Supreme Court accepts suppression case against former premier Somchai

[webfact]

Supreme Court accepts suppression case against former premier Somchai



BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions has accepted a lawsuit filed against former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat and his former deputy Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh for the crackdown of anti government protesters in 2008.

The lawsuit was compiled and filed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).

Former police chief Pol Gen Pajarawat Wongsuwan, and former metropolitan police commissioner Pol Lt Gen Suchart Muenkaew were also named in the suit brought against them by the NACC.

The NACC accused the four persons of power abuse for ordering the police to crack down on the People’s Alliance for Democracy protesters blocking the Parliament entrance on Uthong Nai road on October 7, 2008.

The crackdown resulted in two deaths and 471 injuries, the NACC said.

The 9-member panel of the court has accepted the case for hearing last Friday and set 9.30 am on May 11 as the time and date for the four accused to appear before the court whether they will admit to the charges or to defend themselves.

(Photo : Thai PBS File)

Source; http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/supreme-court-accepts-suppression-case-former-premier-somchai


-- Thai PBS 2015-02-11

[peptidebomber]

And soon the Thai history books will read - 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013. Nothing of importance happened in 2010!

[lildragon]

One side cracksdown against protesters, bad. Another side we like does it, good.

It literally is that black and white.

[Cuchulainn]

Another (well deserved) nail in the Shinawatra tribe's coffin.

[tomross46]

What about the charges of genocide against the Thaksin administration for the murder of thousands during the War on Drugs?

[z42]

What about the charges of genocide against the Thaksin administration for the murder of thousands during the War on Drugs?

What are you talking about? The ever truisty BIB concluded that all 2800 murders were the work of cartel mobsters wiping each out.....including the kids

On the surpression case involving somchai, I definitely condone it. When unarmed, non violent protesters die in suspicious circumstances following specific orders to crack down on them then it is only natural to want to know precisely what went down.

I hope it is bottomed out in a fair and transparent way

[webfact]

Court date for Somchai, police chiefs, over PAD crackdown

BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders has scheduled the first hearing in May against former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat and others over alleged abuse of authority for ordering the crack down on protesters surrounding Parliament in 2008, resulting in two dead and 471 people injured.

Thanarerk Nitiserani, chairman of the division and the judge who presided over the case on Monday accepted the case filed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission against Somchai and his deputy General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, expolice chief Pol General Patcharawat Wongsuwan, ex-Bangkok police chief Pol Lt Gen Suchart Muankaew.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Court-date-for-Somchai-police-chiefs-over-PAD-crac-30253856.html


-- The Nation 2015-02-11

[CiaranO]

As this BS continues the JUnta do not realize they are making the reds stronger and stronger. They are making martyrs out of corrupt people.

[lildragon]

As this BS continues the JUnta do not realize they are making the reds stronger and stronger. They are making martyrs out of corrupt people.

Exactly.

Throw the book at them by all means but Christ be impartial! They could make such a statement if they actually cleaned out the other side too. Won't happen though, not in a month of Sundays.

[winstonc]

As this BS continues the JUnta do not realize they are making the reds stronger and stronger. They are making martyrs out of corrupt people.

stronger and stronger what are you drinking special brew and barley wine.....sort yourself out sonny...

[Wilsonandson]

I do agree with one poster that they needn't charge the whole Shinawatra family right now just concentrate on Yingluck for now. Still suppose Prayuth has only 11 months left and wants them jailed now. Lets hope its not all one sided and the popcorn killer is brought to justice.

[Lite Beer]

Key Thaksin ally to face Thai court over 2008 crackdown

Bangkok, Thaïlande | AFP |

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's top court has ordered another key member of the embattled Shinawatra family to face trial, an official said Wednesday, as the wealthy but wildly divisive clan become further snared in legal challenges.


Somchai Wongsawat -- brother-in-law of deposed premiers Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra -- must appear before the Supreme Court on May 11 to enter a plea on criminal charges of abuse of power over a crackdown on a 2008 protest, a court official told AFP.


He was prime minister at the time, but lasted just 80 days before a court removed him from office.


Somchai has been tipped for a possible comeback as leader of the battered Shinawatra-aligned Puea Thai party, which was swept aside by a coup last May shortly after Yingluck was toppled by another court decision.


Two people died and scores were injured in October 2008 when police used tear gas to clear anti-Shinawatra 'Yellow Shirt' protesters who had blockaded Government House to prevent Somchai entering.


Somchai -- who was acting prime minister at the time after another Shinawatra affiliate was dumped by the courts -- is facing trial along with his then deputy and two police chiefs.


"The defendants have to say why they carried out the crackdown," said Thitipong Chompunud of the Supreme Court criminal division.


The accusation is that "the four of them abused their power and the crackdown was not legal," Thitipong added.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2015-02-11

[englishoak]

Ahhh So the PM,deputy do have responsibility when it is convenient ...................... so 2010 orders that ended with loss of life dosnt count atm... got

it.

Nothing to do of course with who possibly could be taking the place of leader for PTP

Edited February 11, 2015 by englishoak

[Sarathi]

Once again - this has nothing to do with justice or the rule of law. This is purely and simply to keep Somchai's wife Yaowapa Shinawatra out of office.

If he is convicted, his wife will also be barred from holding office.

Somchai never once stepped foot in Government House while he was PM. Yellow shirts illegally occupied the House, and he exercised incredible restraint (he shouldn't have IMO).

But he is getting prosecuted for the two deaths, which were brought about by the demonstrators themselves, not police firing on them. As opposed to other Elites, who oversaw 90+ deaths in a military crackdown, or the military themselves whose record of killing Thais (and the odd Rohinga refugee trying to get back on their boats and leave Thailand) goes back a long way

[h90]

As this BS continues the JUnta do not realize they are making the reds stronger and stronger. They are making martyrs out of corrupt people.

No only for a very small fraction they other will put their attention to the next one who gives them 500 Baht.....people forget fast.

[h90]

One side cracksdown against protesters, bad. Another side we like does it, good.

It literally is that black and white.

One side was a crackdown on peaceful mostly elderly people who want to do good for Thailand and spoke against corruption and for direct democracy. The other was a crackdown on heavily armed (AK-47, M16) thugs who spoke about burning down Bangkok.

[Prompan]

Ahhh So the PM,deputy do have responsibility when it is convenient ...................... so 2010 orders that ended with loss of life dosnt count atm... got

it.

Nothing to do of course with who possibly could be taking the place of leader for PTP

For all the whiners about this, that, and the other regarding one color versus another and this incident over that incident.

This thread's case has taken this long to reach this stage. From time of incident to the first scheduled court date.

From : Tuesday, 7 October 2008

To : Friday, 1 May 2015

Result: 2,398 days

Whatever incident of whatever color one wants to compare this to, check first to see if 2,398 days have occurred since before making any conclusive claims about this color is preferred over that color.

[TheDiva]

Ahhh So the PM,deputy do have responsibility when it is convenient ...................... so 2010 orders that ended with loss of life dosnt count atm... got

it.

Nothing to do of course with who possibly could be taking the place of leader for PTP

Interestingly enough the leader of the so called democrat party made this speech at a press conference in October 2008 regarding this incident;

‘For all that has happened, the PM cannot deny his responsibility, either by negligence or intention.

‘What is even worse than laying the blame on the authorities is vilifying the people.

‘I have never thought that we would have a state which has the people killed and seriously injured, and then accuses the people of the crimes. This is unacceptable.

‘I have heard those in the government always asking people whether they are Thai or not. Considering what you are doing now, it is not the question of being Thai or not, but whether you are human at all.

‘Today, [the government] has lost legitimacy. We are demanding that the PM take responsibility. [The PM] can resign, or if he is afraid that by his resignation, the Democrat Party will take power, he can dissolve the House. He cannot just do nothing, because if he does nothing, it would be tantamount to damaging the country and the political system.

‘There is nowhere else on earth, in democratic systems, where the people are abused by the state, but the government which comes from the people does not take responsibility.

‘For what we have said today, the government must not make the accusation that it is because we agree with all points of the PAD. Even if the PAD has done wrong, the government has no right to hurt the people.’

It appears Abhisit doesn't do irony....................

[djjamie]

As this BS continues the JUnta do not realize they are making the reds stronger and stronger. They are making martyrs out of corrupt people.

stronger and stronger what are you drinking special brew and barley wine.....sort yourself out sonny...

Remember in the red shirt world the opposite happens to what is supposed to happen. It is called Bizzaro world.

Reconciliation bill - Nearly started civil war

Rice scheme to help farmers - Farmers commit suicide

Peace talks in the South - More fighting breaks out in the South

yingluck stated in March, 2014 that her government would start cracking down on ivory trade - 2 months later the trade doubles

Flood management centre to suppress flooding in Bangkok - Flood management centre disappears under water and has to be moved

All polls (post rice scheme failure) and the failed 2014 election show the PTP losing popularity - PTP never been more popular

PTP government state they are very transparent - PTP have to be taken to court to make the water management bill transparent

Red shirts don't support terrorism - Red shirts clap and cheer upon hearing news of terrorist attacks on innocent people.

So is it any surprise to read;

Red Shirts being arrested and the organization being dismantled translates to "The red shirts are getting stronger"?

I really do wonder that if Superman wore a red shirt they would think Kryptonite actually made him stronger.

Bizzaro world mate…Bizzaro world.

Amazing (falangs in ) Thailand.

Edited February 11, 2015 by djjamie

[Cuchulainn]

.................Once again - this has nothing to do with justice or the rule of law. This is purely and simply to keep Somchai's wife Yaowapa Shinawatra out of office. .................

So be it!

[sweatalot]

As this BS continues the JUnta do not realize they are making the reds stronger and stronger. They are making martyrs out of corrupt people.

Exactly.

Throw the book at them by all means but Christ be impartial! They could make such a statement if they actually cleaned out the other side too. Won't happen though, not in a month of Sundays.

" cleaned out the other side too."

... talking of criminals

compare the violence and the crimes each (?) side committed

[sweatalot]

Once again - this has nothing to do with justice or the rule of law. This is purely and simply to keep Somchai's wife Yaowapa Shinawatra out of office.

If he is convicted, his wife will also be barred from holding office.

Somchai never once stepped foot in Government House while he was PM. Yellow shirts illegally occupied the House, and he exercised incredible restraint (he shouldn't have IMO).

But he is getting prosecuted for the two deaths, which were brought about by the demonstrators themselves, not police firing on them. As opposed to other Elites, who oversaw 90+ deaths in a military crackdown, or the military themselves whose record of killing Thais (and the odd Rohinga refugee trying to get back on their boats and leave Thailand) goes back a long way

So you believe Thailand should be ruled by a family dynasty with a history of corruption and murder?

But of course democratically

Why? Because of their unlimited wealth ? Or do you think it is because of their superior skill to bring good to the people?

Do you like those to be in power who created the red shirt gang?

Edited February 11, 2015 by sweatalot

[jaywalker]

One side cracksdown against protesters, bad. Another side we like does it, good.

It literally is that black and white.

Nah, It's the purple-shirted crooks VS. the mauve-shirted crooks is all.

Kinda like Crips & Bloods fighting in LA is the best way to describe Thai politics.

EDIT - I should have said Democrats & Republicans in Washington... Same same but different.

Edited February 12, 2015 by jaywalker

[lildragon]

One side cracksdown against protesters, bad. Another side we like does it, good.

It literally is that black and white.

Nah, It's the purple-shirted crooks VS. the mauve-shirted crooks is all.

Kinda like Crips & Bloods fighting in LA is the best way to describe Thai politics.

EDIT - I should have said Democrats & Republicans in Washington... Same same but different.

And in Thailand one side has the cops on side and the other the military....Tanks and war weapons win there though eh.

[pedro01]

Once again - this has nothing to do with justice or the rule of law. This is purely and simply to keep Somchai's wife Yaowapa Shinawatra out of office.

If he is convicted, his wife will also be barred from holding office.

Somchai never once stepped foot in Government House while he was PM. Yellow shirts illegally occupied the House, and he exercised incredible restraint (he shouldn't have IMO).

But he is getting prosecuted for the two deaths, which were brought about by the demonstrators themselves, not police firing on them. As opposed to other Elites, who oversaw 90+ deaths in a military crackdown, or the military themselves whose record of killing Thais (and the odd Rohinga refugee trying to get back on their boats and leave Thailand) goes back a long way

As I recall, the deaths were caused by the police firing on them.

Specifically, the police fired explosive tear gas grenades into the crowd. One man had his leg blown off.

So yeah - the police were responsible. You can't just fire explosives into a crowd of people.

If you want to compare this to the red shirt crackdown, there was no violence initially - it started with military vehicles driving over barricades. Who shot first remains to be proven but it descended into a 2 sided running gun battle.

It's a different scenario but I agree that both should be sorted out in the courts.

In chronological order of course...

[tragickingdom]

If anyone still believe the NACC is a non partisan organisation you should let yourself admit to a mental hospital. Somchai is in the dock for protecting democracy by trying to remove anti democratic elements trying to block parliament and gets sued because a yellow shirt (See Wikipedia) blew himself up with a homemade bomb in the taxi. Prosecutors not even under the illegal governments of Mark Abhisit refused to prosecute. Who were prosecuted though were those who committed mass murder on Bangkok streets in 2010. Numerous judges, the same judges who give royalist wet pants concluded soldiers were responsible for the death of many people this under the command of the current serial putsch maker and interior minister and the current junta leader as well Mark Abhisit and Suthep.

Prem is spot on. Courts take too long to prosecute politicians. That is of course when you are not a yellow shirt. No hurry still getting anyone in the dock for economic terrorism, hence, the airport occupation. George Orwell's ministry of truth is hard at work, ignorance is strength and freedom is slavery.

[rubl]

As this BS continues the JUnta do not realize they are making the reds stronger and stronger. They are making martyrs out of corrupt people.

Exactly.

Throw the book at them by all means but Christ be impartial! They could make such a statement if they actually cleaned out the other side too. Won't happen though, not in a month of Sundays.

I'm a bit puzzled. As far as I know the four accused are not facing charges of 'corruption'.

BTW I doubt you can make martyrs out of corrupt people, but I must admit not to understand miracles at all

[rubl]

If anyone still believe the NACC is a non partisan organisation you should let yourself admit to a mental hospital. Somchai is in the dock for protecting democracy by trying to remove anti democratic elements trying to block parliament and gets sued because a yellow shirt (See Wikipedia) blew himself up with a homemade bomb in the taxi. Prosecutors not even under the illegal governments of Mark Abhisit refused to prosecute. Who were prosecuted though were those who committed mass murder on Bangkok streets in 2010. Numerous judges, the same judges who give royalist wet pants concluded soldiers were responsible for the death of many people this under the command of the current serial putsch maker and interior minister and the current junta leader as well Mark Abhisit and Suthep.

Prem is spot on. Courts take too long to prosecute politicians. That is of course when you are not a yellow shirt. No hurry still getting anyone in the dock for economic terrorism, hence, the airport occupation. George Orwell's ministry of truth is hard at work, ignorance is strength and freedom is slavery.

Some inaccuracies which I feel I should point out.

Former PM Somchai and three others don't get sued, they are being charged with "abuse of power".

Furthermore if the DSI/OAG hadn't been pressured to charge Abhisit/Suthep for "premediated murder" at the Criminal Court, we might already have seen them charge for "abuse of power" at the Supreme Court by now.

Lastly also for non-yellow-shirt politicians it takes a long time to prosecute. You complain about Abhisit/Suthep in 2010, but here we have PPP Somchai in 2008.

[binjalin]

Whilst some of you cheer most decent folk who believe in impartiality and fairness do not

[pedro01]

Whilst some of you cheer most decent folk who believe in impartiality and fairness do not

So let's get this right.

If a man orders a crackdown and explosives are thrown into the crowd which blow legs off and kill people. Then he should not go to court?

As someone that thinks this case should be heard in court, you think I am neither impartial nor fair? Or even decent?

What if a relative of yours had a leg blown off or died because of those explosive tear gas grenades? You'd let it slide?

Edited February 12, 2015 by pedro01