Prosecution witnesses testify in Rohingya trafficking case

BANGKOK:-- The Criminal Court today (Thursday) held an advance hearing to allow three prosecution witnesses to testify in a human trafficking case in which altogether suspects, several of them military officers and local officials in southern provinces, were charged with trafficking of Rohingya illegal immigrants from Myanmar.

Lt-Gen Manas Kongpan, a former army advisor, and Mr Patchubun Ungchotephan, aka Ko Tong, former mayor of Satun provincial administration organization, were among the 88 suspects brought before the court to attend the hearing.

Members of the media were not allowed in the courtroom by the court.

The three prosecution witnesses who are Myanmar nationals were due to testify today and tomorrow.

In order to avoid confrontation between the witnesses and the suspects, the court arranged for a video conference in which the witnesses were to testify in a separate courtroom while the suspects and their lawyers were to hear the testimonies from another room.

The next hearings are scheduled on next January 7-8 and 12-15.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/prosecution-witnesses-testify-in-rohingya-trafficking-case

-- Thai PBS 2015-12-24

No doubt these people will be found not guilty.

After todays KT verdict, this will be just another circus performance to get the result they want.

a few low levels will be found guilty and the military involved let off.

The Thai justice system is just a farce.

After todays KT verdict, this will be just another circus performance to get the result they want.

a few low levels will be found guilty and the military involved let off.

The Thai justice system is just a farce.

Another nail in the coffin for migrant workers. Pol Maj-General Paween Pongsirin we need your testimony. Indict these generals and put a stop to this cruelty.

Members of the media were not allowed in the courtroom by the court.

.. and during New Year holidays the suspects will be released because not enough evidence....

Funny how these verdicts/cases are brought to court on 24 Dec when the western world is busy thinking about Christmas? Almost like the authorities think it will get overlooked by the West?

So are these Burmese witnesses under Police protection ?

they must be VERY brave,or very stupid.

regards Worgeordie

Anyone heard Aung San Suu Kyi speak out about the plight of the Rohingya's?

Thought not.

After todays KT verdict, this will be just another circus performance to get the result they want.

a few low levels will be found guilty and the military involved let off.

The Thai justice system is just a farce.

Another nail in the coffin for migrant workers. Pol Maj-General Paween Pongsirin we need your testimony. Indict these generals and put a stop to this cruelty.

It sounds Machiavellian but do you think that Pol Maj-Gen Paween fled to Australia to ensure that he could not be a witness? Ie has it been engineered just for the duration of the trial? This would weaken the prosecution's case.

Some posters seem to think that the 'influentials' will be found not guilty but think of the outcry if they are and what the US/EU would think when grading Thailand on this issue. Probably better to find them guilty and then give them bail and have the decades long appeals process , before finding them not guilty, or giving suspended sentences.