Thai Supreme Court opens 3 new divisions to deal with national security issues

[webfact]

Supreme Court opens 3 new divisions to deal with national security issues

BANGKOK, 10 August 2015 (NNT)- The Supreme Court has introduced three new divisions set up specifically to deal with issues affecting the nation's security and economy.

According to the Supreme Court President, Direk Ingkaninanthe (ดิเรก อิงคนินันท์), the three newly opened divisions include those dealing with human trafficking, illegal drug, and government official’s misconduct cases.

The three divisions will be jointly operated by prosecutors, the Royal Thai Police, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, and the Thai courts.

They will also form a comprehensive network of human trafficking prevention, and raise the standards of legal processes to meet the international criteria.

These issues have taken a heavy toll on Thailand’s reputation globally and compromised the nation's security. Serious actions should be taken to eliminate these problems, Mr. Direck said.


-- NNT 2015-08-10

[Strangebrew]

Where is the division to deal with the crooks running the courts?

[bamnutsak]

Until some high level personages are charged, tried, convicted (or acquitted) and jailed (without the option of an early release or "pardon") with Human Trafficking, these sorts of announcements don't even merit the pejorative of "window dressing".

Strongly suspect the other specialized "divisions" will got a lot more of a "workout".

Weird that Military Courts are currently handling so many 112/113 cases, but they can't handle pesky traffickers?

[Bodene]

It's such a comfort to see the judicial system in Thailand working so tirelessly to provide timely and unerring justice for the betterment of Thai society and the advancement of the Thai people.

They really are a gift from the Gods.

Really.

Edited August 10, 2015 by Bodene

[PatOngo]

In effect they have created three new "Inactive Post" divisions. Unemployment now running at -5%.

[oneday]

I find it laughable what they lump under the heading of "National Security"...like 14 students peacefully protesting.

[Equalizer]

''government official’s misconduct cases'' Arrrrr so this is the path that we have been waiting for!!!! The division that will ultimately lead to the inability to govern.

[EnglishJohn]

I find it laughable what they lump under the heading of "National Security"...like 14 students peacefully protesting.

I think you didn't bother to read the story in your hate haste to criticise the junta. None of the new divisions are for protestors - real or puppet. Unless you think they should catch those students under 'illegal drugs' ?.

Now you look a little foolish.

[bamnutsak]

None of the new divisions are for protestors

D'oh, they have Military Courts for those bad, bad, bad, evil, paid, red, evil protesters.

But in a pinch I bet they could drag these bad, bad, bad, evil, paid, red, evil protesters into the new court for "national security" matters.

"... introduced three new divisions set up specifically to deal with issues affecting the nation's security"

[webfact]

Special court divisions to combat three key crimes
KESINEE TAENGKHIAO
THE NATION



COURT OFFICES TO FOCUS ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING, GRAFT AND DRUGS; PACT ON PROSECUTION, WITNESS PROTECTION

BANGKOK: -- THE CRIMINAL Court's special divisions on human trafficking, corruption and misconduct of state officials, as well as narcotics, were officially launched yesterday.

These divisions have been created to ensure cases related to these three crimes can be tried effectively, the Criminal Court's chief judge Athip Chitsamrerng said.

The moves were part of the effort to reform the process of prosecuting human-trafficking cases after the United States decided to keep Thailand on the lowest level of its "Trafficking in Persons" (TIP) report, suggesting that the Kingdom's work on combating this problem was not effective enough.

Athip also suggested that reforms be made to laws and court procedures for human trafficking, corruption and drugs.

Laws should also be amended to allow the Criminal Court to apply its "inquisitorial" system to trial processes, he said, adding that the inquisitorial system would authorise the court to investigate the case and gather evidence itself, rather than waiting for public prosecutors to do so.

He said these three were different from other crimes because of their extensive impact on the economy and society, especially corruption cases, as they undermine political stability and national security.

As the wrongdoers are usually influential figures and violence is often used to obstruct the course of justice, finding evidence is difficult and witnesses are also threatened, he said.

Agencies sign MoU

During the opening ceremony at Bangkok's Ratchadaphisek Criminal Court, five agencies signed a memorandum of understanding on sharing information on human-trafficking cases.

The agencies are the Criminal Court, the Office of the Attorney General, the Royal Thai Police, the Justice Ministry and the Social Development and Human Security Ministry.

The MoU focuses on two key points: coordination among the prosecution and witness protection.

For prosecution coordination, a centre for human-trafficking cases would be set up at each agency to tackle obstacles, while the protection aspect would focus on the rehabilitation and protection of witnesses, victims as well as their families.

In addition to the MoU, the agencies have agreed to cooperate on information sharing, training of officials and developing law in line with international standards, Thailand's obligations to the international community, and its cooperation with neighbouring countries, an official said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Special-court-divisions-to-combat-three-key-crimes-30266334.html


-- The Nation 2015-08-11

[NongKhaiKid]

It doesn't matter how many extra divisions, special courts etc are created as nothing will change until the most junior police officer up to the most senior judge does their job properly and the system allows them to.

[Lupatria]

Well, the division taking care of LM charges seems pretty effective. Why not learn from the best?

[sammygood]

and the 3 major crimes have one thing in commen ..... police/army

[Jimlove]

Circus has come to town ...

[Emster23]

"inquisitorial system would authorise the court to investigate the case and gather evidence itself, rather than waiting for public prosecutors to do so"

Well at least give them credit for tacitly admitting depending on police, DSI, prosecutors, whomever is not going to go anywhere.

[smutcakes]

It doesn't matter how many extra divisions, special courts etc are created as nothing will change until the most junior police officer up to the most senior judge does their job properly and the system allows them to.

Its a bit of a chicken and egg situation. I am more of the opinion that there is little incentive for the police to do their job when those above them in the judiciary system are unable, unwilling or to corruptible to do their own job properly.

The judiciary should be setting the example for all below, and with the example they set, it is not difficult to understand why the police are so pathetically corrupt and inept either.