Alleged human trafficking: Lt General Manas suspended

[webfact]

ALLEGED HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Manas suspended
THE NATION


Manas Khongpaen

BANGKOK: -- PRIME SUSPECT Lt General Manas Khongpaen said yesterday he would turn himself in to police in Southern Padang Besar to face justice after allegations of trafficking and trading in modern-day slaves.

"Please don't rush to jump into premature judgement on me, look into information of all sides and let the court to make the verdict," Manas told reporters yesterday.

"I didn't run away and will give full cooperation to police.I will accept the court's verdict, whatever it is.

"I'm a Thai. I accept social norms and practice," he said.

An arrest warrant was issued for the senior officer, who his serving as an adviser to the army, in connection with alleged trafficking in migrants in the south.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday he would not intervene in the inquiry to bring senior military officer Lt General Manas into justice.

The case involving Manas would process normally like a normal person would face, he said, adding that he didn't know if there were other military officers involved in trafficking.

The Rohingya trafficking issue had a clearer picture after the 14th Shangri -La Dialogue was held in Singapore on May 29, he said. The United States and other Western nations were satisfied with how Thailand was coping with the matter.

Thailand joined international efforts to help rescue thousands of boat people, some of who are still in the Indian Ocean on a dangerous journey to Southeast Asian countries.

More marine and aerial patrols had not found new boats recently, probably because of the high seas now, he said.

Manas has been suspended temporarily with immediate effect with his salary suspended, Army commander Gen Udomdej Sitabutr said.

The army chief said an internal Army investigation was underway in parallel to an ongoing police investigation, which will begin once Manas turns himself in to Padang Besar police in Songkhla, as required by the warrant issued for his arrest.

Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda said the involvement of a senior military officer in human trafficking has caused great damage to the country's reputation as well as that of the Thai armed forces. "This should not happen with officer of any rank, let alone the high rank of a lieutenant general," Anupong, a former army chief, said.

Praise for Thai response

Meanwhile, deputy police chief General Aek Angsananont said diplomats from 19 countries and representatives from Interpol and international or United Nations aid agencies who attended a briefing held at the Royal Thai Police yesterday praised Thailand for how it was handling the Rohingya trafficking issue.

He said autopsy results on 36 bodies of Rohingya found on Khao Kaew in Songkhla's Sadao district found no evidence indicating physical abuse as the cause of 34 people's deaths, but the cause of two deaths were being examined.

A police commander, Maj-General Aphichart Suribunya, said officials from Myanmar and Bangladesh excused themselves from yesterday's briefing, as they preferred to attend a relevant seminar in Pattaya.

Separately, a large number of Rohingya at a Surat Thani shelter staged a protest yesterday, saying they were dissatisfied with strict regulations and upset at facing for a long time without knowing their future.

Shelter director Sudarat Bansawas said 35 of the 94 residents were victims of human trafficking - out of 200 who arrived in mid-2014. Some 106 of them later fled.

She said the Rohingya were keeping or hiding food in the shelter's sleeping quarters in violation of shelter regulations, in preparation for plans to escape.

Poor communication and their demand to go to Malaysia were key factors that caused the unrest, she said. But no one was hurt and there was only light property damage.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Manas-suspended-30261481.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-03

[Strangebrew]

Right you are Thai that being said no bail then.

[trogers]

"I'm a Thai. I accept social norms and practice," he said.

Interesting! Social norms and practice to be elevated above the rule of law?

[klauskunkel]

"I'm a Thai. I accept social norms and practice," he said.

Another acceptable social norm and practice is hit-and-run...

[SuwadeeS]

Not only that. There is already a new bussiness, which has grown up.

They abuse and steal young kids. And kill them and sale their organs. The most disgusting ever seen on the planet.

Now everybody with young children has to be worry more than ever before.

And where the the almighty leader to stop it????

[prakhonchai nick]

Not only that. There is already a new bussiness, which has grown up.

They abuse and steal young kids. And kill them and sale their organs. The most disgusting ever seen on the planet.

Now everybody with young children has to be worry more than ever before.

And where the the almighty leader to stop it????

Do you mean the fictional GOD, or he who thinks he is GOD?

[Stargeezr]

I hope that more corrupt people are caught and tried and sentenced and spend a

very long time in jail, or get put to death if they have committed a crime that has caused

a lot of poor innocent people to die or be killed.

Of course that would never happen in this case, but one could only hope!

[Srikcir]

"I'm a Thai. I accept social norms and practice," he said.

Interesting! Social norms and practice to be elevated above the rule of law?

"Social norms and practice to be elevated above the rule of law?"

They are ONE IN THE SAME.

Under COMMON LAW practiced in Thailand, the law is dictated by in part social norms and practice. It is also dictated by culture, religion and history. This is in contrast to CASE LAW that follows strict interpretation of the constitution, written law, and court decisions.

The fairness of common law, especially without a jury trial system as in Thailand, can lead to a confusing precedent of contradictory court rulings. For the UK it seems to work efficiently but for Italy it doesn't. On the other hand common law isn't constrained by outdated or badly written court decisions.

[FangFerang]

PS (first, just to not conform) I wonder if they will revoke his passport and strip him of his rank if he is found guilty of "damaging the country's reputation", simply because that was the exact rationale for what they are doing to Thaksin the sinner. ??

"The army chief said an internal Army investigation was underway in parallel to an ongoing police investigation" = we simply CANNOT have any more of these arrests. My God, the Navy could get dragged into this.

and

"He said autopsy results on 36 bodies of Rohingya found on Khao Kaew in Songkhla's Sadao district found no evidence indicating physical abuse as the cause of 34 people's deaths, but the cause of two deaths were being examined." = Of COURSE they all died of natural causes....

and a real whopper

"A police commander, Maj-General Aphichart Suribunya, said officials from Myanmar and Bangladesh excused themselves from yesterday's briefing" = We had nothing to do with any of this, so we're going to Pattaya to party.

Edited June 3, 2015 by FangFerang

[trogers]

"I'm a Thai. I accept social norms and practice," he said.

Interesting! Social norms and practice to be elevated above the rule of law?

"Social norms and practice to be elevated above the rule of law?"

They are ONE IN THE SAME.

Under COMMON LAW practiced in Thailand, the law is dictated by in part social norms and practice. It is also dictated by culture, religion and history. This is in contrast to CASE LAW that follows strict interpretation of the constitution, written law, and court decisions.

The fairness of common law, especially without a jury trial system as in Thailand, can lead to a confusing precedent of contradictory court rulings. For the UK it seems to work efficiently but for Italy it doesn't. On the other hand common law isn't constrained by outdated or badly written court decisions.

Like you have said, the rule of law evolves. But it is still above current social norms and practice, especially when the latter is confined to a local region or group.

[Srikcir]

Beginning in 2010 Maj Gen Manas Khongpaen (then a colonel) was a senior officer attached to Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) Region 4. He was an adviser in several prominent positions in the South including the chief of the Chumphon military area, and the chief of 42nd Army district in Songkhla.

His missions were largely covert and included setting up a civilian scouts network to monitor movement of groups of strangers and to notify officials of their discovery.

Obviously, Manas didn’t operate independently within the military chain of command. As a colonel and eventually as an advisor he would have reported to higher command. If no further charges are brought against military flag officers as a result of Manas arrest, Manas is either being setup as a “sacrificial lamb” to protect high command and/or information regarding involvement of his superiors has been scrubbed.

There needs to be an independent investigation of possible Thai military involvement in human trafficking. But the news media and Thai police are controlled by the military. The Thailand Human Rights Commissoin has no investigative powers. I don't expect any of the Junta-clone organizations like the NLA can be trusted to operate outside the NCPO agenda. Justice is best served from one's back pocket.

Edited June 3, 2015 by Srikcir

[jerojero]

I am Thai. And hi-so or in top authority position, so underlings cannot judge me, for you have no say because I am superior.

[PaPiPuPePo]

"I'm a Thai. I accept social norms and practice," he said.

By implication then, human trafficking is a normal social practice in Thailand.

And the above post about children being killed for their organs is no fairy tale, I have friends positioned to know without a doubt and they have told me some sickening stories. Adults too.

There are some truly evil people out there. Those with kids, don't be paranoid but know that this is going on every day in Asia, The Americas, Europe.....

[webfact]

Wanted key human trafficking suspect to turn in to police chief



BANGKOK: -- A key human trafficking suspect Lt Gen Manas Kongpaen has contacted the Royal Thai Police commissioner Pol Gen Somyot Phumphanmuang to turn himself in today, deputy commissioner Pol Gen Ask Angsananont disclosed today.

He said the senior Army officer will turn himself in at 11 am at the office of the police commissioner.

He said he didn’t know if there is any condition in the turning in as it was a direct approach with the police commissioner.

But he said after the officer comes in, he will be escorted for questioning.

Lt Gen Manas faces arrest warrant issued by the Nathawi provincial court in Songkhla with three charges ranging from human trafficking, extortion of money and illegal detention.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/wanted-key-human-trafficking-suspect-to-turn-in-to-police-chief


-- Thai PBS 2015-06-03

[joebrown]

IMHO 'Manas' is part of a very big organised Human Trafficking 'iceberg'. He may be a high ranking officer, but I very much doubt he is the actual 'tip of the iceberg'.

[arfurcrown]

The whole sordid industry is a web of crime encompassing all of the world with the main source of supply coming from third world countries.Remove one small head and like the Hydra 10 more heads will come to replace the decapitated one.

The income source from the ''clients is enormous and as has already been stated the human spare parts industry is a horrible and profitable side line followed up by sexual slavery and of course modern labour slavery and debt bondage.

the issue will never leave us as long as there are haves and have nots in this world, there are those who want to escape poverty

and those who will profit from the services offered.the circle is complete and can and will not be broken.

Yes let's hang out this suspect to dry as an example but it is like the war on drugs. It can't be won sadly.

Edited June 3, 2015 by arfurcrown

[webfact]

Lt Gen Manas Kongpaen turned himself in to Royal Thai Police commissioner Pol Gen Somyot Phumphanmuang at about 11.30 am today.

Pol Gen Ake Angsananont said the senior army officer has not yet shown any document to seek police bail.

He will be questioned after the turning in today.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/112647

-- Thai PBS 2015-06-03

[Baerboxer]

"I'm a Thai. I accept social norms and practice," he said.

Interesting! Social norms and practice to be elevated above the rule of law?

"Social norms and practice to be elevated above the rule of law?"

They are ONE IN THE SAME.

Under COMMON LAW practiced in Thailand, the law is dictated by in part social norms and practice. It is also dictated by culture, religion and history. This is in contrast to CASE LAW that follows strict interpretation of the constitution, written law, and court decisions.

The fairness of common law, especially without a jury trial system as in Thailand, can lead to a confusing precedent of contradictory court rulings. For the UK it seems to work efficiently but for Italy it doesn't. On the other hand common law isn't constrained by outdated or badly written court decisions.

The laws of Thailand are based on the civil law, but have been influenced by common law. Supreme Court opinions and other judicial decisions - Judicial precedent in Thailand is not binding. Courts are not bound to follow their own decisions. Lower courts are not bound to follow precedents set by higher courts. However, Thai law has been influenced by common law precedent. Courts are therefore significantly influenced by earlier decisions or decisions of higher courts. The Supreme Court of Justice publishes its decisions, known as "Supreme Court Opinions". These are frequently used as secondary authorities and are numbered according to the year issued.^[4][5] Other judicial decisions or rulings are published by the Administrative Court and the Constitutional Court.

Note that Thailand has a civil law system, influenced by common law as above.

Not quite the way you portray it.

[lifeincnx]

When (if) found guilty, a death sentence would be far too lenient. Suggest life in prison on a cramped fishing boat with a Rohingya captain.

[abitmiffed]

Right you are Thai that being said no bail then.

Yeah and who done the autopsy? Thai. Who Conduct's the investigation? Thai..

Of course that was a record amount of autopsies done in a short time and For sure no evidence of murder was found.

It stinks More than bangkok drains.

[mango66]

He is a Thai and accepts " Thai social norms and behavier "

So traffiking and ransom torture is a Thai norm !

And no other in the army did know about his social behavier about refugees,

he operated only in midnight to 1 am;

[mango66]

Wanted key human trafficking suspect to turn in to police chief

BANGKOK: -- A key human trafficking suspect Lt Gen Manas Kongpaen has contacted the Royal Thai Police commissioner Pol Gen Somyot Phumphanmuang to turn himself in today, deputy commissioner Pol Gen Ask Angsananont disclosed today.

He said the senior Army officer will turn himself in at 11 am at the office of the police commissioner.

He said he didn’t know if there is any condition in the turning in as it was a direct approach with the police commissioner.

But he said after the officer comes in, he will be escorted for questioning.

Lt Gen Manas faces arrest warrant issued by the Nathawi provincial court in Songkhla with three charges ranging from human trafficking, extortion of money and illegal detention.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/wanted-key-human-trafficking-suspect-to-turn-in-to-police-chief

-- Thai PBS 2015-06-03

and by military rule,

he don't need to inform about this his higher ranking commander,

He just say good buy i go to police, court and jail;

See you again tomorrow !!

Is this Thai military style ??