Nattawut, Veerakarn, Weng, Viphuthalaeng sentenced to 4 years, 4 month in prison

[Just1Voice]

I'll be happy, and maybe start to believe in Thai justice, when ALL the protest leaders, both RED & YELLOW, are behind bars.

[tomacht8]

The slowness of justice is unbelievable.
8 whole years.
If at that time a faster process had been carried out, there would have been maybe not a Bangkok Burning!

[NoBrainer]

I am totally baffled - how can you be sentenced to 4 years in jail and then seek bail. If you want to appeal surely its done from the actual jailhouse via your lawyer, Not from the comfort of your house whilst sticking two fingers up at the justice system?

Have they been released on bail? Maybe I missed that.

"seek bail" not released on bail.

You won't see the "Released on Bail" until around 5:30 this evening, after all the doughnut boxes have been passed around, and hot coffees consumed.

[robblok]

And 800 for the arson and rioting in Bangkok.

Now, who was it who said he'd be responsible for that?

Unpleasant though it was, the centralworld arson did not cost the country 60 billion baht or cause great loss to 2 million tourists.

If its about money then YL will have to be in jail even longer.

Fact is that the airport seizure was bad but not half as violent as the burning of BKK

The burning of Bangkok - What all of it? Or was it a couple of banks and a shopping center and some cars (perhaps a truck as well) - Maybe the burning of a little bit of Bangkok is more accurate? I know, not as dramatic and lacking a certain spin...but lets deal in facts and maintain a sense of perspective.

sure just a few building just a bit of looting.. just a few thugs urged to bring fuel and to burn BKK. No nothing much happened and certainly just as peaceful as the occupation of the airport.

[Eric Loh]

Well, if it's 4 years for doing that then exxpect 400 years for the lunatics who took over the airport, right?

Don't want to get into an argument with you Prbkk, comparing acts of terrorism and civil disobedience, but after what happened in Bangkok in 2010 the airport protests pale into insignificance.

But you are right, the airport protesters deserve to be punished for what happened at Swampy.

On the airport they made it pretty smart.....They came in masses, were even officially allowed to park in the VIP area, blocked everything by just standing there and the airport stopped operation on its own for security reasons. At least officially. And everything was done by Chamlong who is a hero of the past, very old, a religious leader and don't own anything.

So they made their homework and planning first to make it difficult to punish them.

Different than the red shirts

The government did asked the military to stop the airport protest which Anupong refused and instead asked the government to resign. That's the difference. It was planned and collaborated to force out the government.

Thanks god it worked!

Of course it work. It had to work like numerous times before when the military take sides and bring down elected government. Thanks for confirming what I always believed. Looks like you in my camp.

[waitforusalso]

http://www.mthai.com/en/news/3715.html

A list of the many places shut down by Suthep's PDRC, all costing untold taxpayers' baht. In some of them the PDRC trashed the premises & stole equipment.

I suppose rallying outside someone's house is worse. No worries, Thai yellow justice system at work yet again. Oh the reconciliation!

Edited September 16, 2015 by waitforusalso

[NoBrainer]

The burning of Bangkok - What all of it? Or was it a couple of banks and a shopping center and some cars (perhaps a truck as well) - Maybe the burning of a little bit of Bangkok is more accurate? I know, not as dramatic and lacking a certain spin...but lets deal in facts and maintain a sense of perspective.

Well at the climax of the pullout by the reds, if I recall correctly there were 39 fires burning in different parts of the city, some consuming whole blocks, and including theatres, departments stores, shop houses, banks, complete shopping centres and various other types of structures, which could have easily spread to be much larger if not for the brave people who were dodging bullits, and RPG's, to try to extinguish as many of the fires as possible.

And that was just on the last day, there were many other incidences of fires, bomb attacks and shootings, in the months leading up to the point where there was no other option left, other than to remove the protesters.

So I do believe that "The Burning of Bangkok" is a very accurate description, of part of the terrorism that was inflicted on the city.

And lets not for get the rest of the country, all those city halls & other government installations, torched through the country. Even TV stations were not exempt.

So I think you may be trying to downplay this a little too much. In fact, I am not sure if you were even there at the time. I was and had a massive fire just metres from my hotel.

Edited September 16, 2015 by NoBrainer

[mikemac]

I'll be happy, and maybe start to believe in Thai justice, when ALL the protest leaders, both RED & YELLOW, are behind bars.

What about one from either side - say, whoever was responsible for the airport fiasco, and the Desert Rat ?

[Ron19]

Well, if it's 4 years for doing that then exxpect 400 years for the lunatics who took over the airport, right?

And what about the burning of Bangkok in 2010?

The take over of the airport was peaceful and happened due to a total and complete lack of law enforcement (so what's new there?). Not that I am condoning the airport shutdown, that should never have been allowed. BUT, no real damage (to the terminal) was done, as witnessed by the restart within 24 hours of them leaving.

Could you say the reds would have left it operational had they been the ones doing the occupying? Again, I remind you of typical red activity by using the burning of Bangkok as a prime example of red behaviour.

Time to take off your red sunglasses. Your master's goose is well and truely cooked now.

Don't forget about Government House, there wasn't much damage done there was there.

[tomacht8]

The burning of Bangkok - What all of it? Or was it a couple of banks and a shopping center and some cars (perhaps a truck as well) - Maybe the burning of a little bit of Bangkok is more accurate? I know, not as dramatic and lacking a certain spin...but lets deal in facts and maintain a sense of perspective.

Well at the climax of the pullout by the reds, if I recall correctly there were 39 fires burning in different parts of the city, some consuming whole blocks, and including theatres, departments stores, shop houses, banks, complete shopping centres and various other types of structures, which could have easily spread to be much larger if not for the brave people who were dodging bullits, and RPG's, to try to extinguish as many of the fires as possible.

And that was just on the last day, there were many other incidences of fires, bomb attacks and shootings, in the months leading up to the point where there was no other option left, other than to remove the protesters.

So I do believe that "The Burning of Bangkok" is a very accurate description, of part of the terrorism that was inflicted on the city.

And lets not for get the rest of the country, all those city halls & other government installations, torched through the country. Even TV stations were not exempt.

So I think you may be trying to downplay this a little too much. In fact, I am not sure if you were even there at the time. I was and had a massive fire just metres from my hotel.

I was also in Bangkok and that was not small fire.

That was a goaded bunch of lunatics, incited by demagogues, who really tried to burn down the city.

On those days there was in Bangkok really civil war.

[webfact]

Court Jails Redshirt Leaders for 2007 Protest
By Khaosod English


Before they became known for wearing red shirts, protesters in yellow clashed with police in front of the home of Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda in this July 2008 file photo.

BANGKOK — A court today sentenced five leaders of the Redshirt movement to prison for a protest they organized in front of the home of a chief royal adviser eight years ago.

Weerakan Musikapong, Nattawut Saikua, Wiputalaeng Wattanapumthai and Weng Tojirakarn were convicted of illegal assembly and sentenced to four years and four months in prison, while Nopparut Worachit was convicted of obstruction of justice and handed down a jail term of two years and eight months.

All defendants except Weerakan were immediately escorted to prison after the verdict was read out but will seek bail while filing an appeal.

In addition to the conviction for illegal assembly, the court also ruled the four defendants encouraged protesters to fight off police officers attempting to clear the rally scene where the five men and other leaders of a group called the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship, or UDD, were demonstrating.

“Based on the evidence, which is photographs of the incident, it was found that the four defendants gave speeches urging [protesters] to prevent officers from arresting the group’s leaders. Protesters then used plastic chairs and bricks to throw at officers,” the verdict read. “This was not an act of self-defense as claimed by the defendants.”

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1442398586


-- Khaosod English 2015-09-16

[Eric Loh]

The burning of Bangkok - What all of it? Or was it a couple of banks and a shopping center and some cars (perhaps a truck as well) - Maybe the burning of a little bit of Bangkok is more accurate? I know, not as dramatic and lacking a certain spin...but lets deal in facts and maintain a sense of perspective.

Well at the climax of the pullout by the reds, if I recall correctly there were 39 fires burning in different parts of the city, some consuming whole blocks, and including theatres, departments stores, shop houses, banks, complete shopping centres and various other types of structures, which could have easily spread to be much larger if not for the brave people who were dodging bullits, and RPG's, to try to extinguish as many of the fires as possible.

And that was just on the last day, there were many other incidences of fires, bomb attacks and shootings, in the months leading up to the point where there was no other option left, other than to remove the protesters.

So I do believe that "The Burning of Bangkok" is a very accurate description, of part of the terrorism that was inflicted on the city.

And lets not for get the rest of the country, all those city halls & other government installations, torched through the country. Even TV stations were not exempt.

So I think you may be trying to downplay this a little too much. In fact, I am not sure if you were even there at the time. I was and had a massive fire just metres from my hotel.

I was also in Bangkok and that was not small fire.

That was a goaded bunch of lunatics, incited by demagogues, who really tried to burn down the city.

On those days there was in Bangkok really civil war.

In retrospect, a coup against the Ahbisit government would have prevented the burning and the killings. The military really know how to chose a coup.

[h90]

Well, if it's 4 years for doing that then exxpect 400 years for the lunatics who took over the airport, right?

Don't want to get into an argument with you Prbkk, comparing acts of terrorism and civil disobedience, but after what happened in Bangkok in 2010 the airport protests pale into insignificance.

But you are right, the airport protesters deserve to be punished for what happened at Swampy.

On the airport they made it pretty smart.....They came in masses, were even officially allowed to park in the VIP area, blocked everything by just standing there and the airport stopped operation on its own for security reasons. At least officially. And everything was done by Chamlong who is a hero of the past, very old, a religious leader and don't own anything.

So they made their homework and planning first to make it difficult to punish them.

Different than the red shirts

The government did asked the military to stop the airport protest which Anupong refused and instead asked the government to resign. That's the difference. It was planned and collaborated to force out the government.

Thanks god it worked!

Of course it work. It had to work like numerous times before when the military take sides and bring down elected government. Thanks for confirming what I always believed. Looks like you in my camp.

Elected, yes, but many people would like a democratic elected government......Kim Jong-un was also elected....

And they want a corruption free (well everyone can live with a 10 % corruption, but not with what the Shinawatras took) that does not abuse power and don't shoot random people.

[worgeordie]

They will not be going to prison,until the VIP cells are ready,with red walls of course.

regards worgeordie

[h90]

The burning of Bangkok - What all of it? Or was it a couple of banks and a shopping center and some cars (perhaps a truck as well) - Maybe the burning of a little bit of Bangkok is more accurate? I know, not as dramatic and lacking a certain spin...but lets deal in facts and maintain a sense of perspective.

Well at the climax of the pullout by the reds, if I recall correctly there were 39 fires burning in different parts of the city, some consuming whole blocks, and including theatres, departments stores, shop houses, banks, complete shopping centres and various other types of structures, which could have easily spread to be much larger if not for the brave people who were dodging bullits, and RPG's, to try to extinguish as many of the fires as possible.

And that was just on the last day, there were many other incidences of fires, bomb attacks and shootings, in the months leading up to the point where there was no other option left, other than to remove the protesters.

So I do believe that "The Burning of Bangkok" is a very accurate description, of part of the terrorism that was inflicted on the city.

And lets not for get the rest of the country, all those city halls & other government installations, torched through the country. Even TV stations were not exempt.

So I think you may be trying to downplay this a little too much. In fact, I am not sure if you were even there at the time. I was and had a massive fire just metres from my hotel.

I was also in Bangkok and that was not small fire.

That was a goaded bunch of lunatics, incited by demagogues, who really tried to burn down the city.

On those days there was in Bangkok really civil war.

In retrospect, a coup against the Ahbisit government would have prevented the burning and the killings. The military really know how to chose a coup.

It was said that Thaksin tried to bribe some military into it, as well there were strange moves that were seen as military is blocking each other.

True or not, I don't know. Lucky we didn't got Thaksin this time.

That Abhisit didn't step back was a major mistake. Or alternative he could have cleared it up with the police, by just dismissing every police who won't follow, which would have been a good way to get rid of everyone corrupt.

But unfortunately Abhisit was the male equivalent to Yingluck.....

[jesimps]

Well, if it's 4 years for doing that then exxpect 400 years for the lunatics who took over the airport, right?

Don't want to get into an argument with you Prbkk, comparing acts of terrorism and civil disobedience, but after what happened in Bangkok in 2010 the airport protests pale into insignificance.

But you are right, the airport protesters deserve to be punished for what happened at Swampy.

So occupying an international airport is not terrorism. Words fail me.

[zaphod reborn]

Well, if it's 4 years for doing that then exxpect 400 years for the lunatics who took over the airport, right?

Don't want to get into an argument with you Prbkk, comparing acts of terrorism and civil disobedience, but after what happened in Bangkok in 2010 the airport protests pale into insignificance.

But you are right, the airport protesters deserve to be punished for what happened at Swampy.

So occupying an international airport is not terrorism. Words fail me.

No, your dictionary fails you. An essential element of terrorism is violence or threat of violence. Occupations do not necessarily involve violence, and, therefore, are not by definition terrorism.

[Greydog]

Elected, yes, but many people would like a democratic elected government......Kim Jong-un was also elected....

And they want a corruption free (well everyone can live with a 10 % corruption, but not with what the Shinawatras took) that does not abuse power and don't shoot random people.

I am continually amazed that so many farangs in Thailand support military dictatorship for Thailand - but support democracy in their home countries. It's so schizophrenic.

[MaxLee]

It took 8 long years and just for a slap on the forearm of 4 years prison for the nasty nasty Thaksin cronies....

Out on bail soon, wanna bet?

[candide]

Let's make a scale for these few examples:

- protest in front of Prem's house: 4 years

- block airport:

- burn siam center shopping mall:

- assault government house:

- block elections:

You think they are worth how many years of jail?

Edited September 16, 2015 by candide

[halloween]

The burning of Bangkok - What all of it? Or was it a couple of banks and a shopping center and some cars (perhaps a truck as well) - Maybe the burning of a little bit of Bangkok is more accurate? I know, not as dramatic and lacking a certain spin...but lets deal in facts and maintain a sense of perspective.

Well at the climax of the pullout by the reds, if I recall correctly there were 39 fires burning in different parts of the city, some consuming whole blocks, and including theatres, departments stores, shop houses, banks, complete shopping centres and various other types of structures, which could have easily spread to be much larger if not for the brave people who were dodging bullits, and RPG's, to try to extinguish as many of the fires as possible.

And that was just on the last day, there were many other incidences of fires, bomb attacks and shootings, in the months leading up to the point where there was no other option left, other than to remove the protesters.

So I do believe that "The Burning of Bangkok" is a very accurate description, of part of the terrorism that was inflicted on the city.

And lets not for get the rest of the country, all those city halls & other government installations, torched through the country. Even TV stations were not exempt.

So I think you may be trying to downplay this a little too much. In fact, I am not sure if you were even there at the time. I was and had a massive fire just metres from my hotel.

I was also in Bangkok and that was not small fire.

That was a goaded bunch of lunatics, incited by demagogues, who really tried to burn down the city.

On those days there was in Bangkok really civil war.

The photo makes a lie of the apologists denials, and accurately illustrates red political activism.

52 months for inciting a riot sounds fair to me. I wait their next case for bigger numbers, hopefully added consecutively.

[MickGC]

Well, if it's 4 years for doing that then exxpect 400 years for the lunatics who took over the airport, right?

And 800 for the arson and rioting in Bangkok.

Now, who was it who said he'd be responsible for that?

Unpleasant though it was, the centralworld arson did not cost the country 60 billion baht or cause great loss to 2 million tourists.

Maybe not, but I'm sure that the occupation of downtown Bangkok for months on end cost far more than that, in financial terms, and lives lost.

Which occupation are you talking about? The Red shirt one or the two Yellow shirt ones. Just saying ....

[easybullet3]

Once again, in many legal systems if an appeal of the conviction and sentencing is the next step, bail may be granted until the appeal is completed. But not all legal systems.

Well, if it's 4 years for doing that then exxpect 400 years for the lunatics who took over the airport, right?

This is the same country that allowed hundreds of Red Shirt protestors to go back home 'scot-free' to their provinces in busses (just after burning down Central World) and bringing central bangkok to a halt for several months.

ie: justice system over here is the 'Polar Opposite' of what we expect a legal system to be.

- After learning that even Thai Judges are given 'gifts' before the verdict is given, i soon realised that there is no justice in Thailand.

and not having a Jury is very suitable and convenient for this corruption to continue.

Edited September 16, 2015 by easybullet3

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I too kept waiting to see the usual sentence -- 4 years etc., suspended by the court for useful information the defendants provided in the case. But it ISN'T there!!!

Neither is any mention of them getting or not getting bail, at least in the OP.

It makes me think of that old Jim Croce song, with the adapted lyrics... "And you don't mess around with Jim Prem."

Meanwhile, for anyone who thinks the length of the sentence is unfair for the actual alleged crimes these four are charged with (which might be a reasonable argument the way Thai sentencing goes), think of it as a kind of cosmic retribution for all the other crimes that they've never been charged with or convicted of... including but certainly not limited to the CentralWorld arson and burning of Bangkok.

[bangrak]

Well, if it's 4 years for doing that then exxpect 400 years for the lunatics who took over the airport, right?

Can you be more specific concerning the violences committed against the police and security during the airport's occupation (NOT saying this was not an illegal action which must, indeed be prosecuted!), please? Violence and abuse being generally an integral part of the reds' acts, I'd excuse you, considering your, erm, scarlet, opinions, for not taking this tiny difference into account...

[bangrak]

I too kept waiting to see the usual sentence -- 4 years etc., suspended by the court for useful information the defendants provided in the case. But it ISN'T there!!!

Neither is any mention of them getting or not getting bail, at least in the OP.

It makes me think of that old Jim Croce song, with the adapted lyrics... "And you don't mess around with Jim Prem."

Meanwhile, for anyone who thinks the length of the sentence is unfair for the actual alleged crimes these four are charged with (which might be a reasonable argument the way Thai sentencing goes), think of it as a kind of cosmic retribution for all the other crimes that they've never been charged with or convicted of... including but certainly not limited to the CentralWorld arson and burning of Bangkok.

Sorry, but, when I'm correct, it was not 'suspended', at all...but, what do you guess, yes, sure, they got... BAILED, for the 'n+1' time, how and where can you get revolving, successive bailS? No wonder they were laughing their mouth out: next, to the Court of Appeal, after to the Supreme Court, the case goes back to 2007, but it could take till 2020, or later, to get to the end mark, and as they still hope for their masters to gain power again...

[bangrak]

I am totally baffled - how can you be sentenced to 4 years in jail and then seek bail. If you want to appeal surely its done from the actual jailhouse via your lawyer, Not from the comfort of your house whilst sticking two fingers up at the justice system?

Have they been released on bail? Maybe I missed that.

"seek bail" not released on bail.

Sorry (I am truly!): released on bail (one more time!) 1/2 a million each, told not to leave the country (nothing though about their passports...)!

Widely unknown, but Thaksin, true, made the RTP to his 'pretorian guard', yes, but he also 'arranged' for loads of, erm, 'sympathetic', judges to be appointed in criminal (and appeal) courts , and other pawns at the OAG, and in key ministries, and in state enterprises, most of whom are still in place, and taking their orders from, you guessed it...

[bangrak]

Well, if it's 4 years for doing that then exxpect 400 years for the lunatics who took over the airport, right?

Don't want to get into an argument with you Prbkk, comparing acts of terrorism and civil disobedience, but after what happened in Bangkok in 2010 the airport protests pale into insignificance.

But you are right, the airport protesters deserve to be punished for what happened at Swampy.

On the airport they made it pretty smart.....They came in masses, were even officially allowed to park in the VIP area, blocked everything by just standing there and the airport stopped operation on its own for security reasons. At least officially. And everything was done by Chamlong who is a hero of the past, very old, a religious leader and don't own anything.

So they made their homework and planning first to make it difficult to punish them.

Different than the red shirts

The government did asked the military to stop the airport protest which Anupong refused and instead asked the government to resign. That's the difference. It was planned and collaborated to force out the government.

Thanks god it worked!

Of course it work. It had to work like numerous times before when the military take sides and bring down elected government. Thanks for confirming what I always believed. Looks like you in my camp.

What about violences Mr Loh? Both illegal actions, no doubt, but what about the violences committed by red thugs, anything your biased self could find out in the actions of (and by...!) your side's(!) opponents which could compare? Honestly, for once?

[AnnieT]

Thanks god it worked!

Of course it work. It had to work like numerous times before when the military take sides and bring down elected government. Thanks for confirming what I always believed. Looks like you in my camp.

What about violences Mr Loh? Both illegal actions, no doubt, but what about the violences committed by red thugs, anything your biased self could find out in the actions of (and by...!) your side's(!) opponents which could compare? Honestly, for once?

Bias, like beauty is in the eye of the beholder, which is why you think he is biased and no doubt, why he thinks you are biased.

That much, surely, is obvious to all.

Interestingly, we developed bias by learning to have it, and it's not difficult to guess at the learning process on both sides of the POV.

[webfact]

POLITICS
Reds leaders get jail sentence over invasion of Prem's home
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE CRIMINAL Court yesterday sentenced four leaders of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) to four years and four months in jail over their rally to lay siege to the Si Si Sao Theves residence of Privy Council chief General Prem Tinsulanonda.

The court released the four UDD leaders - Weerakan Musikapong, Nuttawut Saikuar, Weng Tojirakarn, Wiputhalaeng Pattanaphumthai - on Bt500,000 bail each on the condition that they cannot leave the country without the court's permission.

Set to appeal ruling

The four have vowed to appeal the court's ruling.

Public prosecutors accused the four and three others - Nopparuj Worachitwuttikul, Veerasak Hemathulin and Wanchai Naputta - of conspiring with more than 10 others for assaulting, causing turmoil, possessing arms, resisting and assaulting authorities.

The seven led the others to surround and break into Prem's residence to pressure him to resign. Weerakan did not appear in the court due to illness.

The court acquitted Veerasak and Wanchai for lack of evidence. The court sentenced Noppararuj to four years in jail for assaulting a police officer but commuted the sentence to two years and eight months for giving useful testimony.

Prosecutors have yet to indict five other people in the same case: Charan Ditta-apichai, Manit Jitjanklab, Banthong Somkam, ML Wirayut Seniwong na Ayudhaya and Jakrapob Penkair, who has fled the country.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Reds-leaders-get-jail-sentence-over-invasion-of-Pr-30268957.html


-- The Nation 2015-09-17