Yingluck must answer herself, NLA insists

[Lite Beer]

Yingluck must answer herself, NLA insists
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION January 17, 2015 1:00 am

BANGKOK: -- AFTER PERSISTENT protests by members, which led to a closed-door meeting yesterday, the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) decided not to allow representatives for former PM Yingluck Shinawatra to answer questions on her behalf.

The questions related to corruption allegations in the rice-pledging scheme, as part of the impeachment motion against her.

By yesterday afternoon, the NLA resolved to pose 35 questions for Yingluck in her absence.

Former acting PM Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan, who led the group of nine representatives including former deputy PM Kittiratt Na-Ranong, said he was sorry to have lost the opportunity to provide answers to the Assembly, which would have helped them decide whether or not to impeach Yingluck.

However, he said, Yingluck would appear in person to provide closing remarks next Thursday. Two lawyers, including Pichit Chuenban, were also part of Yingluck's team of representatives.

If Yingluck is found guilty, she will be barred from politics for five years.

Asked whether Yingluck would spend a very long time answering the 35 questions posed to her yesterday, Niwatthamrong said that most of the questions could be cut down to a few points. He pointed out that offering to answer questions on Yingluck's behalf was not forbidden anywhere.

Assembly president Pornpetch Wichitcholchai had initially agreed with this, but many NLA members took to the floor to oppose the idea, which eventually led to a 40-minute closed-door meeting. The NLA emerged from the meeting after concluding that only Yingluck would be allowed to answer these questions.

Pichit, who is Yingluck's personal legal adviser, claimed the decision went against the interim charter's Article 10, which guarantees the right of reply to the accused.

"We want this basic right,"

Pichit told the assembly.

However, NLA members responded by saying that nobody had prevented Yingluck from showing up yesterday, and the fact she had not even provided an explanation for her absence meant she had no intention of answering the questions herself.

"As she hasn't shown up, she has lost the right," NLA member Somchai Sawaengkarn said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Yingluck-must-answer-herself-NLA-insists-30252080.html

-- The Nation 2015-01-17

[The stuttering parrot]

Yingluck should only have to ask one question.

I and my party were democratically elected by the people of the kingdom of Thailand where as my accusers took the country via the barrel of a gun and your clear bias towards the Shinawatra family is known world wide so why should I have to answer to you lot?

The whole circus is illegal and a sham!

[Robby nz]

So now her defense have got what they wanted, the questions,.

They will go back to their offices and on the phones to Thaksin, Amsterdam and all the other 'advisors' and try to spin the answers that don't implicate her to much.

Where that's impossible they will put together a lot of words that skirt round the questions without actually answering them in the hope that they can fool the NLA.

They might even have to try for a little sympathy and the 'but they did.......' again.

We wait to see if they can fool the NLA.

[Roadman]

Either way whether she faces action or not I could not care a brass rasoe. Most of those questions are pathetic. However the two that are not and where she does have a case to answer as both the PM and the Minister in charge of the scheme is questions 3 and 6 where many groups were presenting clear evidence of not corruption by her but by others within the scheme...to which she did nothing and even had people threatened.

[Robby nz]

Yingluck should only have to ask one question.

I and my party were democratically elected by the people of the kingdom of Thailand where as my accusers took the country via the barrel of a gun and your clear bias towards the Shinawatra family is known world wide so why should I have to answer to you lot?

The whole circus is illegal and a sham!

So once again the parrot repeats ;

They were elected they so can do whatever they like regardless of how corrupt or how much it costs the country or the people.

It would seem to me that bias against criminals and the corrupt, like wanting to bring them to account is quite reasonable.

But apparently not to those who support them.

[BigBadGeordie]

Yingluck should only have to ask one question.

I and my party were democratically elected by the people of the kingdom of Thailand where as my accusers took the country via the barrel of a gun and your clear bias towards the Shinawatra family is known world wide so why should I have to answer to you lot?

The whole circus is illegal and a sham!

Therefore as a "democratically"elected PM I have the right to destroy the financial stability of the country and the rice business. I can do whatever I want (or rather what my brother wants) without any possible ramifications, because I was elected.

Oh please!

[Roadman]

Yingluck should only have to ask one question.

I and my party were democratically elected by the people of the kingdom of Thailand where as my accusers took the country via the barrel of a gun and your clear bias towards the Shinawatra family is known world wide so why should I have to answer to you lot?

The whole circus is illegal and a sham!

Ohhh.... I won an election and for the flat earthers that is all you have to do, so I can do whatever I and my convicted fugitive criminal brother puppet master want...agree the whole Thailand circus as it has been for at least the last 14 years and probably beyond has been a sham...sadly cannot even say a democratic sham as democracy has never entered the building.

[stickyrice2000]

Seriously, who wants to go to this kind of trial? When there are wolves waiting for you in the cave, would you still go in?

Edited January 16, 2015 by stickyrice2000

[NongKhaiKid]

Yingluck should only have to ask one question.

I and my party were democratically elected by the people of the kingdom of Thailand where as my accusers took the country via the barrel of a gun and your clear bias towards the Shinawatra family is known world wide so why should I have to answer to you lot?

The whole circus is illegal and a sham!

Therefore as a "democratically"elected PM I have the right to destroy the financial stability of the country and the rice business. I can do whatever I want (or rather what my brother wants) without any possible ramifications, because I was elected.

Oh please!

As one of the Red's chants went " we won the election, we can do what we want ".

Unfortunately it doesn't really matter who runs the country the control attitude is the same and it's a mindset here that isn't going to change.

[MilesofSmiles]

Yingluck should only have to ask one question.

I and my party were democratically elected by the people of the kingdom of Thailand where as my accusers took the country via the barrel of a gun and your clear bias towards the Shinawatra family is known world wide so why should I have to answer to you lot?

I agree with you about her having a mandate to govern, but her and her party should still be accountable to the public.

Nobody should be above the law or immune to criticism. That's exactly the type of behavior that got and keeps this country so far from it's true potential.

[Thailand]

I guess she is tempted to give the 3 fingers.

As she has the option not to appear why should she? Likely she is going to get the agreed 5 years ban from politics.

No doubt the juntas opposition is already grooming another person(s) to become the PM of a genuinely elected government whenever that may be.

[marinediscoking]

First their (NLA) charter Article 10 states representatives are allowed. Then they go (hide) behind closed doors. Seems they are making the rules up as they go along, looks like she does not want to become involved in their kangaroo court circus act. If they had "air tight" evidence they would not even needed to question her as they had months and months to gather it. The proposed questions seems more theoretical than evidential like a lot of "just got ya" grand standing questions from the junta appointed members. Just another diversionary tactic many dictatorships employ about the last government.

Looks like she will be banned no matter what and at this point I think business people like the shins will not want to bother trying to fix this banana republic. When elections are allowed again I predict next running for PM nomination will be someone the reds and the majority of Issian (the population) can better relate to like Jatuporn or the likes than another elite Shin.

Edited January 17, 2015 by marinediscoking

[smedly]

I did not steal Jimmy's lunch box

Kindergarden stuff this - Thais have a lot to learn when it comes to holding people responsible for misdeeds

[SaintLouisBlues]

Widely recognised outside Thailand that this is a kangaroo court with only one objective: "the junta tirelessly bullies the Shinawatra network. This impeachment is merely the latest in a series of abuses by the elite establishment. With prejudiced minds and no legal grounds, the NLA is jeopardizing the rule of law, not upholding it" - Australian National University, School of SE Asian Studies

[The stuttering parrot]

Hey all politicians yellow dems reds or whatever should be held accountable but this arena is illegal and a farce.

If it was abhisit facing the music I would be defending him also.

Fancy you lot supporting this lot.

You wouldn't cop it in your home country.

[smedly]

Widely recognised outside Thailand that this is a kangaroo court with only one objective: "the junta tirelessly bullies the Shinawatra network. This impeachment is merely the latest in a series of abuses by the elite establishment. With prejudiced minds and no legal grounds, the NLA is jeopardizing the rule of law, not upholding it" - Australian National University, School of SE Asian Studies

not that I agree with your post but it's always nice to see the biggest bully of them all get a slap that is so well deserved

[tbthailand]

well, looking at the questions makes it clear that this is a political vendetta.

move along everyone, nothing to see her. Her goose is cooked, she's heading for a ban, and right after that, a conviction on criminal charges.

2006 all over again.

more coffee, please.

[Crazy chef 1]

Yingluck should only have to ask one question.

I and my party were democratically elected by the people of the kingdom of Thailand where as my accusers took the country via the barrel of a gun and your clear bias towards the Shinawatra family is known world wide so why should I have to answer to you lot?

The whole circus is illegal and a sham!

Therefore as a "democratically"elected PM I have the right to destroy the financial stability of the country and the rice business. I can do whatever I want (or rather what my brother wants) without any possible ramifications, because I was elected.

Oh please!

that's not the question.she did wrong and have to be held accountable for it-period.

but is the current "government" in a position to legally judge about anybody???

[JAG]

And so, to be accountable, to give the people the opportunity to pass that judgement, in accordance with the constitution, she called a general election.

It was trashed, and then the coup. To remove that opportunity.

As someone so patronisingly remarked a few posts ago " Oh please" !

[Halion]

Yingluck should only have to ask one question.

I and my party were democratically elected by the people of the kingdom of Thailand where as my accusers took the country via the barrel of a gun and your clear bias towards the Shinawatra family is known world wide so why should I have to answer to you lot?

The whole circus is illegal and a sham!

If the country had not been rescued from Yingluck and her hapless lackeys you may not have much of a country left to fret about. Furthermore, If you think that the PTP were truly elected within a genuine democratic system,then you are missing the whole point.

[chainarong]

Yingluck just to clear the air should as former Prime Minister present herself to the NLA, if only to satisfy the ghouls with the slurping lips drooling at the end result , it is rather pointless to argue that she was part of an elected Government , she was also questioned by the people over some shonky decision making especially the Amnesty Bill, it is also Questionable whether the present administration will take Thailand forward or back to pre 1992, the game is in grid lock and it wouldn't matter if Yingluck was tried now or in twenty years time the out come will be the same.

[worgeordie]

I think she will use the Manuel defense (waiter in Faulty Towers)

"I know nothing"

regards Worgeordie

[marinediscoking]

And so, to be accountable, to give the people the opportunity to pass that judgement, in accordance with the constitution, she called a general election.

It was trashed, and then the coup. To remove that opportunity.

As someone so patronisingly remarked a few posts ago " Oh please" !

And as such she will be remembered in history that way, Not for a farming subsidy but by putting a re-vote to the population that was sabotaged and then couped.by political opponents.

[trogers]

Yingluck should only have to ask one question.

I and my party were democratically elected by the people of the kingdom of Thailand where as my accusers took the country via the barrel of a gun and your clear bias towards the Shinawatra family is known world wide so why should I have to answer to you lot?

The whole circus is illegal and a sham!

So once again the parrot repeats ;

They were elected they so can do whatever they like regardless of how corrupt or how much it costs the country or the people.

It would seem to me that bias against criminals and the corrupt, like wanting to bring them to account is quite reasonable.

But apparently not to those who support them.

Hitler would have been so proud. He was also elected in a democracy, and had the democratic right to carry out the Night of the Long Knives. Democracy triumphs the Rule of Law.

[The stuttering parrot]

If the yellow dems were so confident that she is corrupt then why were they so scared to take the argument to the people?

That way the People could have thrown her and the PTP out on their ears however by his own words Suthep conspired with the general to bring the democratically elected government down.

So now all the ducks are in place for this illegal farce and no judgements on anyone yellow red or any other colour show be acknowledged from this kangaroo court.

[JAG]

Do you not see even the tinyest little bit of hyperbole in comparing Yingluck and the rice subsidy programme with Hitler and the night of the long knives?

[smedly]

Yingluck should only have to ask one question.

I and my party were democratically elected by the people of the kingdom of Thailand where as my accusers took the country via the barrel of a gun and your clear bias towards the Shinawatra family is known world wide so why should I have to answer to you lot?

The whole circus is illegal and a sham!

If the country had not been rescued from Yingluck and her hapless lackeys you may not have much of a country left to fret about. Furthermore, If you think that the PTP were truly elected within a genuine democratic system,then you are missing the whole point.

exactly and you are right on the money

what would be the point of holding elections into a very obviously faulty system of abusers liars and thieves - as I have said many times - history doesn't lie - could thialand possibly hold the record last 70 years for failed democracies

They needed someone who could come along and make radical changes - is Chan -O-Cha the man that could do it ? well I don't know but he seems to have the most potential so far, and lets not forget the complex task he has and give the man some credit - the outcome may not be perfect but just could be the step of many in the right direction

I always have an image of blowing up a balloon when it comes to Thai elections and the subsequent government in office - just maybe they will stop before it goes bang again

[rixalex]

Widely recognised outside Thailand that this is a kangaroo court with only one objective: "the junta tirelessly bullies the Shinawatra network. This impeachment is merely the latest in a series of abuses by the elite establishment. With prejudiced minds and no legal grounds, the NLA is jeopardizing the rule of law, not upholding it" - Australian National University, School of SE Asian Studies

The "Shinawatra network" seemed happy enough with the justice system when they were able to "steer it" into farcical decisions such as was witnessed with the assets concealment case, and they were happy enough trying to bribe the court with cash filled pastry boxes.

Now they are unable to influence the courts as they once were, and so now is the time when they declare it all so unfair. Funny that.

[selftaopath]

Yingluck should only have to ask one question.

I and my party were democratically elected by the people of the kingdom of Thailand where as my accusers took the country via the barrel of a gun and your clear bias towards the Shinawatra family is known world wide so why should I have to answer to you lot?

The whole circus is illegal and a sham!

Therefore as a "democratically"elected PM I have the right to destroy the financial stability of the country and the rice business. I can do whatever I want (or rather what my brother wants) without any possible ramifications, because I was elected.

Oh please!

Yes and ," I also have all the receipts for every vote I bought."

[trogers]

Do you not see even the tinyest little bit of hyperbole in comparing Yingluck and the rice subsidy programme with Hitler and the night of the long knives?

Democracy triumphs the Rule of Law. The same spirit in different bodies...