Somchai, ex-police chiefs deny charges

[Lite Beer]

2008 CRACKDOWN
Somchai, ex-police chiefs deny charges
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- KEY members and former top officials of the former People's Power Party-led government have all denied charges made against them by the National Anti-Corruption Commission for their roles in a bloody and fatal crackdown on yellow-shirt protesters in October 2008.

The NACC filed the charges in the Supreme Court's Division for Political Officer Holders. The accused include former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, former deputy PM General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, former police chief Pol General Patcharawat Wongsuwan and former metropolitan police chief Pol Lt-General Suchart Muenkaew.

They were accused of being at fault for ordering police to crack down on protesters camped outside the entrance of Parliament - a move that led to two deaths and 471 people being injured.

All the accused denied the charges and are preparing to fight the case.

The suspects were ordered by the court to remain in the country unless they receive approval to go abroad.

Somchai said after the hearing that he was confident of proving his innocence and had some 60 witnesses who could testify in the case.

Suchart said he had 180 witnesses, mostly police who took part in the crackdown, ready to testify in the case.

All are due to present their evidence to Supreme Court judges on July 16.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Somchai-ex-police-chiefs-deny-charges-30261286.html

-- The Nation 2015-05-30

[chainarong]

I think t goes without saying that whether you are supporters of any group of coloured shirts, this isn't going to solve very much , it is a hard call when people who are authorised to issue instructions to quell anti social behaviour and then at a later stage are asked to explain actions, something like Khun Abhisit facing charges as PM awhile back , what are these people to do sit back while thugs of either order ride rough shod over the majority and endorse anti social behaviour as normal , it is all too simplistic way of thinking , being a minister in a government in any country you have an obligation for safety of the people , if this is the way forward for Thailand one wonders why you'd want to be a politician.

[JOC]

>>Somchai said after the hearing that he was confident of proving his innocence and had some 60 witnesses who could testify in the case.

Suchart said he had 180 witnesses, mostly police who took part in the crackdown, ready to testify in the case.<< Quote

No doubt the best witnesses that money and fear can buy...................

[JOC]

>>They were accused of being at fault for ordering police to crack down on protesters camped outside the entrance of Parliament - a move that led to two deaths and 471 people being injured.<< Quote

The were accused of not ordering a crackdown

And Suthep and Abhisit are accused of ordering a crackdown

Makes sense......................

[Lupatria]

>>They were accused of being at fault for ordering police to crack down on protesters camped outside the entrance of Parliament - a move that led to two deaths and 471 people being injured.<< Quote

The were accused of not ordering a crackdown

And Suthep and Abhisit are accused of ordering a crackdown

Makes sense......................

I guess you are long enough in the country to know sense and common sense make no sense at all the moment moeney is involved. Does that make sense?

[The Deerhunter]

Now I know why the red-shirt supporting TVF members (the ones that are still with us, and stiil on the payroll, that is) have been hassling so hard to get Suthep & Abhisit charged with overuse of force relating to the 2010 riots. They were told to agitate to get it in and done before anyone remembered 2008. Durn! That didn't work

[diehard60]

I think t goes without saying that whether you are supporters of any group of coloured shirts, this isn't going to solve very much , it is a hard call when people who are authorised to issue instructions to quell anti social behaviour and then at a later stage are asked to explain actions, something like Khun Abhisit facing charges as PM awhile back , what are these people to do sit back while thugs of either order ride rough shod over the majority and endorse anti social behaviour as normal , it is all too simplistic way of thinking , being a minister in a government in any country you have an obligation for safety of the people , if this is the way forward for Thailand one wonders why you'd want to be a politician.

Yea they are supposed to do nothing - look at suthep nothing will happen there.

[Traveling Sailor]

>>Somchai said after the hearing that he was confident of proving his innocence and had some 60 witnesses who could testify in the case.

Suchart said he had 180 witnesses, mostly police who took part in the crackdown, ready to testify in the case.<< Quote

No doubt the best witnesses that money and fear can buy...................

No different than Yingluk. The all proclaim their innocence. Probably because, in their heart of hearts, they truly believe that lying, cheating, stealing from those less fortunate is perfectly OK. Must be part of their "Thainess".

[halloween]

The crux of the matter is the munitions used (cheap & nasty Chinese explosive tear gas grenades) and that BIB involved were untrained in their use. One death and many of the more serious injuries were caused by them when they were fired directly at protesters.

[metisdead]

A post containing unattributed content has been removed as it was in violation of fair use policy.

[rubl]

>>Somchai said after the hearing that he was confident of proving his innocence and had some 60 witnesses who could testify in the case.

Suchart said he had 180 witnesses, mostly police who took part in the crackdown, ready to testify in the case.<< Quote

No doubt the best witnesses that money and fear can buy...................

No different than Yingluk. The all proclaim their innocence. Probably because, in their heart of hearts, they truly believe that lying, cheating, stealing from those less fortunate is perfectly OK. Must be part of their "Thainess".

The only member of government who accepted (partial) responsibility in the October 2008 clashes and resigned (as Dept. Prime Minister) was Gen. Chavalit. Either not a real politician or it was easier for him with experience in resigning (like in 1997).

"Due to my failure to achieve the original mission, I would like to take responsibility for the operation. I, therefore, would like to resign as deputy prime minister from this moment," Chavalit said in his letter addressed to Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.Chavalit said the decision was to show answerability for the loss and damage caused by the police action.He said he fell short of his mission to address the country's urgent problems in a limited period of time."

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Gen-Chavalit-quits-as-deputy-PM-30085435.html