Group to sue NCPO despite arrest risk

[webfact]

Group to sue NCPO despite arrest risk
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Despite the risk of being arrested, between 10 and 20 members of an anti-coup group plan to march to the Criminal Court to file a lawsuit against the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) for illegally tearing up the constitution a year ago today.

"We hope the court will accept our case against the NCPO," said Anon Nampa, a red-shirt human rights lawyer and key member of the Resistant Citizen(s) Group.

However, Thammasat post-graduate student Rakchart Wong-Artichart, 24, disagreed. "I don't think the court will accept the case, but it will be more of a symbolic action," he said.

In the lawsuit, the group will accuse the NCPO of violating Article 113 of the Criminal Code, which states that anybody who commits treason by overthrowing the country's constitution faces the maximum penalty of death, Anon said. The group will march from Lat Phrao MRT station at 3pm today to the Criminal Court.

Meanwhile, Anon said he does not expect himself or the rest of the group to be arrested because, though Thailand is still under a military regime, it is not as "barbaric" as the military regimes of the distant past.

"I am really expecting a result," he said, referring to the legal complaint. Asked if he had prepared for the possibility of getting arrested even before they have a chance to file the lawsuit, Anon defiantly said: "Let them arrest me if they want to."

Rakchart too is ready for arrest. "I don't think we are going to be arrested, but if we are, we are prepared for it."

The group's website features a photoshopped image of Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, who is also the NCPO leader, and his fellow coupmakers behind bars.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Group-to-sue-NCPO-despite-arrest-risk-30260675.html


-- The Nation 2015-05-22

[thesetat2013]

A group marching to a location is a public assembly and in violation of this current law. Maybe they will be arrested before they make it to the court house. Its a waste of time doing this anyway.

[EnzoRippo]

A group marching to a location is a public assembly and in violation of this current law. Maybe they will be arrested before they make it to the court house. Its a waste of time doing this anyway.

This is THEIR time. If they want to lose it in a symbolic and courageous way, it's up to them.

[noitom]

Preposterous example and illustration's of Thailand being a repressive military state.

[trogers]

A communistic group seeking freedom?

What kind of group would do this in China?

[BSJ]

It's the publicity they are after. They probably won't get to the courthouse...and they know that.

[Chupup]

I wish them luck, but pulling a tigers tail could be a really bad idea where do these people dream up these things

[aussieinthailand]

A communistic group seeking freedom?

What kind of group would do this in China?

"A Communistic group seeking freedom?" Why are they "communistic"?

And did you read the bit where it say's one the participants is a human rights lawyer? so one could think she may well know what she's talking about.

So asking the courts to up-holed a law ie an overthrow of the constitution is not acceptable in your enlightened opinion?

Dose that go for any other laws that should be selectively over-looked? or just the ones that don't suit your opinions?

And lastly would this fly in your home country?

[halloween]

A communistic group seeking freedom?

What kind of group would do this in China?

"A Communistic group seeking freedom?" Why are they "communistic"?

And did you read the bit where it say's one the participants is a human rights lawyer? so one could think she may well know what she's talking about.

So asking the courts to up-holed a law ie an overthrow of the constitution is not acceptable in your enlightened opinion?

Dose that go for any other laws that should be selectively over-looked? or just the ones that don't suit your opinions?

And lastly would this fly in your home country?

Actually she is a "red-shirt human rights lawyer" and although she may know what she is talking about, by that description one has to assume she is both biased and prepared to lie for her clients.

Shouldn't we wait until they are arrested before crying about it?

[JOC]

A communistic group seeking freedom?

What kind of group would do this in China?

So a group wanting the constitution to be respected, are in your narrow minded world communists??

They are doing this, because they don't want Thailand to be a new China!!

And unlike the keyboard warriors here, at least they are brave enough to act!!

[seajae]

wonder if they will dress up like hitler or their other cartoon heroes we usually see these "intellectual" uni people do, really shows us how "bright" they really are and thew level of their thinking abilities

[chainarong]

Calling this group Communists , one wonders why some people even bother to get out of bed , they are sending a message , that not everyone is cowing to section 44, and this thorn in P.M. Prayut - O - Cha side has been around since day one ,( I think the good P.M. has meet some of them ), this faction maybe the for runner of another 92 scenario ,as they have said it is symbolic , I wouldn't say it is their time, however not all of Thailand excepts the latest version of General Prem in drag .

[greenchair]

Where's the picture?

[gerry1011]

Very courageous...

[rametindallas]

It's the publicity they are after. They probably won't get to the courthouse...and they know that.

deleted by poster

Edited May 22, 2015 by rametindallas

[oneday]

...but I think you are...

[rametindallas]

"We hope the court will accept our case against the NCPO," said Anon Nampa, a red-shirt human rights lawyer and key member of the Resistant Citizen(s) Group.
However, Thammasat post-graduate student Rakchart Wong-Artichart, 24, disagreed. "I don't think the court will accept the case, but it will be more of a symbolic action," he said.

Why is it that Thais have to announce their intentions well in advance? Now that she has broadcast her intention to break the law, she and those 10 - 20 other members will probably be quietly and 'symbolically' arrested at their homes and sent to an army base for an 'attitude adjustment'. Are they looking for notoriety? Why else would they want to become martyrs? Pointless.

[LannaGuy]

they represent millions of Thais but it's pretty futile to attack the guys with guns right now

[baboon]

"We hope the court will accept our case against the NCPO," said Anon Nampa, a red-shirt human rights lawyer and key member of the Resistant Citizen(s) Group.

However, Thammasat post-graduate student Rakchart Wong-Artichart, 24, disagreed. "I don't think the court will accept the case, but it will be more of a symbolic action," he said.

Why is it that Thais have to announce their intentions well in advance? Now that she has broadcast her intention to break the law, she and those 10 - 20 other members will probably be quietly and 'symbolically' arrested at their homes and sent to an army base for an 'attitude adjustment'. Are they looking for notoriety? Why else would they want to become martyrs? Pointless.

Why would anyone make a stand for that which they hold dear? Yeah, beats me..

[baboon]

they represent millions of Thais but it's pretty futile to attack the guys with guns right now

What was it Gandhi said? "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they hit you, then you win."

Edited May 22, 2015 by baboon

[Bakseeda]

A group marching to a location is a public assembly and in violation of this current law. Maybe they will be arrested before they make it to the court house. Its a waste of time doing this anyway.

This is THEIR time. If they want to lose it in a symbolic and courageous way, it's up to them.

"courageous" .... and symbolic of idiocy............. arrest these troublemakers and STOP giving them media coverage.. my childrens may be watching..!!

[dageurreotype]

A group marching to a location is a public assembly and in violation of this current law. Maybe they will be arrested before they make it to the court house. Its a waste of time doing this anyway.

The NCPO is not a legislative body and therefore are unable to make 'laws'. Dictats, yes, laws NO. Good someone of whatsoever coloured shirt are standing up to these bullies.

[dageurreotype]

"courageous" .... and symbolic of idiocy............. arrest these troublemakers and STOP giving them media coverage.. my childrens may be watching..!!

Doubt it Bakseeda, unless it's featured on 'Good Morning Scotland'

[Bakseeda]

A communistic group seeking freedom?

What kind of group would do this in China?

"A Communistic group seeking freedom?" Why are they "communistic"?

And did you read the bit where it say's one the participants is a human rights lawyer? so one could think she may well know what she's talking about.

So asking the courts to up-holed a law ie an overthrow of the constitution is not acceptable in your enlightened opinion?

Dose that go for any other laws that should be selectively over-looked? or just the ones that don't suit your opinions?

And lastly would this fly in your home country?

Good old aussiein ..... you do make us laugh..... up-holed is something you do with the girl you just met in Nana Plazza ... and the "Dose" is what you get in your change...Haha ... fly home with that....!

[trogers]

A communistic group seeking freedom?

What kind of group would do this in China?

So a group wanting the constitution to be respected, are in your narrow minded world communists??

They are doing this, because they don't want Thailand to be a new China!!

And unlike the keyboard warriors here, at least they are brave enough to act!!

Wearing red and waving a red flag is not being China-like?

All that are missing are the stars...

[jaaaason]

A communistic group seeking freedom?

What kind of group would do this in China?

Having lived in China I personally witnessed many protests against government officials.....and yes some times they ended violently by supression....sometimes thru negotiation....the largest occurred in a sit-down blocking the main part of the city of Shenyang , approx 7,500 people blocked the streets. This event occurred several years ago in the late 1990's. It lasted for seven days and due to the large number of people involved the government decided to let it run out. Eventually people went home. At that time unemployment there was as high as 65%.......the results were a large influx of government funds into infrastructure which produced jobs and led to improved economy. Althought the air there is really really bad. Back then as bad as Beijing is today.

[Srikcir]

Gutsy move and needed symbolism. It's about civilians exercising their CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. It will get international coverage even if the group is arrested before they get to the streets.

Better yet, I would like to see a lawsuit brought to the Constitutional Court for the military's violation of Article 6 of the 2007 Constitution established by public referendum:

The Constitution is the supreme law of State. The provisions of any law, rule or regulation, which are contrary to or inconsistent with this Constitution, shall be unenforceable.

That would mean, if the Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, that the Junta's self-created Interim Charter and amnesty provisions would be illegal. The military would be denied its claim to "extra constitutionality" and held accountable by the Thai people. However, no doubt the military will have the court simply reject such a lawsuit or face loss of their jobs, to be replaced by another Junta-appointed bench. But the symbolism of such an act further reinforces to the Thai people that they have no control over their sovereignty except as permitted by the military.

[wowfactor10]

They do seem to have a fair legal point.

Would be curious how this develops in court...

[EnglishJohn]

A communistic group seeking freedom?

What kind of group would do this in China?

So a group wanting the constitution to be respected, are in your narrow minded world communists??

They are doing this, because they don't want Thailand to be a new China!!

And unlike the keyboard warriors here, at least they are brave enough to act!!

You think Thailand is heading to be like China ?. You really have no clue what is going on do you.

Maybe it would have if Thaksin had managed to pardon himself and come back as supreme leader. Did you forget what the police were like under Chalerm already ?. Have you forgotten about their encouragement of 'Red Villages' ?.

After 10 years watching closely, I can safely say that red-shirts NEVER stand up for principles and just causes. Everything they do is politically based to try and get power. Power means money and that's it.

[candide]

Gutsy move and needed symbolism. It's about civilians exercising their CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. It will get international coverage even if the group is arrested before they get to the streets.

Better yet, I would like to see a lawsuit brought to the Constitutional Court for the military's violation of Article 6 of the 2007 Constitution established by public referendum:

The Constitution is the supreme law of State. The provisions of any law, rule or regulation, which are contrary to or inconsistent with this Constitution, shall be unenforceable.

That would mean, if the Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, that the Junta's self-created Interim Charter and amnesty provisions would be illegal. The military would be denied its claim to "extra constitutionality" and held accountable by the Thai people. However, no doubt the military will have the court simply reject such a lawsuit or face loss of their jobs, to be replaced by another Junta-appointed bench. But the symbolism of such an act further reinforces to the Thai people that they have no control over their sovereignty except as permitted by the military.

Unfortunately the constitutional court will not accept the lawsuit for whatever reason they may think of. It would have been equally fun to see the court either rule that the coup is legal or that it is illegal.

Edited May 22, 2015 by candide