Six pro-democracy student protesters to be charged

[Lite Beer]

Six pro-democracy student protesters to be charged
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- SIX STUDENTS who were arrested and detained briefly for opposing the junta by publicly marking the first anniversary of the May 22 coup have been charged with violating the junta's ban on political gatherings.

Two of the students told The Nation the legal consequences they now face are disproportionate to what they did.

"We merely wanted to take 15 minutes to demonstrate, but what the police officers did to us was more violent," Thammsat University student Rangsima Rome, a senior law student, said.

Rangsima said what they did on May 22 was not intended to create chaos or violence, but many students were still physically abused by police.

The law used against the student is a political law and destroys the rule of law and the justice system, Rangsima argued.

Rangsima and the six others have been charged with violating National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) announcement No 7/2014, which prohibits political demonstrations of more than four people.

Those who violate the order face a jail term of up to one year, a fine of up to Bt20,000 - or both.

"Is there any civilised country that charges their people with this type of law? The law that prohibits a peaceful gathering surely contradicts the democratic system," he said.

Rangsima said when he and about 30 other university students were released after the May 22 incident, police told them they would not be charged.

"Now, how can we trust these officers?" he said.

Despite what happened, Rangsima said he and the other students had not lost hope in being a positive force for democracy, because they believe that they were doing the right thing.

Songtham Kaewpanpruek, a former student of Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnabhumi and a member of the Thai Student Centre for Democracy, said the charges laid against him and the students were gravely unjust.

"It unjust that those who were physically abused [by police] are those facing charges," Songtham said.

He explained that on May 22 he went to take photos of his friends demonstrating for their Facebook page. However when police arrested his friends and allegedly began physically assaulting them he rushed to aid them.

As a result, he said police punched him several times to the head and kicked his body, while his arms were locked by officers.

"During the attack I heard one high-ranking police officer telling other officers who were attacking me to stop but they disobeyed. I fell down then all the punches and kicks were thrown at me," he said.

Like Rangsima, Songtham remains committed to fighting for democracy.

"I believe we do not fear this type of injustice," he said. "Instead, it has made us recognise that they [the NCPO] have no intention of solving the country's issues and it teaches us that we cannot trust them."

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Six-pro-democracy-student-protesters-to-be-charged-30261762.html

-- The Nation 2015-06-06

[NongKhaiKid]

The PM says he will stay on if the public wants him but he has to be ' protected ' from criticism.

Well it seems the system is more than capable of handling that.

[smedly]

Rangsima said when he and about 30 other university students were released after the May 22 incident, police told them they would not be charged.

"Now, how can we trust these officers?" he said.

Maybe if you had kept your mouth shut after the event.

Thailand is going through a period of much needed reform - you are either with it or against it

It may not be ideal but is definitely better than people being murdered on the streets

[geriatrickid]

Rangsima said when he and about 30 other university students were released after the May 22 incident, police told them they would not be charged.

"Now, how can we trust these officers?" he said.

Maybe if you had kept your mouth shut after the event.

Thailand is going through a period of much needed reform - you are either with it or against it

It may not be ideal but is definitely better than people being murdered on the streets

You seriously believe your shallow justification?

Violent repression of a group of PEACEFUL students isn't the future Thailand needs. These were not riff raff, but the future leaders of Thai society who were abused. Your government did not do much when it came to General Manas did it? He was apparently protected for years and allowed to engage in alleged violent extortion and trafficking wasn't he? And yet here we have a group of unarmed peaceful kids who didn't harass anyone or engage in any violence, but merely spoke up and they are treated like violent murderers.

Edited June 6, 2015 by geriatrickid

[Chupup]

The students knew the penalty for their actions yet did it anyway, now the time has come to pay the price and the whinging starts, if you can't do the time don't do the crime.......................simple

[Denim]

Rangsima said when he and about 30 other university students were released after the May 22 incident, police told them they would not be charged.

"Now, how can we trust these officers?" he said.

Maybe if you had kept your mouth shut after the event.

Thailand is going through a period of much needed reform - you are either with it or against it

It may not be ideal but is definitely better than people being murdered on the streets

Seems pretty clear that they are against it , likely on the grounds that the people who did the most murdering on the street are the same people in charge of the ' reforms ' .

[arrowsdawdle]

Rangsima said when he and about 30 other university students were released after the May 22 incident, police told them they would not be charged.

"Now, how can we trust these officers?" he said.

Maybe if you had kept your mouth shut after the event.

Thailand is going through a period of much needed reform - you are either with it or against it

It may not be ideal but is definitely better than people being murdered on the streets

What are you talking about? The people who are now in charge perpetrated the 2010 murders in the live fire zones, a temple, and the streets.

[arrowsdawdle]

The students knew the penalty for their actions yet did it anyway, now the time has come to pay the price and the whinging starts, if you can't do the time don't do the crime.......................simple

So, how are things over there in N. Korea these days? Must be awful in a state of mind where speaking your thoughts is a crime. Get well soon.

[oneday]

This must be a new reconciliation policy. It's just a little difficult to see how this ingenious plan will work.

[graemeaylward]

These brave students are heroes, standing up, peacefully, for democratic free speech. Not content with physically abusing them, the police thugs are now charging them. In itself, not surprising for such a heinous offence, I.e. challenging the government, however, they were told shortly after they were released that they would not be charged with an offence, so the matter was closed and put to bed. Now, the police, for whatever reason, have shown that they, and by inference the government, cannot be trusted and promises are hollow. Now, these student heroes are to be tried in Court with all the publicity that this entails. Do the government not realise that it is their actions and not the actions of peaceful protesters which is stirring up those people of principle within this nation! I hope that all us "old farts" on this forum who come from free speaking democratic countries will support these heroic future leaders. "Power to the people" I say.

[baboon]

The students knew the penalty for their actions yet did it anyway, now the time has come to pay the price and the whinging starts, if you can't do the time don't do the crime.......................simple

So the penalty according to law is the police kicking your head in, is it?

[Emster23]

How can they be charged for being pro democracy? Isn't that what general et al keep promising some where down the road? He should welcome them with open arms. Only a fool would think the government doesn't want democracy, and the sooner the better. They are only there to serve Thailand and restore peace.

[devaram]

How can they be charged for being pro democracy? Isn't that what general et al keep promising some where down the road? He should welcome them with open arms. Only a fool would think the government doesn't want democracy, and the sooner the better. They are only there to serve Thailand and restore peace.

Well I guess I'm a fool because this government does not want democracy. What they want is an appearance of democracy that can be conveniently controlled by the elites and the army.

I think anyone who cannot see that is a fool.

[aussieinthailand]

Rangsima said when he and about 30 other university students were released after the May 22 incident, police told them they would not be charged.

"Now, how can we trust these officers?" he said.

Maybe if you had kept your mouth shut after the event.

Thailand is going through a period of much needed reform - you are either with it or against it

It may not be ideal but is definitely better than people being murdered on the streets

Now if these people were your friends or even your child being bashed then kicked repeatedly whist on the ground (wich is a cowardly act where I come from) would you "just keep your mouth shut"? Your (logic) just dosent stck up now huh...............

Now could they have simply been hand cuffed and taken too the cop shop? but thats not what happend.

It also says that police officer ordered the police to stop bashing and kicking the students but they disobeyed, So now should the police be charged with assult and sacked from the force as they can not follw orders and can not control them selves?

[yardrunner]

Rangsima said when he and about 30 other university students were released after the May 22 incident, police told them they would not be charged.

"Now, how can we trust these officers?" he said.

Maybe if you had kept your mouth shut after the event.

Thailand is going through a period of much needed reform - you are either with it or against it

It may not be ideal but is definitely better than people being murdered on the streets

what reform, it is going back to the 18th century or perhaps you will be happy when a Tianaman square type event occurs

[Trouble]

Seems to me that far too many TV members think that staging a coup and having one man telling everyone what to do and say and what not to do and what not to say is justified as long as there is peace in the streets so they can go about their daily lives going to lunch and dinner at their favorite restaurant or shopping at their favorite shopping mall. Obviously inclusiveness is not the the Dear Leaders vocabulary. This type of behavior by one man would not be tolerated in our home countries and there would be mass uprisings. Goes to show how one can rationalize principles when it is self serving.

[Fat Haggis]

These students have more rights to protest than the righteous Farangs with zero rights it's their country!!!

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

Rangsima said when he and about 30 other university students were released after the May 22 incident, police told them they would not be charged.

"Now, how can we trust these officers?" he said.

Maybe if you had kept your mouth shut after the event.

Thailand is going through a period of much needed reform - you are either with it or against it

It may not be ideal but is definitely better than people being murdered on the streets

Please give us a point by point description of reforms that this government have completed, please don't give us the lottery tickets - they couldnt even fix that without a threat of violence. They have reformed nothing, they have replaced civil servants with ones that are in their tribe, they have illegally (against the civil servants code) transfered civil servants out of their positions to make place for their friends, they have appointed family members and friends as assistants and advisors, they have swept corruption under the carpet - the multi madia system in parliament - you remember, they have divided the country further by prosecuting certain people more than others - LM law prosecutions are at an all time high, they have ruined the rural economies by taking away subsidies all at once instead of phasing them out and replacing it by support measures that would improve yields and or quality of products. The negative economic effects of this coup will be felt for the next generation and remember lost economic growth is like lost time it can never be made up for in the future.

[h90]

Most probably they aren't Pro Democracy.....They are Pro Thaksin.

[Fat Haggis]

Reforms won't begin in earnest until the constitution has been accepted, this has always been the long term power plan, it gives the current authorities the time to purge the Shiniwatras from politics, which is no bad thing, but reconciliation is far from happening which should have been the primary goal of the junta, without getting the "red" areas and voters on side, things will never change.

It's all smoke and mirrors to make sure the "right people" are in the seat when they time comes.

[EnglishJohn]

Rangsima said when he and about 30 other university students were released after the May 22 incident, police told them they would not be charged.

"Now, how can we trust these officers?" he said.

Maybe if you had kept your mouth shut after the event.

Thailand is going through a period of much needed reform - you are either with it or against it

It may not be ideal but is definitely better than people being murdered on the streets

You seriously believe your shallow justification?

Violent repression of a group of PEACEFUL students isn't the future Thailand needs. These were not riff raff, but the future leaders of Thai society who were abused. Your government did not do much when it came to General Manas did it? He was apparently protected for years and allowed to engage in alleged violent extortion and trafficking wasn't he? And yet here we have a group of unarmed peaceful kids who didn't harass anyone or engage in any violence, but merely spoke up and they are treated like violent murderers.

The good thing about an internet forum like this is that when I read a BS comment like this from some hypocritical numbskull incapable of forming any kind of balanced opinion, I can just skip right to the end.

The elephant in the room Mr Geriatric is that the whole reason for the coup was that the people these naive and gullible kids represent ARE violent murderers. The PDRC found that out. To imply these students have been treated like murderers is the statement of someone who cares little for the truth.

[baboon]

Rangsima said when he and about 30 other university students were released after the May 22 incident, police told them they would not be charged.

"Now, how can we trust these officers?" he said.

Maybe if you had kept your mouth shut after the event.

Thailand is going through a period of much needed reform - you are either with it or against it

It may not be ideal but is definitely better than people being murdered on the streets

You seriously believe your shallow justification?

Violent repression of a group of PEACEFUL students isn't the future Thailand needs. These were not riff raff, but the future leaders of Thai society who were abused. Your government did not do much when it came to General Manas did it? He was apparently protected for years and allowed to engage in alleged violent extortion and trafficking wasn't he? And yet here we have a group of unarmed peaceful kids who didn't harass anyone or engage in any violence, but merely spoke up and they are treated like violent murderers.

The good thing about an internet forum like this is that when I read a BS comment like this from some hypocritical numbskull incapable of forming any kind of balanced opinion, I can just skip right to the end.

The elephant in the room Mr Geriatric is that the whole reason for the coup was that the people these naive and gullible kids represent ARE violent murderers. The PDRC found that out. To imply these students have been treated like murderers is the statement of someone who cares little for the truth.

Which news sources do you use to form your opinions, John?

[JAG]

Rangsima said when he and about 30 other university students were released after the May 22 incident, police told them they would not be charged.

"Now, how can we trust these officers?" he said.

Maybe if you had kept your mouth shut after the event.

Thailand is going through a period of much needed reform - you are either with it or against it

It may not be ideal but is definitely better than people being murdered on the streets

what reform, it is going back to the 18th century or perhaps you will be happy when a Tianaman square type event occurs

I should imagine that if there is a Tianaman Square type event in Thailand Smedly would be first out of the traps with a post justifying it!

Closely followed no doubt by someone with the perpetual gem "if you can't do the time, don't do the crime"!

Edited June 6, 2015 by JAG

[Srikcir]

These students have more rights to protest than the righteous Farangs with zero rights it's their country!!!

Actually more true than you may understand.

Not a single Thai constitution including the draft 2015 constitution and the Interim Charter grants rights and liberties to foreigners and "stateless" people - only to Thai people. They are the lucky ones to be called "citizens."

[heybruce]

Most probably they aren't Pro Democracy.....They are Pro Thaksin.

I can't decide if you're funny or pathetic.

[heybruce]

"Is there any civilised country that charges their people with this type of law? The law that prohibits a peaceful gathering surely contradicts the democratic system,"

I agree.

Edited June 6, 2015 by heybruce

[NongKhaiKid]

Since this is about students I'm surprised none of the usual suspects have complained that they should be in classes studying not out demonstrating.

By that token shouldn't the military be in their barracks or on the training grounds in readiness to defend the country instead of taking it over and trying to run it ?

[LannaGuy]

Most probably they aren't Pro Democracy.....They are Pro Thaksin.

"most probably" you are talking out of your a***

got nothing to do with your Thaksin obsession

[Srikcir]

What crime did these students commit?

2014 NCPO Interim Charter :

Article 3 - "Sovereign power belongs to all Thais"

Article 4 - recognizes human dignity, rights, liberties and equality of the Thais.

Article 5 - "all matters failing to be mentioned in the constitution will be deal with pursuant to the customary practices of democratic government of monarchical Thailand, in so far as those practices are not contrary to the constitution."

It would seem a peaceful protest by these few students wouldn't be barred by the IC and most certainly would be supported by the 2007 Constitution.

But then there is the mercurial Article 44 that states "that if it is necessary to prevent, disrupt or suppress any act that undermines public peace and order or national security, the NCPO chief shall have the power to order any action regardless of the legislative, executive or judicial sectors.” The Nation 2014-11-06

The Rule of Law under the Junta regime violates Thai people's sovereignty granted in Article 3 and by Article 44 sole possession of sovereignty belongs to the military under the leadership of the NCPO. The better Thais understand the destruction of their infant democracy and doubtful recovery the better they will become democratic citizens.

These students are GUILTY of supporting democracy and are indeed the REAL democratic soldiers of Thailand.

[gemguy]

Rangsima said when he and about 30 other university students were released after the May 22 incident, police told them they would not be charged.

"Now, how can we trust these officers?" he said.

Maybe if you had kept your mouth shut after the event.

Thailand is going through a period of much needed reform - you are either with it or against it

It may not be ideal but is definitely better than people being murdered on the streets

Hmmmmm....then you would be a candidate for some heavy handed law enforcement coming your way if some one decided to maliciously report you for anything at all that would have the police come around and perform some much needed reform on various parts of your body.

Seeing as you encourage this sort of much needed reform then you would not mind at all if it was practiced on you when you have something to complain about while the various authorities do not agree with you and straighten you out....all nasty and brutal like.

Cheers