Double blow for Yingluck

[webfact]

Double blow for Yingluck
The Nation



Becomes first politician to be impeached after NLa's 190-18 vote to back nacc move against her; ex-speakers avoid ban

BANGKOK: -- FORMER PM Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday became the first Thai politician to be impeached, after the National Legislative Assembly voted overwhelmingly to support the anti-graft agency's move against her.

Just hours before the NLA's 190 to 18 vote, public prosecutors told a press conference that the Office of the Attorney-General had resolved to press criminal charges against her at the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders in connection with the rice scheme.

If found guilty, Yingluck could face up to 10 years in prison, according to an OAG spokesman.

For critics, the timing of the press conference was suspicious.

Yesterday's impeachment verdict will result in Yingluck being banned from holding political office for five years. The ban began yesterday, according to NLA vice president Surachai Liengboonlertchai.

In the past moves to impeach political office holders never succeeded due to the lack of sufficient support from members in Parliament. Support from at least three-fifths of the 220-member NLA was required to impeach targeted politicians.

The embattled Yingluck still insisted she was innocent yesterday of the National Anti-Corruption Commission's charge that she was negligent in her duty in connection with her government's corruption-plagued rice-pledging scheme.

"I affirm that I am confident of my innocence," she said in a statement posted on her official Facebook page after the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) asked her not to hold a post-verdict press conference at the SC Park Hotel.

The ex-PM also condemned the junta-appointed parliament's ver?dict.

"Democracy has died in Thailand today, along with the rule of law. That move to destroy me is still ongoing and I face it now," she said, adding that she believed reconciliation can only happen if Thailand is governed by laws "that are fair to all sides".

She insisted that her government's rice-pledging scheme was a good project and had not caused any dam?age. She added that the reported loss of over Bt500 billion stemming from the project was unfairly blamed on her with the goal of destroying her politically.

Yingluck and other politicians from Pheu Thai Party gathered at the hotel, which is owned by her family, as the NLA voted on the impeachment cases against the ex-PM plus former parliamentary speakers Nikom Wairatpanij and Somsak Kiartsuranon.

The NLA voted 120-95 and 115-100, respectively, not to impeach former deputy Parliament president and Senate speaker Nikom and former Parliament president and House speaker Somsak.

The NCPO said the junta had nothing to do with the decision by the NLA and the assembly members simply acted in unity to vote for Yingluck's impeachment.

"The NLA members voted with their conscience," said NCPO spokesman Colonel Winthai Suwari.

The spokesman also said that no movements had been found with the goal of causing unrest following the NLA impeachment decision. There were only complaints by people dissatisfied with the vote, he said.

NLA president Pornpetch Wichitcholchai also denied there was outside influence on the assembly's final decision.

"The NLA members came to this decision based on the evidence presented and the existing laws," he said, denying rumours the military had lobbied the NLA for a guilty verdict.

Pheu Thai Party politicians warned that the verdict would lead to widespread anger from the ex-PM's supporters.

"People feel the pain. The NLA is creating more cause of conflict … This is going to anger the people," former party MP Wiang Worachet said.

Polpoom Wipatpoomiprathet, another former Pheu Thai MP, said that the verdict was part of a move aimed at "eliminating" the Thaksin regime, in reference to the political establishment led by ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Many Yingluck supporters, including red-shirt leaders close to Pheu Thai, warned that her impeachment would lead to a new political chapter fraught with political violence and division.

After the NLA verdict, Yingluck's nephew Panthongtae posted on his Instagram account an image of a fist and the message: "Are you ready, Thai people?" It was in white lettering on a black background.

Yingluck's niece Paetongtarn posted a message on her Instagram account: "This was not the first time and may not be the last. We have become used to the pain. Thank you everyone for your encouragement."

Meanwhile, Democrat Party politician Sathit Pitutecha said he believed political persecution would not succeed if the politicians involved did not commit the wrongdoing as alleged.

"People in the Thaksin regime have never admitted to their faults. They often claim that they are innocent and they are unfairly persecuted. They accuse courts of being unfair or having double standards," he said.

Another Democrat politician, Nipit Intarasombat, urged the NCPO to make sure Yingluck does not leave the country now that public prosecutors have resolved to file criminal charges against her.

Observers close to the NCPO said yesterday that Yingluck's impeachment would further weaken the Shinawatra camp at a time when Pheu Thai supporters are not likely to take to the streets.

A source from the junta said red-shirt supporters and Pheu Thai politicians were dissatisfied with the verdict, but they would not make any public moves without an order from fugitive former PM Thaksin.

However, if the red-shirts decide to launch street protest, it might prove to be beneficial to the NCPO, as it might decide to delay the next general election and extend its stay by citing political unrest, the source said.

In a related development, leading financial and business figures said yesterday they did not expect the impeachment of Yingluck to hurt the economy, as they believed law and order would be maintained.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Double-blow-for-Yingluck-30252605.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-24

[NongKhaiKid]

So most of the military members of the NLA voted for impeachment as per instructions ?

Red shirts and PTP politicians are dissatisfied with the outcome but won't make any moves without orders from Mr. T.

The more things change the more they stay the same ?

Edited January 23, 2015 by NongKhaiKid

[redandyellow]

It just goes to show once again - you get what you pay for

[MAJIC]

"Democracy has died in Thailand today, along with the rule of law. That move to destroy me is still ongoing and I face it now," she said, adding that she believed reconciliation can only happen if Thailand is governed by laws "that are fair to all sides".

Sorry Yingluck,something that has never been alive can't possibly have died! neither have the laws been: "that are fair to all sides"

[Robby nz]

A source from the junta said red-shirt supporters and Pheu Thai politicians were dissatisfied with the verdict, but they would not make any public moves without an order from fugitive former PM Thaksin.

There we have it, nothing is done without orders from Thaksin.

He must be very happy now he has a martyr and something he can use to stir up trouble.

And all based on yet another lie that no wrong has been done.

I wonder how they reconcile that with the fact that the farmers are now deeper in debt than ever before after two and a half years of the scheme that they say was meant to help them.

But I suppose they don't have to, all they need is emotive lies repeated over and over for the gullible to believe.

[The stuttering parrot]

They made sure they shut her up by sending in the military to put a stop to a press conference.

Nothing but thugs and cowards scared out of their wits by the Shinawatra name and freedom of speech.

And people on here cheer them on.

Shameful

[thesetat2013]

They made sure they shut her up by sending in the military to put a stop to a press conference.

Nothing but thugs and cowards scared out of their wits by the Shinawatra name and freedom of speech.

And people on here cheer them on.

Shameful

What is shameful is that YOU! Stuttering parrot have failed to look at things objectively and without bias to see that she did nothing to show her innocence and instead tried to make her hearing a political attack against her personally.

Surely you know by now that more than half a billion baht disappeared under her supervision. Surely by now you know she has repeatedly failed to report the truth about the real figures involved with the rice scheme as well as listening to independent sources warning her of corruption in her ranks and in this scheme.

Surely by now you have your proof that she never attended meetings for this scheme as director.

Yet in all this time and with all this proof you still have your blinders on.

She is getting justice now whether you open your eyes to reality or not.

[tezzainoz]

They made sure they shut her up by sending in the military to put a stop to a press conference.

Nothing but thugs and cowards scared out of their wits by the Shinawatra name and freedom of speech.

And people on here cheer them on.

Shameful

Even a parrot know this is 2015

With social media you not need make a speech

6 mins on the net get to more people than 30 mins on a soap box

Time to get with the times my friend

[rametindallas]

If anyone cares to look closely at the graphic at the top of the OP, you will see that her goose is cooked, stick a fork in her; she's done because under CONDITIONS FOR THE ACCUSED, it clearly states that the accused must 'Must testify on her own'. In her whole life, what has she ever done 'on her own'? She is 'Nong' and they are babied into and throughout adulthood in Thailand. If you don't know what a 'nong' is, ask any Thai.

[A1Str8]

She's a bit confused. She is talking about fairness and how democracy has died. When she was in power she wasn't fair that's a fact. We couldn't call that phase democracy either so what's the problem. She must not like her own medicine.

[Tatsujin]

"Democracy has died in Thailand today, along with the rule of law."

No, that happened the day your big "brother" started messing with the composition of the Royal Thai Police and entered politics.

[metisdead]

An inflammatory post in all caps has been removed. Another post of a profane nature has been removed:

8) You will not post disruptive or inflammatory messages, vulgarities, obscenities or profanities.

[Stjohnm]

Has she got her UAE Visa yet? Time for Taksin to ready the spare room.

[robblok]

She's a bit confused. She is talking about fairness and how democracy has died. When she was in power she wasn't fair that's a fact. We couldn't call that phase democracy either so what's the problem. She must not like her own medicine.

Correct when she was in power she used her power to bully those who protested about the rice program. People with fair figures where threatened with procecution. When the democrats came with proof about corruption at G2G deals they got laughed out of the chamber as she held all power. Now that she has no more power it is shown that the G2G deals were fake and corrupt.

God those Shins must really hate Thaksin now.. if not for his amnesty added at the last moment to the list they would still be in power. But the people of Thailand rose when they tried to get this convicted criminal back.

[oneday]

"The NCPO said the junta had nothing to do with the decision by the NLA and the assembly members simply acted in unity to vote for Yingluck's impeachment."

...and most people believe in the "tooth fairy" and "santa claus"...

[cornishcarlos]

Double blow, Yingluck... Oooh stop it

[timewilltell]

Right decision but wrong vehicle.

[Anthony5]

Could be sentenced 1 - 10 year in jail and/OR 2000 - 20.0000 Baht fine

Which of the possible sentences will she receive?

Edited January 24, 2015 by Anthony5

[IMA_FARANG]

I was watching a commentary on the impeachment results yesterday on Thai television.

There was one shot of Yingluck as she heard the news of her impeachment.

She was trying to keep a stone face and show no emotion and she basically did if you just watched her face/.

But her EYES gave her away.

Her eyes went wide with shock even though she displayed no emotion in her face.

That was the first time I realized that, for whatever reason, she never believed it would really happen.

Until that point I never understood that she could really believe she would escape impeachment.

But at that point, her eyes went wide with shock, and she finally understood what was going to happen.

I almost felt sorry for her.

Only almost.

She must have been extremely naïve or very stupid to not have seen what was happening before.

Especially after that calculated insult, of not appearing before the NLA panel when asked to explain her case.

As a Thai she should have KNOWN that the panel would take her refusal to appear before them, and to sent he lawyers instead was a direct insult to the panel, causing hem to "lose face" in the eyes of the public.

Yingluck, that was a very stupid thing to do, and probably sealed your fate to be impeached.

My prediction now: Yingluck is gone, of no more use to her brother than a used condom, and he will toss her in the trash as fast as he would that used condom.

[fxe1200]

Could be sentenced 1 - 10 year in jail and/OR 2000 - 20.0000 Baht fine

Which of the possible sentences will she receive?

They let her fly out.

[Keesters]

That was the first time I realized that, for whatever reason, she never believed it would really happen.

Until that point I never understood that she could really believe she would escape impeachment.

But at that point, her eyes went wide with shock, and she finally understood what was going to happen.

And that my friend is the crux. All these hi-so people have considered themselves untouchable and above the law. They are finding out now that that is not the case.

[Baerboxer]

They made sure they shut her up by sending in the military to put a stop to a press conference.

Nothing but thugs and cowards scared out of their wits by the Shinawatra name and freedom of speech.

And people on here cheer them on.

Shameful

At least they didn't throw grenades at her and her mates.

Even now PTP can't resist trying to put themselves above the law and hold a political meeting when they want without following the appropriate process.

What's shameful is supporting the continuing lies that the scheme was good, helped the poor and Yinngy is innocent.

[Baerboxer]

That was the first time I realized that, for whatever reason, she never believed it would really happen.

Until that point I never understood that she could really believe she would escape impeachment.

But at that point, her eyes went wide with shock, and she finally understood what was going to happen.

And that my friend is the crux. All these hi-so people have considered themselves untouchable and above the law. They are finding out now that that is not the case.

I think you are both spot on. She thought, at worse, she might get a little slap on the wrist. But would be let off as usual following the PR campaign and red shirt leaders reminders of possible consequences if they didn't like the outcome. Thaksin probably assured her that there would be no problems.

Now she must start to wonder about the upcoming trial, possibility of a verdict and sentence she doesn't like.

There must be a lot more worried people now.

[tukkytuktuk]

That was the first time I realized that, for whatever reason, she never believed it would really happen.

Until that point I never understood that she could really believe she would escape impeachment.

But at that point, her eyes went wide with shock, and she finally understood what was going to happen.

And that my friend is the crux. All these hi-so people have considered themselves untouchable and above the law. They are finding out now that that is not the case.

I think you are both spot on. She thought, at worse, she might get a little slap on the wrist. But would be let off as usual following the PR campaign and red shirt leaders reminders of possible consequences if they didn't like the outcome. Thaksin probably assured her that there would be no problems.

Now she must start to wonder about the upcoming trial, possibility of a verdict and sentence she doesn't like.

There must be a lot more worried people now.

She is foolish if she thinks the supreme court won't handout a jail sentence, because the are very likely to do that like they did with her brother. She needs to get out of Thailand quick.

[cornishcarlos]

They made sure they shut her up by sending in the military to put a stop to a press conference.

Nothing but thugs and cowards scared out of their wits by the Shinawatra name and freedom of speech.

And people on here cheer them on.

Shameful

At least they didn't throw grenades at her and her mates.

Even now PTP can't resist trying to put themselves above the law and hold a political meeting when they want without following the appropriate process.

What's shameful is supporting the continuing lies that the scheme was good, helped the poor and Yinngy is innocent.

But if she has been banned from politics,surely her press conference would be just a Thai citizen giving a press conference ? Not a political meeting at all

[DrTuner]

A whopping 2000baht fine, wow.

[Valentine]

A whopping 2000baht fine, wow.

I believe the judgement can also impose a cost for damages so it could end up something like 500,000,002,000 Baht in total which includes the fine.

[tukkytuktuk]

Will a similar picture to this one be on the front pages of the newspapers next week?

http://static.bangordailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/APTOPIX-South-Korea-Nuclear-Summit-600x251.jpg

Headline = Yinglink flees Thailand to join her brother in self exile.

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

hey Ying, where was your fairness and your democracy when you brought in the riot squad to remove the opposition party from parliament to help you push through your amnesty bills at 4 am in the morning. The hypocrisy and sheer BS that these people can spew is utterly sickening. The fact the people like these stuttering parrot idiots believe it is even more astounding.

[wwest5829]

OK, I confess to having very mixed feelings. And in the end, I realize, what I think does not matter. Still, here goes. I believe all government officials should be held responsible for carrying out their sworn duty. So, OK, Yingluck had the ultimate responsibility of seeing that any government program under her government was carried out honestly and in accordance with the legislation passed for that program. On the other hand, I have no doubt as to the objectives of moves against Yingluck as being motivated to try and stamp out the Shinawatra influence in Thai politics. In the English, Imeachment, cannot be the correct use here as Yingluck holds no government office. Yes, there may well be civil and criminal charges but. She cannot be removed or impeached from an office she has already been removed from by unconstitutional means. As I say, I do not defend wrongdoing but it appears there is no accusation that she directly was involved in any corruption. So, it raises the question in my mind, where are all those to be charged who must have gained from the corruption? If there is no corruption proven in cases before the courts, how can Yingluck be charged with aiding or abetting corruption? Perhaps it is the best way to allow for any charges to be dismissed or certainly to be discounted by the international community as being anything but political. Shame, because, as I say officials should be held accountable but it appears to me that this was a government program aimed at benefitting rice farmers that went astray and that the wrongfulness was not directed by Yingluck.

I think this will not address nor solve the real issue (perhaps the elephant in the room analogy is valid here)...yes, yes, as if anything but a wholesale revamping of Thai culture slip accomplish that.

Edited January 24, 2015 by wwest5829