Yingluck 'involved in corruption'
KRIS BHROMSUTHI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- JOINT TEAM OF PUBLIC PROSECUTORS, NACC AGREE TO PURSUE CRIMINAL CASE IN SUPREME COURT OVER RICE SCHEME, WICHA TELLS NLA

A WORKING group comprised of public prosecutors and members of the anti-graft agency has agreed that former premier Yingluck Shinawatra was involved in the alleged corruption in connection with her government's rice-pledging scheme and that she will face legal action.

Wicha Mahakhun, a member of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), told the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) yesterday that both sides had decided to take the case to Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders.

This is the latest from the NACC, which is working alongside the Office of the Attorney-General to file a criminal case against Yingluck. If she is found guilty, she may face a jail term and heavy fines.

Wicha also said yesterday that despite this criminal case, Yingluck should also face impeachment proceedings so she can be barred from politics for five years.

He appeared to use the decision to take legal action against Yingluck as a reason to persuade NLA members to go ahead with impeachment proceedings against her. He was responding on behalf of the NACC to queries from NLA members on whether they should go ahead with the impeachment process.

Wicha also said he did not think Yingluck's impeachment would pose obstacles to the ongoing national reconciliation effort, arguing that reconciliation moves involved investigating, clarifying and publicising the truth rather than "forgiving" wrongdoers.

He was responding to a question posed by the NLA enquiry committee, which wanted to know if going ahead with Yingluck's impeachment case would damage moves to foster national reconciliation.

Wicha said reconciliation and the impeachment process were "entirely different matters", adding that for true reconciliation, people should be able to see "right from wrong" and once facts are clarified to the public, it can decide for itself if holders of public office possess the qualities to lead the country.

"Examples need to be set that those who commit wrong will be punished, so no future leaders dare repeat these actions. This will create sustainable reconciliation," the NACC member said.

Publicising the truth was part and parcel of reconciliation, Wicha said, adding that the impeachment process would become a significant investigative tool in uncovering the truth.

As for the Constitutional Court's previous decision to remove Yingluck from office, Wicha said it was done for the unconstitutional removal of Thawil Pliensri from his position as chief of the National Security Council. He pointed out that this case did not reveal the former PM's misconduct and role in what proved to be a disastrous scheme.

"The impeachment proceedings on Yingluck's role in the rice-pledging scheme is an entirely different process and has nothing to do with the court's ruling, hence [the impeachment] can go ahead. The NACC tried to impeach her because she committed wrongs and is looking to ban her from politics for five years," he said.

Yingluck's representatives at the NLA meeting yesterday requested that she be allowed to answer all the 35 queries posed by NLA members on the day she presents her closing statement.

The NLA will convene again next Thursday to hear closing statements from the NACC as well as answers to its queries from Yingluck, before it meets again the following day to vote on whether it should go ahead with impeachment proceedings against her, NLA deputy president Peerasak Porjit said yesterday.

Meanwhile, NACC president Panthep Klanarongran said yesterday that the joint public prosecutors and NACC working group would decide by the end of this month on how it will pursue criminal proceedings against Yingluck.

He said the NACC working team, led by secretary-general Sansern Poljieak, was collecting additional information from relevant agencies and questioning more witnesses as requested by the Attorney-General's Office. Once this work is completed, he said, the team would meet with attorney-general representatives before taking the case to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders.

The NACC chief said he expected both sides to meet no more than twice before a decision is made within this month.

As for the case against former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, also in connection with the rice-pledging scheme, the NACC will decide on Tuesday on whether he should be indicted, Panthep said.

Boonsong is accused of irregularities in the sale of pledged rice |in government-to-government deals.

In a related development, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said in his weekly address last night that members of the public can decide for themselves when a politician is accused of committing wrongdoings.

"The society should be able to tell right from wrong. We should not allow anyone to stir us up and cause social divisions again," he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Yingluck-involved-in-corruption-30252083.html

-- The Nation 2015-01-17

In related news, water is wet.

Well it is good if they pursue legal actions as well as impeaching her. She needs to be held accountable for such huge losses to the country and from what I understand in this article they have enough proof that she contributed and benefitted from those losses as well.

They should immediately revoke her passport or she is going to follow her brother and do a runner.

These Junta clowns are repeating their 2006 failure. They have silenced all opposition voices with their guns and oppression and now idiotically believe that the dearth of criticism of their ridiculously biased actions is proof of their correctness and vast public support - idiots one and all. This right wing extremist joke is hurtling inevitably towards its deserved demise

"Examples need to be set that those who commit wrong will be punished, so no future leaders dare repeat these actions. This will create sustainable reconciliation," the NACC member said.

- Does this line of thinking apply to the Army leaders and the coups they continually inflict upon the nation? Selective justice is no justice at all!

Reconciliation cannot be forced by one side onto the other at the barrel of a gun.

Meanwhile the case against the Democrats for their 700 billion loss 15 years ago has expired without charge. Their own 40 billion/year rice scheme corruption goes unchallenged because the records were lost in the flood.

The 'law' in this country is nothing more than a politicised attack dog for a small group of powerbrokers.

These Junta clowns are repeating their 2006 failure. [snip]

You're exactly right.

That's what happens when you ignore and rewrite history.

"Examples need to be set that those who commit wrong will be punished, so no future leaders dare repeat these actions. This will create sustainable reconciliation," the NACC member said.

Thaksin was a great example, but the state is removing all mentions of him.

See the nation is really showing it's allegiance to the yellow dem junta coalition .

No need for attitude adjustment with them it's always been there and they just keep churning out bias articles which sends the yellow dems into a zombie like feeding frenzy.

Won't help at election time though!

"arguing that reconciliation moves involved investigating, clarifying and publicising the truth rather than "forgiving" wrongdoers."

"Examples need to be set that those who commit wrong will be punished, so no future leaders dare repeat these actions."

"Publicising the truth was part and parcel of reconciliation, "

One can only hope that these "new principles" are also used to investigate the incidents in 2010 during the Red Shirts protests, the Suthep-led demonstrations last year, the violence in the South, the involvement of the Navy in the trafficking of the Rohinga and many more incidents, but I have my doubts. I am all for that YL takes responsibility for her "blind eye" in the rice scheme, but it looks very one sided for me.

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See the nation is really showing it's allegiance to the yellow dem junta coalition .

No need for attitude adjustment with them it's always been there and they just keep churning out bias articles which sends the yellow dems into a zombie like feeding frenzy.

Won't help at election time though!

Hey parrot, a bit like the extremely biased rubbish and lies fed to the masses at the red democracy schools and for hours every day on the village loud speakers.

Edited January 17, 201511 yr by scorecard

I counted my check bin - I am 100% sure I only had 200billion not 800billion - can you count that again please

Wicha said ... that for true reconciliation, people should be able to see "right from wrong" and once facts are clarified to the public, it can decide for itself if holders of public office possess the qualities to lead the country.

speaking of facts, Khun Wicha is one of the former 2007 military constitution drafters. At the time he stated such things as "we all know elections are evil..."

Given his earlier statements and current statements, one can conclude that he doesn't give a rat's a** about reconciliation.

Nothing new here, back in 1997 the IMF discovered that the Minister in charge of the suburban rail network with those concrete pylons pointing to the heavens and a good example is along the highway to Don Muang had enough contracts for concrete which he and he's family had major shares in , to last 300 years , talk about looking after the family unit and this was under the watch of Khun Chuan, so corruption has been and will always be an extended part of Thai life , as long as the military and the system is involved in the running of the country.

In related news, water is wet.

Right and water is bad for you - it can cause severe drowning.

Well it is good if they pursue legal actions as well as impeaching her. She needs to be held accountable for such huge losses to the country and from what I understand in this article they have enough proof that she contributed and benefitted from those losses as well.

They should immediately revoke her passport or she is going to follow her brother and do a runner.

You are deluded - she will never reach a court, never be punished after she has fled overseas. That's what the ****** wants to happen - they want her out of the country and then they can use her as a feared fugitive whipping girl ad infinitum. She's no use to them in prison because it makes it look like she is a martyr or worse still actually willing to pay the price for her sins.

Edited January 17, 201511 yr by Card

A fine kangaroo breeding programme !

When it comes to politics, leadership, and government...Thailand is a dog chasing it's own tail.

Edited January 17, 201511 yr by tkramer

If nothing else Yingluck embodies all that is wrong with Thailand and represents corruption, malfeasance and ineptitude in all aspects.

...not surprised at all...just Thainess...

If nothing else Yingluck embodies all that is wrong with Thailand and represents corruption, malfeasance and ineptitude in all aspects.

You forgot nepotism.

Well it is good if they pursue legal actions as well as impeaching her. She needs to be held accountable for such huge losses to the country and from what I understand in this article they have enough proof that she contributed and benefitted from those losses as well.

They should immediately revoke her passport or she is going to follow her brother and do a runner.

You are deluded - she will never reach a court, never be punished after she has fled overseas. That's what the ****** wants to happen - they want her out of the country and then they can use her as a feared fugitive whipping girl ad infinitum. She's no use to them in prison because it makes it look like she is a martyr or worse still actually willing to pay the price for her sins.

It must really annoy them, that she hasn't fled! Just imagine all those phone calls from the back of the mercs en route to the club, "how do we get rid of this woman?"

Its such a shame that the old " Benign Aquino" option is not really on the table any more.

These Junta clowns are repeating their 2006 failure. They have silenced all opposition voices with their guns and oppression and now idiotically believe that the dearth of criticism of their ridiculously biased actions is proof of their correctness and vast public support - idiots one and all. This right wing extremist joke is hurtling inevitably towards its deserved demise

"Examples need to be set that those who commit wrong will be punished, so no future leaders dare repeat these actions. This will create sustainable reconciliation," the NACC member said.

- Does this line of thinking apply to the Army leaders and the coups they continually inflict upon the nation? Selective justice is no justice at all!

Reconciliation cannot be forced by one side onto the other at the barrel of a gun.

so you like that this corruption from shinawatres continou !!

was ever an political leader imposed by fake and vote buying system kicked out by democratic rules ??

Did change any Dictatorship by democratic votes ?

Will Kim Jung Un step down if in election he would get less than 50% ??

So this is what you say !!

lets Korean people deside in a vote if Kim is the elected president !

From which country you are ? ( ISAAN ? ) ;

These Junta clowns are repeating their 2006 failure. They have silenced all opposition voices with their guns and oppression and now idiotically believe that the dearth of criticism of their ridiculously biased actions is proof of their correctness and vast public support - idiots one and all. This right wing extremist joke is hurtling inevitably towards its deserved demise

"Examples need to be set that those who commit wrong will be punished, so no future leaders dare repeat these actions. This will create sustainable reconciliation," the NACC member said.

- Does this line of thinking apply to the Army leaders and the coups they continually inflict upon the nation? Selective justice is no justice at all!

Reconciliation cannot be forced by one side onto the other at the barrel of a gun.

so you like that this corruption from shinawatres continou !!

was ever an political leader imposed by fake and vote buying system kicked out by democratic rules ??

Did change any Dictatorship by democratic votes ?

Will Kim Jung Un step down if in election he would get less than 50% ??

So this is what you say !!

lets Korean people deside in a vote if Kim is the elected president !

From which country you are ? ( ISAAN ? ) ;

The blind leading the blind and the mute commenting when they should remain MUTE.

This is not a Yingluck/Shinawatra problem. The problem of corruption has been around for a long time in Thailand and its roots are

deep in the culture. Just about any Thai in her position would have done the same thing.

Edited January 17, 201511 yr by tkramer

This is really very simple.

her wealth and assets alegedly tripled, during her time in government, involving BILLION'S of baht.

Ask her where this new found wealth came from and let her proove it.

These Junta clowns are repeating their 2006 failure. They have silenced all opposition voices with their guns and oppression and now idiotically believe that the dearth of criticism of their ridiculously biased actions is proof of their correctness and vast public support - idiots one and all. This right wing extremist joke is hurtling inevitably towards its deserved demise

"Examples need to be set that those who commit wrong will be punished, so no future leaders dare repeat these actions. This will create sustainable reconciliation," the NACC member said.

- Does this line of thinking apply to the Army leaders and the coups they continually inflict upon the nation? Selective justice is no justice at all!

Reconciliation cannot be forced by one side onto the other at the barrel of a gun.

What nonsense! Where have guns been used to silence people? Where is the Army on the streets? Barricades? Armed vehicles?

It was Prayut who commenced paying the rice farmers within 3 days of taking over; not the Yingluck Gov't...they allowed graft & corruption to occur to the tune of Billions of baht.

Wicha's comment that you quoted is correct;Thai people are entitled to have those who have wronged them, to be punished....that's natural justice!!

Agree: your only correct statement is in the last line...."Reconciliation cannot be forced by one side onto the other at the barrel of a gun."

Another reminder:

Please use discretion in your references to the government. Phrases which can be considered as anti-coup will be removed. Referring to Thailand or the government as a dictatorship, military dictatorship or other such terms will be removed.

This is really very simple.

her wealth and assets alegedly tripled, during her time in government, involving BILLION'S of baht.

Ask her where this new found wealth came from and let her proove it.

May I ask from where you get this information? I never heared that before.

Suit cases being filled and lined up at the airport already

When Yingluck was PM there were never "Another reminders". What does that say Yellow buddies?

This is not a Yingluck/Shinawatra problem. The problem of corruption has been around for a long time in Thailand and its roots are

deep in the culture. Just about any Thai in her position would have done the same thing.

Yep, and the elites don't like it when folks from the other side of the track start playing their games. The public purse is for them to pillage not the likes of the uncivilised Thaksins and Co.