Suthep declines court summons over killing of Japanese reporter

[webfact]

Suthep Declines Court Summons Over Killing of Japanese Reporter

By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — Former Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban says he will not attend a court hearing over the killing of a Japanese reporter during the military crackdown on Redshirt protests he authorised in 2010.

Suthep was summoned to give testimony for a court inquest into the death of Muramoto Hiroyuki, the Reuters reporter who was shot dead while covering the clashes between Redshirt protesters and security forces on Din So Road on the night of 10 April 2010.

The crackdown was authorized by Suthep and then-PM Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Suthep, who is now living as a monk in southern Thailand, said he would not attend the court hearing because he has already given testimonies in other court cases related to the 2010 crackdown, an official at the public prosecutor’s office said yesterday.

According to the official, the court will issue another summons for Suthep to provide testimony in court on 25 November. It is unclear whether the former deputy PM will face any legal action if he refuses to attend the hearing.

The inquest was convened by the Criminal Court to determine who was responsible for Mr. Muramoto’s death. The deaths of two Redshirt protesters, Wasan Phuthong and Tossachai Mek-ngamfah, will also be scruitinised in the same hearing.

Twenty-five people were killed in the crackdown on 10 April 2010, which was ordered in an attempt to clear Redshirt protesters from Ratchadamnoen Avenue, though it was later called off after a group of armed militants exchanged fire with security forces, killing five soldiers, including the commander of the operation.

The Redshirt protests were eventually be quelled by another crackdown in May 2010. In total, more than 90 people were killed in the unrest.

Suthep and Abhisit have repeatedly insisted on their innocence, claiming that the military operation was necessary to restore order in the capital city. They also alleged that many of the civilian casualties were in fact caused by "Blackshirt" militants allied to the protesters, not security forces.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1414044137

-- Khaosod English 2014-10-23

[Bluespunk]

He declines to show up to a court summons? Arrest his ass and make him attend.

[winnerinsix]

He declines to show up to a court summons? Arrest his ass and make him attend.

Should have been done, long before this.....

[The stuttering parrot]

Well here we go again .

The self proclaimed peoples champion is now the bullet proof monk.

Yinglucks got the gonads to go the distance yet this bloke hides behind monks robes and thinks he's above the law.

Oh those elite there just a little bit above the average thai so why should any of them take notice of the law.

[oldsailor35]

Declining to attend court, obvious he has something to hide !

[BoristheBlade]

Hi So Thai justice strikes again.

This is another dangerous man free on the streets of Thailand

[Pib]

Why do courts inconvenience HiSo's so much? They should first check with the HiSo's secretary to see if the HiSo has an open appointment and has no objections to appearing in court. Courts are so inconsiderate.

[Bluespunk]

Well here we go again .

The self proclaimed peoples champion is now the bullet proof monk.

Yinglucks got the gonads to go the distance yet this bloke hides behind monks robes and thinks he's above the law.

Oh those elite there just a little bit above the average thai so why should any of them take notice of the law.

Yingluck is as elite as suthep and is no doubt making her own manoeuvres to avoid gaol (if she is guilty of anything that is). But yes I agree with you on suthep's manoeuvres to avoid gaol (if he is guilty of anything that is).

Both need to face the courts and accept their verdict.

They are not alone in this.

[Costas2008]

He declines to show up to a court summons? Arrest his ass and make him attend.

Attend what? and for what reason?

Just to repeat the same BS thrown at him over the years?

Just to explain once more the reasons behind the order, he and Adhisit issued to supress the clashes?

They had every right to order these actions.

And I hope this case is thrown out of the court.

Not because I'm not against the killings although nobody still knows where the bullets came from, but for the reasons politicians still pursue these court hearings to gain political benefits.

[NongKhaiKid]

He declines to show up to a court summons? Arrest his ass and make him attend.

How can Thailand ever claim to have a rule of law when those and such as those can thumb their noses at court summonses, when as suspects get interview dates and extensions at their convenience and on and on ?

[kaobang]

He declines to show up to a court summons? Arrest his ass and make him attend.

Attend what? and for what reason?

Just to repeat the same BS thrown at him over the years?

Just to explain once more the reasons behind the order, he and Adhisit issued to supress the clashes?

They had every right to order these actions.

And I hope this case is thrown out of the court.

Not because I'm not against the killings although nobody still knows where the bullets came from, but for the reasons politicians still pursue these court hearings to gain political benefits.

ok then

reds have to follow the law and be quiet

yellows can do what the frunk they want..eventually turning monks until everything calm again...and ignoring the law

can i eventually refer to suthep as the mass killer monk?

[docshock13]

He declines to show up to a court summons? Arrest his ass and make him attend.

If they arrest him, he might become sad.

[Bluespunk]

He declines to show up to a court summons? Arrest his ass and make him attend.

Attend what? and for what reason?

Just to repeat the same BS thrown at him over the years?

Just to explain once more the reasons behind the order, he and Adhisit issued to supress the clashes?

They had every right to order these actions.

And I hope this case is thrown out of the court.

Not because I'm not against the killings although nobody still knows where the bullets came from, but for the reasons politicians still pursue these court hearings to gain political benefits.

He cannot be seen as above the law.

If he is summoned, he attends like everyone else.

That's how it works for everyone else.

Or do you think he is special?

I don't think he or Abhisit are responsible for what happened in 2010, but that is the courts decision. They decide, not suthep, not you, not me.

[Fred Flinstone]

I hope one day these evil criminals are dealt with -

Its really pathetic Thailand allows so many murderous types to roam

[thesetat2013]

Well here we go again .

The self proclaimed peoples champion is now the bullet proof monk.

Yinglucks got the gonads to go the distance yet this bloke hides behind monks robes and thinks he's above the law.

Oh those elite there just a little bit above the average thai so why should any of them take notice of the law.

Heheee you really crack me up.

[StealthEnergiser]

Suthep has done so much for Thailand the opposition will always try and make false stories .

He is completely innocent should have been awarded for all his effort in containing the red shirt armed militants . The day will come when recognised for being a brave and courageous man that took on these heavily armed people and bought back peace to the country.

[BoristheBlade]

Really? The day may also come when his friendship with a man of influence on Koh Tao comes back to haunt him.

Suthep has done so much for Thailand the opposition will always try and make false stories .
He is completely innocent should have been awarded for all his effort in containing the red shirt armed militants . The day will come when recognised for being a brave and courageous man that took on these heavily armed people and bought back peace to the country.

[kaobang]

Suthep has done so much for Thailand the opposition will always try and make false stories .

He is completely innocent should have been awarded for all his effort in containing the red shirt armed militants . The day will come when recognised for being a brave and courageous man that took on these heavily armed people and bought back peace to the country.

where do you live?his thugs almost killed so many innocent people and he did not care at all.blaming on cambodians if convenient.racist at least.not to mention his last pic with a potential murderer of the british couple in koh tao

he is the kind of man who does not care if one dies at his feet,and maybe will stomp to help...

Edited October 23, 2014 by kaobang

[rainman333]

i didn't know court summons in Thailand were optional

[RKASA]

Suthep has done so much for Thailand the opposition will always try and make false stories .

He is completely innocent should have been awarded for all his effort in containing the red shirt armed militants . The day will come when recognised for being a brave and courageous man that took on these heavily armed people and bought back peace to the country.

OK fine then "brave and courageous man" shows up in court - yes. Or does he hide? As you say innocent - so show up and tell them why - he is summoned by the court not the red shirts.

[JOC]

Suthep has done so much for Thailand the opposition will always try and make false stories .

He is completely innocent should have been awarded for all his effort in containing the red shirt armed militants . The day will come when recognised for being a brave and courageous man that took on these heavily armed people and bought back peace to the country.

No need to make up false stories!!

Try to google Suthep+corruption.

He is no worse than the rest of the bunch, but he certainly isn't better!!

[jpeg]

He declines to show up to a court summons? Arrest his ass and make him attend.

How can Thailand ever claim to have a rule of law when those and such as those can thumb their noses at court summonses, when as suspects get interview dates and extensions at their convenience and on and on ?

Exactly. It's pathetic. They know it's pathetic. 'But it the Law'. What is Law if it isn't enforced? And what is Democracy without such enforcement. Flies right over their silly heads. Most of 'em

[fab4]

He declines to show up to a court summons? Arrest his ass and make him attend.

Attend what? and for what reason?

Just to repeat the same BS thrown at him over the years?

Just to explain once more the reasons behind the order, he and Adhisit issued to supress the clashes?

They had every right to order these actions.

And I hope this case is thrown out of the court.

Not because I'm not against the killings although nobody still knows where the bullets came from, but for the reasons politicians still pursue these court hearings to gain political benefits.

"although nobody still knows where the bullets came from"

Oh, I think they do costas, that's what inquests can, and in most cases did, reveal. Not that he ever will end up in court having to justify why he regarded using live ammunition, deploying snipers and the establishment of live fire zones as a proportionate response to the perceived threat, simply because of who he is and who his backers are. The reason why the Attorney General, not politicians, should still pursue these court hearings is because it would demonstrate that no one is above the law. A laughable concept for the amart I know, but one worth pursuing.

Of course this case will be shoved on the back burner as will any further inquests, for obvious reasons. Once again the perpetrators will get away with it and will continue to do so all the time the perpetrators play their key card. For how much longer that situation will continue, who knows.

Edited October 23, 2014 by fab4

[MobileContent]

Suthep is not for nothing a very influential person in Surat Thani, Samui, KP and KT.

He is now hiding behind a monk robe which is a farce in-itself already, His family is also well connected in Phuket but that's another story.

As for Abhisit I have to be honest he isn't that a bad guy (naive maybe) but not for nothing did people's such as Korn, Surin distanced themselves from Suthep.

Edited October 23, 2014 by MobileContent

[Bluespunk]

Suthep has done so much for Thailand the opposition will always try and make false stories .

He is completely innocent should have been awarded for all his effort in containing the red shirt armed militants . The day will come when recognised for being a brave and courageous man that took on these heavily armed people and bought back peace to the country.

where do you live?his thugs almost killed so many innocent people and he did not care at all.blaming on cambodians if convenient.racist at least.not to mention his last pic with a potential murderer of the british couple in koh tao

he is the kind of man who does not care if one dies at his feet,and maybe will stomp to help...

I could be wrong but I think they were being sarcastic in the post you responded to.

I hope so anyway.

[smedly]

The whole thing is a shame from start to finish - the redshirt were armed and shooting at security forces - case closed

Journalists know the dangers of operating in such an environment and took the risk - case closed

This farce needs to end now and Tarit brought up on charges for dreaming the whole thing up at the beckon call of his master in Dubai - case closed shut the door on the way out

[docshock13]

i didn't know court summons in Thailand were optional

Only for the "enlightened" and well-connected.

[Konini]

I just caught this out of the corner of my eye on Twitter.

My head is shaking of it's own accord; I can't stop it. How on earth can anyone decline a summons? In the list of things you can do and things you can't do, this would have to be very high on the can't do side, wouldn't it?

Thailand will never grow up as a democracy until the feudal system is completely and absolutely taken away, and all patronage and protection is shunned. As long as people like Suthep continue to choose which laws they will abide by and which they won't, nothing will change. How can that kind of attitude of privilege be changed?.And it's not just Suthep's attitude causing the problem, it's the attitude of society as a whole; he's being all in your face (textbook bully behaviour) and calling the shots, but the rest of society is no better when they won't stand up to him and say 'No! You will not do this. You will abide by the rules of our society, which has changed and you no longer have the privilege you previously enjoyed.'

That's all it would take.

It's not going to happen.

[ratcatcher]

I hope one day these evil criminals are dealt with -

Its really pathetic Thailand allows so many murderous types to roam

"these evil criminals............so many murderous types."

Freddy, apart from Suthep, the subject of this thread , you must have others in mind since you used plurals?

[Fred Flinstone]

I hope one day these evil criminals are dealt with -

Its really pathetic Thailand allows so many murderous types to roam

"these evil criminals............so many murderous types."

Freddy, apart from Suthep, the subject of this thread , you must have others in mind since you used plurals?

Its clear who were behind the 2010 slaughter -

Names need not be mentioned