Appeals Court upholds jail sentence for redshirt leader with no suspension

BANGKOK: -- The Appeals Court today upheld 12-month jail sentence for redshirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong with no suspension after finding him guilty of defaming former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in October 2009.

The court on Tuesday agreed with earlier ruling by the Criminal Court (Court of First Instance) that although Arisman is a political rival and has the right to criticise Mr Abhisit, who was prime minister at the time, Mr Arisman’s comments could have been construed as truth despite him being unable to prove how Mr Abhisit’s work could be linked to the King’s ailments.

The court overruled Arisman’s excuses for leniency saying the defendant showed dishonest intent by repeatedly airing an audio clip of Mr Abhisit on People’s Channel even though authorities had proved the clip was doctored and Mr Arisman knew this.

Mr Abhisit filed a defamation charge against Mr Arisman on Nov 12, 2009, after the red-shirt co-leader made several speeches at the Democracy Monument, and at Government House between Oct 11-17, 2009, accusing the Democrat party leader of traumatising the King, seizing power from the people, ordering troops to kill protesters, and corruption in several projects.

He also accused the ex-Premier of obstructing ex-Premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s appeal for royal pardon.

Mr Abhisit said Mr Arisman’s comments tarnished his reputation and stoked public resentment against him.

The court then upheld 12-month imprisonment earlier decided by the Criminal Court with no suspension of jail sentence.

His lawyer Tanadej Puangpoon is placing 500,000 baht bail with the court for temporary release.

According to the ruling of the first court, Mr Abhisit assumed the prime minister’s post through democratic means, as did former prime ministers Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat, so the defendant’s remarks about Mr Abhisit seizing power from the people were false.

The court said Mr Arisman admitted he led a group of supporters who threw blood in front of Mr Abhisit’s house. That stirred public hatred against Mr Abhisit, which led to social unrest.

The court sentenced Mr Arisman to one year in jail. The sentence was not eligible for suspension because his remarks touched upon the beloved institution of the monarchy, the court said.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/appeals-court-upholds-jail-sentence-redshirt-leader-no-suspension


-- Thai PBS 2014-12-09

His lawyer Tanadej Puangpoon is placing 500,000 baht bail with the court for temporary release.

Followed no doubt by the purchase of a one way ticket by air sea or land to Cambodia then onward to elsewhere.

Shame that these Red Shirt leaders did sweet F.A. to assist their imprisoned pawns when they( the Red Shirt leaders) were in government as the P.T.P.

Good, he got what he deserved.

Although he should have been sentenced for more than a year.

He is a liar, a sycophant and an arrogant person.

Edited December 9, 201411 yr by Costas2008

As he has a history of absconding from the country he should never be given bail.

Him and his wife, an ex PT MP are also implicated in the fake G2G rice deals now under investigation.

But then I suppose he has an airline to run with his ill gotten gains so he needs his freedom.

One down, many, many more to go.

And he's released on bail again, after his original conviction was upheld by the appeals court, because???

(It's a rhetorical question, of course...)

Ha ha ha ha. Sing yer way outta that one, Fatso!!!

<deleted> put them in jail instead of this constant bail circus, how many times does someone have to be convicted before they actually see a cell....................absolute farce and something else that needs urgent review

"His lawyer Tanadej Puangpoon is placing 500,000 baht bail with the court for temporary release."

I can't believe this.

And up to Singapore

(to meet the crowd with the Red Bull kid amongst many others)

BTW

Why are Nattawut and Jattuporn still free?

His lawyer Tanadej Puangpoon is placing 500,000 baht bail with the court for temporary release.

Followed no doubt by the purchase of a one way ticket by air sea or land to Cambodia then onward to elsewhere.

Shame that these Red Shirt leaders did sweet F.A. to assist their imprisoned pawns when they( the Red Shirt leaders) were in government as the P.T.P.

Is now the time to also investigate how he got money to start an airline?

"His lawyer Tanadej Puangpoon is placing 500,000 baht bail with the court for temporary release."

I can't believe this.

And up to Singapore

(to meet the crowd with the Red Bull kid amongst many others)

BTW

Why are Nattawut and Jattuporn still free?

Maybe they did a lot more "singing" than the star himself?

geez should look at the defamation that happens in Australian Politics. If these childish hiso's can't stand the bloody heat then don't enter politics. It's an occupational hazard to be called an idiot. He wasn't cut out for the job if he had to run crying.

The Appeals Court today upheld 12-month jail sentence for redshirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong with no suspension after finding him guilty of defaming former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in October 2009.

This guy deserves to be in jail, but defamation? really?. It is a ridiculous sentence for a ridiculous "crime".

He is a liar, a sycophant and an arrogant person.

And those are his good points

geez should look at the defamation that happens in Australian Politics. If these childish hiso's can't stand the bloody heat then don't enter politics. It's an occupational hazard to be called an idiot. He wasn't cut out for the job if he had to run crying.

Perhaps you missed your calling - I don't being any Oz politician being called a murderer with a falsified tape for evidence.

I know how Jeff Kennet would have described Arisman ""All the attributes of a dog except loyalty."

geez should look at the defamation that happens in Australian Politics. If these childish hiso's can't stand the bloody heat then don't enter politics. It's an occupational hazard to be called an idiot. He wasn't cut out for the job if he had to run crying.

Perhaps you missed your calling - I don't being any Oz politician being called a murderer with a falsified tape for evidence.

I know how Jeff Kennet would have described Arisman ""All the attributes of a dog except loyalty."

using an American name I take it you are a Yank and don't know how Australian Politicians slag off at each other and the accusations they make. Before you comment on Australians do some google research AMERICAN.

The Appeals Court today upheld 12-month jail sentence for redshirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong with no suspension after finding him guilty of defaming former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in October 2009.

This guy deserves to be in jail, but defamation? really?. It is a ridiculous sentence for a ridiculous "crime".

That is ridiculous, guess just a part of the moronic defamation laws here in Thailand.

You would think he would be put in jail for 100 years for exhorting his red buffaloes to

burn down Bangkok. But apparently saying that is not a problem. Guess with this

bail , he will be off to Thai town in Phnom Penh......

geez should look at the defamation that happens in Australian Politics. If these childish hiso's can't stand the bloody heat then don't enter politics. It's an occupational hazard to be called an idiot. He wasn't cut out for the job if he had to run crying.

Perhaps you missed your calling - I don't being any Oz politician being called a murderer with a falsified tape for evidence.

I know how Jeff Kennet would have described Arisman ""All the attributes of a dog except loyalty."

using an American name I take it you are a Yank and don't know how Australian Politicians slag off at each other and the accusations they make. Before you comment on Australians do some google research AMERICAN.

no aussie politician would do it because they would be dragged over the coals for it in the house. Even though anything they say in the parliament cant be used against them if they repeat it outside they can be charged plus they arent as stupid as these red/thaksin loving clowns we have here. They might call each other ratbags etc but not what was used in this case, if it was Australia arisman would be in jail for causing riots and promoting violence.

Appeals Court upholds Arisman sentence
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 9 -- Thailand's Court of Appeals today upheld the 12 month prison sentence for red shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong for defaming former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. There is no suspension of sentence due to his reference to the royal institution.

Mr Abhisit, the leader of the Democrat Party, filed the defamation lawsuit against Mr Arisman, a red shirt political movement leader, for his speeches at the Democracy Monument and Government House on Oct 11 and 17, 2009, accusing the then prime minister of borrowing money for corruption, delaying a petition for the royal pardon of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and ordering Thai army soldiers to kill members of the public.

The Court of First Instance sentenced Mr Arisman to 12 months in jail and did not suspend it as the royal institution was mentioned, which made the case an instance of lese majeste.

It also ordered Mr Arisman to have the ruling published in two newspapers for seven consecutive days.

The Appealw Court upheld the sentence as the speeches showed no political ideals as claimed but communicated accusations.

The court rejected Mr Arisman's request for reduced punishment and suspension because he, as a politician, failed to demonstrate proper judgment on his own behaviour and refrain from defaming others.

Thanadet Puangpoon, Mr Arisman's lawyer, said he sought his client's temporary release on bail of Bt500,000. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-12-09

<deleted> put them in jail instead of this constant bail circus, how many times does someone have to be convicted before they actually see a cell....................absolute farce and something else that needs urgent review

And while at it put a few of the others in jail also. Especially the ones on bail for murder charges.

No problems he will be out in time for the next election as a MP.

No problems he will be out in time for the next election as a MP.

The 2007 constitution had some clause which would ban a person for five years after having served time in prison. Assuming the new constitution will have something similar we're looking forward to see Arisman signing on the campaign trail in 2020

<deleted> put them in jail instead of this constant bail circus, how many times does someone have to be convicted before they actually see a cell....................absolute farce and something else that needs urgent review

And while at it put a few of the others in jail also. Especially the ones on bail for murder charges.

Do you mean the charges that two civilians gave orders to the military to kill people? What is the military doing taking orders from civilians?

oh ... btw ... the charges were thrown out. Do keep up.

geez should look at the defamation that happens in Australian Politics. If these childish hiso's can't stand the bloody heat then don't enter politics. It's an occupational hazard to be called an idiot. He wasn't cut out for the job if he had to run crying.

Perhaps you missed your calling - I don't being any Oz politician being called a murderer with a falsified tape for evidence.

I know how Jeff Kennet would have described Arisman ""All the attributes of a dog except loyalty."

using an American name I take it you are a Yank and don't know how Australian Politicians slag off at each other and the accusations they make. Before you comment on Australians do some google research AMERICAN.

I am guessing that if anyone knows about Jeff Kennett they are definitely NOT American.

Red-shirt Arisman loses appeal, gets year in jail
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Court of Appeals Tuesday upheld the lower court's ruling and sentenced red-shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong, to one year in prison after finding him guilty of defaming former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at rallies in 2009.

Abhisit's suit said Arisman took to rally stages at the Democracy Monument and outside Government House and his speeches were broadcast via the People Channel. He accused Abhisit of corruption and stalling an amnesty petition for ex-pm Thaksin Shinawatra to His Majesty the King.

Arisman also accused Abhisit of ordering the killing of people, robbing the community and neglecting to check corruption in development projects.

The Criminal Court ruled that Arisman made false statements at the rally with intention to instigate political unrest and defame Abhisit. His comments were not honest criticism.

The court sentenced him to 12 months in prison and ordered Arisman to advertise the court verdict in daily newspapers Matichon and Daily News for seven consecutive days.

The Court of Appeals said that Arisman was a political opponent of Abhisit, his comments were aimed at attacking his political rival and were not honest comments.

The court found Arisman had accused Abhisit of corrupt involvement in the 4,000 NGV bus project without verifying facts. His accusation that Abhisit ordered the killing of people by citing a voice clip recording was aimed at tarnishing the image of the ex-PM, the court said.

The court also dismissed Arisman's claim that Abhisit stalled the amnesty petition process, saying the ex-pm had to follow due process. The court also rejected Arisman's request for light punishment, reasoning he should have acted in the country's interest and should not have attacked his political rival without grounds.

Arisman's lawyer posted an additional Bt300,000 for bail after his client decided to challenge the court's decision in the Supreme Court.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Red-shirt-Arisman-loses-appeal-gets-year-in-jail-30249470.html

-- The Nation 2014-12-09

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

No problems he will be out in time for the next election as a MP.

The 2007 constitution had some clause which would ban a person for five years after having served time in prison. Assuming the new constitution will have something similar we're looking forward to see Arisman signing on the campaign trail in 2020

The 2007 constitution is history and you really should know that. That is a poor excuse. As for a new constitution it will never be ready in time. You disappoint me this time. Very disappointed you can do better than that. Go back to the drawing board and try again.

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

No problems he will be out in time for the next election as a MP.

The 2007 constitution had some clause which would ban a person for five years after having served time in prison. Assuming the new constitution will have something similar we're looking forward to see Arisman signing on the campaign trail in 2020

The 2007 constitution is history and you really should know that. That is a poor excuse. As for a new constitution it will never be ready in time. You disappoint me this time. Very disappointed you can do better than that. Go back to the drawing board and try again.

I can guarantee you that the new constitution will be ready in time for the next election.

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

No problems he will be out in time for the next election as a MP.

The 2007 constitution had some clause which would ban a person for five years after having served time in prison. Assuming the new constitution will have something similar we're looking forward to see Arisman signing on the campaign trail in 2020

The 2007 constitution is history and you really should know that. That is a poor excuse. As for a new constitution it will never be ready in time. You disappoint me this time. Very disappointed you can do better than that. Go back to the drawing board and try again.

I can guarantee you that the new constitution will be ready in time for the next election.

You can not guarantee anything, so stop lying and come up with something better

I can guarantee you that the new constitution will be ready in time for the next election.

You can not guarantee anything, so stop lying and come up with something better

You really need to get a sense of humour.

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

I can guarantee you that the new constitution will be ready in time for the next election.

You can not guarantee anything, so stop lying and come up with something better

You really need to get a sense of humour.

You really need to get your facts straight and not twist them to met your goals of insults for the day. Now back on topic.