Anti-coup students held in remand after trial begins in military court

[Lite Beer]

Anti-coup students held in remand after trial begins in military court
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- AFTER having tussled for about a month, the junta and anti-coup student activists - mainly the 14 university students detained and released for protesting on the first-year anniversary of the coup on May 22 - reached another climax when the students were arrested on Friday.

The students' Military Court trial began on Friday night and they are being detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison and the Central Women's Correctional Institution.

Shortly before noon yesterday, about 15 activist friends of the detainees visited the remand prison. The women's correctional institution was closed at the time.

The overall atmosphere at the gathering was quiet, with light drizzle falling. Apart from relatives and close friends of the detainees, few people came to give them moral support.

One of their friends, fellow activist Piyarat Chongthep, who is also known as "Toto", was not surprised by the absence of supporters at the prision.

"Actually, this is not beyond our expectation, especially mine," Piyarat said. "You can't [carry out] a kamikaze [attack] and expect that people will come out because the conflict in Thai society is not one between the people and the ruler. You are not representing the Thai people across the country. This is a conflict between one group of people and another."

Piyarat said he was "disheartened" by the arrests, "but won't give up".

"They sacrificed [themselves]. It seemed they'd hoped it could bring about change or people would rise up. But it [the sacrifice] hasn't served its purpose," he said.

"So, besides my feeling of disappointment, I feel a little disheartened. But I won't give up. I might pause for a breath and review my role."

Among the visitors at the Bangkok Remand Prison was the activist Songtham Kaewpanphruek's girlfriend. She said she understood he had to fulfil his duty.

"I have to respect his decision. Even when he doesn't seek bail, I still understand and keep supporting him," the company employee said.

In front of the prison, a couple of people gathered to give moral support to the activists. One of them said imprisoning the students was too extreme.

"I didn't want to come out. But [this is] too extreme. They were just campaigning against the coup using a symbolic act," said Yupa Sangsai, a middle-aged housewife.

"Do they really need to be put them in jail? [The students] were treated unfairly so I have to come out. If this [injustice] carries on, students plus the people will come out [to protest]."

Human Rights Watch called on authorities yesterday to immediately drop all charges and release the 14 student activists unconditionally.

"Thailand's junta should immediately stop arresting and prosecuting student activists," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

"While insisting they aren't dictators, the Thai generals have used the military courts as a central feature of their crackdown against peaceful criticism and political dissent.

"With each new arrest, Thailand's path toward democracy is getting harder to find."

In its statement released yesterday, the New York-based organisation said: "These latest arbitrary arrests again demonstrate the military junta's unwillingness to ease its oppressive rule."

It noted that international human rights law prohibits governments from using military courts to try civilians when civilian courts are functioning.

"The use of military courts in Thailand also fails to meet international fair trial standards under the ICCPR," Human Rights Watch said.

It was referring to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which was ratified by Thailand in 1996.

Detainees

Names of the 14 student activists detained for violating an NCPO order:

- Jatupat Boonpattararaksa, Khon Kaen University, senior, Faculty of Law

- Suwitcha Pitankkorn, Khon Kaen University, senior, Faculty of Law

- Panupong Sritananuwat, Khon Kaen University, sophomore, Faculty of Law

- Suphachai Phukrongploy, Khon Kaen University, sophomore, Faculty of Law

- Payu Boonsophon, Khon Kaen University, sophomore, Faculty of Law

- Wasan Setsit, Khon Kaen University, senior, Faculty of Law

- Apiwat Soontararak, Khon Kaen University, freshman, Faculty of Law

- Rangsiman Rome, Thammasat University, senior, Faculty of Law

- Songtham Kaewpanphruek, Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnabhumi, junior

- Rattapol Supasophon, Thammasat University, senior, Faculty of Economics

- Apisit Sapnapapha, Kasetsart University, graduate

- Pakorn Areekul, Burapha University, graduate

- Pornchai Yuanyee, Chulalongkorn University, graduate

- Chonticha Changreo, Srinakharinwirot University, senior, Faculty of Social Science.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Anti-coup-students-held-in-remand-after-trial-begi-30263268.html

-- The Nation 2015-06-28

[NongKhaiKid]

A trial - Well sort of.

Military Court - Yes

Verdict - A Foregone Conclusion !

[Bannum opinions]

"One of their friends, fellow activist Piyarat Chongthep, who is also known as "Toto", was not surprised by the absence of supporters at the prision"

The anti-democrats ought not to be heartened by this.

Appearances are hugely deceiving, in this day and age of Social Media.

Physical presence at the site as referenced, is not an indicator of reality. Those who are comforted by that, do so at their own peril and are ostriching..

As mentioned before, the pro-democracy electoral majority are just waiting in the weeds.....This student thing is just another event that strengthens their resolve.........

The retention of coercive controls over large swaths of the electorate is being retained for good reason by those who feel threatened without them.

They know. Their actions demonstrate that.

[bamnutsak]

"Actually, this is not beyond our expectation, especially mine," Piyarat said. "You can't [carry out] a kamikaze [attack] ..."

Kamikaze attack? Did I miss something or is the PM becoming a bit hysterical?

Amazing how fearful the Junta is of fourteen students.

[AleG]

"I didn't want to come out. But [this is] too extreme. They were just campaigning against the coup using a symbolic act," said Yupa Sangsai, a middle-aged housewife.

"Do they really need to be put them in jail? [The students] were treated unfairly so I have to come out. If this [injustice] carries on, students plus the people will come out [to protest]."

Being arrested was exactly what they wanted in the first place.

[greenchair]

Waiting for the LM charge.

Brave brave kids.

Bless and keep them safe.

[lildragon]

Junta cheerleaders. Do you support this? Military courts for young people simply protesting against oppression?

Don't say "they were put up to it by the man in Dubai" because there is no proof of that. Don't say "But Thaksin this, yingluck that, red shirts wahwahwah" to deflect attention away either. Answer honestly and truthfully to the issue at hand. Do you think this is right? Bearing in mind other people have protested (Buddha Isara, labor groups for minimum wage) without being arrested.

I won't hold my breath for an answer.

[Alwyn]

Dear PM. Maybe this is the kind of thing that gets you downgraded on the human rights issues? Just saying...

[baboon]

Junta cheerleaders. Do you support this? Military courts for young people simply protesting against oppression?

Don't say "they were put up to it by the man in Dubai" because there is no proof of that. Don't say "But Thaksin this, yingluck that, red shirts wahwahwah" to deflect attention away either. Answer honestly and truthfully to the issue at hand. Do you think this is right? Bearing in mind other people have protested (Buddha Isara, labor groups for minimum wage) without being arrested.

I won't hold my breath for an answer.

Oh, you'll get answers all right, however they will be all of the 'But Thaksin...' ilk...

[lildragon]

Junta cheerleaders. Do you support this? Military courts for young people simply protesting against oppression?

Don't say "they were put up to it by the man in Dubai" because there is no proof of that. Don't say "But Thaksin this, yingluck that, red shirts wahwahwah" to deflect attention away either. Answer honestly and truthfully to the issue at hand. Do you think this is right? Bearing in mind other people have protested (Buddha Isara, labor groups for minimum wage) without being arrested.

I won't hold my breath for an answer.

Oh, you'll get answers all right, however they will be all of the 'But Thaksin...' ilk...

It will be like clockwork I know

[ExPratt]

They are obviously part of the 7% Terrorists

[trogers]

Hmmm...probably all of them are straight As students...

[khunken]

I'll bite if only to put a spanner in the works of some of the stupid comments so far. I support the junta but not everything they do.

Despite some doubts whether they are being egged on by 'certain' political groups or not - Jatuporn's support certainly gives some credence to that view - I totally condemn putting them on trial in a military court. Almost treated as badly as Palestinians by Israel who face the same severe reduction in justice.

I applaud their courage and have hopes that the junta will look again - they've already allowed appeals which were not formerly a part of military courts - and, if they have to put these people on trial, at least do it in a civilian court.

[ExPratt]

I'll bite if only to put a spanner in the works of some of the stupid comments so far. I support the junta but not everything they do.

Despite some doubts whether they are being egged on by 'certain' political groups or not - Jatuporn's support certainly gives some credence to that view - I totally condemn putting them on trial in a military court. Almost treated as badly as Palestinians by Israel who face the same severe reduction in justice.

I applaud their courage and have hopes that the junta will look again - they've already allowed appeals which were not formerly a part of military courts - and, if they have to put these people on trial, at least do it in a civilian court.

But have they done anything against civilian law ? . Peacefully protesting ? Its Military decree they have opposed

[lildragon]

I'll bite if only to put a spanner in the works of some of the stupid comments so far. I support the junta but not everything they do.

Despite some doubts whether they are being egged on by 'certain' political groups or not - Jatuporn's support certainly gives some credence to that view - I totally condemn putting them on trial in a military court. Almost treated as badly as Palestinians by Israel who face the same severe reduction in justice.

I applaud their courage and have hopes that the junta will look again - they've already allowed appeals which were not formerly a part of military courts - and, if they have to put these people on trial, at least do it in a civilian court.

But have they done anything against civilian law ? . Peacefully protesting ? Its Military decree they have opposed

And it a military decree that is selectively enforced.

[dcpo]

2013: Freedom to protest is the most important thing!

2015: Stability is the most important thing!

[Bernard Flint]

Elite people of Thailand can literaly get away with murder, students are remanded, the man is a total headbanger.

[khunken]

I'll bite if only to put a spanner in the works of some of the stupid comments so far. I support the junta but not everything they do.

Despite some doubts whether they are being egged on by 'certain' political groups or not - Jatuporn's support certainly gives some credence to that view - I totally condemn putting them on trial in a military court. Almost treated as badly as Palestinians by Israel who face the same severe reduction in justice.

I applaud their courage and have hopes that the junta will look again - they've already allowed appeals which were not formerly a part of military courts - and, if they have to put these people on trial, at least do it in a civilian court.

But have they done anything against civilian law ? . Peacefully protesting ? Its Military decree they have opposed

Yes, a law can be enacted by decree whether it's under military or civilian rule. I hesitate to say this but Mr Thaksin passed many laws by decree when he was in charge, including the foreign ownership percentage of telecomms . Whether it's a good or bad law is a matter of opinion, but they did break it. But it should be up to the police as to whether they are charged or not.

Edited June 28, 2015 by khunken

[Emster23]

People still may assemble to rally in support of the coup, so what are you complaining about? I suggest they use inter city vans and drivers to transport to and from court. A few trips and likely a trial would no longer be needed, as defendants are busy being reincarnated instead of incarcerated.

[wabothai]

sleepless nights for the generals, they had better elease the kids.

[max72]

Mr. generalissimo is doing all this with the purpose of building a true and flawless democracy, so anyone tempering with his noble purpose should be arrested and tortured.

I think Thailand has learnt his lesson, now please Mr. Costas , can you take Mr generalissimo to Greece if you think he is the right man ?

We would take Tsipras in exchange.

[dotpoom]

"Actually, this is not beyond our expectation, especially mine," Piyarat said. "You can't [carry out] a kamikaze [attack] ..."

Kamikaze attack? Did I miss something or is the PM becoming a bit hysterical?

Amazing how fearful the Junta is of fourteen students.

You may be mixing up the names....it was not the PM who said that but a fellow protester.

[max72]

I'll bite if only to put a spanner in the works of some of the stupid comments so far. I support the junta but not everything they do.

Despite some doubts whether they are being egged on by 'certain' political groups or not - Jatuporn's support certainly gives some credence to that view - I totally condemn putting them on trial in a military court. Almost treated as badly as Palestinians by Israel who face the same severe reduction in justice.

I applaud their courage and have hopes that the junta will look again - they've already allowed appeals which were not formerly a part of military courts - and, if they have to put these people on trial, at least do it in a civilian court.

But have they done anything against civilian law ? . Peacefully protesting ? Its Military decree they have opposed

Yes, a law can be enacted by decree whether it's under military or civilian rule. I hesitate to say this but Mr Thaksin passed many laws by decree when he was in charge, including the foreign ownership percentage of telecomms . Whether it's a good or bad law is a matter of opinion, but they did break it. But it should be up to the police as to whether they are charged or not.

No, you are wrong. They didn't brake any law under the LEGITIMATE 1997 Constitution of Thailand or not even under the last Constitution.

Who broke the law and the Constitution, were the people who sized the power illegally. The students are protesting against the breaking of Thai legitimate laws and the Constitution.

There was NOTHING in 1997 Constitution stating a coup is legal. So it was ILLEGAL. Those are the only laws which are legitimate.

Edited June 28, 2015 by max72

[khunken]

I'll bite if only to put a spanner in the works of some of the stupid comments so far. I support the junta but not everything they do.

Despite some doubts whether they are being egged on by 'certain' political groups or not - Jatuporn's support certainly gives some credence to that view - I totally condemn putting them on trial in a military court. Almost treated as badly as Palestinians by Israel who face the same severe reduction in justice.

I applaud their courage and have hopes that the junta will look again - they've already allowed appeals which were not formerly a part of military courts - and, if they have to put these people on trial, at least do it in a civilian court.

But have they done anything against civilian law ? . Peacefully protesting ? Its Military decree they have opposed

Yes, a law can be enacted by decree whether it's under military or civilian rule. I hesitate to say this but Mr Thaksin passed many laws by decree when he was in charge, including the foreign ownership percentage of telecomms . Whether it's a good or bad law is a matter of opinion, but they did break it. But it should be up to the police as to whether they are charged or not.

No, you are wrong. They didn't brake any law under the LEGITIMATE 1997 Constitution of Thailand or not even under the last Constitution.

Who broke the law and the Constitution, were the people who sized the power illegally. The students are protesting against the breaking of Thai legitimate laws and the Constitution.

There was NOTHING in 1997 Constitution stating a coup is legal. So it was ILLEGAL. Those are the only laws which are legitimate.

Complete twaddle.

You don't seem to understand that currently Thailand is under military rule and they set the current laws and the country is de facto under an interim constitution. Waffling on about the 1997 constitution is akin to living in the past and it wasn't even legitimised by the Thai people (which the 2007 constitution was).

Wake up to reality, the junta are the current administrators of the country under the monarch - rightly or wrongly a fact.

[rayw]

I'll bite if only to put a spanner in the works of some of the stupid comments so far. I support the junta but not everything they do.

Despite some doubts whether they are being egged on by 'certain' political groups or not - Jatuporn's support certainly gives some credence to that view - I totally condemn putting them on trial in a military court. Almost treated as badly as Palestinians by Israel who face the same severe reduction in justice.

I applaud their courage and have hopes that the junta will look again - they've already allowed appeals which were not formerly a part of military courts - and, if they have to put these people on trial, at least do it in a civilian court.

I sort of agree and indeed I back what ExPratt said in respect that it was a crime against a military decree and thus the military court was used. I can live with that as seems fair to me under the current circumstances of the temporary Junta Government.

Why oh why though cannot folk just tow the line for now. We have what I sincerely feel is a fair and honourable temporary junta Government. They are proposing what appears so far to be an excellent charter for sensible electoral reform proposing the only true democratic system there is and that is Proportional Representation (PR) and the German flavour of that as proposed gives a pretty sound democracy too. On top of that they are proposing a full referendum for the Thai people to accept or reject that charter once it is clearly explained to everyone how it will work and why it will work so much better. Hopefully then Thailand can finally have true and fair democracy and the true will of the Thai majority will finally be a highly desirable reality, certainly I for one will welcome that very much.

So come on folk STOP complaining and just tow the line for now and wait and see what the final charter says and what the results are of the peoples' referendum next January. Why oh why do some trouble makers have to stir things up, is it any wonder that they get arrested in the circumstances. Just be patient as these things cannot happen overnight but once we have this proposed true PR based democracy here then for sure full free speech can return as is sensible and right. But worth noting that with PR then surely we all can and should accept the elected Government as the people's democratic and true free will. There should then be no more minority elected Governments that give understandable fuel to uprisings and political turmoil amongst the people who cannot accept the will of a Government with only say 40% of the electorate who voted for it, as that is truly an undemocratic minority elected Government as we see all too often in my home country of the UK so often and indeed right now.

[moon47]

Was there not just a post recently about the US accusing the new government of suppressing rights.

The Thai government wanted the US to explain this accusation.

Is this not a perfect example of the fault at hand. =[...

[aripengu]

Double standards the best recipe for a sense of justice and long lasting peace. ...these are the people who are drafting the new constitution, what a joke!

Junta cheerleaders. Do you support this? Military courts for young people simply protesting against oppression?

Don't say "they were put up to it by the man in Dubai" because there is no proof of that. Don't say "But Thaksin this, yingluck that, red shirts wahwahwah" to deflect attention away either. Answer honestly and truthfully to the issue at hand. Do you think this is right? Bearing in mind other people have protested (Buddha Isara, labor groups for minimum wage) without being arrested.

I won't hold my breath for an answer.

[MockingJay]

An loser silences people who object or ask uncomfortable questions. A leader listens to what they have to say. (MockingJay)

[mmh8]

I am all up for another thammasat university incident of 1976. Nothing like making a point by stamping on the young who have both ideals and believe these ideals can be achieved.

I mean look at the China Tianmennen square,

[jayboy]

I'll bite if only to put a spanner in the works of some of the stupid comments so far. I support the junta but not everything they do.

Despite some doubts whether they are being egged on by 'certain' political groups or not - Jatuporn's support certainly gives some credence to that view - I totally condemn putting them on trial in a military court. Almost treated as badly as Palestinians by Israel who face the same severe reduction in justice.

I applaud their courage and have hopes that the junta will look again - they've already allowed appeals which were not formerly a part of military courts - and, if they have to put these people on trial, at least do it in a civilian court.

Reminds me of the famous Punch cartoon showing the Bishop having breakfast with his curate.

"My dear fellow I am afraid you have a rotten egg."

"Oh no my Lord, parts of it are excellent"