2010 Unrest Ruling: Victims' Families Request Appeal
By Khaosod English


Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva (second from the left) at the Criminal Court on 28 August 2014.

BANGKOK — Families of victims killed in a military crackdown on protesters in 2010 have requested to appeal the court verdict that effectively ended all criminal proceedings against the government leaders who ordered the operation.

Yesterday, the Criminal Court dropped a murder case filed against former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban over their authorization of the crackdown, citing a lack of jurisdiction.

According to the court, Mr. Abhisit and Mr. Suthep must be tried by the Supreme Court's Division of Political Office Holders because the two men were in political office when the alleged crimes were committed. It is now up to the National Anti-Corruption Committee (NACC) to take up the case.

But relatives of the victims who died in the crackdown and their lawyers are urging the Attorney-General to appeal the court ruling.

"I believe it’s well within the authority of the Criminal Court to deliberate on the case," said Chokechai Angkaew, a lawyer who represents the victims' families. "Murdering people has nothing to do with political office."

Mr. Chokechai said the decision on whether to appeal the case rests with the Office of Attorney-General, who is currently "studying the case," its spokesperson, Wanchai Rujjanawong, said yesterday.

"This case is unprecedented," Mr. Wanchai said , "I cannot say much at the moment. We have to give time to the working team of the Attorney-General who is responsible for the case."

The Attorney-General prosecutor has 30 days to file an appeal.

Waiting for justice

The military crackdown in 2010 was an effort to quash mass Redshirt protests against Mr. Abhisit’s administration that began in March of that year.

More than 90 people, mostly civilians, were killed in clashes between security forces and demonstrators. The Division of Special Investigation (DSI) charged Mr. Abhisit and Mr. Suthep with murder and attempted murder in late 2010 for authorizing the military operation.

Although Mr. Abhisit and Mr. Suthep denied the charges, insisting that the fatalities were caused by militants allied to the protesters, court inquests have shown that soldiers operating under the government's orders were responsible for a majority of the deaths in the crackdown.

Teerawat Chumchan, whose brother Attachai Chumchan was shot dead by soldiers near the entrance to Wat Pathumwanararm Temple on 19 May 2010, said he was disappointed by the Criminal Court's ruling.

"But I can't do anything about it. I'm waiting for the prosecutor to file an appeal, and then I will consult with my lawyer about what to do," Mr. Teerawat said. "I still want to see the wrongdoers punished."

Pan Kamkong, whose brother Phan Kamkong was shot dead by the military near Ratchapralop Airport Link Station on 15 May 2010, said he will also fight for an appeal.

"I will consult my with lawyer first about steps that I can take to bring the commanders [of the crackdown] to justice," Mr. Pan told Khaosod. "Let me stress that my brother will not die in vain."

Phayao Akhard, the mother of a volunteer medic who was shot dead inside Wat Pathumwanararm Temple on the final day of the crackdown, said she was shocked by the court's decision.

"I never thought that it would happen," Ms. Phayao said.

"As a family that lost my loved one, I will continue to seek justice for my daughter," said Ms. Phayao, adding that she is preparing a letter asking junta leader and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to "give justice" to the families of the victims.

Suriyan Polsrila, the widow of a Redshirt demonstrator shot dead by the military in 2010, says she isn't sure of what to do next.

"Mr. Channarong's death has nothing to do with political cases. It's a murder," Ms. Suriyan said, "[but] I don't want to criticise anything at this time, because, as we all know, anyone who campaigns about anything gets arrested."

The New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) condemned the ruling in a report released today, calling it a “serious setback for accountability efforts in Thailand” and “an affront to basic justice and international law.”

The verdict fits into a larger trend of impunity, the report said, citing the repeated failure of governments since 2010 to prosecute those responsible for the violence.

“An important lesson from 2010 is that failure to end impunity will fuel future lawlessness and violence in Thailand,” said Brad Adams, HRW’s Asia Director. “This is particularly important now, when Thailand is living under a military junta that controls all state powers.”

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1409298052


-- Khaosod English 2014-08-29

NO Justice will ever apply to the Dems, Suthep and Abhisit are very very good friends with the army !

There is no law, there is no government, there is only the Junta, and as long they are cocooning the Dems, no justice !

has anyone explained to these people that it is not murder when soldiers are defending themselves against red shirts and black shirts that started the shooting. Maybe they should be chasing the reds and blacks for starting the shooting because the army only returned fire to protect themselves. They also have to allow for the fact that black shirts and reds were shooting their own people as well, still waiting on ballistic. results/tests that show it was a soldiers gun that killed them and not one used by the reds/black shirts,This was a total farce set up purely to try to influence a pardon for thaksin and when you consider the fact the police never once tried to intervene with the reds at any time and stop it because they were being told what to do by the ptp you start to see that these charges were not possible from the start, how do you charge people for retaliating to save lives, the reds/thaksin created this mess and started the shooting, burning and bombing that led to the retaliation to prevent the deaths of civillians, all these people are the red appologists trying to score points for them, try looking at the ones that actually caused all the deaths, the ptp/reds/thaksin and the black shirts.

has anyone explained to these people that it is not murder when soldiers are defending themselves against red shirts and black shirts that started the shooting. Maybe they should be chasing the reds and blacks for starting the shooting because the army only returned fire to protect themselves. They also have to allow for the fact that black shirts and reds were shooting their own people as well, still waiting on ballistic. results/tests that show it was a soldiers gun that killed them and not one used by the reds/black shirts,This was a total farce set up purely to try to influence a pardon for thaksin and when you consider the fact the police never once tried to intervene with the reds at any time and stop it because they were being told what to do by the ptp you start to see that these charges were not possible from the start, how do you charge people for retaliating to save lives, the reds/thaksin created this mess and started the shooting, burning and bombing that led to the retaliation to prevent the deaths of civillians, all these people are the red appologists trying to score points for them, try looking at the ones that actually caused all the deaths, the ptp/reds/thaksin and the black shirts.

Just a thought , if the bullets would have come from reds or your man in black, me thinks the proof would already be showed.

This was/is murder , advocated by Suthep and Abhisit, I hope they will be punished and pay for it.

I'm not sure how, as ordinary civilians, Abhisit and Suthep authorized the army to carry live ammunition.

Just a thought , if the bullets would have come from reds or your man in black, me thinks the proof would already be showed.

This was/is murder , advocated by Suthep and Abhisit, I hope they will be punished and pay for it.

If Abhisit and Suthep "advocated" murder, are you suggesting that they didn't actually "commit" murder?

Just a thought , if the bullets would have come from reds or your man in black, me thinks the proof would already be showed.

This was/is murder , advocated by Suthep and Abhisit, I hope they will be punished and pay for it.

Try to answer this, why are no Prime Ministers or Presidents accused of murder every time the police kill someone, whether in accordance to their rules of engagement or against them?

The police, apparently, killed a few PDRC protesters, is Yingluck guilty of murder?

I guess I should first have asked, do you know what murder is?

I have listened to people over the years who have been caught up in civil disturbances riots and violent protests usually with weapons involved, they have usually ignored warnings to remove themselves from the area and yet when they become victims it's everybody elses fault, the truth is - if you want to remain safe and out of harms way then leave the area especially when members of your group are using weapons - you may not be armed yourself but if the person next to you is then you may as well be

It is the governments responsibility to restore order, the army had orders I believe to only use live rounds to defend themselves which they have every right to do, people who got caught up in the crossfire had ample warnings to remove themselves from the area, people could argue they should have used none lethal methods - well I don't think I'd be happy firing rubber rounds at someone shooting at me with an assault rifle - not much more to say really

has anyone explained to these people that it is not murder when soldiers are defending themselves against red shirts and black shirts that started the shooting. Maybe they should be chasing the reds and blacks for starting the shooting because the army only returned fire to protect themselves. They also have to allow for the fact that black shirts and reds were shooting their own people as well, still waiting on ballistic. results/tests that show it was a soldiers gun that killed them and not one used by the reds/black shirts,This was a total farce set up purely to try to influence a pardon for thaksin and when you consider the fact the police never once tried to intervene with the reds at any time and stop it because they were being told what to do by the ptp you start to see that these charges were not possible from the start, how do you charge people for retaliating to save lives, the reds/thaksin created this mess and started the shooting, burning and bombing that led to the retaliation to prevent the deaths of civillians, all these people are the red appologists trying to score points for them, try looking at the ones that actually caused all the deaths, the ptp/reds/thaksin and the black shirts.

Just a thought , if the bullets would have come from reds or your man in black, me thinks the proof would already be showed.

This was/is murder , advocated by Suthep and Abhisit, I hope they will be punished and pay for it.

Well you've decided. Based on all the evidence that you have been allowed to read through or simply your obvious political bias?

Have all the guns used by the red shirts and men in black been captured so that the bullets can all be compared?

Do you think someone who authorized, and instigated, the murder of over 2500 in the war on drugs would flinch at a few "friendly fire" instances to push his personal agenda? The same man who allegedly financed that insurgency (remember Yingluck's big cash withdrawls?) and allegedly financed the murder and attacks on anti-Shin protesters this time.

The 2010 attendees were warned and chose to ignore the warnings? Now, the children killed this time around, that's murder for which all involved should be punished.

And there you have that Brad Adams and his HRW again. The narrow selectivity in HRW's 'discernment' of what human rights are and who is entitled to have some (f.i. here: for this self-feeding PR company calling itself HRW, in 2010 all the Bangkokians had no human rights, the soldiers who were killed and wounded had no human rights, the wounded and killed civilians which were not with the red insurgents and/or within their fortress had no human rights either) shows how totally biased this, so-called, NGO is. The fact they oppose a clear, justified and motivated ruling of a Court of Justice, totally in-line with the Thai Law, and openly side with Thaksin's herd of attorneys in their attempted mystifications, makes me think I know, at least, one of their sources of SPONSOR money (as this is NOT an honourable and trustworthy organisation based on individual members' contributions like Amnesty International). Did any of you ever read a condemnation, just some criticism, even a mild one, about the 'war on drugs', Kru Se, Tak Bai, the bloody attacks by police and thugs on the PAD yellowshirts, the terrorist bombings and grenade attacks of 2009/2010, the paramilitary assault troops of Seh Daeng, the murder(!) and wounding of soldiers, the black shirts' actions, the armed red shirts' rampages, the more recent murders and wounding of innocents, women and children, of peacefull PDRC demonstrators, etc., etc.? Me? No, not one single little one! How odd, or in fact not at all... What to expect when one sees how and why HRW was created, and by/for whom... What a despicable bunch of leeches!

I do not recall and Red Shirts that were at home or on the farm working being killed or injured, did I miss something ??

has anyone explained to these people that it is not murder when soldiers are defending themselves against red shirts and black shirts that started the shooting. Maybe they should be chasing the reds and blacks for starting the shooting because the army only returned fire to protect themselves. They also have to allow for the fact that black shirts and reds were shooting their own people as well, still waiting on ballistic. results/tests that show it was a soldiers gun that killed them and not one used by the reds/black shirts,This was a total farce set up purely to try to influence a pardon for thaksin and when you consider the fact the police never once tried to intervene with the reds at any time and stop it because they were being told what to do by the ptp you start to see that these charges were not possible from the start, how do you charge people for retaliating to save lives, the reds/thaksin created this mess and started the shooting, burning and bombing that led to the retaliation to prevent the deaths of civillians, all these people are the red appologists trying to score points for them, try looking at the ones that actually caused all the deaths, the ptp/reds/thaksin and the black shirts.

It's al rubbish I do realise many are low educated same like you but soldiers can not ever shoot on civilians not even in self defence

Neither can they take control over a country must follow an elected government

So the pebble in office and the general and officers are all in line for a criminal charge

Civilian are not to blame for gorillas hidden among them and can not be killed

That's why democracy is a way to solve for you who don't got a clue it means work together and it can take a long time but it's the only way and nobody gonna get what they want but every body get some of what they want

It's strange so many in here don't know this this is basic and who cares who are in office as long as they are democratic same goes for taksin he is removed illegal no matter if he is wrong or right the army can not do anything the law have to work and taksin must rite out election and if elected the party can go on with a new leader or same if no problem

Civilian must follow police order if don't then there can be problems it's all basic and to prevent this for ever happening again better get the basic right

has anyone explained to these people that it is not murder when soldiers are defending themselves against red shirts and black shirts that started the shooting. Maybe they should be chasing the reds and blacks for starting the shooting because the army only returned fire to protect themselves. They also have to allow for the fact that black shirts and reds were shooting their own people as well, still waiting on ballistic. results/tests that show it was a soldiers gun that killed them and not one used by the reds/black shirts,This was a total farce set up purely to try to influence a pardon for thaksin and when you consider the fact the police never once tried to intervene with the reds at any time and stop it because they were being told what to do by the ptp you start to see that these charges were not possible from the start, how do you charge people for retaliating to save lives, the reds/thaksin created this mess and started the shooting, burning and bombing that led to the retaliation to prevent the deaths of civillians, all these people are the red appologists trying to score points for them, try looking at the ones that actually caused all the deaths, the ptp/reds/thaksin and the black shirts.

It's al rubbish I do realise many are low educated same like you but soldiers can not ever shoot on civilians not even in self defence

Neither can they take control over a country must follow an elected government

So the pebble in office and the general and officers are all in line for a criminal charge

Civilian are not to blame for gorillas hidden among them and can not be killed

That's why democracy is a way to solve for you who don't got a clue it means work together and it can take a long time but it's the only way and nobody gonna get what they want but every body get some of what they want

It's strange so many in here don't know this this is basic and who cares who are in office as long as they are democratic same goes for taksin he is removed illegal no matter if he is wrong or right the army can not do anything the law have to work and taksin must rite out election and if elected the party can go on with a new leader or same if no problem

Civilian must follow police order if don't then there can be problems it's all basic and to prevent this for ever happening again better get the basic right

"It's al rubbish I do realise many are low educated same like you....."

Yada, yada, yada. And, of course, you are "highly educated' ? .There are no pebbles in office and the gorillas hide in Africa .

No line up for criminal charges either.

"Taksin must rite (sic) out the election". If that man Thaksin had the courage, he would have returned years ago, appealed his sentence and may yet be in charge of Thailand as you so dream.

Well mate, forget that idea. Things have changed so deal with it.

has anyone explained to these people that it is not murder when soldiers are defending themselves against red shirts and black shirts that started the shooting. Maybe they should be chasing the reds and blacks for starting the shooting because the army only returned fire to protect themselves. They also have to allow for the fact that black shirts and reds were shooting their own people as well, still waiting on ballistic. results/tests that show it was a soldiers gun that killed them and not one used by the reds/black shirts,This was a total farce set up purely to try to influence a pardon for thaksin and when you consider the fact the police never once tried to intervene with the reds at any time and stop it because they were being told what to do by the ptp you start to see that these charges were not possible from the start, how do you charge people for retaliating to save lives, the reds/thaksin created this mess and started the shooting, burning and bombing that led to the retaliation to prevent the deaths of civillians, all these people are the red appologists trying to score points for them, try looking at the ones that actually caused all the deaths, the ptp/reds/thaksin and the black shirts.

It's al rubbish I do realise many are low educated same like you but soldiers can not ever shoot on civilians not even in self defence

Neither can they take control over a country must follow an elected government

So the pebble in office and the general and officers are all in line for a criminal charge

Civilian are not to blame for gorillas hidden among them and can not be killed

That's why democracy is a way to solve for you who don't got a clue it means work together and it can take a long time but it's the only way and nobody gonna get what they want but every body get some of what they want

It's strange so many in here don't know this this is basic and who cares who are in office as long as they are democratic same goes for taksin he is removed illegal no matter if he is wrong or right the army can not do anything the law have to work and taksin must rite out election and if elected the party can go on with a new leader or same if no problem

Civilian must follow police order if don't then there can be problems it's all basic and to prevent this for ever happening again better get the basic right

Educate your keyboard first, may be we low educated posters can understand your postings.

Guys the army took over. As Suthep said already a few months back he advised the GENERAL of getting rid of the Yingluck regime and this from the day she took power or even longer.

And all for the rubbish posters that said the army tried to protect themselves for Gods or Buddha's sake she was a nurse and got gunned down at a local temple.

The army has always killed and executed people and this goes back to the 60's and 70's where they called the same poor people anti monarchists, communists or whatever but when the army has to secure 50sqm2 in the South where all the bombings happened they are unable to fight the insurgency.

When is Prayuth given back happiness to the Thai people in the Deep South.

"It's al rubbish I do realise many are low educated same like you....."

Yada, yada, yada. And, of course, you are "highly educated' ? .There are no pebbles in office and the gorillas hide in Africa .

No line up for criminal charges either.

"Taksin must rite (sic) out the election". If that man Thaksin had the courage, he would have returned years ago, appealed his sentence and may yet be in charge of Thailand as you so dream.

Well mate, forget that idea. Things have changed so deal with it.

Things haven't changed, that's the problem. Same as it ever was. Just more in your face than before.

has anyone explained to these people that it is not murder when soldiers are defending themselves against red shirts and black shirts that started the shooting. Maybe they should be chasing the reds and blacks for starting the shooting because the army only returned fire to protect themselves. They also have to allow for the fact that black shirts and reds were shooting their own people as well, still waiting on ballistic. results/tests that show it was a soldiers gun that killed them and not one used by the reds/black shirts,This was a total farce set up purely to try to influence a pardon for thaksin and when you consider the fact the police never once tried to intervene with the reds at any time and stop it because they were being told what to do by the ptp you start to see that these charges were not possible from the start, how do you charge people for retaliating to save lives, the reds/thaksin created this mess and started the shooting, burning and bombing that led to the retaliation to prevent the deaths of civillians, all these people are the red appologists trying to score points for them, try looking at the ones that actually caused all the deaths, the ptp/reds/thaksin and the black shirts.

Er, wasn't it an innocent taxi driver who was shot and killed? Wasn't it Abhisit and Suthep, unelected PM and Deputy PM who ordered the army/police to open fire with live ammo? Sounds a bit like Hitler claiming his innocence because he didn't personally gas the thousands of Jews.

Just a thought , if the bullets would have come from reds or your man in black, me thinks the proof would already be showed.

This was/is murder , advocated by Suthep and Abhisit, I hope they will be punished and pay for it.

Try to answer this, why are no Prime Ministers or Presidents accused of murder every time the police kill someone, whether in accordance to their rules of engagement or against them?

The police, apparently, killed a few PDRC protesters, is Yingluck guilty of murder?

I guess I should first have asked, do you know what murder is?

I doubt Yingluck would be charged with murder as she went out of her way to not use or advocate violence

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I'm not sure how, as ordinary civilians, Abhisit and Suthep authorized the army to carry live ammunition.

Through the Ministry of Defense, a cabinet position under PM Abhisit?

NO Justice will ever apply to the Dems, Suthep and Abhisit are very very good friends with the army !

There is no law, there is no government, there is only the Junta, and as long they are cocooning the Dems, no justice !

You are very jaded, my friend. Anyone else in power at the time and there would have been hundreds of Reds dead; people, let's not forget, who were holding the country hostage and were asking for it. There will be no 'justice' for these people as the decision is correct.

What is wrong and third world in the first place is that a highly respectable person such as Mark, who did everything humanly possible to avoid bloodshed, was even in the dock! He should be countersuing for the inconvenience and attempt to tarnish his name.

Posts containing hyperbolic comparisons to Hitler, Mandela and the Junta have been removed as well as the replies.

has anyone explained to these people that it is not murder when soldiers are defending themselves against red shirts and black shirts that started the shooting. Maybe they should be chasing the reds and blacks for starting the shooting because the army only returned fire to protect themselves. They also have to allow for the fact that black shirts and reds were shooting their own people as well, still waiting on ballistic. results/tests that show it was a soldiers gun that killed them and not one used by the reds/black shirts,This was a total farce set up purely to try to influence a pardon for thaksin and when you consider the fact the police never once tried to intervene with the reds at any time and stop it because they were being told what to do by the ptp you start to see that these charges were not possible from the start, how do you charge people for retaliating to save lives, the reds/thaksin created this mess and started the shooting, burning and bombing that led to the retaliation to prevent the deaths of civillians, all these people are the red appologists trying to score points for them, try looking at the ones that actually caused all the deaths, the ptp/reds/thaksin and the black shirts.

Er, wasn't it an innocent taxi driver who was shot and killed? Wasn't it Abhisit and Suthep, unelected PM and Deputy PM who ordered the army/police to open fire with live ammo? Sounds a bit like Hitler claiming his innocence because he didn't personally gas the thousands of Jews.

Sorry get your facts straight they were elected by the members of Parliament same as Yingluck.

Guys the army took over. As Suthep said already a few months back he advised the GENERAL of getting rid of the Yingluck regime and this from the day she took power or even longer.

And all for the rubbish posters that said the army tried to protect themselves for Gods or Buddha's sake she was a nurse and got gunned down at a local temple.

The army has always killed and executed people and this goes back to the 60's and 70's where they called the same poor people anti monarchists, communists or whatever but when the army has to secure 50sqm2 in the South where all the bombings happened they are unable to fight the insurgency.

When is Prayuth given back happiness to the Thai people in the Deep South.

The army may have shot the nurse but that doesn't make Abhisit and Suthep guilty of murder.

has anyone explained to these people that it is not murder when soldiers are defending themselves against red shirts and black shirts that started the shooting. Maybe they should be chasing the reds and blacks for starting the shooting because the army only returned fire to protect themselves. They also have to allow for the fact that black shirts and reds were shooting their own people as well, still waiting on ballistic. results/tests that show it was a soldiers gun that killed them and not one used by the reds/black shirts,This was a total farce set up purely to try to influence a pardon for thaksin and when you consider the fact the police never once tried to intervene with the reds at any time and stop it because they were being told what to do by the ptp you start to see that these charges were not possible from the start, how do you charge people for retaliating to save lives, the reds/thaksin created this mess and started the shooting, burning and bombing that led to the retaliation to prevent the deaths of civillians, all these people are the red appologists trying to score points for them, try looking at the ones that actually caused all the deaths, the ptp/reds/thaksin and the black shirts.

Er, wasn't it an innocent taxi driver who was shot and killed? Wasn't it Abhisit and Suthep, unelected PM and Deputy PM who ordered the army/police to open fire with live ammo? Sounds a bit like Hitler claiming his innocence because he didn't personally gas the thousands of Jews.

Which taxi driver was killed? Was he the one that stepped out of his apartment to see what the shooting was about?

The elected PM didn't order anyone to open fire. The order was to allow the army to use live ammunition to protect themselves from armed protesters. That the army didn't follow orders doesn't make Abhisit and Suthep guilty of murder?

I'm not sure how, as ordinary civilians, Abhisit and Suthep authorized the army to carry live ammunition.

Through the Ministry of Defense, a cabinet position under PM Abhisit?

But he wasn't charged "as PM". He was charged as a civilian.

has anyone explained to these people that it is not murder when soldiers are defending themselves against red shirts and black shirts that started the shooting. Maybe they should be chasing the reds and blacks for starting the shooting because the army only returned fire to protect themselves. They also have to allow for the fact that black shirts and reds were shooting their own people as well, still waiting on ballistic. results/tests that show it was a soldiers gun that killed them and not one used by the reds/black shirts,This was a total farce set up purely to try to influence a pardon for thaksin and when you consider the fact the police never once tried to intervene with the reds at any time and stop it because they were being told what to do by the ptp you start to see that these charges were not possible from the start, how do you charge people for retaliating to save lives, the reds/thaksin created this mess and started the shooting, burning and bombing that led to the retaliation to prevent the deaths of civillians, all these people are the red appologists trying to score points for them, try looking at the ones that actually caused all the deaths, the ptp/reds/thaksin and the black shirts.

Er, wasn't it an innocent taxi driver who was shot and killed? Wasn't it Abhisit and Suthep, unelected PM and Deputy PM who ordered the army/police to open fire with live ammo? Sounds a bit like Hitler claiming his innocence because he didn't personally gas the thousands of Jews.

it would appear all the thaksin lovers/red apologists in here forget that the REDS started shooting at everyone else first and the army was only given orders to defend themselves and the public from the armed RED shirt terrorists that started it all under thaksins orders. I realize a lot of you are not capable of writing or speaking english(or educated enough to understand what is being said) very well but usually when all the evidence points at the reds it means they are guilty. I actually feel sorry for all those red apologoists that come in here and make fools of themselves due entirely to the lack of education and the ability to write/spell in english but what the heck, this is Thailand and everyone is entitled to make a fool of themselves.

I'm not sure how, as ordinary civilians, Abhisit and Suthep authorized the army to carry live ammunition.

Through the Ministry of Defense, a cabinet position under PM Abhisit?

But he wasn't charged "as PM". He was charged as a civilian.

he issued the orders as pm, cant charge him as a civillian because he was acting for the country as its elected leader not himself but then you lot dont really seem to have the education levels to understand this fact.

has anyone explained to these people that it is not murder when soldiers are defending themselves against red shirts and black shirts that started the shooting. Maybe they should be chasing the reds and blacks for starting the shooting because the army only returned fire to protect themselves. They also have to allow for the fact that black shirts and reds were shooting their own people as well, still waiting on ballistic. results/tests that show it was a soldiers gun that killed them and not one used by the reds/black shirts,This was a total farce set up purely to try to influence a pardon for thaksin and when you consider the fact the police never once tried to intervene with the reds at any time and stop it because they were being told what to do by the ptp you start to see that these charges were not possible from the start, how do you charge people for retaliating to save lives, the reds/thaksin created this mess and started the shooting, burning and bombing that led to the retaliation to prevent the deaths of civillians, all these people are the red appologists trying to score points for them, try looking at the ones that actually caused all the deaths, the ptp/reds/thaksin and the black shirts.

Just a thought , if the bullets would have come from reds or your man in black, me thinks the proof would already be showed.

This was/is murder , advocated by Suthep and Abhisit, I hope they will be punished and pay for it.

No it wasn't advocated by Suthep and Abhisit. The courts said the shots were fired by the military but those killed don't appear to have doing anything that would warrant them being shot under the ROE so it wasn't ordered by Abhisit and Suthep.

Even Robert Amsterdam's own expert witness Joe Ray Witty says the Royal Thai Army’s conduct in numerous circumstances was criminal in nature, and failed to meet the military’s own rules of engagement.

The NACC are the right body to look at the evidence and then if necessary send it to the right court. Of course the court and the NACC will be accused of bias whilst ignoring the fact that Tarit himself has said he just did what the government told him.

There are clearly questions for the army to answer about these deaths but all the evidence from both sides seems to show they weren't following the ROE for whatever reason.

There are also questions about the ROE and whether they breeched international guidelines and RA has put this argument forward himself. looking at the guidelines it does appear the ROE went beyond them although I'm not sure if that would be a criminal offence or not. It all depends on what role the army were engaged in at the time.

has anyone explained to these people that it is not murder when soldiers are defending themselves against red shirts and black shirts that started the shooting. Maybe they should be chasing the reds and blacks for starting the shooting because the army only returned fire to protect themselves. They also have to allow for the fact that black shirts and reds were shooting their own people as well, still waiting on ballistic. results/tests that show it was a soldiers gun that killed them and not one used by the reds/black shirts,This was a total farce set up purely to try to influence a pardon for thaksin and when you consider the fact the police never once tried to intervene with the reds at any time and stop it because they were being told what to do by the ptp you start to see that these charges were not possible from the start, how do you charge people for retaliating to save lives, the reds/thaksin created this mess and started the shooting, burning and bombing that led to the retaliation to prevent the deaths of civillians, all these people are the red appologists trying to score points for them, try looking at the ones that actually caused all the deaths, the ptp/reds/thaksin and the black shirts.

Er, wasn't it an innocent taxi driver who was shot and killed? Wasn't it Abhisit and Suthep, unelected PM and Deputy PM who ordered the army/police to open fire with live ammo? Sounds a bit like Hitler claiming his innocence because he didn't personally gas the thousands of Jews.

Abhisit was elected by parliament. If he wasn't he can't have ordered the army to do anything.

All these accusations are against Abhisit and Suthep who gave orders that didn't authorise the killings that took place. The army appear from the evidence so far to have not been following orders but everyone is accusing A and S and not the army. A bit like Thaksin and PTP really which is why this is all a farce. It needs proper investigation without the political bias, something it hasn't had up to now.

has anyone explained to these people that it is not murder when soldiers are defending themselves against red shirts and black shirts that started the shooting. Maybe they should be chasing the reds and blacks for starting the shooting because the army only returned fire to protect themselves. They also have to allow for the fact that black shirts and reds were shooting their own people as well, still waiting on ballistic. results/tests that show it was a soldiers gun that killed them and not one used by the reds/black shirts,This was a total farce set up purely to try to influence a pardon for thaksin and when you consider the fact the police never once tried to intervene with the reds at any time and stop it because they were being told what to do by the ptp you start to see that these charges were not possible from the start, how do you charge people for retaliating to save lives, the reds/thaksin created this mess and started the shooting, burning and bombing that led to the retaliation to prevent the deaths of civillians, all these people are the red appologists trying to score points for them, try looking at the ones that actually caused all the deaths, the ptp/reds/thaksin and the black shirts.

It's al rubbish I do realise many are low educated same like you but soldiers can not ever shoot on civilians not even in self defence

Neither can they take control over a country must follow an elected government

So the pebble in office and the general and officers are all in line for a criminal charge

Civilian are not to blame for gorillas hidden among them and can not be killed

That's why democracy is a way to solve for you who don't got a clue it means work together and it can take a long time but it's the only way and nobody gonna get what they want but every body get some of what they want

It's strange so many in here don't know this this is basic and who cares who are in office as long as they are democratic same goes for taksin he is removed illegal no matter if he is wrong or right the army can not do anything the law have to work and taksin must rite out election and if elected the party can go on with a new leader or same if no problem

Civilian must follow police order if don't then there can be problems it's all basic and to prevent this for ever happening again better get the basic right

It's al rubbish I do realise many are low educated same like you but soldiers can not ever shoot on civilians not even in self defence

I never went to university so in my case yes I'm not highly educated but I can understand basic facts.

Soldiers can shoot civilians and it happens all the time. It would happen more often but many other countries have proper police who would be involved before the army. Civilians were shot in Northern Ireland in defence of military personnel and other civilians. If you as a civilian try to attack a head of state you can be killed. It's nothing unusual.

The ary do need to be investigated for the way in which they acted but this case wasn't brought against them just Abhisit and Suthep as that's what the last government wanted.