Thailand indicts 26 on terrorism, arms charges

[Lite Beer]

Thailand indicts 26 on terrorism, arms charges

BANGKOK, August 23, 2014 (AFP) - Twenty-six people accused of plotting an attack in Thailand have been indicted by a military court on charges including weapon possession and conspiring to commit terrorism, their lawyer said Saturday.

The suspects were arrested in northeastern Thailand — a traditional stronghold of fugitive premier Thaksin Shinawatra — after the army seized power in a bloodless coup on May 22.

The 24 men and two women — whose ages range from 40 to 72 years old — were indicted by a military court in the northeastern city of Khon Kaen on Friday, their lawyer Winyat Chatmontree told AFP.

He said the group — named the “Khon Kaen Model” by the army — include farmers, a bank security guard, a school director and business owners.

Some of them are followers of the “Red Shirts” protest movement, which broadly supports Thaksin, according to Winyat.

Most of them were seized in an apartment a day after army chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha overthrew an elected government allied to Thaksin.

“The army arrested them and found guns, hand grenades, knives — things you’re not allowed to have without permission,” said Winyat.

“But they said other people asked them to keep them,” he added.
He said the maximum sentence, if convicted, was the death penalty, although executions are now rare.

At the time of their arrest, the army said the suspects were allegedly intent on a “large-scale attack” in Khon Kaen, one of the largest northeastern cities.

The suspects are being held at a civilian prison in Khon Kaen.

Street violence linked to months of mass opposition rallies left nearly 30 people dead before the May coup.

Since seizing power the junta has abrogated the constitution, curtailed civil liberties under martial law and summoned hundreds of opponents, activists and academics for questioning.

Experts say there are armed elements on both sides of Thailand’s bitter political divide.

Thaksin, who was ousted in an earlier coup in 2006, has traditionally enjoyed strong support in the northern half of Thailand thanks to populist policies such as nearly-free healthcare, micro-loans and generous rice farming subsidies.

He fled Thailand in 2008 to avoid jail for a corruption conviction.

Thaksin or his allies have won every election since 2001, most recently in 2011 under his younger sister Yingluck Shinawatra, who was removed from office in a controversial court ruling shortly before the latest coup.

The army says its power grab was necessary to prevent further violence but opponents see it as an attempt to suppress Thaksin’s political dominance.

The junta has ruled out holding elections before around October 2015.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-08-23

[seajae]

what goes around, these idiots wanted to kill people in the name of thaksins bullsh*t lies and have fallen foul of the law and been caught. Anyone, red or yellow shirts that try to use weapons against other thais to appease a mastermind hiding overseas needs to face justice. This wasnt for the betterment of thais, it was for the betterment of thaksins bank account and always has been, he doesnt care what happens to the people he pays as long as he gets what he wants. When will we see the junta cancel his passport and issue an arrest warrant world wide for this criminal, he is thew sole reason there is so much crap happening in this country, he has masterminded everything for many years and has his paid stooges doing all his dirty work, time for him to be called out and made to face justice.

Edited August 23, 2014 by seajae

[EricBerg]

Right on the spot! One might add that for murdering people, burning buildings and pillaging the country anything less than life in prison for the bad guy in Dubai would be a disappointment.

Edited August 23, 2014 by EricBerg

[Cuchulainn]

what goes around, these idiots wanted to kill people in the name of thaksins bullsh*t lies and have fallen foul of the law and been caught. Anyone, red or yellow shirts that try to use weapons against other thais to appease a mastermind hiding overseas needs to face justice. This wasnt for the betterment of thais, it was for the betterment of thaksins bank account and always has been, he doesnt care what happens to the people he pays as long as he gets what he wants. When will we see the junta cancel his passport and issue an arrest warrant world wide for this criminal, he is thew sole reason there is so much crap happening in this country, he has masterminded everything for many years and has his paid stooges doing all his dirty work, time for him to be called out and made to face justice.

Well said, that man!!

....................He said the group — named the “Khon Kaen Model” by the army — include farmers, a bank security guard, a school director and business owners.......................

The very ones his sister tried to rob and cheat!!

Edited August 23, 2014 by Cuchulainn

[sweatalot]

"The army says its power grab was necessary to prevent further violence but opponents see it as an attempt to suppress Thaksin’s political dominance."

Wasn't the violence aimed at strengthening Thaksin’s political dominance. ?

And after the coup did the violence not go down dramatically?

And when at last will the "mastermind living abroad" be indicted?

edited for adding the last sentence

Edited August 23, 2014 by sweatalot

[OttoPollmann]

“The army arrested them and found guns, hand grenades, knives — things you’re not allowed to have without permission,” said Winyat.

“But they said other people asked them to keep them,” he added.

Really?

How stupid you can be, to keep someones weapons on your property.

They're really thinking, with this common thai excuse to get away from indictment of terrorism.

Just for this answer, they have to serve 5 years more.

[Artisi]

If guilty they should face a firing squad and suffer the same fate as they were allegedly planning to carry out on fellow Thai's, this of course is unlikely to happen, therefore a life sentence without any release should be mandatory.

[Lunchbob]

It's weird that his company was purchased by Temasek which has a lot of weird connects to world bank, imf, etc...

[AleG]

“The army arrested them and found guns, hand grenades, knives — things you’re not allowed to have without permission,” said Winyat.

“But they said other people asked them to keep them,” he added.

Really?

How stupid you can be, to keep someones weapons on your property.

They're really thinking, with this common thai excuse to get away from indictment of terrorism.

Just for this answer, they have to serve 5 years more.

Nah, totally believable scenario; it just happened that the army stumbled upon the weekly People That Hold Other People's War Weapons Club, Khon Kaen branch, show-and-tell meeting.

Edited August 23, 2014 by AleG

[FangFerang]

"Experts say there are armed elements on both sides of Thailands bitter political divide"

Why are all the arrests, land confiscations, and corruption charges reds? Yes, they tagged the creator of the yellows for charges very similar to the Thaksin conviction (with a much longer prison sentence, and which curiously he will never serve), but... They even said the experts know, meaning everyone knows. I am all for curbing militant factions (yes, there are peaceful reds and militant yellows -- SHOCK). I am all for curbing corruption -- both sides. I am all for reducing misery -- both sides. Where are the PDRC arrests for stabbing a man when he was with his pregnant wife and 'violated' the cones the guards illegally put on the road? Where is the arrest of the perps from the man from Lumpini park who was kidnapped and tortured for a week, and then wrapped up and thrown in a klong to die? Where are the arrests for the bus that was burned in Dong Mueng and a boy burned to death inside? Where is the land reclamation from Suthep's son who has taken land on Ko Samui and encroached?

WHERE ARE THESE ARRESTS? They are, and will be -- no where, EVER.

What about what is NOT happening...anyone?

Edited August 23, 2014 by FangFerang

[than]

Good work !

I hope this people will past the rest of their life behind bar................

[habvick]

The army arrested them and found guns, hand grenades, knives things youre not allowed to have without permission, said Winyat.

But they said other people asked them to keep them, he added.

Really?

How stupid you can be, to keep someones weapons on your property.

They're really thinking, with this common thai excuse to get away from indictment of terrorism.

Just for this answer, they have to serve 5 years more.

Red Shirt lawyer Winyat isn't the brightest bulb, but that's what Thaksin pays for when his low level thugs are charged. Winyat was the Red lawyer when many of the thugs wallowed in prison because no bail money was provided for them while the Red leaders had hundreds of thousands of baht in cash ready to pay for their own bail.

It's a magnificent thing that the heavy casualties inevitable with the Khon Kaen Model were prevented by the confiscation of the multiple weapons and the arrest of the terroristic Red Shirt thugs.

[AleG]

"Experts say there are armed elements on both sides of Thailands bitter political divide"

Why are all the arrests, land confiscations, and corruption charges reds? Yes, they tagged the creator of the yellows for charges very similar to the Thaksin conviction (with a much longer prison sentence, and which curiously he will never serve), but... They even said the experts know, meaning everyone knows. I am all for curbing militant factions (yes, there are peaceful reds and militant yellows -- SHOCK). I am all for curbing corruption -- both sides. I am all for reducing misery -- both sides. Where are the PDRC arrests for stabbing a man when he was with his pregnant wife and 'violated' the cones the guards illegally put on the road? Where is the arrest of the perps from the man from Lumpini park who was kidnapped and tortured for a week, and then wrapped up and thrown in a klong to die? Where are the arrests for the bus that was burned in Dong Mueng and a boy burned to death inside? Where is the land reclamation from Suthep's son who has taken land on Ko Samui and encroached?

WHERE ARE THESE ARRESTS? They are, and will be -- no where, EVER.

What about what is NOT happening...anyone?

But... but SUTHEP!

Pathetic diversionary post, by the way, the "bus that was burned in Dong Mueng and a boy burned to death inside" is a complete fabrication; that no PDRC members involved in violence have been arrested is another.

[Thanet]

"Experts say there are armed elements on both sides of Thailands bitter political divide"

Why are all the arrests, land confiscations, and corruption charges reds? Yes, they tagged the creator of the yellows for charges very similar to the Thaksin conviction (with a much longer prison sentence, and which curiously he will never serve), but... They even said the experts know, meaning everyone knows. I am all for curbing militant factions (yes, there are peaceful reds and militant yellows -- SHOCK). I am all for curbing corruption -- both sides. I am all for reducing misery -- both sides. Where are the PDRC arrests for stabbing a man when he was with his pregnant wife and 'violated' the cones the guards illegally put on the road? Where is the arrest of the perps from the man from Lumpini park who was kidnapped and tortured for a week, and then wrapped up and thrown in a klong to die? Where are the arrests for the bus that was burned in Dong Mueng and a boy burned to death inside? Where is the land reclamation from Suthep's son who has taken land on Ko Samui and encroached?

WHERE ARE THESE ARRESTS? They are, and will be -- no where, EVER.

What about what is NOT happening...anyone?

But... but SUTHEP!

Pathetic diversionary post, by the way, the "bus that was burned in Dong Mueng and a boy burned to death inside" is a complete fabrication; that no PDRC members involved in violence have been arrested is another.

Why is it a diversionary post?

The rhetorical questions that the poster asks are legitimate.

[sweatalot]

"Experts say there are armed elements on both sides of Thailands bitter political divide"

Why are all the arrests, land confiscations, and corruption charges reds? Yes, they tagged the creator of the yellows for charges very similar to the Thaksin conviction (with a much longer prison sentence, and which curiously he will never serve), but... They even said the experts know, meaning everyone knows. I am all for curbing militant factions (yes, there are peaceful reds and militant yellows -- SHOCK). I am all for curbing corruption -- both sides. I am all for reducing misery -- both sides. Where are the PDRC arrests for stabbing a man when he was with his pregnant wife and 'violated' the cones the guards illegally put on the road? Where is the arrest of the perps from the man from Lumpini park who was kidnapped and tortured for a week, and then wrapped up and thrown in a klong to die? Where are the arrests for the bus that was burned in Dong Mueng and a boy burned to death inside? Where is the land reclamation from Suthep's son who has taken land on Ko Samui and encroached?

WHERE ARE THESE ARRESTS? They are, and will be -- no where, EVER.

What about what is NOT happening...anyone?

who are those "experts" are they by chance red shirts?

"Why are all the arrests, land confiscations, and corruption charges reds?"

may be most of those committing those crimes are reds?

we all know that at least 90 % of the violence during the PDRC protests were committed by the reds

[djjamie]

the suspects were allegedly intent on a “large-scale attack” in Khon Kaen

And I live 2 minutes from the apartment that held these red terrorists. They were caught because the good, concerned and honorable people of KK "dobbed" them in.

The majority of Thai's despise terrorism. 7% cherish it.

My children and I thank the good General and the majority of Thai's for ensuring they were caught.

​One cannot forget who was at the top of the org chart in the apartment room as well.

​thaksin…..

Of course there will be silence or denial on that front. Maybe even a "fake" news story might suffice as an excuse for the red apologists if they are too lazy to come up with a better excuse.

[Thai at Heart]

what goes around, these idiots wanted to kill people in the name of thaksins bullsh*t lies and have fallen foul of the law and been caught. Anyone, red or yellow shirts that try to use weapons against other thais to appease a mastermind hiding overseas needs to face justice. This wasnt for the betterment of thais, it was for the betterment of thaksins bank account and always has been, he doesnt care what happens to the people he pays as long as he gets what he wants. When will we see the junta cancel his passport and issue an arrest warrant world wide for this criminal, he is thew sole reason there is so much crap happening in this country, he has masterminded everything for many years and has his paid stooges doing all his dirty work, time for him to be called out and made to face justice.

You have no idea what any of these numpties.got themselves into.

[mikemac]

"Experts say there are armed elements on both sides of Thailands bitter political divide"

Why are all the arrests, land confiscations, and corruption charges reds? Yes, they tagged the creator of the yellows for charges very similar to the Thaksin conviction (with a much longer prison sentence, and which curiously he will never serve), but... They even said the experts know, meaning everyone knows. I am all for curbing militant factions (yes, there are peaceful reds and militant yellows -- SHOCK). I am all for curbing corruption -- both sides. I am all for reducing misery -- both sides. Where are the PDRC arrests for stabbing a man when he was with his pregnant wife and 'violated' the cones the guards illegally put on the road? Where is the arrest of the perps from the man from Lumpini park who was kidnapped and tortured for a week, and then wrapped up and thrown in a klong to die? Where are the arrests for the bus that was burned in Dong Mueng and a boy burned to death inside? Where is the land reclamation from Suthep's son who has taken land on Ko Samui and encroached?

WHERE ARE THESE ARRESTS? They are, and will be -- no where, EVER.

What about what is NOT happening...anyone?

.........................."Why are all the arrests, land confiscations, and corruption charges reds?"............................

Really ? You ask a question like that and expect an answer ? Try to keep up and put two and two together.

.........................."What about what is NOT happening...anyone?"................................

Well, as another poster said, since the military takeover happened the killings have stopped, for one, and that has to be a good thing. Killings by mainly red mercenaries have been replaced by arrests of these paid killers. One of the many reasons I am a big fan of the general and look down on the ThaiRouge and any <deleted> who supports them.

Cannot wait for the day when the reds are all locked up, with their paymaster.

[AGareth2]

?

"He said the group — named the “Khon Kaen Model” by the army — include farmers, a bank security guard, a school director and business owners."

scary group

[rhythmworx]

I heard one of them was a dwarf who got arrested for carrying small arms.

[habvick]

?

"He said the group — named the “Khon Kaen Model” by the army — include farmers, a bank security guard, a school director and business owners."

scary group

The weapons cache and the Red Shirt plans to attack the city is what is scary.

[kimamey]

"Experts say there are armed elements on both sides of Thailands bitter political divide"

Why are all the arrests, land confiscations, and corruption charges reds? Yes, they tagged the creator of the yellows for charges very similar to the Thaksin conviction (with a much longer prison sentence, and which curiously he will never serve), but... They even said the experts know, meaning everyone knows. I am all for curbing militant factions (yes, there are peaceful reds and militant yellows -- SHOCK). I am all for curbing corruption -- both sides. I am all for reducing misery -- both sides. Where are the PDRC arrests for stabbing a man when he was with his pregnant wife and 'violated' the cones the guards illegally put on the road? Where is the arrest of the perps from the man from Lumpini park who was kidnapped and tortured for a week, and then wrapped up and thrown in a klong to die? Where are the arrests for the bus that was burned in Dong Mueng and a boy burned to death inside? Where is the land reclamation from Suthep's son who has taken land on Ko Samui and encroached?

WHERE ARE THESE ARRESTS? They are, and will be -- no where, EVER.

What about what is NOT happening...anyone?

But... but SUTHEP!

Pathetic diversionary post, by the way, the "bus that was burned in Dong Mueng and a boy burned to death inside" is a complete fabrication; that no PDRC members involved in violence have been arrested is another.

I think it's a perfectly reasonable question. Maybe there have been arrests of PDRC supporters or maybe they didn't commit that many crimes, I don't know but the statement that there should be arrests regardless of which side they are makes sense.

It's still good these people are off the streets though.

Edited August 24, 2014 by kimamey

[See the bears]

Most of them charged without any evidence and all physically & mentally intimidated into signing confessions.

[klauskunkel]

"Experts say there are armed elements on both sides of Thailands bitter political divide"

Why are all the arrests, land confiscations, and corruption charges reds? Yes, they tagged the creator of the yellows for charges very similar to the Thaksin conviction (with a much longer prison sentence, and which curiously he will never serve), but... They even said the experts know, meaning everyone knows. I am all for curbing militant factions (yes, there are peaceful reds and militant yellows -- SHOCK). I am all for curbing corruption -- both sides. I am all for reducing misery -- both sides. Where are the PDRC arrests for stabbing a man when he was with his pregnant wife and 'violated' the cones the guards illegally put on the road? Where is the arrest of the perps from the man from Lumpini park who was kidnapped and tortured for a week, and then wrapped up and thrown in a klong to die? Where are the arrests for the bus that was burned in Dong Mueng and a boy burned to death inside? Where is the land reclamation from Suthep's son who has taken land on Ko Samui and encroached?

WHERE ARE THESE ARRESTS? They are, and will be -- no where, EVER.

What about what is NOT happening...anyone?

But... but SUTHEP!

Pathetic diversionary post, by the way, the "bus that was burned in Dong Mueng and a boy burned to death inside" is a complete fabrication; that no PDRC members involved in violence have been arrested is another.

Why is it a diversionary post?

The rhetorical questions that the poster asks are legitimate.

A 'rhetorical question' is asked for effect only, not for answers. If you are not sure of the meaning of a word, don't use it. It makes you look silly.

[Halion]

I find it interesting and highly hypocritical how the media can now use the term "terrorists" with apparent impunity when referring to the militants in the North East, yet the same demons in the restive South are labeled as insurgents and have been for decades.

Those who take up arms against the constitution and rule of law are indeed Terrorist, so why the double standards.

[Ricardo]

"Experts say there are armed elements on both sides of Thailands bitter political divide"

Why are all the arrests, land confiscations, and corruption charges reds? Yes, they tagged the creator of the yellows for charges very similar to the Thaksin conviction (with a much longer prison sentence, and which curiously he will never serve), but... They even said the experts know, meaning everyone knows. I am all for curbing militant factions (yes, there are peaceful reds and militant yellows -- SHOCK). I am all for curbing corruption -- both sides. I am all for reducing misery -- both sides. Where are the PDRC arrests for stabbing a man when he was with his pregnant wife and 'violated' the cones the guards illegally put on the road? Where is the arrest of the perps from the man from Lumpini park who was kidnapped and tortured for a week, and then wrapped up and thrown in a klong to die? Where are the arrests for the bus that was burned in Dong Mueng and a boy burned to death inside? Where is the land reclamation from Suthep's son who has taken land on Ko Samui and encroached?

WHERE ARE THESE ARRESTS? They are, and will be -- no where, EVER.

What about what is NOT happening...anyone?

"WHERE ARE THESE ARRESTS? They are, and will be -- no where, EVER."

You mean to imply, that former-DPM Chalerm & CAPO and Tharit & the DSI were all total failures, over several months, and caught absolutely nobody ?

What on earth were they doing, then ?

And I suspect that "the bus that was burned in Dong Mueng", was actually at Ramkhamhaeng University, here is a report of the police arresting two people for it. Google is your friend !

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688248-police-arrest-two-men-for-torching-bus-near-ramkhamhaeng-university/

[rubl]

"Experts say there are armed elements on both sides of Thailands bitter political divide"

Why are all the arrests, land confiscations, and corruption charges reds? Yes, they tagged the creator of the yellows for charges very similar to the Thaksin conviction (with a much longer prison sentence, and which curiously he will never serve), but... They even said the experts know, meaning everyone knows. I am all for curbing militant factions (yes, there are peaceful reds and militant yellows -- SHOCK). I am all for curbing corruption -- both sides. I am all for reducing misery -- both sides. Where are the PDRC arrests for stabbing a man when he was with his pregnant wife and 'violated' the cones the guards illegally put on the road? Where is the arrest of the perps from the man from Lumpini park who was kidnapped and tortured for a week, and then wrapped up and thrown in a klong to die? Where are the arrests for the bus that was burned in Dong Mueng and a boy burned to death inside? Where is the land reclamation from Suthep's son who has taken land on Ko Samui and encroached?

WHERE ARE THESE ARRESTS? They are, and will be -- no where, EVER.

What about what is NOT happening...anyone?

But... but SUTHEP!

Pathetic diversionary post, by the way, the "bus that was burned in Dong Mueng and a boy burned to death inside" is a complete fabrication; that no PDRC members involved in violence have been arrested is another.

Why is it a diversionary post?

The rhetorical questions that the poster asks are legitimate.

Since FF so near desperately writes "WHERE ARE THESE ARRESTS? " it can hardly be a rhetorical question.

So to answer it

- PDRC guards stabbed a man -> charged at court

- PDRC co-leader and guards allegedly torturing taxi driver -> charged at court

- bus burned, skeleton inside -> not at Don Muaeng but Rhamkhamheng, no idea, probably in progress

- Suthep's son -> no relation with the topic

Luckily we seem to have found and charged also a lot of those responsible for various gunfire and grenade attacks, including those attacks which saw innocent children killed. The men behind those who executed the attacks mostly still unknown, but investigations in progress.

Edited August 24, 2014 by rubl

[ianf]

Most of them charged without any evidence and all physically & mentally intimidated into signing confessions.

OK. Please let us know the source of this information and the evidence.

[coma]

I think a couple of the older ones may find themselves doing some time on death row. Wouldn't be the first time.

[rubl]

I think a couple of the older ones may find themselves doing some time on death row. Wouldn't be the first time.

Anyone older than 65 (or Thai retirement age 60) to be granted bail automatically? Or put them in an 'institute' for the time till the court case starts?