Decision on Yingluck trial set for March 19

[webfact]

RICE-PLEDGING CASE
Decision on Yingluck trial set for March 19
THE NATION



EX-PREMIER WILL 'FIGHT RICE CASE TO THE END AND NOT FLEE THE COUNTRY'

BANGKOK: -- PUBLIC PROSECUTORS indicted ex-PM Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday for negligence and filed criminal charges at the Supreme Court, in a case that could result in a jail term of up to 10 years.

The charges stem from the Yingluck government's controversial rice-pledging scheme, which caused Bt600 billion losses to the state.

"We have indicted former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra for dereliction of duty," said Chutichai Sakhakorn, director-general of the Office of the Attorney-General's Special Litigation Department.

In filing the case, public prosecutors submitted 20 boxes of documents relating to the case, said Kosonwat Inthujanyong, deputy spokesman for the Office.

The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions will decide on March 19 whether to accept this case for trial, court secretary Theerathai Charoenwong said.

The court's general meeting will be held within 14 days to vote on the selection of nine judges to hear the case, according to the court secretary.

He said that according to the Penal Code, dereliction of duty carried a jail term of between one and 10 years, and a fine of between Bt2,000 and Bt20,000.

Under anti-corruption law, he said the same offence carried a jail term of one to 10 years, and a fine of Bt20,000 to Bt200,000.

Yingluck did not attend the indictment but she was represented by her legal team.

Her lawyer Norawich Lalaeng said she had no plans to travel overseas following rumours she might try to flee the country.

He said Yingluck was not obliged to appear during the indictment because she was not yet a defendant but she would report to the court if the case went on trial. He also submitted to the attorney-general Yingluck's appeal for fair treatment in this case. Kosonwat accepted the letter. Yingluck has no concerns about the legal cases against her and is ready to fight all of them, Norawich said.

He said Yingluck's legal team would discuss next week what to do in response to the expected filing of a civil case against Yingluck by the Finance Ministry in which Bt600 billion in damages would be sought as a result of the rice scheme.

The Finance Ministry will next week discuss with legal experts from the Office of the Attorney-General and Council of State about pursuing a civil case against Yingluck and other members of her government who are considered responsible for damages stemming from the rice scheme, permanent secretary Rungson Sriworasat said yesterday. The meeting will discuss this matter in detail, such as whether the Finance Ministry should be considered a damaged party, he said.

A source close to Yingluck said she felt she was being treated unfairly, and that she had implemented the rice scheme with good intentions.

"She has accepted her fate but is determined to fight the case to the end. She will not escape ," the source said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Decision-on-Yingluck-trial-set-for-March-19-30254500.html

-- The Nation 2015-02-20

[webfact]

Supreme Court tells Yingluck to hear order on March 19
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 20 -- The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions ordered former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra to appear on March 19 to hear if it will accept a criminal lawsuit against her for trial or not.

If she fails to appear before the court, it can impact her temporary release status or overseas trip request.

Theerathai Charoenwong, secretary to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions, said the court told Ms Yingluck to be present hear the order at 10am on March 19.

In the meantime, the Supreme Court president will convene a general assembly of Supreme Court judges in 14 days so that nine judges can be selected to hear her case.

The attorney general arraigned Ms Yingluck with the court for malfeasance violating Section 157 of the Criminal Code and Section 123/1 of the Corruption Prevention and Suppression Act for failing to stop her loss-ridden rice-pledging scheme.

"If Ms Yingluck does not arrive at the court at the first appointment, there may be a condition for the court to decide whether to temporarily release her or allow her to leave the country," Mr Theerathai said.

Ms Yingluck could put up bail from today on to seek a temporary release, he said.

The statute of limitations of her case lasts 15 years after her alleged wrongdoing. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2015-02-20

[Somtamnication]

That was quick. Do it quickly, then it leaves the headlines quickly then voila!!!

[siampolee]

If she stays she will indeed be a wise lady, her actions would expose her brother for that which he is as well as all his little brown nosing sycophants, In truth the damage done to the Thasin image would be fatal and yes, Yingluck would no doubt be riding on the crest of a wave of popularity.

Any political party she may be linked to would benefit from her connection.

However that side of the matter is in truth unlikely as she is likely to be banned from political activities for a number of years. Truth be known she would no doubt be very happy not to be a political figure.

This matter will in my view if it should actually go through the legal process destroy the haksin image along with the image of the greater majority of his puppets too.

Perhaps we might see the emerge of another ''new political party'' with slightly socialist leanings perhaps,

Political evolution is slow, however a ground shaking event such as Yingluck facing the courts may well be in the long term a positive political catalyst for Thailand and its peoples

[JAG]

I agree that Yingluck staying and fighting will certainly enhance her image.

I'm not sure that it would harm, probably help her brother.

A ban from politics, since when the present regime ends it may well be sudden and in the face of very significant opposition (I'm looking several years down the line) I suspect such a ruling, made under the juntas authority would be swiftly binned.

[T_Dog]

Making world news now and there are some dandy quotes in this article. In a country where every business deal has cash skimming out at every level, it is surprising to see just one person singled out.

http://news.yahoo.com/thai-ex-pm-yingluck-indicted-over-rice-subsidy-042912371.html

Edited February 20, 2015 by T_Dog

[redandyellow]

I made my decision on her long ago...she's a bit hot

Her image is still okay

[rametindallas]

Let the delays begin. Stall, stall, stall, protest your innocence, claim the process is unfair, portray yourself as a martyr to the cause of poor rice farmers, stall, stall, stall. ad infinitum until they close the cell door for the last time. She could get her prison time cut in half if she confesses but she is a Shinawatra and they have never done any wrong; only tried to help poor people. Will Thailand finally, and for the first time, imprison a high ranking official for corruption before they can 'self-exile' themselves? Only time will tell. What an exciting country to watch politics in. I love 'amazing Thailand'.

[phanangpete]

Fined 20 thousand baht and two years to pay , case closed.

[phanangpete]

I agree that Yingluck staying and fighting will certainly enhance her image.

I'm not sure that it would harm, probably help her brother.

A ban from politics, since when the present regime ends it may well be sudden and in the face of very significant opposition (I'm looking several years down the line) I suspect such a ruling, made under the juntas authority would be swiftly binned.

Staying and fighting her case ? She has'nt made an appearance yet, her 'legal team' are stalling the whole fiasco, wake up !

[phanangpete]

Supreme Court tells Yingluck to hear order on March 19

By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Feb 20 -- The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions ordered former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra to appear on March 19 to hear if it will accept a criminal lawsuit against her for trial or not.

If she fails to appear before the court, it can impact her temporary release status or overseas trip request.

Theerathai Charoenwong, secretary to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions, said the court told Ms Yingluck to be present hear the order at 10am on March 19.

In the meantime, the Supreme Court president will convene a general assembly of Supreme Court judges in 14 days so that nine judges can be selected to hear her case.

The attorney general arraigned Ms Yingluck with the court for malfeasance violating Section 157 of the Criminal Code and Section 123/1 of the Corruption Prevention and Suppression Act for failing to stop her loss-ridden rice-pledging scheme.

"If Ms Yingluck does not arrive at the court at the first appointment, there may be a condition for the court to decide whether to temporarily release her or allow her to leave the country," Mr Theerathai said.

Ms Yingluck could put up bail from today on to seek a temporary release, he said.

The statute of limitations of her case lasts 15 years after her alleged wrongdoing. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2015-02-20

Right Ying , heres what we are going to do, we are going to fool everyone , including the international press, by pretending we are serious about prosecuting you ok.

All you need to do is not turn up, and your free to do what you want , we'll just say that you fled and might come back in 15 yrs , deal .

[jdinasia]

I agree that Yingluck staying and fighting will certainly enhance her image.

I'm not sure that it would harm, probably help her brother.

A ban from politics, since when the present regime ends it may well be sudden and in the face of very significant opposition (I'm looking several years down the line) I suspect such a ruling, made under the juntas authority would be swiftly binned.

She is already banned from politics for 5 years.

[jdinasia]

Supreme Court tells Yingluck to hear order on March 19

By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Feb 20 -- The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions ordered former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra to appear on March 19 to hear if it will accept a criminal lawsuit against her for trial or not.

If she fails to appear before the court, it can impact her temporary release status or overseas trip request.

Theerathai Charoenwong, secretary to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions, said the court told Ms Yingluck to be present hear the order at 10am on March 19.

In the meantime, the Supreme Court president will convene a general assembly of Supreme Court judges in 14 days so that nine judges can be selected to hear her case.

The attorney general arraigned Ms Yingluck with the court for malfeasance violating Section 157 of the Criminal Code and Section 123/1 of the Corruption Prevention and Suppression Act for failing to stop her loss-ridden rice-pledging scheme.

"If Ms Yingluck does not arrive at the court at the first appointment, there may be a condition for the court to decide whether to temporarily release her or allow her to leave the country," Mr Theerathai said.

Ms Yingluck could put up bail from today on to seek a temporary release, he said.

The statute of limitations of her case lasts 15 years after her alleged wrongdoing. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2015-02-20

Right Ying , heres what we are going to do, we are going to fool everyone , including the international press, by pretending we are serious about prosecuting you ok.

All you need to do is not turn up, and your free to do what you want , we'll just say that you fled and might come back in 15 yrs , deal .

Not what is in the article nor likely to come about.

If she fails to appear (in person) an arrest warrant will be issued.

Please remember that the court may not accept the case.

[wabothai]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Supreme Court tells Yingluck to hear order on March 19
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 20 -- The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions ordered former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra to appear on March 19 to hear if it will accept a criminal lawsuit against her for trial or not.

If she fails to appear before the court, it can impact her temporary release status or overseas trip request.

Theerathai Charoenwong, secretary to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions, said the court told Ms Yingluck to be present hear the order at 10am on March 19.

In the meantime, the Supreme Court president will convene a general assembly of Supreme Court judges in 14 days so that nine judges can be selected to hear her case.

The attorney general arraigned Ms Yingluck with the court for malfeasance violating Section 157 of the Criminal Code and Section 123/1 of the Corruption Prevention and Suppression Act for failing to stop her loss-ridden rice-pledging scheme.

"If Ms Yingluck does not arrive at the court at the first appointment, there may be a condition for the court to decide whether to temporarily release her or allow her to leave the country," Mr Theerathai said.

Ms Yingluck could put up bail from today on to seek a temporary release, he said.

The statute of limitations of her case lasts 15 years after her alleged wrongdoing. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2015-02-20

Right Ying , heres what we are going to do, we are going to fool everyone , including the international press, by pretending we are serious about prosecuting you ok.
All you need to do is not turn up, and your free to do what you want , we'll just say that you fled and might come back in 15 yrs , deal .

Not what is in the article nor likely to come about.

If she fails to appear (in person) an arrest warrant will be issued.

Please remember that the court may not accept the case.

And nobody will lose face.

[fgmr]

"He said Yingluck's legal team would discuss next week what to do in response to the expected filing of a civil case against Yingluck by the Finance Ministry in which Bt600 billion in damages would be sought as a result of the rice scheme."

What was the Finance Ministry doing when Yingluck was PM? Aren't they responsible for overseeing government expenditure, or is this just another case of "Not us, them."

Was the rice pledging scheme approved by the Cabinet, and where is the ex Minister of Finance?

[Alwyn]

I agree that Yingluck staying and fighting will certainly enhance her image.

I'm not sure that it would harm, probably help her brother.

A ban from politics, since when the present regime ends it may well be sudden and in the face of very significant opposition (I'm looking several years down the line) I suspect such a ruling, made under the juntas authority would be swiftly binned.

Staying and fighting her case ? She has'nt made an appearance yet, her 'legal team' are stalling the whole fiasco, wake up !

That's why people employ lawyers, right? At least she is following procedure! I remember when Suthep was oredered to show at court for inciting riots etc through his protests. He told the court he will not as he is busy organising protests! lol!

[oneday]

This prosecution is plain sick revenge against Thaksin who they can't get to so they are taking it out on her.

[jdinasia]

This prosecution is plain sick revenge against Thaksin who they can't get to so they are taking it out on her.

I humbly disagree. This is about her position as head of the rice policy committee and doesn't involve her brother unless you include "Thaksin thinks : PTP does"

[JAG]

I agree that Yingluck staying and fighting will certainly enhance her image.

I'm not sure that it would harm, probably help her brother.

A ban from politics, since when the present regime ends it may well be sudden and in the face of very significant opposition (I'm looking several years down the line) I suspect such a ruling, made under the juntas authority would be swiftly binned.

She is already banned from politics for 5 years.

And the last paragraph in my post applies just as much to that ban as it does to any that may result from this prosecution.

[jdinasia]

I agree that Yingluck staying and fighting will certainly enhance her image.

I'm not sure that it would harm, probably help her brother.

A ban from politics, since when the present regime ends it may well be sudden and in the face of very significant opposition (I'm looking several years down the line) I suspect such a ruling, made under the juntas authority would be swiftly binned.

She is already banned from politics for 5 years.

And the last paragraph in my post applies just as much to that ban as it does to any that may result from this prosecution.

The ban will hold. I think even PTP has learned about trying to give amnesty to their leaders. ( all imho, of course)

[JAG]

I think not - if power changes hands in the circumstances I outlined in my post. In lmpeaching her and in launching this prosecution the junta have rather abandoned the rule book. If (when) PTP or whatever incarnation return to power, why should they reopen that rule book?

Edited February 20, 2015 by JAG

[binjalin]

she has all to gain - kudos to her

[Guitar God]

So if she's found guilty, and if she is sentenced to serve time in jail (yeah, I know, a lot of "if's") does she end up sleeping on the floor in a cell with 20-30 other prisoners serving time for selling yaba or cutting off their farang boyfriend's junk like the rest of the prisoners do, OR can she pay for a private cell and furnish it with all the mod-cons like Pablo Escobar did in Mexico?

Since the son of the Hi-so man in the news the other day never spent a day in jail for purposely ramming a bus shelter and killing someone, I don't think there's much of a chance of her doing time but, what happens to her if she did?

Edited February 20, 2015 by Guitar God

[Robby nz]

"He said Yingluck's legal team would discuss next week what to do in response to the expected filing of a civil case against Yingluck by the Finance Ministry in which Bt600 billion in damages would be sought as a result of the rice scheme."

What was the Finance Ministry doing when Yingluck was PM? Aren't they responsible for overseeing government expenditure, or is this just another case of "Not us, them."

Was the rice pledging scheme approved by the Cabinet, and where is the ex Minister of Finance?

The finance ministry was doing its job as best it could under a minister who told lies and admitted to doing so.

However when the ministry came out with true figures on the extent of the loss and the fact that rice was missing from stockpiles the chair of the sub committee that came to those conclusions was "Reassigned" read fired :

The Finance Ministry has reassigned Supa Piyajitti, a deputy finance permanent secretary, from her role overseeing the debts and expenses group after last week's report saying big losses for the state's rice pledging scheme 200B bt and millions of tons of rice missing.

It should be noted that Ms Supa is now on the NACC which will mean that the NACC has all the first hand information PT was trying to suppress by "Reassigning" her.

[khaowong1]

The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions will decide on March 19 whether to accept this case for trial, court secretary Theerathai Charoenwong said. And 20,000 baht fine possible.. wow..

They scooped up my Uncle Pompot, threw his butt in jail, ran him through the courts and found him guilty in just a couple of months for only stealing a few 100 million dollars. Life ain't fair.

[rubl]

she has all to gain - kudos to her

As in no more to lose? Well thank God, 700 billion Baht was enough.

[halloween]

I agree that Yingluck staying and fighting will certainly enhance her image.

I'm not sure that it would harm, probably help her brother.

A ban from politics, since when the present regime ends it may well be sudden and in the face of very significant opposition (I'm looking several years down the line) I suspect such a ruling, made under the juntas authority would be swiftly binned.

Oh yes, her last attempt at an amnesty went SO well. I'm sure the next Thaksinist government (if such a thing happens) will rush to write an amnesty for Thaksin (always first and foremost in such governments priorities), her, any other red criminal of note, and of course, themselves, for the laws they intend to break during their (likely short) period.