisit and Phra Suthep asked the court to decide if the Department of Special Investigation had authority to investigate their cases because they were accused of malfeasance. "

[Hawk]

Well, unlike some other well-known "leaders", at least they turned up at Court.

Mr. T did turn up for court but when the going got tough, the tough of going. When the enemy are in control best option is retreat, not surrender.

Hit and run coward comes to mind, then became the biggest S##T stirrer in the world.

No survivalist comes to mind, especially since he was ousted from power by a coup. S##t stirrer is not the right expression, he was and is fighting a guerilla war against the elite who did not/do not like him.

In the art of warfare, political or otherwise, retreat is not a disgrace. He retreated from Thailand which was a very wise move. Let the enemy think they have won, but they will never win against a growing unrest amongst the population. People are waking up but are still muzzled from speaking out, the tide will soon turn in favour of the common man.

[fab4]

Before it goes any farther lets get it straight what this court appearance was all about, to use the official words: " For verification of documents and evidence"

If you remember back not that far when Yingluck refused to appear as ordered and sent her lawyers in her place she was then refused full access to the evidence against her because she did not appear in person.

That it seems is the law.

After much wringing of hands and tears she was eventually given the evidence.

By turning up as requested Abhisit and Suthep and their lawyers now have full access to the evidence against them and have until the 29th August to study that evidence before their next court appearance. They have also shown their respect for the court and the law by complying as they should.

Before it goes any further, let's get it straight that this is a court appearance for verification and evidence in a murder trial, the beginnings of which started in October 2013. Since then Suthep has avoided attending court until this appearance because he was too busy co plotting an overthrow of the previous government protesting about the former government.

That, it seems, is a version of the law that is not applied to all.

Edited July 28, 2014 by fab4

[fab4]

And this is a surprise to anyone?

No surprise as charges short of evidence, ie they never order anyone to be killed.

Charges came from Takin's lapdog Tarit who may well have overstepped his authority - another with scant respect for the law, only his cronies.

" Mr Abhisit and Phra Suthep asked the court to decide if the Department of Special Investigation had authority to investigate their cases because they were accused of malfeasance. "

No they didn't. The charges were made by the Office of the Attorney General.

[Tatsujin]

Well, unlike some other well-known "leaders", at least they turned up at Court.

Mr. T did turn up for court but when the going got tough, the tough of going. When the enemy are in control best option is retreat, not surrender.

Hit and run coward comes to mind, then became the biggest S##T stirrer in the world.

No survivalist comes to mind, especially since he was ousted from power by a coup. S##t stirrer is not the right expression, he was and is fighting a guerilla war against the elite who did not/do not like him.

In the art of warfare, political or otherwise, retreat is not a disgrace. He retreated from Thailand which was a very wise move. Let the enemy think they have won, but they will never win against a growing unrest amongst the population. People are waking up but are still muzzled from speaking out, the tide will soon turn in favour of the common man.

And you STILL believe that Thaksin gives a crap about the "common man"? Seriously?

You are either deluded or are believing your own propaganda.

[Tatsujin]

And this is a surprise to anyone?

No surprise as charges short of evidence, ie they never order anyone to be killed.

Charges came from Takin's lapdog Tarit who may well have overstepped his authority - another with scant respect for the law, only his cronies.

" Mr Abhisit and Phra Suthep asked the court to decide if the Department of Special Investigation had authority to investigate their cases because they were accused of malfeasance. "

No they didn't. The charges were made by the Office of the Attorney General.

If anything ever was, these charges were definitely "politically motivated", to try to force the Democrats into agreeing to Thaksin's Amnesty Bill.

Unlike Thaksin however, they haven't fled the country and will answer the charges in Court when that day comes.

[gemini81]

And this is a surprise to anyone?

2 of your rosy friends only got suspended sentences, another surprise ??

His two rosy friends are connected to his arm.

[Bangmod]

At least they got the balls to turn up.

most others fled, and it needs to be seen if they will ever return.

Furthermore this case stinks from the beginning, Thaksin gets away with ordering the crackdown in the South, and the so called "war on drugs"

These guys only ordered an and to violent demonstrations by demons, and see what they get.

[webfact]

Phra Suthep appears in Bangkok court



BANGKOK: -- Phra Prapakaro or Phra Suthep appeared at the Criminal Court Monday morning to hear charges against him and former premier Abhisit Vejjajiva in connection with the military suppression of redshirt protesters in 2010.

Phra Suthep, former leader of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), who arrived in the Buddhism yellow robe, arrived in Bangkok from Surat Thani on a domestic flight.

PDRC spokesman Akanat Prompan said he received Phra Suthepn at the airport and later took him to have breakfast at his house before going to the Criminal Court to hear charges where he met the former premier Abhisit, also facing court trial on same charge brought against them by the redshirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).

Both arrived at the court for verification of documents and evidence in a case filed against them by the prosecution in connection with the military crackdown on UDD redshirt protesters in 2010.

They have been charged with premeditated murders and attempted murders in violation of Sections 80, 83, 84 and 288 of the Criminal Code for ordering the military crackdown on the red-shirt protesters between April 7 and May 19, 2010, which resulted in 98 deaths and hundreds of injuries.

During the period, Mr Abhisit was prime minister and Phra Suthep was deputy prime minister.

But they denied the charges.

The court adjourned further proceedings until Aug 28.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/phra-suthep-appears-bangkok-court/


-- Thai PBS 2014-07-28

[h90]

Well, unlike some other well-known "leaders", at least they turned up at Court.

Mr. T did turn up for court but when the going got tough, the tough got going. When the enemy are in control best option is retreat, not surrender.

If I recall right at this time Samak was in control and Thaksin could have appealed.....So it was neither tough, yet nor was the "enemy" in control.

[cacruden]

At least they got the balls to turn up.

most others fled, and it needs to be seen if they will ever return.

Furthermore this case stinks from the beginning, Thaksin gets away with ordering the crackdown in the South, and the so called "war on drugs"

These guys only ordered an and to violent demonstrations by demons, and see what they get.

It is easier for them to show up because they have friends on the court.....

Personally I like Abhisit -- but it is more likely they would get a fair trial than it would for a "red" to.

[binjalin]

Phra Suthep you could not make it up

[Hawk]

Well, unlike some other well-known "leaders", at least they turned up at Court.

Mr. T did turn up for court but when the going got tough, the tough of going. When the enemy are in control best option is retreat, not surrender.

Hit and run coward comes to mind, then became the biggest S##T stirrer in the world.

No survivalist comes to mind, especially since he was ousted from power by a coup. S##t stirrer is not the right expression, he was and is fighting a guerilla war against the elite who did not/do not like him.

In the art of warfare, political or otherwise, retreat is not a disgrace. He retreated from Thailand which was a very wise move. Let the enemy think they have won, but they will never win against a growing unrest amongst the population. People are waking up but are still muzzled from speaking out, the tide will soon turn in favour of the common man.

And you STILL believe that Thaksin gives a crap about the "common man"? Seriously?

You are either deluded or are believing your own propaganda.

******Many common folk did actually prosper when Thaksin was PM, a fact. The people were happy back then but now they are most certainly not, prices of most items going up far too quickly for the common man to cope with these days. Go talk to people, they are getting truly getting fed up with the political turmoil and coup which is not addressing the plight of the common man.

Edited July 28, 2014 by Hawk

[Baerboxer]

Well, unlike some other well-known "leaders", at least they turned up at Court.

Mr. T did turn up for court but when the going got tough, the tough of going. When the enemy are in control best option is retreat, not surrender.

Hit and run coward comes to mind, then became the biggest S##T stirrer in the world.

No survivalist comes to mind, especially since he was ousted from power by a coup. S##t stirrer is not the right expression, he was and is fighting a guerilla war against the elite who did not/do not like him.

In the art of warfare, political or otherwise, retreat is not a disgrace. He retreated from Thailand which was a very wise move. Let the enemy think they have won, but they will never win against a growing unrest amongst the population. People are waking up but are still muzzled from speaking out, the tide will soon turn in favour of the common man.

Ousted from illegally occupying the post of caretaker PM by the military, after resigning and then re-appointing himself without authority is hardly a coup - although lots like to dress it up as. The enemy weren't in control - one of his was. But still chose to run rather than appeal the conviction and of course avoid the other 15 more serious charges that were coming down the line.

Guerilla war - like as in "ill be there right next you when the first shots are fired" - but you'll be in the firing line and I'll be in Paris shopping.

Against the "elite" - the Shins are part of the elite. They are billionaires who suddenly acquired large amounts of vast wealth - from monopolies, dodgy deals, tax avoidance, and who knows what else. They are only interested in themselves and want to push the "old money" elites out.

Do you really think the Shins are remotely interested in the "common man" or improving the lot of the poor? Look at the last 3 years and open your eyes to what they're really all about.

People are waking up - and many now see the Shins for the corrupt, lying, gang that has lined their own, family and friends pockets for far too long. Simply another gang of hisos trying to turn the country into their own fiefdom.

I really hope Thailand becomes a true democracy, with a lot less corruption, and much fairer society. But one things for sure, the Shins would never deliver that.

[Thailand]

Abhisit and Suthep have nothing to fear they are on the side of right- the military side. GP rules!

[webfact]

Thai protest leader denies murder charge over 'Red Shirt' crackdown

BANGKOK, July 28, 2014 (AFP) - The firebrand leader of months-long street protests which preceded Thailand's latest coup appeared in court Monday to deny a murder charge over a bloody crackdown on opposition "Red Shirt" supporters four years ago.

Suthep Thaugsuban was deputy prime minister of the then ruling Democrat Party during the 2010 crackdown, which left more than 90 people dead and hundreds more wounded in the heart of Bangkok.

"There were deaths and injuries caused by live bullets during the crackdown ordered by the defendant," a judge, whose name was withheld by the criminal court, said reading out the charge.

"I deny it," Suthep said, sporting a shaven head and the orange robes of a Buddhist monk after a stint in the clergy earlier this month. Many Thai men enter monkhood at some time during their lives in the overwhelmingly Buddhist nation.

Suthep has kept a relatively low profile since the Thai junta banned political activities.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, premier during the crackdown, appeared alongside his former deputy in court but remained silent. He has already denied a murder charge.

The judge ordered the pair to return on August 28 for the next hearing in their joint trial.

Under Abhisit's government, scores of protesters died in street clashes in the capital in 2010 between mostly unarmed Red Shirt demonstrators and security forces firing live rounds.

The Red Shirts are loyal to self-exiled billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra who was toppled in a previous coup in 2006.

Thaksin sits at the epicentre of Thailand's bitter political divide, which roughly pits his rural poor supporters in the northern portion of the country against royalist southerners and the Bangkok-elite -- backed by sections of the military and judiciary.

Shinawatra-led or aligned parties have won every election since 2001 but have been thwarted by two army coups and the removal of three premiers by court decisions.

Suthep marshalled seven months of protests against the Thaksin-allied former government, paving the way for the May 22 coup.

The army said it was forced to grab power to avert widespread violence after gun and grenade attacks linked to the protests left nearly 30 people dead, mostly in Bangkok.

The junta has since suspended democracy, muzzled dissent and imposed sweeping curbs on freedom of expression as it bids to re-write the constitution and enact political reforms before new elections in October next year.

Suthep saw his calls to uproot "Thaksin's regime" reflected in the junta's interim constitution published last week, which will establish a junta-picked council to recommend reforms before a permanent charter is crafted.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-07-28