Rice Pledging Scheme: No time to prepare, lawyers say

[Lite Beer]

RICE-PLEDGING SCHEME
No time to prepare, lawyers say
Somrutai Sapsomboon,
Khanittha Thepphajorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Legal team for Yingluck complain about impeachment hearing next Wednesday

Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra's legal team yesterday complained that the National Legislative Assembly had given them little time to prepare for the start of its impeachment process against Yingluck on November 12.

The legal team said it received a call from an NLA official yesterday telling them to have Yingluck appear at the assembly session on that day, team member Pichit Chuenban said.

The NLA will consider a request by the National Anti-Corruption Commission to impeach Yingluck in connection with her government's rice price-pledging scheme.

"Yingluck has not received any documents from the NLA. We have no time to plan for our witnesses to appear at the first session," Pichit said.

He added that according to the NLA's meeting regulations, an accused party should be given relevant documents about the impeachment case at least 15 days before the first meeting.

NLA president Pornpetch Wichitcholchai said that Yingluck would be allowed to send representatives to testify on her behalf before the assembly on her impeachment case.

Yingluck was found guilty by the NACC of being derelict in her duty to stop corruption in the rice-pledging scheme.

Somsak, Nikom case: November 27

Meanwhile, Pornpetch said the assembly would hold its first meeting to consider an impeachment case against former Parliament president Somsak Kiatsuranon and his deputy Nikom Wairatpanich on November 27.

"The secretariat of the NLA has forwarded the case they received from the NACC to the alleged two politicians already, if any NLA members have questions they can ask for more information via the assembly," Pornpetch said.

On Wednesday, a majority of NLA members voted that they have the authority to pursue the impeachment case further after debate for months over the matter.

Somsak and Nikom were found guilty by the National Anti-Corruption Commission of seeking to amend the 2007 Constitution in violation of the charter, by pushing for an amendment on the make-up of the Senate.

NLA vice-president Surachai Liengboonlertchai explained the process to scrutinise the impeachment case against Somsak and Nikom to the assembly, saying that they can request more witnesses and evidence.

"The alleged politicians who are facing the impeachment case can ask for more witness or evidence in relation to the case but it would have to be before November 27, when the NLA will consider whether they will grant their requests or not," Surachai said.

The NLA vice-president said the assembly would have to set up a panel to gather questions from NLA members to ensure neutrality between two sides and also eliminate repeated questions. The questions needed to be sent before the second meeting, he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/No-time-to-prepare-lawyers-say-30247289.html

-- The Nation 2014-11-08

[worgeordie]

How many years would the defense team like to prepare for the case.

regards Worgeordie

[zaphod reborn]

The case differs little from the NACC charges. Her lawyers don't need additional time to prepare. The actual potential sentence of a 5-year ban from politics means little. What does matter is that the country get its head around the actual cost of the program and the estimated losses that were due to corruption on the part of government officials and rice millers, payments made for rice of foreign origin, and losses due to spoilage and improper storage. An investigation is also needed into how much of the corruption and losses could have been avoided with proper oversight. The idea is to move forward and avoid this type of calamity in the future.

[Tatsujin]

Perhaps she shouldn't have gone on holiday (again) and focused on her defense instead ... you knew this was coming, you've had months and months to prepare, so shut the <deleted> up with the pathetic excuses NOT to do something and just get it over with.

[ramrod711]

A postponement is definitely in order, Yingluck should use the time wisely, tour Issan for 3 months, get the troops all fired up again. Screw the country, maybe she can get the secession talk going again.

[VINCENT2012]

We have no time to plan for our witnesses to appear at the first session

now this poor girl is running out of time, she could have prepared her defense long time ago, instead of going to paris on holiday to see her lovely brother in a 5 star hotel, spending the money of the thai tax payer in enjoyment...come on man..! what an hypocrisy!

just bring all the guys implicated in that big white collar robery...to confess....these people are the real witnesses of the case...and put them in jail.

[djjamie]

The PTP have no problems rushing through a water management scheme. No problems rushing through an amnesty bill. No problems rushing through a 2.2 trillion baht loan. No problems rushing the PWO through a rice scheme investigation. One would think the PTP rush around so much they should be sponsored by Nike running shoes!

However when it comes to the PTP legal team filing yingluck's defense against the rice scheme they asked the NACC for a 45-day extension because they didn't have enough time to prepare the case. When it comes to the impeachment hearing the PTP legal team state they don't have enough time to prepare the case. One would think the lawyers are dragging there feet so much they were absent when the Polio vaccines were administered!

Having worked in South East Asia quite regularly with a term of my contract being "lean methodology" implementation may I suggest that to benefit the regime the people that should be sponsored by Nike spend some time with the lawyers so they can learn to effectively use the time they are given.

Edited November 8, 2014 by djjamie

[saltandpepper]

jail her first, and amazingly, you will see that lawyers will rush to defend her not asking any postponment, and all witnesses will be ready

[Ulic]

Forget this impeachment nonsense, bring in forensic accountants, follow the money and prosecute any politician, government

official etc who skimmed/stole money from the program. No transfers to inactive posts or impeachments, jail time and confiscation

of family assets to help recover the schemes massive losses.

[Thanet]

She's not a 'good person', so they'll nail her one way or the other.

[Manbing]

This is the traditional battle cry of the clan as they go into any legal s rummage.

[godden]

Perhaps an adjournment long enough for peoples memories to fade

[billsmart]

She's the last PM elected by representatives of the people. If the law says she's to see all pertinent documents that may be used against her 15 days prior to a hearing she should be given 15 days.

[klauskunkel]

No time to prepare, lawyers say

What? Have you no interns? What happened? They all ran away like drivers at an accident?

[SOTIRIOS]

......6 months or so not enough....

...what a joke...

...maybe she shouldn't have taken so many trips.....

[slapout]

She's the last PM elected by representatives of the people. If the law says she's to see all pertinent documents that may be used against her 15 days prior to a hearing she should be given 15 days.

I see4 no mention of a law , a regulation was mentioned. This same team of attornies could have requested copies of all documents and sent a grunt to pick them up several months ago. They have also complained that legal documents were not hand deliverede to them nor the ex pm, asked to add witnesses, etc to pospone the legal procesHer brother has done this same procedure and got away with perjury while under oath, due to statue of limitations time frame.

The lawyers are doing a repeat of past tactics which are employeed by those shysters who make a living defending guilty parties throughout the worlds legal profession. Some are more clever than others in this respect and they lead by example while others do the copy routine which seems to be widespread in the Thai education, business, political, etc scene.

[dean008]

Its funny how the obvious is seemingly ignored

Forget this impeachment nonsense, bring in forensic accountants, follow the money and prosecute any politician, government

official etc who skimmed/stole money from the program. No transfers to inactive posts or impeachments, jail time and confiscation

of family assets to help recover the schemes massive losses.

[smutcakes]

Its funny how the obvious is seemingly ignored

Forget this impeachment nonsense, bring in forensic accountants, follow the money and prosecute any politician, government

official etc who skimmed/stole money from the program. No transfers to inactive posts or impeachments, jail time and confiscation

of family assets to help recover the schemes massive losses.

The problem with actually prosecuting someone for corruption is that it sets a dangerous precedent for those in power, army,police, judiciary etc etc etc

They want to nail her on something, but something like a conflict of interest, dereliction of duty is much more preferable than corruption for obvious reasons.

I am sure if they followed the money on this scheme and all the other Government schemes it would be very embarrassing for many persons on all sides of politics, armed forces, police etc

[timewilltell]

Its funny how the obvious is seemingly ignored

Forget this impeachment nonsense, bring in forensic accountants, follow the money and prosecute any politician, government

official etc who skimmed/stole money from the program. No transfers to inactive posts or impeachments, jail time and confiscation

of family assets to help recover the schemes massive losses.

The problem with actually prosecuting someone for corruption is that it sets a dangerous precedent for those in power, army,police, judiciary etc etc etc

They want to nail her on something, but something like a conflict of interest, dereliction of duty is much more preferable than corruption for obvious reasons.

I am sure if they followed the money on this scheme and all the other Government schemes it would be very embarrassing for many persons on all sides of politics, armed forces, police etc

Yes there is no intent to tackle corruption. Police driving around with top multi million baht sports cars and huge mansions on tiny monthly salaries, army and politicians likewise. It's not even hidden. No need because no one in power is going to allow anyone to follow it up. Corruption is alive and very well thank you in Thailand - in fact it is growing exponentially like a cancer.

[djjamie]

She's the last PM elected by representatives of the people. If the law says she's to see all pertinent documents that may be used against her 15 days prior to a hearing she should be given 15 days.

Being elected by the people does not give someone more right to the law than anyone else and to think that shows why reform is needed because you have inadvertently typified the PTP mindset in that one statement.

In other words one should overlook the democratic principle "equal protection under the law" because of that other democratic principle "elections"

I assume you understand that being elected and the law are completely different with the only similarity being they are democratic principles in which case you only needed to state the second sentence. Otherwise we could say "because she was elected she should be able to adhere to human rights" or "because she was elected she has the right to free speech".

Doesn't make sense does it?

Now you know how I felt reading your comment.

Edited November 8, 2014 by djjamie

[ballpoint]

"But we haven't had time to put the pearl necklaces into the pastry boxes yet"!

[marinediscoking]

Its funny how the obvious is seemingly ignored

Forget this impeachment nonsense, bring in forensic accountants, follow the money and prosecute any politician, government

official etc who skimmed/stole money from the program. No transfers to inactive posts or impeachments, jail time and confiscation

of family assets to help recover the schemes massive losses.

The problem with actually prosecuting someone for corruption is that it sets a dangerous precedent for those in power, army,police, judiciary etc etc etc

They want to nail her on something, but something like a conflict of interest, dereliction of duty is much more preferable than corruption for obvious reasons.

I am sure if they followed the money on this scheme and all the other Government schemes it would be very embarrassing for many persons on all sides of politics, armed forces, police etc

"Yingluck was found guilty by the NACC of being derelict in her duty to stop corruption in the rice-pledging scheme"

Smutcakes, This is one of the best posts ever!

You are right, it would set the legal precedent to remove ANY government official for not stopping corruption. The end would be at hand for the endless police and military transfers instead of charges.

If the Junta was indeed truthful about wanting reform they would let the NACC go after their own.

EDIT: I am sure the Junta will write that precedent out of the new Constitution and it will be a "one time only use" used on YL. The next sentence will be full amnesty for them.

Edited November 8, 2014 by marinediscoking

[wabothai]

typical lawyer delaying tactics. As far as i am concerned is to be completely igtnored !!!!

[Dogmatix]

Yingluck and her lawyers have had months to prepare for this case the downside for which is only that she will be banned from politics for 5 years.

The two Burmese murder suspects in Koh Tao are not even allowed one day with their lawyers to prepare their defence in a capital case. Thailand has the best justice money can buy.

[473geo]

Forget this impeachment nonsense, bring in forensic accountants, follow the money and prosecute any politician, government

official etc who skimmed/stole money from the program. No transfers to inactive posts or impeachments, jail time and confiscation

of family assets to help recover the schemes massive losses.

There is a possibility this approach would not uncover the 'right' people!

What then maestro? ah yes...... let us drop the corruption accusation and go for negligence but only at the very very top!

So what is the aim of the investigation in your world?

[smutcakes]

Yingluck and her lawyers have had months to prepare for this case the downside for which is only that she will be banned from politics for 5 years.

The two Burmese murder suspects in Koh Tao are not even allowed one day with their lawyers to prepare their defence in a capital case. Thailand has the best justice money can buy.

And the NACC who most definitely DID NOT rush this case at all, and have been preparing it for 3 YEARS apparently.

But yet it seems they are allowed to interview more witnesses.

[The Deerhunter]

A postponement is definitely in order, Yingluck should use the time wisely, tour Issan for 3 months, get the troops all fired up again. Screw the country, maybe she can get the secession talk going again.

Yeah. A few more "Welcome our dear President" banners again from her educated & politically aware supporters

[The Deerhunter]

She's the last PM elected by representatives of the people. If the law says she's to see all pertinent documents that may be used against her 15 days prior to a hearing she should be given 15 days.

Hello. Back again? Just when we all thought you had become another of the growing ranks of vanishing PTP apologists.

[Local Drunk]

Its funny how the obvious is seemingly ignored

Forget this impeachment nonsense, bring in forensic accountants, follow the money and prosecute any politician, government

official etc who skimmed/stole money from the program. No transfers to inactive posts or impeachments, jail time and confiscation

of family assets to help recover the schemes massive losses.

The problem with actually prosecuting someone for corruption is that it sets a dangerous precedent for those in power, army,police, judiciary etc etc etc

They want to nail her on something, but something like a conflict of interest, dereliction of duty is much more preferable than corruption for obvious reasons.

I am sure if they followed the money on this scheme and all the other Government schemes it would be very embarrassing for many persons on all sides of politics, armed forces, police etc

So let them be embarrassed... Or you simply saying ... forget about it. Let it go... It's embarrassing.

Edited November 8, 2014 by Local Drunk

[smutcakes]

Its funny how the obvious is seemingly ignored

Forget this impeachment nonsense, bring in forensic accountants, follow the money and prosecute any politician, government

official etc who skimmed/stole money from the program. No transfers to inactive posts or impeachments, jail time and confiscation

of family assets to help recover the schemes massive losses.

The problem with actually prosecuting someone for corruption is that it sets a dangerous precedent for those in power, army,police, judiciary etc etc etc

They want to nail her on something, but something like a conflict of interest, dereliction of duty is much more preferable than corruption for obvious reasons.

I am sure if they followed the money on this scheme and all the other Government schemes it would be very embarrassing for many persons on all sides of politics, armed forces, police etc

So let them be embarrassed... The question is, "Who will be embarrassed?"

Well thats the whole point, no one will embarrass anyone as they are all in the same boat.