14 detainees: Thai students face questions after Friday's defiance

[webfact]

14 DETAINEES
Students face questions after Friday's defiance
THE NATION

Police to push ahead with questioning as lawyers complain about lack of access

BANGKOK: -- POLICE investigators will today resume their interrogation of the 14 detained student activists after some of them refused to cooperate on Friday because they weren't prepared and they considered the interrogation room to be in a poor condition.

Officers from Samranrat Police station had made an appointment with lawyers to interrogate the New Democracy Movement students on Friday.

They sought permission to use a meeting room at the Bangkok Remand Prison but failed to get it.

One of the students, Rangsiman Rom, refused to be interrogated because he was not prepared due to the short notice the police had given him, Prachatai website reported.

He said his fellow students were being housed separately and they could not consult with each other. The interrogation was not carried out in accordance with the code of criminal procedures, he said, as it was arranged in a place where his lawyer could not listen to the conversation between him and the police.

The other students also refused the interrogation on the same grounds.

The students' lawyers said the interrogation room was very small and had metal bars separating them from their clients. They were told to communicate through telephones. The room was packed with 20 other people and they could not communicate effectively.

The students were brought out of their cells at 2.30pm and the prison closed the telephone signal since it was almost closing time at 3pm.

"The Military Court can operate at 1pm, why can't they open a proper room that gives us privacy,'' one student asked.

Chonthicha Chaengrew, who is seeking hospital treatment for numbness and pain on her left side, gave a statement to the police in which she denied all the charges. She claimed that what she did was an honest duty guaranteed by international agreements Thailand had signed with the United Nations.

She said the government was not legitimate because it staged a coup against an elected government.

Meanwhile, a group of 78 lawyers and human rights activists issued a statement calling on the government to drop the charges against the 14 students and release them unconditionally, saying they had not committed criminal offences as alleged.

The students wanted the government to tackle the problems faced by the people in order to bring about sustainable security. They expressed their views without violence and their action was not deemed a threat to national security.

They were regarded as political prisoners under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, a treaty Thailand has signed. Article 4 of the interim charter also guarantees the students' rights.

Taking legal action against the students was unjust and showed that the government had twisted the law to suppress those who had different views, the statement said.

The group also called on the government to stop pressuring the families of the students in a manner deemed intimidating and depriving them of their rights and liberty. They also urged the government to stop discrediting the students and disseminating messages that brought about public hatred on the students, since this would lead to more conflict.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has urged teachers to teach their students in the right way.

"They should take into account roles and responsibilities - not just rights and liberty,'' he said.

Responding to calls for the unconditional release of the 14 pro-democracy students, Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya said the students were arrested on charges of violating Article 116 of the Criminal Code and for violating the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)'s order number 3 for staging anti-coup protests.

"They were not fighting for any local people to help them solve problems. We needed to enforce the law to end political conflict. We must put our democracy on hold because their system has proven to be a failed system to manage the country. The NCPO did not come into power through democratic means but we are not dictators,'' Paiboon said. "People should [consider whether] the NCPO should continue running the country or not. If that is the case, I would quit immediately and let you manage the country,'' he said.

The minister said the NCPO had offered support and compromise by allowing the students to get bail for temporary release through the Justice Fund. But none of the students' parents had agreed to sign the agreement.

"What can I do? I have to adopt the same standards for everyone. You have to review your stance,'' he said.

Suriyasai Katasila, dean of the College of Social Innovation, urged the government to differentiate protesters between the anti-coup group and those who campaigned to help people affected by government policies or projects. "Applying the same legal action against protesters with different objectives will not solve the problems but will intensify them,'' he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Students-face-questions-after-Fridays-defiance-30263816.html


-- The Nation 2015-07-06

[BSJ]

They should stay in jail. When the law of assembly has been made clear to all there is no excuse for breaking the law. Their deliberately trying to cause trouble, that's obvious.

[BigBadGeordie]

They should stay in jail. When the law of assembly has been made clear to all there is no excuse for breaking the law. Their deliberately trying to cause trouble, that's obvious.

Why not go a little further and just shoot them, or perhaps you prefer, stoned to death or burn them at the stake in the centre of Bangkok, no need for an expensive trial.

That would surely keep the others "trying to cause trouble" in line!

[EricBerg]

Protests like these will multiply and grow bigger. The government can only counter them by doing a good job governing the country. Keep the Kingdom save from shootings and bombings and improve the economy. Not the easiest of tasks.

[NongKhaiKid]

Thai ' law ' is erratic at the best of times and even more so when it's imposed by a military junta following a coup but in most countries where a decent code is in place arrested persons are not obliged to answer questions as silence is a right.

I doubt that attitude will go down well with the current regime.

[BuckBee]

The mad monk seems to have an exemption to the assembly law while on his last crusade.

Students do have some good points & Prayut being a complete moron with poor comments, whacky behaviour & lack of transparency creates a lot of the need for questioning & strong views to be expressed. Junta really need up their game & show commitment to helping the country rather than themselves ... Things likely get messy again soon as clearly they unlikely create any worthy reform or happiness even if extend times till elections yet further :-/

[Roadman]

They should stay in jail. When the law of assembly has been made clear to all there is no excuse for breaking the law. Their deliberately trying to cause trouble, that's obvious.

I wonder if they possibly prefer it as it was in the good olde Shinawatra times where Charlerm and his cohorts and mates could arrange / look the other way to have them shot, blown up or beaten for protesting against their lawless mob.

And the poor little dears didn't like the furniture in the interrogation room. Awww didums...

[Bannum opinions]

At least one thing articles like this do, the Posts clearly separate the Democrats from their opposites.

That is a good thing.

Better to have a clear differentiation than smoke all over the place.

Once a clear political dichotomy is established, one can move forward in a knowledgeable manner.

Such discernment will be essential when dealing with what I expect to be a dishonest referendum process. A phony electoral process trying to obscure the true intentions of an anti-democratic constitution, in a paternalistic manner with limited or no debate. If it is conducted under the auspices of anti-democrats, how can it be otherwise. It is why the a previous election could so easily be nullified by their Election Commission.

I expect that debate will be stifled by the anti-democrats. They are afraid of being exposed for what they truly are. It is why they like to hide behind 'yellow' and 'red' designations. It removes the political contextualizing of themselves that they want to avoid.

When analyzing the quotes in this article, one can easily attribute motivations with respect to Democracy...An example being " We must put our democracy on hold because their system has proven to be a failed system to manage the country"...

Nothing obscure about that.

Edited July 6, 2015 by Bannum opinions

[aussieinthailand]

The junta violated the rule of law via coup, then granted themselves amnesty for it's actions and future actions, Yu'p that's applying the law equally huh?

then enact new repressive laws while revoking the basic human rights and liberties that Thailand has signed up to uphold.

Putting people through a military court while a functioning civil court is available also illegal under the UN charter that Thailand signed up to.

Now they're saying the law is the law and we must apply it equally

Well it could be suggested that they apply the law equally as it suits and some are more equal than others.

The thing is people are happy that the mass protests that blocked off roads and decimated many local businesses while other (selected) businesses and street stalls made a small fortune are finished.

Happy that the bombings and shootings have stopped, the invading of government buildings and forcing staff out has stopped.

Many would suggest the atmosphere in Thailand is relatively calm, so why still impose the harsh conditions on people?

[oneday]

"...Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has urged teachers to teach their students in the right way..."

Lesson for the day students, "only say what you are told to say and only speak when told to speak". There, that's a good student.

"...We must put our democracy on hold because..."

There is no possible defense in putting Democracy on hold...ever.

"...We must put our democracy on hold because their system has proven to be a failed system to manage the country..."

And there you have it...they have never believed in or wanted Democracy.

"...The NCPO did not come into power through democratic means but we are not dictators,.."

I see pigs flying over my house right now.

"People should [consider whether] the NCPO should continue running the country or not. If that is the case, I would quit immediately and let you manage the country,'' he said.

Ah, but there's the rub...no one can voice their opinion without being arrested. Catch-22...gotcha.

[rijit]

The junta violated the rule of law via coup, then granted themselves amnesty for it's actions and future actions, Yu'p that's applying the law equally huh?

then enact new repressive laws while revoking the basic human rights and liberties that Thailand has signed up to uphold.

Putting people through a military court while a functioning civil court is available also illegal under the UN charter that Thailand signed up to.

Now they're saying the law is the law and we must apply it equally

Well it could be suggested that they apply the law equally as it suits and some are more equal than others.

The thing is people are happy that the mass protests that blocked off roads and decimated many local businesses while other (selected) businesses and street stalls made a small fortune are finished.

Happy that the bombings and shootings have stopped, the invading of government buildings and forcing staff out has stopped.

Many would suggest the atmosphere in Thailand is relatively calm, so why still impose the harsh conditions on people?

Because left to its own means is it justifiable to say that they dont think 'the calm' will last?

rijit

[Srikcir]

Lt. General Manas charged with decades of being the ringleader of human trafficking is treated with more dignity, comfort and right to counsel than these 14 students.

If you're not one of the NOBLE, you're a SERF.

Welcome to the Junta's Feudal Society.

Democracy was intended for one-man one-vote. Not one-man the only vote.

[diehard60]

Wait until next year. All Hell might break lose. I hope and pray it does not but.....

[MrJohnson]

They should stay in jail. When the law of assembly has been made clear to all there is no excuse for breaking the law. Their deliberately trying to cause trouble, that's obvious.

Welcome to a police state.

[lildragon]

They should stay in jail. When the law of assembly has been made clear to all there is no excuse for breaking the law. Their deliberately trying to cause trouble, that's obvious.

So that's why the labor groups protesting AT government house got arrested for a political gathering (asking for a higher minim wage is political)

That's why protesters in the South got arrested for protesting against planned coal mines (political)

That's why the 'monk' Buddha Isara got arrested for protesting about Dhammayo (could be argued that it is political, and had a gathering of more than 5 people)

That's why protesters were arrested outside of the American embassy because they dared comment on Thailand's affairs (political, more than 5 people gathered).

Oh but wait...NO ARRESTS were made at these groups violating the junta's 'law'. So it is enforced completely selectively? And they wander why people are pissed off at them

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

They should stay in jail. When the law of assembly has been made clear to all there is no excuse for breaking the law. Their deliberately trying to cause trouble, that's obvious.

Just for you - The OP reminds me of a poem by Martin Niemoller (1892-1984), a German theologian who spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps. Here's the poem. "First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out - Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out - Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak for me."

[FangFerang]

If all they really wanted to do was keep a cap on corruption, they could have done that, with laws that removed defamation from accusation for those who witnesses know are corrupt. If they really wanted to stop 4AM laws being pipe lined, they could have just made a supermajority necessary for bills that change the charter or undo existing law. If they really wanted reconciliation, they could have limited protests to a few hundred people, and begun something that never happened here before -- the 18th coup makers could have crafted sustainable policies to educate farmers on how to work in drought conditions with alternative crops, provided seed (which is cheap), and taught people how to avoid the debt trap.

Instead, they promised everything

and have delivered nothing.

[JAG]

I really hope that you are wrong about a rerun of Black May, but I fear that you may be right.

[dageurreotype]

I really hope that you are wrong about a rerun of Black May, but I fear that you may be right.

Never happen. Social media and international scrutiny will ensure it doesn't. Even new chum Xi couldn't condone that.

[Somtamnication]

They should stay in jail. When the law of assembly has been made clear to all there is no excuse for breaking the law. Their deliberately trying to cause trouble, that's obvious.

You would do well with ISIS!

[JAG]

I really hope that you are wrong about a rerun of Black May, but I fear that you may be right.

Never happen. Social media and international scrutiny will ensure it doesn't. Even new chum Xi couldn't condone that.

Again I hope you're right.

I'm not sure those in power really understand social media, and I don't think "if the chips are down" they would care about international scrutiny. The stakes are very high, if they lose this time then they are history!

[Nobb]

These students are not children because the are all over the age of being a young adult. *80 attorneys want them to be released and are fighting for them. Is

this what all these attorneys do for all the students who get arrested. The answer is no but a strong anti government faction wants to test the Junta laws. They broke the law and said the jail room were not satisfactory for them. Send them to a real jail cell because they and not children. Let them see what other

prisoners see and give them the same rights. Students but old enough to have babies and break the junta laws. Treat them as adults and this scam will end quickly!

[lildragon]

I really hope that you are wrong about a rerun of Black May, but I fear that you may be right.

Never happen. Social media and international scrutiny will ensure it doesn't. Even new chum Xi couldn't condone that.

Again I hope you're right.

I'm not sure those in power really understand social media, and I don't think "if the chips are down" they would care about international scrutiny. The stakes are very high, if they lose this time then they are history!

They are bunch of dinosaurs in charge. If they had the balls to make a coup then I reckon they would unleash the troops on any larger protest.

I find it amusing that some choose to support the army as some sort of moral guardians given their violent history.

[Alwyn]

"They should take into account roles and responsibilities - not just rights and liberty,'' he said. Surely on of their roles and responsibilities is protecting rights & liberty?

Edited July 6, 2015 by Alwyn

[rametindallas]

They should stay in jail. When the law of assembly has been made clear to all there is no excuse for breaking the law. Their deliberately trying to cause trouble, that's obvious.

Why not go a little further and just shoot them, or perhaps you prefer, stoned to death or burn them at the stake in the centre of Bangkok, no need for an expensive trial.

That would surely keep the others "trying to cause trouble" in line!

Hyperbolic, much?

.

[ikke]

They should stay in jail. When the law of assembly has been made clear to all there is no excuse for breaking the law. Their deliberately trying to cause trouble, that's obvious.

I wonder if they possibly prefer it as it was in the good olde Shinawatra times where Charlerm and his cohorts and mates could arrange / look the other way to have them shot, blown up or beaten for protesting against their lawless mob.

And the poor little dears didn't like the furniture in the interrogation room. Awww didums...

Why don't you stay on-topic, maybe you have nothing better to talk about than Shinawatra and Chalerm.

This is about this 14 students, in an after Shin time zone, in case you are lost in paradise......

[cdnvic]

Please read this notice before posting again:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806833-notice-to-members-posting-in-thailand-news/

One person broke a major rule regarding this, now his post and everyone who quoted him had to be trashed.

Please use discretion when posting. This isn't a western democracy and we have to follow different rules.