Khon Kaen model suspects deny all charges, including uprising plot
Jitima Janphrom
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE 26 suspects, arrested for being part of the so-called "Khon Kaen model", denied all charges yesterday - including complicity in terrorist plots - that were levied against them at the 23rd Military Circle Court.

Most of the suspects were arrested at an apartment building in Khon Kaen province on May 23, a day after the military took over.

At a press conference in late May, Maj-General Thawat Sookplang - deputy commander of the Second Army Area at the time - said the Khon Kaen Model involved a four-step mobilisation or uprising. The first was to mobilise as many people as possible; get 'mobilised' people to disarm security officials; get into negotiations with the military; and finally raid financial institutions and distribute the money among people - like a Robin Hood-style operation.

Thawat warned that if the 'Khon Kaen Model' had been successful, similar operations were planned in the North.

"Their plans were disrupted after we arrested these suspects," Thawat said at the time.

Yesterday saw the first hearing on this case.

The suspects come from all walks of life - ranging from a school director and local politician, to farmers and vendors. Most were aged above 50, with the oldest 72. Many have chronic health problems, such as gout, diabetes and high-blood pressure. If convicted, they might face the death sentence.

Since their alleged crimes took place at a time when the country was under martial law, they are being tried at the military court - and once this court issues a ruling, it is final. No appeals are allowed in the military-court system.

The suspects' lawyer Winyat Chartmontri, who hails from the Free Thai Legal Aid, said he was against the single-court system and would do his best to get the case heard in the civilian system.

"The country is now back to normal," he pointed out.

Winyat said the suspects had denied all their charges and there was no solid evidence against them. A representative from the International Commission of Jurists were present at the court room yesterday as observers.

According to security officials, 22 suspects were arrested at a building in Khon Kaen on May 23. They were allegedly participating in a meeting. Further investigation led to the arrest of another four suspects and a discovery of various weapons in their vehicles.

Wassana Ngaemchaiyaphun, a suspect's wife, said she believed her husband was innocent.

"He went out to take up a job of transporting organic fertiliser," she said, adding that since his arrest, her family had plunged into financial trouble.

"He was our only breadwinner," she said.

Several people along with the suspects' families showed up at military court to offer moral support yesterday.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Khon-Kaen-model-suspects-deny-all-charges-includin-30245999.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-22

Yu'p one day into martial law, arrest a mad gang of (pensioners) ,OOp's militant gangsters,

what are they going to do? hit some big bad army guy with their walking stick? slice 'em up with their pension card? fair enough, but let the likes of Suthep publicly calling on his followers to kidnap (detain) Yingluk, and other ministers and threats to their families, and then there's the mad monk walking freely,,, Fair and balanced, nothing to see here walk on.

After 9/11 the Bush administration regularly issued non-specific warnings of possible terrorist attacks and although some suspected there may have been an element of keeping the country on it's toes it also gave the government plenty of excuse to introduce and renew secret phone taps etc.

The PM was talking ant anti-government underground movements which of course gives ample reason to retain martial law as he chooses. A couple of nice plots come in handy too.

Yu'p one day into martial law, arrest a mad gang of (pensioners) ,OOp's militant gangsters,

what are they going to do? hit some big bad army guy with their walking stick? slice 'em up with their pension card?

*derailing, off-topic malarky snipped from above post*

Seems they weren't all "pensioners"

"He was our only breadwinner," she said.

What's more, people of any age can pull a trigger.

arrest of another four suspects and a discovery of various weapons in their vehicles

Yu'p one day into martial law, arrest a mad gang of (pensioners) ,OOp's militant gangsters,

what are they going to do? hit some big bad army guy with their walking stick? slice 'em up with their pension card?

*derailing, off-topic malarky snipped from above post*

Seems they weren't all "pensioners"

"He was our only breadwinner," she said.

What's more, people of any age can pull a trigger.

arrest of another four suspects and a discovery of various weapons in their vehicles

Yes your quite right the elderly can still pull a trigger. And Thailand doesn't have a pensioner system like the west.

I WAS BEING FACETIOUS, but that may be lost on you.

But no surprise you left the Suthep and mad monk comment well a loan.

Yu'p one day into martial law, arrest a mad gang of (pensioners) ,OOp's militant gangsters,

what are they going to do? hit some big bad army guy with their walking stick? slice 'em up with their pension card?

*derailing, off-topic malarky snipped from above post*

Seems they weren't all "pensioners"

"He was our only breadwinner," she said.

What's more, people of any age can pull a trigger.

arrest of another four suspects and a discovery of various weapons in their vehicles

Yes your quite right the elderly can still pull a trigger. And Thailand doesn't have a pensioner system like the west.

I WAS BEING FACETIOUS, but that may be lost on you.

You were being INACCURATE, which a review of your posts reveals is a reoccurring theme.

Btw, Thailand does have a pension system, which, again, you are inaccurate about. But let's not follow your other theme of derailing.

.

A recurring theme here & around the world, to justify the use of force over the democratic will of the people. "get 'mobilised' people to disarm security officials...." this is really laughable though

After the Koh Tao debacle , the refusal to prosecute Yingluck for corruption/malfeasance (reason given for coup) and today's announcement that none of the NCPO need disclose their assets, is it possible to believe anything coming from their propaganda machine?

The wife is quoted as saying..... "He went out to take up a job of transporting organic fertilizer," she said... {spelling corrected}

Yes, his job was to deliver sh^t......... like many say, You cant make this stuff up.

I think that although now it is reported that most Thais are satisfied with the present leader, eventually the tide will turn.

If they are indeed guilty and their arrest have yielded further arrest and weapons come down hard on them. The last thing we want is civil war and bombs going off. The reds are known for that think of all the protesters killed (while the previous government hid the guilty only the military found them) So coming down hard is a good solution to prevent bloodshed. It should send a message to the reds to keep their head down and stay peaceful.

After the Koh Tao debacle , the refusal to prosecute Yingluck for corruption/malfeasance (reason given for coup) and today's announcement that none of the NCPO need disclose their assets, is it possible to believe anything coming from their propaganda machine?

It's the National Reform Council that don't need to declare their assets. They don't have any influence over any government financial decisions, so why should they need to declare them?

After the Koh Tao debacle , the refusal to prosecute Yingluck for corruption/malfeasance (reason given for coup) and today's announcement that none of the NCPO need disclose their assets, is it possible to believe anything coming from their propaganda machine?

It's the National Reform Council that don't need to declare their assets. They don't have any influence over any government financial decisions, so why should they need to declare them?

Come on don't use logic on red shirts.. that never works.

If they are indeed guilty and their arrest have yielded further arrest and weapons come down hard on them. The last thing we want is civil war and bombs going off. The reds are known for that think of all the protesters killed (while the previous government hid the guilty only the military found them) So coming down hard is a good solution to prevent bloodshed. It should send a message to the reds to keep their head down and stay peaceful.

They will be found guilty because the good General/PM needs and wants them guilty. No doubt many knew about this group and their meetings before martial law but opted to close them down the day after. A military courts decision is final thus his much beloved martial law is protected. Sounds a little too easy for me, including the weapons etc. Set-up!

If they are indeed guilty and their arrest have yielded further arrest and weapons come down hard on them. The last thing we want is civil war and bombs going off. The reds are known for that think of all the protesters killed (while the previous government hid the guilty only the military found them) So coming down hard is a good solution to prevent bloodshed. It should send a message to the reds to keep their head down and stay peaceful.

They will be found guilty because the good General/PM needs and wants them guilty. No doubt many knew about this group and their meetings before martial law but opted to close them down the day after. A military courts decision is final thus his much beloved martial law is protected. Sounds a little too easy for me, including the weapons etc. Set-up!

It sounds totally believable to me.. many protesters were bombed and gunned down including children so its clear the reds are a violent bunch. So finding a group of them that would use violence to oppose the coup is not that unlikely.

If i were the general I would have done it the same.. that way the biggest chance to get rid of those (possible future)terrorists.

"...raid financial institutions and distribute the money among people - like a Robin Hood-style operation."

There's the bottom line.

How noble...

Compared to to the pensioners (sorry terrorists) here, I am actually more scared by some of the extreme rightwing posters here!

Yu'p one day into martial law, arrest a mad gang of (pensioners) ,OOp's militant gangsters,

what are they going to do? hit some big bad army guy with their walking stick? slice 'em up with their pension card? fair enough, but let the likes of Suthep publicly calling on his followers to kidnap (detain) Yingluk, and other ministers and threats to their families, and then there's the mad monk walking freely,,, Fair and balanced, nothing to see here walk on.

In the interests of fair and balanced do you remember - red shirts calling for the current PM's daughters to be murdered, judges threatened, NACC threatened, people's houses machine gunned in retribution for whistle blowing, daily attacks on those protesting against the Shin administration, applauding the slaughter of innocent children on stage, calls for armed rebellion and a separate state, threats of civil was to "protect" Yingluck, constant warnings and threats from CAPO but never any arrests of those supporting the Shins, courts openly warned of the consequence of making a decision the Shins don't like, etc etc etc.

There is nothing remotely fair and balanced in Thailand.

Compared to to the pensioners (sorry terrorists) here, I am actually more scared by some of the extreme rightwing posters here!

How old do you need to be to plant a bomb or pull a trigger?

Did you see the so called "Democracy Defense Volunteers" in training? Some kind of Shin rapid response mob. They were all old like this lot.

Sadly, nutters don't have to be young or particular nationality. Look at some of the extreme Shin lovers who post on here - claiming Thaksin is innocent, Yingluck really was in charge, and that the Shins support democracy. Too ridiculous for words!

..................If convicted, they might face the death sentence..................

Bring it on!!

"The country is now back to normal," he pointed out.

define 'normal'...

Weapons and evidence found during raid, well like the two Koh Tao suspects, they play denail card....

All thai know the real face of reds terrorists....

If they are indeed guilty and their arrest have yielded further arrest and weapons come down hard on them. The last thing we want is civil war and bombs going off. The reds are known for that think of all the protesters killed (while the previous government hid the guilty only the military found them) So coming down hard is a good solution to prevent bloodshed. It should send a message to the reds to keep their head down and stay peaceful.

They will be found guilty because the good General/PM needs and wants them guilty. No doubt many knew about this group and their meetings before martial law but opted to close them down the day after. A military courts decision is final thus his much beloved martial law is protected. Sounds a little too easy for me, including the weapons etc. Set-up!

It sounds totally believable to me.. many protesters were bombed and gunned down including children so its clear the reds are a violent bunch. So finding a group of them that would use violence to oppose the coup is not that unlikely.

If i were the general I would have done it the same.. that way the biggest chance to get rid of those (possible future)terrorists.

Some from all groups were violent during those tumultuous times or did you conveniently forget that. If this paranoid leader cannot or will not keep his word and keeps moving the goal posts along with his ongoing rhetoric of underground groups hatching fictitious plots against the government enabling martial law to be kept, you may well see a complete turn around by the people resulting in far worse violence.

If they are indeed guilty and their arrest have yielded further arrest and weapons come down hard on them. The last thing we want is civil war and bombs going off. The reds are known for that think of all the protesters killed (while the previous government hid the guilty only the military found them) So coming down hard is a good solution to prevent bloodshed. It should send a message to the reds to keep their head down and stay peaceful.

They will be found guilty because the good General/PM needs and wants them guilty. No doubt many knew about this group and their meetings before martial law but opted to close them down the day after. A military courts decision is final thus his much beloved martial law is protected. Sounds a little too easy for me, including the weapons etc. Set-up!

It sounds totally believable to me.. many protesters were bombed and gunned down including children so its clear the reds are a violent bunch. So finding a group of them that would use violence to oppose the coup is not that unlikely.

If i were the general I would have done it the same.. that way the biggest chance to get rid of those (possible future)terrorists.

Some from all groups were violent during those tumultuous times or did you conveniently forget that. If this paranoid leader cannot or will not keep his word and keeps moving the goal posts along with his ongoing rhetoric of underground groups hatching fictitious plots against the government enabling martial law to be kept, you may well see a complete turn around by the people resulting in far worse violence.

Actually i did not forget who were cheering on stage about deaths.. later to be hushed down when it became clear that also some children were murdered by the red assassins they send out. (video proof of that)

If you look you will see that violence did occur on both sides but the red side was far more violent and made far more casualties.

There were some idiot PCAD guards that were violent.. they were dealt with by the police. But gunning down children and throwing grenades in Trad.. that is something only done by the real red terrorists.

"The country is now back to normal," he pointed out.

define 'normal'...

The red shirt M-79 grenade launchers have gone silent.

If you look you will see that violence did occur on both sides but the red side was far more violent

The inconvenient truth that red shirt enablers always try to downplay and equivacate with the erroneous "both sides were equally violent" or even worse sometimes, the laughable distortion "the yellows were more violent."

It's often prefaced with the feebly disingenuous "don't have a dog in this race" or "calling it down the middle" or the classic "I'm no fan of Thaksin, but.."

If you look you will see that violence did occur on both sides but the red side was far more violent

The inconvenient truth that red shirt enablers always try to downplay and equivacate with the erroneous "both sides were equally violent" or even worse sometimes, the laughable distortion "the yellows were more violent."

It's often prefaced with the feebly disingenuous "don't have a dog in this race" or "calling it down the middle" or the classic "I'm no fan of Thaksin, but.."

Hmm.... member since yesterday and already over 20 posts, most of which staunchly anti Thaksin / Yingluck / Red.

What was your previous (presumably banned) username?

So Thaksins grand plan for a civil war stemming from a coup was stomped on promptly when the HQ was raided. Even had a flow chart on the wall showing the chain of command with an overseas "someone" at the top.

These were not going to be the trigger pullers they were intended to be the generals, and there was a retired general involved, who was arrested later.

All the shootings and grenades were part of the plan

Oh yes that was the plan, if you go back and listen you will see that almost every speech, rant, from the red leaders during the protests included the words coup and, or civil war.

Then there was the sad remnant of a government, the 26 appointed acting cabinet ministers who refused to back down and compromise giving the military no choice but to take over to stop farther violence.

A civil war then a triumphant return as the savior of the country.

Terrorism is not a harsh enough charge for what that man planned.

If you look you will see that violence did occur on both sides but the red side was far more violent

The inconvenient truth that red shirt enablers always try to downplay and equivacate with the erroneous "both sides were equally violent" or even worse sometimes, the laughable distortion "the yellows were more violent."

It's often prefaced with the feebly disingenuous "don't have a dog in this race" or "calling it down the middle" or the classic "I'm no fan of Thaksin, but.."

Hmm.... member since yesterday and already over 20 posts, most of which staunchly anti Thaksin / Yingluck / Red.

What was your previous (presumably banned) username?

I'd be betting on some sort of sad John or a baseball player, they being one and the same.

1991 all over again.