PM Prayut: 14 students will be tried by military court

[The Deerhunter]

Putting out the fire with Gasoline: David Bowie!

[somo]

I do not believe the students demonstrated out of love for democracy.

They could very well be (probably) payed pawns in the hand of antidemocratic elements in Thailand who do not want this government but again a corrupt one of their own choice.

We know those elements and their leader have a strong influence in this country by many years of corruption and bribery.

Making the press roar against this government is a strong attack against freedom and egality.

So I understand the government very well - they have to stay strong.

They are in the moment the only way closer to democracy in Thailand

It doesn't matter what you think. The world thinks otherwise and the General making victims out of these students is playing into his opponents hands. Idiomatically he is digging a hole for himself and unless he backs down making a mountain out of a molehill. Attracting international attention to his suppression of free speech is not a very sensible thing to do.

[lildragon]

Right on ! Do these children with the minds of children think that their myopic view of "democracy" wins over complete chaos and almost inevitable civil war ? Grow up and learn to appreciate relativity ! The present government has brought peace and stability to Thailand for the first time in many years, and I do believe the main man is doing his best to bring about major improvements in many areas. The job is immense, and especially magnified by the previous totally corrupt government. Give him a chance, not hinder the progress through political ignorance and naievety.

It was peaceful before the protests that this government helped stage. And even then it was only dangerous in concentrated areas of Bangkok.

Civil war was never going To happen. Honestly some Of you are so blinded by your hate of Thaksin you can't think straight.

[Fat Haggis]

The Junta needs a bogey man to maintain is claims of instability, and yet there are posters here claiming the country is much safer now, so what is it? It's unsafe and unstable that they still need Martial Law and article 44, or it's safer than it ever was, when there was no need for Martial Law or article 44.

it can't be both.

[webfact]

14 detained student activists arrive in Military Court for second extended detention request by police

BANGKOK: -- Prison authorities and police this morning escorted 13 male students from the Bangkok Remand Prison to the Military Court for the request to extend their detention period for the second time.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838634-student-activists-in-thailand-go-before-military-court/#entry9592442

[Just1Voice]

Well, let's hope the Courts show more sense than the Junta, but I won't hold my breath.

[Somtamnication]

Its all legal to overthrow the government in Thailand but it is illegal to disagree to it and protest...

We are in Thailand after all!! Where Bizarro is encountered at every corner.

[arfurcrown]

We could of course note that unlike prominent Muslim Lawyers the 14 have not been spirited away or lined up as possibly linked to the narcotics trade and summarily judged and dispatched to wherever, or like others who were deemed to be annoying just vanishing

No passing political activist seems to have taken a pot shot at them or cast explosive missiles at them with intent to endanger life.

While perhaps the issue is being handled in a heavy handed fashion compared to some of the earlier administrations judicial actions( state sanctioned or not) this current administration seems in many ways to be somewhat more merciful.

[baboon]

We could of course note that unlike prominent Muslim Lawyers the 14 have not been spirited away or lined up as possibly linked to the narcotics trade and summarily judged and dispatched to wherever, or like others who were deemed to be annoying just vanishing

No passing political activist seems to have taken a pot shot at them or cast explosive missiles at them with intent to endanger life.

While perhaps the issue is being handled in a heavy handed fashion compared to some of the earlier administrations judicial actions( state sanctioned or not) this current administration seems in many ways to be somewhat more merciful.

Here we go. 'But, but the last lot...'

The last lot have not been running the country in over a year. The military have. This is about them, today. Not rice schemes, not land purchases, not the prices of air fares to Dubai, but the actions of the junta today.

[Nobb]

These poor student are quit well versed and are certainly put up to testing the government junta. The government should have arrested the 100 friends and family

for disobeying the junta law. So many high priced lawyer for the 18 and over students. In America if you are charged with a crime and you are 18 or over you are charged as a adult!

[FangFerang]

I like the part "all members of society must obey the law and follow legal procedures"

Except when demonstrators gather to politically support the junta, or the mad monk incites protests to protect his own interests, or when any of over half a dozen other groups cheer for the coup puppets (I especially loved the pro-junta pro-Loie mining funded demonstration).

What hypocrisy!

[mikemac]

I'm off to the shop to get a few beers in for this evening. With all these developments, it is going to be a lot of fun watching the junta fanbois tying themselves in knots:

'Keep them in jail forever, not that they are enemies, though they should be released on bail which they have refused to apply for in order to cause trouble for the junta, not that bail should be granted and leaving them to rot is the only correct course of action because they are being paid by Thaksin even if they aren't....'

Cheers!

Don't buy too many beers Babs, I think your Thaksin fanbois will be all over this one like a cheap suit. Most will be trying to outdo the rest with the most obnoxious Prayut insult.

The junta fanbois will probably kick back with a few beers and have a laugh.

What's this got to do with Thaksin? These young lads are fighting for civil rights, they would have been sucking on their mum's teets when Thaksin left the country. Why do people like yo keep bring him into any post? This totally has nothing to do with him but more to do with what's right. There is a civil court system in Thailand, right? So why military court? I guess to get the result they want, maybe they think even civil courts would just throw this b/s case out of court?

Al, were you directing your attack at me or Babs ? because he mentioned Thaksin before I did.

[rubl]

This is going to go down well with the west. Just as the arms deal this general has just made with China. Me thinks he needs a word from the very top to calm him down a peg or two.

If the PM promises to buy subs from Germany or Sweden will the processing of the 14 in Military Court go down better? Me thinks that has nothing to do with it.

Buying submarines from Germany or Sweden is not on the agenda, so you are absolutely right that the trial of the students has nothing to do with such procurements. Why did you raise a non existing issue?

Buying subs from China is also not on the agenda of 14 students on trial even if it doesn't go down well with the West.

[rubl]

Well, let's hope the Courts show more sense than the Junta, but I won't hold my breath.

The courts will apply the law.

[baboon]

This is going to go down well with the west. Just as the arms deal this general has just made with China. Me thinks he needs a word from the very top to calm him down a peg or two.

If the PM promises to buy subs from Germany or Sweden will the processing of the 14 in Military Court go down better? Me thinks that has nothing to do with it.

Buying submarines from Germany or Sweden is not on the agenda, so you are absolutely right that the trial of the students has nothing to do with such procurements. Why did you raise a non existing issue?

Buying subs from China is also not on the agenda of 14 students on trial even if it doesn't go down well with the West.

Nor is Bulgarian turnip farming. So what?

[Beetlejuice]

The prime minister has a difficult task ahead, he cannot relinquish power until all the disputing factions come to some sort of agreement and compromise and they are no longer a threat to peace in Thailand.

What has this current regime has done to facilitate agreements and compromises?

Surely after more than a year there is a framework and time frame

for these negotiations, but I have seen nothing.

Maybe you can point us to where this is actually happening.

And maybe next time you can quote my whole post instead of just parts that suits you which misrepresents what I have said and is against Thai visa rules.

To try and explain in ways that even you may understand, firstly, the hard core factions are still there and their leaders lurking in the background and in many cases their words of wisdom have proven futile and they are not trusted. The present government is seeking middle ground, but the oppositions are not willing to compromise, it`s a winner takes all scenario that if gaining power will bring Thailand into a civil war situation..

The fact is that the political situation in Thailand is extremely volatile and not something that can be resolved in a short period, the prime minister is aware of this. Mr Prayut Chan-o-cha wants to retire and be remembered as the man who restored peace and stability back to Thailand and will not relinquish his hold until this has been archived.

As regarding what is happening behind the political scene, I suggest you do some research yourself because it appears you know very little on the turmoil still very much with us in Thailand.

Here is a link you get you started:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/24/us-thailand-protest-idUSBREA3N0BJ20140424

[rubl]

We could of course note that unlike prominent Muslim Lawyers the 14 have not been spirited away or lined up as possibly linked to the narcotics trade and summarily judged and dispatched to wherever, or like others who were deemed to be annoying just vanishing

No passing political activist seems to have taken a pot shot at them or cast explosive missiles at them with intent to endanger life.

While perhaps the issue is being handled in a heavy handed fashion compared to some of the earlier administrations judicial actions( state sanctioned or not) this current administration seems in many ways to be somewhat more merciful.

Here we go. 'But, but the last lot...'

The last lot have not been running the country in over a year. The military have. This is about them, today. Not rice schemes, not land purchases, not the prices of air fares to Dubai, but the actions of the junta today.

Actually it's about the actions of the 14 students who defied the law and were charged and detained.

Other countries would have let them, people would have applauded them. Just like the lone figure wrapped in the ISIS flag walking around parliament square in London last Sunday, two days before the commemoration of the 7/7 event. Freedom of expression as people like it.

[rubl]

If the PM promises to buy subs from Germany or Sweden will the processing of the 14 in Military Court go down better? Me thinks that has nothing to do with it.

Buying submarines from Germany or Sweden is not on the agenda, so you are absolutely right that the trial of the students has nothing to do with such procurements. Why did you raise a non existing issue?

Buying subs from China is also not on the agenda of 14 students on trial even if it doesn't go down well with the West.

Nor is Bulgarian turnip farming. So what?

Tell Equalizer who wrote

"This is going to go down well with the west. Just as the arms deal this general has just made with China."

[arend]

It's not to ensure peace and order, it's to ensure fear.

If you disagree about who or what the government is and stage protest manifestations accordingly, then that is called politics and political meetings...

if you want to point out some wrongdoing by that government or its personal, staging protest manifestations to undo the wrongdoings, then that is allowed...

Its not ok to say that someone is wrong, but is it ok to say that someone is doing wrong ?

I read a lot off complaints about situations and events in Thailand , here on TVF,... old governments, politicians... name it...

Now we have someone , trying, changing the situation.... and people are complaining again....

Last poll revealed that nearly 70% of the Thai population was happy with the actions of Prayut ...

I call that democracy...

... overthrowing a legally elected government and establishing an unelected military dictatorship with absolute power is democracy? Me thinks you've been watching way too much Fox news.....

However, a promise to restore democracy has been made. I guess we'll have to wait and see....

Edited July 8, 2015 by arend

[Equalizer]

This is going to go down well with the west. Just as the arms deal this general has just made with China. Me thinks he needs a word from the very top to calm him down a peg or two.

If the PM promises to buy subs from Germany or Sweden will the processing of the 14 in Military Court go down better? Me thinks that has nothing to do with it.

Buying submarines from Germany or Sweden is not on the agenda, so you are absolutely right that the trial of the students has nothing to do with such procurements. Why did you raise a non existing issue?

maybe i know more than you matey pie check out today's news

Submarines for what? We face no maritime threats

[baboon]

This is going to go down well with the west. Just as the arms deal this general has just made with China. Me thinks he needs a word from the very top to calm him down a peg or two.

If the PM promises to buy subs from Germany or Sweden will the processing of the 14 in Military Court go down better? Me thinks that has nothing to do with it.

Buying submarines from Germany or Sweden is not on the agenda, so you are absolutely right that the trial of the students has nothing to do with such procurements. Why did you raise a non existing issue?

maybe i know more than you matey pie check out today's news Submarines for what? We face no maritime threats

Err? Can't say as I follow you...?

Edited July 8, 2015 by baboon

[yooyoo]

The non-elected self imposed Prime Minister who is a general and leader of the army has said that he would be prepared to stay on of the people wanted... he is not better and no worse then the politicians he disposed of in the cue..the only difference is he had the military and armed forces power behind him when he did that... how long until the next general has ambitions to rise and become Napoleon the third... I read the views on how the military junta and self imposed pm is saving the country ...from itself... but I believe that a country deserves the leaders they elect... in Thailand this is obviously a clear reflection of the moral fabric of the nation at large.. the majority felt that they will benefit more from the Taksin clan .. the opposition were unhappy because they benefited less.. this is all part of Thainess... corrupt to the bone...

[yooyoo]

Apologies for the typos...