Impeachment process against Yingluck and two former politicians begins

[webfact]

Impeachment process against Yingluck and two former politicians begins today

BANGKOK, 15 January 2015 (NNT)-The impeachment process against former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawat and two other former prominent political figures has begun.

The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) will be questioning former Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanig and former House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont today.

They have allegedly abused their power by trying to change the Senate composition. The NLA has 17 questions for Mr. Nikom and 9 for Mr. Somsak. The NLA will announce the closing of their cases on January 21st.

As for Ms. Yingluck, the NLA will begin the same process against her tomorrow. She is expected to fully explain 60 questions raised by the NLA regarding her role in the rice scheme. Her case will come to a close on January 22nd.

The NLA will then vote whether the 3 of them should be impeached on January 23rd.The questioning is carried out based on clauses concerning political impeachment and corruption stated in the temporary charter.


-- NNT 2015-01-15

[Cuchulainn]

Impeach the beach!!

[worgeordie]

Why not pass go and, get on with the criminal charges,

this is all just fluff,time to get serious i think.

regards Worgeordie

[webfact]

NLA begins questioning Nikhom



BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly began questioning former Senate Speaker Nikhom Wairatpanich this morning over accusation of power abuse in his attempt to pass a legislation that will significantly change the composition of the Senate.

Prior to entering the meeting to answer the questions of the assemblymen, the former Senate speaker said he was not worried of the questions and was ready.

“A warrior is ready for war any time” he said.

But he said that this session was unlike previous sessions in which the questions had to be submitted first to the persons responsible before answering them.

However this time the NLA wanted all question asked to get its approval first, thus it then treated everything confidential, he said.

But this did not worry him and he trusted the NLA would ensure justice for him as he would answer all doubts with documents as evidence to support his innocence, he said.

Both the former Senate speaker and his accuser the NACC appeared in the NLA meeting today to reply all questions.

The submitted questions have been screened to seven for Nikhom to answer, and eight for the NACC. All questions will be asked by a special committee appointed by the NLA on behalf of each individual assemblyman submitted the question.

It was not known if former House speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont will come to answer questions this afternoon as he did not come in the first session when impeachment process opened early this month against the three accused.

But for the former premier, Ms Yingluck Shinawatra, it was made clear by the NLA vice president that she must come to answer all questions by herself tomorrow.

After the question-and-answer session, the NLA will announce publicly whether they will remove the accused of their statuses or not on January 21 for Nikhom and Somsak, and January 22 for Ms Yingluck.

(Photo : Thai PBS File)

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/nla-begins-questioning-nikhom


-- Thai PBS 2015-01-15

[webfact]

NLA president: Impeachment cases to be closed on Jan 23

BANGKOK, 15 January 2015 (NNT) – The president of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has said 3 impeachment cases currently under the NLA’s deliberation will be rested by January 23rd.

NLA President Phonphet Wichitchonlachai reassured the public of the NLA’s impartiality in the impeachment cases against former Premier Yingluck Shinawatra, former Senate speaker Nikom Wairatpanij, and former House speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont, saying that the legislature would strictly adhere to the rule of law, and that justice will be given to all stakeholders involved in these cases.

On this occasion, the president informed members of the legislative body that the impeachment motions against former House and Senate speakers would be closed on January 21st, while that against Miss Yingluck would be closed the following day (Jan 22nd).

He further disclosed that the verdicts on the three cases would be rendered on Friday, January 23rd.

Miss Yingluck is currently facing charges stemming from the rice pledging scheme carried out under her administration, which saw a tremendous financial loss.

Meanwhile, Mr Nikom and Mr Somsak are facing charges for an attempt to amend a bill pertaining to the origin of the Senate.


-- NNT 2015-01-15

[PatOngo]

Why not pass go and, get on with the criminal charges,

this is all just fluff,time to get serious i think.

regards Worgeordie

Please watch your language, the s word is very inappropriate in this country.

[WhizBang]

She is expected to fully explain 60 questions raised by the NLA regarding her role in the rice scheme.

I doubt she will full understand the questions, much less fully explain them.

[metisdead]

An off topic post has been removed as well as the replies.

[retarius]

With the result of this pig circus being a foregone conclusion what is the point in even having the show?

[SOTIRIOS]

....is that her punishment......having to answer questions.....???

...I hope that she wasn't given a copy of the questions in advance....

[Thai at Heart]

But he said that this session was unlike previous sessions in which the questions had to be submitted first to the persons responsible before answering them.

However this time the NLA wanted all question asked to get its approval first, thus it then treated everything confidential, he said.

This is an absolute joke. Why on earth arent they interested in receiving complete answers with as much factual data as possible?

I await Yingluck basically saying "Speak to Somchai over there, he prepared the numbers".

[Thai at Heart]

She is expected to fully explain 60 questions raised by the NLA regarding her role in the rice scheme.

I doubt she will full understand the questions, much less fully explain them.

Do you think anywhere in the world they allow a politician to be questioned like this without any pre-preparation of the specific questions being asked?

[Robby nz]

She is expected to fully explain 60 questions raised by the NLA regarding her role in the rice scheme.

I doubt she will full understand the questions, much less fully explain them.

Do you think anywhere in the world they allow a politician to be questioned like this without any pre-preparation of the specific questions being asked?

Once again T a H you know better than this.

She has already presented her defense which she has given both verbally and in writing, 220 copies from memory, she and they have also had access to the NACC evidence against them.

What we now have is questions that have come out of the defense presented by both her and Nikom. The other fella didn't bother to turn up.

These are only questions regarding the defense they have already submitted so they both should be able to clarify the statements they have already made without having to see the questions beforehand.

That is provided they prepared or had a hand in preparing their defense and are familiar with all the points they made.

They also knew the proceedings and what would happen beforehand so they should be ready to prove what they have said in their defense.

You should note that the accuser the NACC will also be asked questions regarding their submissions.

[Thai at Heart]

She is expected to fully explain 60 questions raised by the NLA regarding her role in the rice scheme.

I doubt she will full understand the questions, much less fully explain them.

Do you think anywhere in the world they allow a politician to be questioned like this without any pre-preparation of the specific questions being asked?

Once again T a H you know better than this.

She has already presented her defense which she has given both verbally and in writing, 220 copies from memory, she and they have also had access to the NACC evidence against them.

What we now have is questions that have come out of the defense presented by both her and Nikom. The other fella didn't bother to turn up.

These are only questions regarding the defense they have already submitted so they both should be able to clarify the statements they have already made without having to see the questions beforehand.

That is provided they prepared or had a hand in preparing their defense and are familiar with all the points they made.

They also knew the proceedings and what would happen beforehand so they should be ready to prove what they have said in their defense.

You should note that the accuser the NACC will also be asked questions regarding their submissions.

If they want the absolute best answers they should submit the questions. This is a technical impeachment and investigation not a murder investigation with cross examinations.

[rubl]

Do you think anywhere in the world they allow a politician to be questioned like this without any pre-preparation of the specific questions being asked?

Once again T a H you know better than this.

She has already presented her defense which she has given both verbally and in writing, 220 copies from memory, she and they have also had access to the NACC evidence against them.

What we now have is questions that have come out of the defense presented by both her and Nikom. The other fella didn't bother to turn up.

These are only questions regarding the defense they have already submitted so they both should be able to clarify the statements they have already made without having to see the questions beforehand.

That is provided they prepared or had a hand in preparing their defense and are familiar with all the points they made.

They also knew the proceedings and what would happen beforehand so they should be ready to prove what they have said in their defense.

You should note that the accuser the NACC will also be asked questions regarding their submissions.

If they want the absolute best answers they should submit the questions. This is a technical impeachment and investigation not a murder investigation with cross examinations.

Now hold it a moment.

The NLA has provided Ms. Yingluck with the NACC documents which means that with what she already got early last year she needs new cupboards. The NLA has her written statements and replies including the last defence statement.

Ms. Yingluck had a nicely prepared statement last Friday, but didn't address issues. She made a nice politicians speech. So more questions.

Now as for submitting questions, as far as I know even in the USA a senate committee will not submit questions before, just request some characters to come to answer questions on some specific subject. Of course Ms. Yingluck may rely on the Thai version of the 5th, but if she does that a few times it would start to look like trying to avoid to answer.

Furthermore as you remark, this is an impeachment, not a trial in court. If necessary Ms. Yingluck gets her day in court, but not yet.

[MILT]

For some reason... Perjury comes to mind.

[Mudcrab]

She is expected to fully explain 60 questions raised by the NLA regarding her role in the rice scheme.

I doubt she will full understand the questions, much less fully explain them.

Do you think anywhere in the world they allow a politician to be questioned like this without any pre-preparation of the specific questions being asked?

Happens regularly in most democracies.

Some call it a Royal Commission, some call it Senate estimates. Senate Enquiry it's quite common to keep people honest.

[Mudcrab]

Do you think anywhere in the world they allow a politician to be questioned like this without any pre-preparation of the specific questions being asked?

Once again T a H you know better than this.

She has already presented her defense which she has given both verbally and in writing, 220 copies from memory, she and they have also had access to the NACC evidence against them.

What we now have is questions that have come out of the defense presented by both her and Nikom. The other fella didn't bother to turn up.

These are only questions regarding the defense they have already submitted so they both should be able to clarify the statements they have already made without having to see the questions beforehand.

That is provided they prepared or had a hand in preparing their defense and are familiar with all the points they made.

They also knew the proceedings and what would happen beforehand so they should be ready to prove what they have said in their defense.

You should note that the accuser the NACC will also be asked questions regarding their submissions.

If they want the absolute best answers they should submit the questions. This is a technical impeachment and investigation not a murder investigation with cross examinations.

Now hold it a moment.

The NLA has provided Ms. Yingluck with the NACC documents which means that with what she already got early last year she needs new cupboards. The NLA has her written statements and replies including the last defence statement.

Ms. Yingluck had a nicely prepared statement last Friday, but didn't address issues. She made a nice politicians speech. So more questions.

Now as for submitting questions, as far as I know even in the USA a senate committee will not submit questions before, just request some characters to come to answer questions on some specific subject. Of course Ms. Yingluck may rely on the Thai version of the 5th, but if she does that a few times it would start to look like trying to avoid to answer.

Furthermore as you remark, this is an impeachment, not a trial in court. If necessary Ms. Yingluck gets her day in court, but not yet.

Lets be realistic...whatever happens history tells us that the vanquished leader is always absolved by the new leader ,

There will be a fuss than all go quiet.

Until the Reds get brave and start the inevitable civil war. Which the muslims will win.

[Bigfarang1948]

Impeach the beach!!

Strange laws in the LOS. How can you impeach someone who is already out of office?

[Robby nz]

I see in the BKK post this morning that her lawyers don't want her to go and if she does go the former ministers will go with her to "Help" her answer questions.

Would that be an admission that she is unable to answer questions herself ?

[Thai at Heart]

I see in the BKK post this morning that her lawyers don't want her to go and if she does go the former ministers will go with her to "Help" her answer questions.

Would that be an admission that she is unable to answer questions herself ?

I saw this too.

Maybe she really knows virtually nothing about. Maybe she is such an airhead that she can't understand what she did or is supposed

to have done.

Which strangly would absolve her of gross negligence and just mean she was too thick for the job and promoted way above her ability.

Which would then be the fault of the electorate. So, did the electorate cause this loss by electing someone completelt incapable. If so, who should pay?

[rubl]

I see in the BKK post this morning that her lawyers don't want her to go and if she does go the former ministers will go with her to "Help" her answer questions.

Would that be an admission that she is unable to answer questions herself ?

I saw this too.

Maybe she really knows virtually nothing about. Maybe she is such an airhead that she can't understand what she did or is supposed

to have done.

Which strangly would absolve her of gross negligence and just mean she was too thick for the job and promoted way above her ability.

Which would then be the fault of the electorate. So, did the electorate cause this loss by electing someone completelt incapable. If so, who should pay?

If Ms Yingluck really is an airhead and knows nothing can we charge 300 odd MPs with negligence since they elected her as PM ?

[Anthony5]

Posted 4 minutes ago

Former premier Yingluck Shinawatra has other former ministers answer the National Legislative Assembly's questions on her loss-ridden rice-pledging scheme. /Bangkok Post

Now who saw that one coming ?