I just don't understand this.

In 2007 the junta of the time changed the constitution.

That is fine. Apparently quite legal since they were the government at the time.

Now, the entire constitution is being rewritten under the careful eye of the present government. That is apparently legal.

In 2010.many protesters were killed. But it was apparently legal and justified, since the government was just trying to stop the protests and bring peace.

So, then yingluck administration tried to change the constitution back to the original. But that apparently is illegal. and all who even voted for the change back to original are now criminals for assisting the change.

In 2008 the government tried to restore peace and order from the protesters. But apparently that is illegal.

Then there's the group that closed down the airport.

Then the same group that stopped people going to vote.

Both times effectively holding the entire country to ransom.

Apparently all of that is quite legal.

A fresh start is certainly needed. But not with any of the parties or people's involved in any of this ??

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

Most decent folk would cheer the opportunity former PM Somchai gets to clear his name in a formal trial by the Supreme Court for Political Office Holders. The possibility to call witnesses, present documentation, and at the end the clear possibility of a "not guilty" verdict with pages of reasoning by the court how they got to that verdict.

I just don't understand this.

In 2007 the junta of the time changed the constitution.

That is fine. Apparently quite legal since they were the government at the time.

Now, the entire constitution is being rewritten under the careful eye of the present government. That is apparently legal.

In 2010.many protesters were killed. But it was apparently legal and justified, since the government was just trying to stop the protests and bring peace.

So, then yingluck administration tried to change the constitution back to the original. But that apparently is illegal. and all who even voted for the change back to original are now criminals for assisting the change.

In 2008 the government tried to restore peace and order from the protesters. But apparently that is illegal.

Then there's the group that closed down the airport.

Then the same group that stopped people going to vote.

Both times effectively holding the entire country to ransom.

Apparently all of that is quite legal.

A fresh start is certainly needed. But not with any of the parties or people's involved in any of this ??

and while you bring up lots of other things, we go on with the "abuse of power" charge against former PM Somchai. That concerned events in November 2008 just before anti-government protesters marched to airports which is an event lots are already convicted for. The grenade attack on anti-government protesters begin of December 2008 are not covered by this trial as that was perpetrated by 'unknown red-shirts', not by the government.

An off topic deflection post has been removed.

Somchai can use the "Suthep" defense - he ordered armed forces to only shoot at people's feet.

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?

So let's get this right.

You are suggesting that Bush be prosecuted? or Blair? did he order explosives to be thrown?

As someone who thinks that governments must crackdown on street rioting yes I think PMs etc. should be protected when out of office for decisions they have taken in office

What if a relative of yours was killed amongst the 10,000s in Iraq, Afghanistan or anywhere else? it's not about 'sliding' it's about JUSTICE and what about Abhisit and Suthep? they ordered a crackdown too. People DIED and you DO let it slide

Hypocrisy

bin, it has become apparent that whenever you have run out of ammo you change the subject and insult people.

It's not working mate !

I love what has happened to this rat Somchai, and hope the entire rotten to the core family end up sharing the same prison cell.

This latest charge is just more proof that the only time the Shin regime is going to be held accountable for their crimes is when they are not ruling the country with an iron fist.

Regarding some of the earlier posts in this thread, corrupt martyrs are not worth two bob, they are looked down on by Thais as fools who got caught, no respect whatsoever. And the reds will not get stronger as there will be nobody left to bankroll them, unless some of the red fans on TVF want to pass the hat round.

Somchai can use the "Suthep" defense - he ordered armed forces to only shoot at people's feet.

Briljant!

Mind you, it doesn't seem that the Police Forces were clearly armed. Furthermore somehow no one seemed to have been shot in the foot. Does that mean the Police wasn't following former PM Somchai's orders? Did he fail to ensure his orders were followed? How about those faulty teargas grenades. Did he explicitly order shooting in peoples feet rather than using teargas? Did the Police Force use teargas on it's own initiative?

Oh bother, I fear this case can take a while if we want to ensure k. Somchai gets a fair trial

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/216371-police-fire-tear-gas-at-protesters-in-front-of-parliament/page-3#entry2259496

This is basically what the issue is.

I actually agree that the police should have cleared out the demonstrators.

But I don't agree with the weapons used to do it.

Obviously this was not just regular tear gas canisters.

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

Didn't his wife and daughter already serve 5 year bans from politics?

Clearly Shin PM material - banned and returned, sister of the big man and allegedly, totally ruthless and never satisfied. She'll fit the bill. No more sweet lil sis.