Yingluck: EU invite spurs wide debate

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POLITICS
EU invite spurs wide debate
THE NATION


Yingluck Shinawatra

Court will decide if Yingluck will be able to go abroad : Prawit

BANGKOK: -- THE EUROPEAN Parliament's invitation for former premier Yingluck Shinawatra to visit for a meeting was the talk of the town yesterday - on whether the junta and Supreme Court will allow her to leave the country.

A lawyer for Yingluck said she had not contacted him yet to make a request to go abroad.

She is being tried in the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders on charges of alleged negligence - for failing to stop graft and mismanagement in her government's rice-pledging scheme.

With the trial already underway Yingluck would need permission from the Court to go abroad. It is understood that the Court would first ask the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) for its opinion on the matter.

The rice scheme is estimated to have lost Bt600 billion in public funds, as well as badly hurt the rice trade.

Yingluck is scheduled to stand trial on the allegations in April next year.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, also NCPO chief, has said he is looking into the case but would listen to what the Court has to say.

"An exchange of views only from Yingluck [to the European Parliament] could be considered as listening to one side of the story. It may show disrespect to Thai law," he said.

The government is now trying to verify if the invitation is genuine.

Prayut said such an invitation should go through the Foreign Ministry, and implied that it was not right to send a letter to invite someone to explain local issues.

"If our side [Thais] had them [the European Parliament] do this, they should be condemned," he said. He had an answer about whether the former PM would get permission to go, but refused to disclose it.

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said it would be up to the Court to decide whether to allow Yingluck to go abroad or not.

He said the issue did not come under the NCPO's jurisdiction.

Yingluck's lawyer, Norawit Lalang, said he had not moved to do anything yet on the reported invitation, as Yingluck had not contacted him for further action.

Courts of Justice spokesman Suebpong Sripongkul, meanwhile, said that in general, a Court would use judgement on any request, based on conditions ruled earlier on the case.

An applicant had to be able to demonstrate reasons to substantiate the request, but the Court would have a final say. "A Court will decide whether the applicant will go abroad, to do as invited or he [or she] has potential to flee. It may put more conditions, such as increasing a guarantee.

According to the invitation letter dated October 7, Yingluck was asked to exchange views with members of the European Parliament (EP) on the political situation in Thailand.

It was co-signed by Elmar Brok, chairman of the EP Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Werner Langen, chair of the panel for relations with Southeast Asia and Asean.

Foreign Minister Don Pramudwi-nai said the ministry had not seen the invitation letter yet but would check on the party that sent the invitation.

However, based on information from Brussels, he said it appeared to have resulted from lobbying.

Senior Pheu Thai Party member Surapong Tovichakchaikul, who served as foreign minister in the previous government, said the NCPO should allow Yingluck to go to Europe as invited by the European Parliament to show the international community that the Thai government has imposed no censorship on people's freedom of expression and basic rights.

Any decision that is in favour of the invitation will demonstrate that at present Thailand still respects rules of law, Surapong said.

"The NCPO chief should take the opportunity to show the European Community that Thailand is proceeding to have a national election and is in the process of drafting a [new] Constitution.

"The NCPO should not fear anything. I can guarantee that Yingluck will not say negative things against Thailand because she, as one of the leaders, is mature and has a better heart than many men," he said.

But former Democrat MP Warong Dejvikromkit said the invitation was not normal, given what the letter said about Yingluck's impeachment by National Legislative Assembly over the rice-pledging scheme.

"The invitation said Yingluck's impeachment and trial in the Supreme Court over the scheme was a cause for concern. The invitation may be the result of lobbying and the contents precarious in interfering with justice in the country," he said.

Warong has been active in and outside Parliament in questioning the former government's rice scheme.

He urged the NCPO to consider the issue carefully, as Yingluck may take the opportunity to tarnish the country by claiming she had been treated unfairly. She may plan to go and not return after claiming that she was treated unfairly.

He said: "We should think about her brother; Thaksin, who asked to go abroad to China and fled."

Thaksin, premier from 2001-06, fled after visiting Beijing for the 2008 Olympics. The Supreme Court then ruled him guilty inabsentia of abuse of power, sentencing him to two years in jail.

The Democrat MP asked why the European Parliament invitation was dated October 7 but only revealed now. It said nothing about a date |to meet nor who Yingluck would meet.



He said the invitation may have been done on personal basis as it was not signed by Martin Schulz, president of the European Parliament or Klaus Welle, the EU secretary general.

It was the result of lobbying by Pheu Thai people, who wanted to use it to cause disturbance and criticise the NCPO, he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/EU-nvite-spurs-wide-debate-30273678.html


-- The Nation 2015-11-25

[smedly]

Senior Pheu Thai Party member Surapong Tovichakchaikul, who served as foreign minister in the previous government, said the NCPO should allow Yingluck to go to Europe as invited by the European Parliament to show the international community that the Thai government has imposed no censorship on people's freedom of expression and basic rights.

she can go once all her charges have been answered in court and the verdict heard

and that letter looks more like a personal penpal than an official EU communication

as always I treat anything that comes from PTP with a very large pinch of salt - they have shown in the past that they twist stuff to suit their agenda

[davehowden]

Why on Earth does the EU need/ want to talk to her except perhaps to make a "fashion" statement about Thailand.

EU, keep your bloody nose out, leave Thailand to muddle along best it can, as it has done for the last zillion years and will do for the foreseeable future.

Same as the US, get your own house in order first before telling others what/ what not to do.

[Rocceao]

Yingluck was asked to exchange views with members of the European Parliament (EP) on the political situation in Thailand.

Is it just me or does this statement appear to be a bit fishy?

Thailand is not a member of the EU

Yingluck is being tried for a serious crime, while serving as Prime Minister.

Why would the EU want her to go abroad to exchange views with members of the EU parliament on the political situation in Thailand? to what end? this would be like asking a convicted criminal who claims he is inocent his veiws on the police and the justice system.

Also in todays day and age, if the EU pariament wanted to talk to Yingluck about her views they can easily have a phone/video conference.

[EnzoRippo]

Preventing Yingluck to go to Europe could create a Aung San Suu Kyi. At this time, she's just a Lady who was a not-so-perfect PM and she does not have so terrible things to tell at EU but if bullied by Junta => she becomes a victim => she could become an icon.

[sharecropper]

Just looking at the daily diet of sorry headlines, the more International scrutiny Thailand and its 'leaders' come under, the better, so I'm all for it.

[simon43]

An exchange of views only from Yingluck [to the European Parliament] could be considered as listening to one side of the story. It may show disrespect to Thai law

Disrespect for Thai law? Pot calling the kettle black I think. Or is staging a military coup to remove a democratically-elected government considered the 'norm' in Thailand?

(Actually, looking at Thai history, I think the answer to my question is Yes)

[waldroj]

There seems to be some debate going on about the authenticity of the invitation.

The junta is not convinced it is true, and is currently seeking clarification from the European Parliament.

So, we should put speculations on hold until confirmation is made.

[EnglishJohn]

As a native English speaker and a professional engineer, I would say that letter is absolutely nothing like I would expect a formal communication from a representative of the EU Parliament to an impeached PM of a foreign country to look like.

It is appalling : they would never put personal opinion and blatant criticism of the Junta into a communication like that. It is entirely unprofessional - in just about the same degree as Thai politicians are unprofessional. What on Earth does listing previous events have to do with it ?.

And why would they give her alternative locations ?. Sounds like the meeting will be in Starbucks.

There has been something odd about the EU, human rights and Pheu-Thai right form the start. Someone should write back and ask them to investigate these people - though the whole institution is rife with corruption on a huge scale. It's one of the reasons we Brits want out.

This smells bad - and the whole thing is on such a low intellectual level, it smacks of Thai politicians.

[Sydebolle]

Maybe FM Don Pramudwinai calls the EU Ambassador in for a cup of courtesy tea with the compliments of the Thai government over which a copy of this letter can change hands for clarification purposes.

Given the fact, that the European Union is possibly in the process of disintegrating itself with those "refugees" of their, marred with the little issue on the survival of the Euro (greeting the Greek and the Cypriots, among others), the official US-bashing on emission-tampering of Volkswagen (by a country which never ratified the Kyoto protocol, i.e. USNTB United States of None of their Business) - I, as a non-EU citizen, seriously wonder, if this whole thing is genuine.

The EU has, in all fairness, considerably bigger fish to fry all over the place; Thailand must be the very least of their problems - or the whole thing is yet another smoke screen ...........

Possibly her brother (never got it why the media always refers to "former PM" rather than "fugitive") did some lobbying in Brussels.

In short - it is:
a) definitely none of EU's business to get their nose into a running legal process which is not finished anytime soon
insulting Aung San Suu Kyi to compare Yingluck with the afore-mentioned; "The Lady" has not done anything wrong except speaking her mind for more than the last two decades nor was accused of financially helping herself from the state's coffers of Burma

Just my thoughts to the issue .....

[FritsSikkink]

Why on Earth does the EU need/ want to talk to her except perhaps to make a "fashion" statement about Thailand.

EU, keep your bloody nose out, leave Thailand to muddle along best it can, as it has done for the last zillion years and will do for the foreseeable future.

Same as the US, get your own house in order first before telling others what/ what not to do.

it isn't an invitation by the EU but by 2 individuals

[oneday]

"...It is understood that the Court would first ask the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) for its opinion on the matter..."

Who in turn will ask you-know-who.

[pedro01]

Fake as a Khao San Rd Degree

[TheCruncher]

Fake as a Khao San Rd Degree

Be careful, eating crow may not be your favorite dish.

http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/shinawatra-letter-genuine-and-invite-still-stands-say-meps-319783

MEPs have confirmed that a letter sent to the deposed former Prime Minister of Thailand, Yingluck Shinawatra, is genuine and that their invitation to speak in Brussels, or Strasbourg, about the country’s military junta, still stands.

But a spokesman for Werner Langen, chair of the European Parliament delegation for ASEAN, and one of the signatories of the letter, confirmed to EurActiv that it was genuine, and that the invitation still stood.

A joint statement from Langen, and Elmar Brok, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, is expected later today.

EurActiv revealed yesterday (23 November) that any chance of a free trade agreement with Thailand was off the agenda whist the country was ruled by a military junta.

Such an EU-Thailand FTA had been largely negotiated when the military came to power in a coup in May 2014, deposing Shinawatra.

It was then put on hold.

Edited November 25, 2015 by TheCruncher

[Pimay1]

I think it would be safe to say the EU knows nothing about this letter of invitation.

[EnglishJohn]

An exchange of views only from Yingluck [to the European Parliament] could be considered as listening to one side of the story. It may show disrespect to Thai law

Disrespect for Thai law? Pot calling the kettle black I think. Or is staging a military coup to remove a democratically-elected government considered the 'norm' in Thailand?

(Actually, looking at Thai history, I think the answer to my question is Yes)

Thailand didn't have a democratically elected government at the time of the coup. It was a caretaker government. The result of pressure from mass protests and a disgraceful attempt to hold an election (with no opposition) during emergency law, with thousands of people on the streets and ongoing terrorist attacks against Pheu-Thai opposition. Nothing to do with the Army.

The elected government were forced to step down as a result of democratic protests. Their attempt to gain a mandate and use it as an excuse to cling on to power (and murdering protesters) failed.

But don't let a good propaganda lie get in the way of the truth will you. Or did you even know it was a lie ?.

[MZurf]

As a native English speaker and a professional engineer, I would say that letter is absolutely nothing like I would expect a formal communication from a representative of the EU Parliament to an impeached PM of a foreign country to look like.

It is appalling : they would never put personal opinion and blatant criticism of the Junta into a communication like that. It is entirely unprofessional - in just about the same degree as Thai politicians are unprofessional. What on Earth does listing previous events have to do with it ?.

And why would they give her alternative locations ?. Sounds like the meeting will be in Starbucks.

There has been something odd about the EU, human rights and Pheu-Thai right form the start. Someone should write back and ask them to investigate these people - though the whole institution is rife with corruption on a huge scale. It's one of the reasons we Brits want out.

This smells bad - and the whole thing is on such a low intellectual level, it smacks of Thai politicians.

"It's one of the reasons we Brits want out."

John, now you're sprouting nonsense again. Has there been a referendum in the UK about this? Will there be a vote on the subject or will you Brits have your right to vote taken away like in Thailand?

[chainarong]

Just to throw a cat among the pigeons why not ask Abhisit to go with Yingluck on the trip, then the EU will get all sides of the story, not just the one Prayut - O wants everyone to believe....................

[Mudlover]

"The period of instability hence appears to continue." Really?

[chainarong]

Why on Earth does the EU need/ want to talk to her except perhaps to make a "fashion" statement about Thailand.

EU, keep your bloody nose out, leave Thailand to muddle along best it can, as it has done for the last zillion years and will do for the foreseeable future.

Same as the US, get your own house in order first before telling others what/ what not to do.

it isn't an invitation by the EU but by 2 individuals

That's close enough.

[FritsSikkink]

Why on Earth does the EU need/ want to talk to her except perhaps to make a "fashion" statement about Thailand.

EU, keep your bloody nose out, leave Thailand to muddle along best it can, as it has done for the last zillion years and will do for the foreseeable future.

Same as the US, get your own house in order first before telling others what/ what not to do.

it isn't an invitation by the EU but by 2 individuals

That's close enough.

it is worth nothing

[dageurreotype]

Yingluck was asked to exchange views with members of the European Parliament (EP) on the political situation in Thailand.

Is it just me or does this statement appear to be a bit fishy?

Thailand is not a member of the EU

Yingluck is being tried for a serious crime, while serving as Prime Minister.

Why would the EU want her to go abroad to exchange views with members of the EU parliament on the political situation in Thailand? to what end? this would be like asking a convicted criminal who claims he is inocent his veiws on the police and the justice system.

Also in todays day and age, if the EU pariament wanted to talk to Yingluck about her views they can easily have a phone/video conference.

'a bit fishy' must be the understatement of the year

[ratcatcher]

Just to throw a cat among the pigeons why not ask Abhisit to go with Yingluck on the trip, then the EU will get all sides of the story, not just the one Prayut - O wants everyone to believe....................

[scorecard]

Fake as a Khao San Rd Degree

Be careful, eating crow may not be your favorite dish.

http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/shinawatra-letter-genuine-and-invite-still-stands-say-meps-319783

MEPs have confirmed that a letter sent to the deposed former Prime Minister of Thailand, Yingluck Shinawatra, is genuine and that their invitation to speak in Brussels, or Strasbourg, about the country’s military junta, still stands.

But a spokesman for Werner Langen, chair of the European Parliament delegation for ASEAN, and one of the signatories of the letter, confirmed to EurActiv that it was genuine, and that the invitation still stood.

A joint statement from Langen, and Elmar Brok, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, is expected later today.

EurActiv revealed yesterday (23 November) that any chance of a free trade agreement with Thailand was off the agenda whist the country was ruled by a military junta.

Such an EU-Thailand FTA had been largely negotiated when the military came to power in a coup in May 2014, deposing Shinawatra.

It was then put on hold.

"A joint statement from Langen, and Elmar Brok, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, is expected later today.

EurActiv revealed yesterday (23 November) that any chance of a free trade agreement with Thailand was off the agenda whist the country was ruled by a military junta.

Such an EU-Thailand FTA had been largely negotiated when the military came to power in a coup in May 2014, deposing Shinawatra.

It was then put on hold."

Who said this?

Is it an official statement from a minister who has the authority to make such a statement, an official statement on behalf of he EU?

Or is it just newspaper talk?

Or is it just the personal opinions of the two who signed the letter, if so they should be reprimanded for using an official EU letterhead.

Lobbying from Thailand has been suggested, let's hear the full details of the suspected lobbying please.

The Thai public should know what the proposed structure of the meeting Is:

- Is it a speech read by madam with no Q&A? Or what....

If it is a just a speech, read by madam, then you can bet your bottom dollar it won't be written by her, therefore not her opinion. It will be written by the most clever speech writer thaksin can find, no expense spared, no boundaries in regard to twisting the truth.

Is it genuine?

Edited November 25, 2015 by scorecard

[TheAppletons]

As a native English speaker and a professional engineer, I would say that letter is absolutely nothing like I would expect a formal communication from a representative of the EU Parliament to an impeached PM of a foreign country to look like.

It is appalling : they would never put personal opinion and blatant criticism of the Junta into a communication like that. It is entirely unprofessional - in just about the same degree as Thai politicians are unprofessional. What on Earth does listing previous events have to do with it ?.

And why would they give her alternative locations ?. Sounds like the meeting will be in Starbucks.

There has been something odd about the EU, human rights and Pheu-Thai right form the start. Someone should write back and ask them to investigate these people - though the whole institution is rife with corruption on a huge scale. It's one of the reasons we Brits want out.

This smells bad - and the whole thing is on such a low intellectual level, it smacks of Thai politicians.

That's awesome....if there's ever a thread about engineering something in the English language, you'll be qualified to offer an opinion. Until then.....

[Jonathon]

The real issue here is the EU's constant interference where it has no business interfering. The last thing that Thailand or any other country needs is their sticking their noses in.

[Srikcir]

"An exchange of views only from Yingluck [to the European Parliament] could be considered as listening to one side of the story. It may show disrespect to Thai law,"

So then did General Prayut show disrespect to Thai Law when he addressed the UN without an opposing side to HIS view of Thailand? By his side one cannot point to the representation of the Thai electorate but only to the minority autocracy that he represents. Or shall we use different standards for freedom of expression depending on who holds absolute power?

[MiKT]

An exchange of views only from Yingluck [to the European Parliament] could be considered as listening to one side of the story. It may show disrespect to Thai law

Disrespect for Thai law? Pot calling the kettle black I think. Or is staging a military coup to remove a democratically-elected government considered the 'norm' in Thailand?

(Actually, looking at Thai history, I think the answer to my question is Yes)

Thailand didn't have a democratically elected government at the time of the coup. It was a caretaker government. The result of pressure from mass protests and a disgraceful attempt to hold an election (with no opposition) during emergency law, with thousands of people on the streets and ongoing terrorist attacks against Pheu-Thai opposition. Nothing to do with the Army.

The elected government were forced to step down as a result of democratic protests. Their attempt to gain a mandate and use it as an excuse to cling on to power (and murdering protesters) failed.

But don't let a good propaganda lie get in the way of the truth will you. Or did you even know it was a lie ?.

As an English speaking Englishman and Professional Engineer I can't believe that you keep on trotting out the same old lies Johnny. Any true Engineer lives by examining the facts and coming to educated conclusions. If you really are an engineer and not the Walter you appear to be you should be ashamed to put out the same old lies in defence of the indefensible. Please change your name you make real English people cringe.

[seajae]

another ptp/red fix to try to get people to feel sorry for yl, even the fact that these people were lobbied to get her there stinks to high heaven, how low with these thaksin puppets go to try to cause problems. Yl has no official position in Thailand as well so why even invite her if not to cause conflict, she is on serious charges(that these morons are trying to denigrate) so she should in no way be allowed to leave while they are before the courts, Then there is the financial side, if she is desperate to go then she should have to lodge a security for the amount being claimed against her so they know she will be back. This is another ptp/red plot to cause sh*t, nothing more, nothing less.

[elgordo38]

Here is your big chance YL. Sell the mushroom farm get out of the dark and into the light. Pack heavy move money out of country. If you have a problem with this ask your brother how it is done. He can get you a foreign passport. Bask in the sun drink mint julips and leave all this behind you. Your alternative is to stay here and face "The night of the long knives" loss of your fortune and at worst 5 years in the slammer. Do they have a jail here with luxury privileges?? Forget that you would not qualify after all is said and done.