Soldiers disrupt Pheu Thai's legal defense meetings

[webfact]

Soldiers Disrupt Pheu Thai's Legal Defense Meetings
By Khaosod English

ROI ET — Soldiers have disrupted two meetings organized by Pheu Thai politicians who were gathering in northeastern Thailand this week to discuss their legal defense for a pending impeachment trial.

The former MPs were scheduled to meet at a hotel in Roi Et province today to discuss their legal strategy for a trial before the junta’s parliament, which is deliberating on whether to impeach 250 former Pheu Thai politicians for their attempt to amend the constitution in 2013 to make the Senate a fully-elected body. If found guilty, the MPs would be banned from politics for five years.

However, the group decided to “indefinitely postpone” today’s meeting after they arrived to see soldiers posted at the venue, said Chusak Sirinin, the head of Pheu Thai Party's legal team.

"Even though we tried to reach an understanding with them, we had a hard time talking to them," Chusak said. "Although we believe this is not a political meeting, for the sake of peace of mind for former MPs in the area and all relevant officials, we decided to postpone the meeting indefinitely."

Political activities of any kind are still banned by the military junta, which came to power after staging a coup d'etat against a Pheu Thai-led government on 22 May 2014.

Yesterday, soldiers showed up to a similar meeting that was being held between Pheu Thai's legal team and 31 former MPs and other high-ranking politicians, including former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, at a hotel in Udon Thani province.

The meeting was allowed to go ahead on the condition that two soldiers were present during the discussion at all times. Reporters were not permitted to observe the discussion.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1432799973

-- Khaosod English 2015-05-28

[JOC]

Dear PTP members. Don't worry!!

The verdict for the impeachment "trial" was printed a month ago..................

[exona]

"Impeached" by a military Junta over proposing to have a vote about changing a constitution to make the Senate 100% elected. Seems legit.

[rijb]

"Even though we tried to reach an understanding with them, we had a hard time talking to them,"

Were they wearing black uniforms, with special insignia?

[halloween]

"Impeached" by a military Junta over proposing to have a vote about changing a constitution to make the Senate 100% elected. Seems legit.

you forgot "...and turn it into a rubber stamp to approve Thaksin's amnesty."

[rijb]

"Impeached" by a military Junta over proposing to have a vote about changing a constitution to make the Senate 100% elected. Seems legit.

you forgot "...and turn it into a rubber stamp to approve Thaksin's amnesty."

Calm yourself. Your moral superiority is showing.

[halloween]

"Impeached" by a military Junta over proposing to have a vote about changing a constitution to make the Senate 100% elected. Seems legit.

you forgot "...and turn it into a rubber stamp to approve Thaksin's amnesty."

Calm yourself. Your moral superiority is showing.

i would be very depressed if I were to show moral inferiority to a life-long criminal and the <del> who support him.

[lovetotravel]

"Impeached" by a military Junta over proposing to have a vote about changing a constitution to make the Senate 100% elected. Seems legit.

The constitutional court at the time ruled the proceeding unlawful. And for good reason. Do some research on it. This was not started by the junta.

[tbthailand]

I see that the morally superior have no complaints about other people's rights being trampled...

[JAG]

"Impeached" by a military Junta over proposing to have a vote about changing a constitution to make the Senate 100% elected. Seems legit.

The constitutional court at the time ruled the proceeding unlawful. And for good reason. Do some research on it. This was not started by the junta.

But goodness me they are enthusiastically pursuing it.

[phoenixdoglover]

By way of comparison...

In the US, if the legislature passes a law that is possibly unconstitutional, the law can be challenged, and the courts will render a verdict. If found unconstitutional, the new law will be essentially voided. That's it. There is no particular punishment for legislators that pass defective legislation. It happens all the time. For procedural violations, it's usually an ethical matter, handled by an ethics body within the legislature. That aspect of the problem doesn't make it to the court.

In Thailand...if you are a legislator, and you pass gas at the wrong moment, it's grounds for impeachment and a 5 year ban.

The Thais have such a high standard of behavior for their politicians, don't they?

[geriatrickid]

Ok, let's recap:

1. Accused defendants who were charged en masse and who will be judged en masse are not allowed to meet with legal counsel to plan their defense.

2. If a meeting is allowed with defense counsel, the military administration will have its own observers present to watch the defense strategy.

How can anyone justify the absolute denial of legal due process? This is disgusting. Where else are accused people not allowed to defend themselves and when they do have the opportunity, have their activities observed? Would any of the people supporting this agree to having their own defense discussions noted and then provided to the opposing party(s)?

[tifino]

unless TiT courts operate differently? - when a Defendor or Prosection creates their Case, doesn't a Brief each way get passed over to the respective opposing Camps?

If so, then it doesn't matter a hoot who sits in on any Discussion that is actively building a Case/ or Defense

But, even if this is what's supposed to happen - I'd be surprised if the Defense is allowed to have one of their own sit in on the Prosecutors' case-building sessions

[Rhys]

DANG.. I forgot the donuts

Dang I forgot the donuts and ...

[Srikcir]

"Impeached" by a military Junta over proposing to have a vote about changing a constitution to make the Senate 100% elected. Seems legit.

you forgot "...and turn it into a rubber stamp to approve Thaksin's amnesty."

Not unlike the rubberstamp NLA and the Amnesty granted by the NCPO to NCPO's actions past, present, and future?

The PTP found it could not circumvent the Constitution while the military knows that it can abolish it and make its own.

The PTP represented the will of the majority of the electorate. The NCPO represents the will of less than 1% of the Thai electorate. Which has a rightful place as Head of Government?

[halloween]

"Impeached" by a military Junta over proposing to have a vote about changing a constitution to make the Senate 100% elected. Seems legit.

you forgot "...and turn it into a rubber stamp to approve Thaksin's amnesty."

Not unlike the rubberstamp NLA and the Amnesty granted by the NCPO to NCPO's actions past, present, and future?

The PTP found it could not circumvent the Constitution while the military knows that it can abolish it and make its own.

The PTP represented the will of the majority of the electorate. The NCPO represents the will of less than 1% of the Thai electorate. Which has a rightful place as Head of Government?

But the junta never claimed to be democratic, while the elected government did, while doing their best to pervert what little democracy remained.

The junta also freely admits to a criminal act by seizing power and hence needs an amnesty. Yingluk, besides the corrupt act of pandering to her brother, sought an amnesty for herself and government. Why, unless they were acknowledging that they were committing criminal acts? Should Boonsong and friends, which I have no doubt included Thaksin, be allowed to steal billions from the people they claim to represent without fear of retribution? Should yingluk be able to absolve herself of negligence and incompetence in the duties she accepted though thoroughly unqualified to perform, and which she lied about carrying out?

[NongKhaiKid]

All the talk of reconciliation etc is so much BS, the rules here are so clear and whoever is in charge sets them.

When power changes hands there's revenge in a title for tat continues until power changes hands again.

When the music stops stick the boot in. All Thai together is absolute nonsense as when it comes down to it it's not all for one just all for themselves.

[FangFerang]

Both sides are equally odious, and also have good points. The junta brought stability and forced calm. The PTP furthered the 100 baht medical scheme still in place, and had other policies that benefited people.

All in all, I think they each have their own versions of suckiness.

TVF posters cherry pick arguments as if their words will change the world.

[tifino]

hmmm, so whenever there is a changeover of gubberment, is there really a complete flush out of all levels of staff - right down to the lowest level of their Public Service? I think not!!

the resultant 'musical chairs' would be a wonder to behold!!

give it a year from now, and surely even the current incumbent at the top must be guilty of not preventing something done by someone lower?

i.e. The next time some governemt official/or lowly staffer takes a bribe, or commits any other infraction - the Boss is accountable for all the actions/inactions of every single person working for him/her.

Throwing all the upper echelons of an opposing/deposed bunch of a political party & any/all those HiSos that are/were holding up the fort - is something that always has/ and will go on'n'on'n'on......

...but, due process should be allowed to take it's course

Edited May 29, 2015 by tifino

[Baerboxer]

"Impeached" by a military Junta over proposing to have a vote about changing a constitution to make the Senate 100% elected. Seems legit.

The constitutional court at the time ruled the proceeding unlawful. And for good reason. Do some research on it. This was not started by the junta.

Now now Lovetotravel, you know the Shin supporters don't like facts, inconvenient truths or anything that happens to show how PTP really are.

I thought this was more about the way PTP went about doing it than what they were trying to achieve?

Interesting that Thaksin PTP supported an elected senate, without restrictions on family members, spouses, siblings or offspring, or terms of office etc. Seems like a few family jobs for life in the planning. But they opposed the election of provincial governors preferring to install their chosen people on the electorate.

Nothing to do with democracy - just about finding the best ways to get, keep and increase their own power.

[Baerboxer]

"Impeached" by a military Junta over proposing to have a vote about changing a constitution to make the Senate 100% elected. Seems legit.

you forgot "...and turn it into a rubber stamp to approve Thaksin's amnesty."

Not unlike the rubberstamp NLA and the Amnesty granted by the NCPO to NCPO's actions past, present, and future?

The PTP found it could not circumvent the Constitution while the military knows that it can abolish it and make its own.

The PTP represented the will of the majority of the electorate. The NCPO represents the will of less than 1% of the Thai electorate. Which has a rightful place as Head of Government?

Liar. Even Yingluck openly stated on her FB page (well the writers did) that she represented the people who voted for her. That was indeed a large minority.

However, PTP never ever represented the will of the majority. Just the will of one man. The criminal fugitive who paid them all a salary for doing exactly as instructed.

[h90]

"Impeached" by a military Junta over proposing to have a vote about changing a constitution to make the Senate 100% elected. Seems legit.

You mean changing the constitution that way to get rid of any checks and overrule court verdicts.

[h90]

"Impeached" by a military Junta over proposing to have a vote about changing a constitution to make the Senate 100% elected. Seems legit.

The constitutional court at the time ruled the proceeding unlawful. And for good reason. Do some research on it. This was not started by the junta.

Now now Lovetotravel, you know the Shin supporters don't like facts, inconvenient truths or anything that happens to show how PTP really are.

I thought this was more about the way PTP went about doing it than what they were trying to achieve?

Interesting that Thaksin PTP supported an elected senate, without restrictions on family members, spouses, siblings or offspring, or terms of office etc. Seems like a few family jobs for life in the planning. But they opposed the election of provincial governors preferring to install their chosen people on the electorate.

Nothing to do with democracy - just about finding the best ways to get, keep and increase their own power.

Of course they oppose elected provincial governors, else most of the South would vote governors from the Democrats. Thaksin always tried to tailor the laws so that only he gets everything.

[Alwyn]

tell me again how these are not politically motivated charges? Not even allowed to prepare their own defence, nice.

[Srikcir]

"Impeached" by a military Junta over proposing to have a vote about changing a constitution to make the Senate 100% elected. Seems legit.

You mean changing the constitution that way to get rid of any checks and overrule court verdicts.

Changing the constitution in the manner allowed by the constitution is not the same as abolishing the ENTIRE constitution in order to get rid of any checks and overrule courts.

[tifino]

The Judge(s) will be next, if they don't Rule as per Orders...

[billd766]

Both sides are equally odious, and also have good points. The junta brought stability and forced calm. The PTP furthered the 100 baht medical scheme still in place, and had other policies that benefited people.

All in all, I think they each have their own versions of suckiness.

TVF posters cherry pick arguments as if their words will change the world.

Actually the medical scheme was (and still is) 30 baht for Thais.

The Democrats under Abhisit scrapped the fee as it was costing more in admin than it was worth.

The caring sharing PTP (Thaksin) government brought it back. So much for helping the poor.