Yingluck flayed for dragging her feet

[Jonathan Fairfield]

RICE-PLEDGING SCHEME

Yingluck flayed for dragging her feet

BANGKOK:-- THE GOVERNMENT yesterday criticised former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra for prolonging the legal process after she requested another 18 witnesses as part of her trial over the previous elected government’s rice-pledging scheme.

This is the fourth time that Yingluck has asked for additional witnesses, Government Spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said.

He also complained that some of the 18 new witnesses did not appear to have anything to do with the case, such as the former permanent secretary of the Information, Communications and Technology Ministry, a former justice minister and some provincial governors.

"This is nothing but an attempt to drag out the case," he said, adding that the military-led regime was tired of her moves.

Yingluck has been charged with dereliction of duty causing damage, under Section 157 of the Criminal Code, and failure to perform her duty as a state official, under the Anti-Corruption Act 1999, to stop corruption in the rice-pledging scheme. The subsidy programme allegedly caused losses of more than Bt500 billion to the state.

When the investigation process, including testimonies from witnesses, is completed, the Commerce Ministry can then move ahead with demanding compensation for losses allegedly caused by the farmer subsidy programme.

"Every time the testimonies are close to finishing, Yingluck will request more witnesses. This has happened three times already," Sansern said.

He added that many of the so-called witnesses did not cooperate with the fact-finding committee and it often took too long to get them to testify.

"The government has extended the investigation period three times, and this time the deadline was December 30. This means we have given her many chances already, and we cannot tell when she will stop asking for more witnesses," the spokesman said.

Sansern claimed that the government believed in justice and gave defendants every opportunity to prove their innocence. It has never rejected requests for additional witnesses if bringing them on would yield significant or new information that would be useful for the trial, he said.

The public has been waiting for the final answer on the case, and if it goes beyond the statute of limitations, then it would be a loss to the country.

"The fact-finding committee will consider whether the facts found are enough and whether it should allow more witnesses. Then it will propose to the government as to whether or not it should accept her petition and why," he said.

Meanwhile Yingluck's lawyer Norawit Larlang refuted Sansern's criticism and said it only proved the government did not understand its role as a provider of justice, which is a fundamental right protected by every constitution, including the 2014 interim charter adopted by the junta.

He said for the trial, Yingluck had already discussed with the government that the issue of state losses from the scheme should be decided by a court. The government, as a stakeholder, should not investigate or give any judgement, the lawyer explained.

When the government had itself decided to examine the case, it should not complain that it is 'tired' of facilitating the judicial process, Norawit noted. The lawyer said the 18 additional witnesses were all relevant to the case. Besides, the trial would not end until February 2017. The rush to close the case could only be deemed that it wanted the file for the use of the testification of the witnesses on the investigator's side on January 25, 2016, he said and questioned whether the government is neglecting its role as the 'justice provider'.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Yingluck-flayed-for-dragging-her-feet-30275973.html

-- The Nation 2016-01-01

[halloween]

Why doesn't she add every rice farmer who benefited under the scam to testify the extent of that benefit?

Hmm, on second thoughts, cross examination as to their level of wealth might not help her case.

[AGareth2]

Dragging it on!

but that is the justice system here

can she make 10 years?

[kartman]

Dragging it on!

but that is the justice system here

can she make 10 years?

Or the next change of Government, oh just realised won't be in that time frame.

[MaeJoMTB]

Can she make it to the revolution?

[Reigntax]

Since when does the government have a say in the judicial process. This just confirms they are running the system for their own agenda because for a justice system to function correctly, it must be beyond any political interference.

And I'll add, for any person of authority to make such a comment would have him charged with contempt of court and publishing such comment, when a person is deemed innocent until proven guilty, would likely lead to any charges being dismissed.

Edited January 1, 2016 by Reigntax

[sharecropper]

I'd have thought the 'Cronies That Be' would have been delighted with this delay, because everyone knows she won't get a fair hearing and when she gets time, there could be a very serious backlash.

The worst thing she did was try to bring in the former amnesty, when people rightly took to the streets to protest, yet when this lot gave themselves one, for one of the most heinous crimes one can commit in a country, not a peep from the hypocritcial Street Rabble in Bangkok.

Until the blimp and the bomb detector buyers/profiteers are in the dock, we can safely assume that 2016 will be Business As Usual for the Elite.

[AGareth2]

Since when does the government have a say in the judicial process. This just confirms they are running the system for their own agenda because for a justice system to function correctly, it must be beyond any political interference.

S 44

[ginjag]

Her government was a corrupt joke, now abusing the power she does not hold, and her brother is nowhere to be seen to help her out the dung HE CREATED.

[jucel]

What about the dereliction of duty when buying Chakri Naruebet? A total waste of taxpayers money & there are still ongoing costs!

[stickyrice2000]

This is like a water in your mouth. You know what happened, but you cannot speak. The power falls to the other side. Poor her.

[MorristheRunt]

Can she make it to the revolution?

The revolution will not be televised!

[Reigntax]

Can she make it to the revolution?

It may be the eventual trigger.

[phoenixdoglover]

It is amazing...the tendency for police and government officials to make highly prejudicial public statements in the middle of critical legal proceedings.

So much grist for reform.

We are blessed however to have the full might of government power descend on the street racers.

Priorities must be maintained.

[petedk]

Can she make it to the revolution?

What revolution???

99% of the people like this government.

[z42]

Most of what this Sanserm chap says is itter toilet. But on this case i concur with him, but yes i also realize that he should not be saying it.

At the start, think long and hard about who will help you to fight the charges you face and get them on board or on a secondary / back up list.

Calling new people 3 extra times is farcical. If she was really innocent of dereliction of duty she'd simply be able to show written records of appropriate meetings SHE attended steps that were taken due to HER orders, and solutons given by HER that were actioned by her team.

The fact she is hesitant to do any of this raises serious doubts about her ability to fight the charges of dereliction of duty

[robblok]

Most of what this Sanserm chap says is itter toilet. But on this case i concur with him, but yes i also realize that he should not be saying it.

At the start, think long and hard about who will help you to fight the charges you face and get them on board or on a secondary / back up list.

Calling new people 3 extra times is farcical. If she was really innocent of dereliction of duty she'd simply be able to show written records of appropriate meetings SHE attended steps that were taken due to HER orders, and solutons given by HER that were actioned by her team.

The fact she is hesitant to do any of this raises serious doubts about her ability to fight the charges of dereliction of duty

She is just doing what others would do to, trying to delay it hoping that a change of government would see the charges dropped.

Of course I would have done the same, to save my skin.

But yes she is just dragging her feet and if the courts are serious they will put a stop to it.

[ratcatcher]

Yingluck flayed for dragging her feet

Perhaps that headline is just a tad sensational?

From the definitions below only two are relevant.

#4, which has already happened and #2, which may happen if she is found guilty.

Only her harshest critics would wish #1 and #3 to happen.

flayed, flay·ing, flays

1. To strip off the skin or outer covering of.

2. To strip of money or goods; fleece.

3. To whip or lash.

4. To assail with stinging criticism; excoriate.

[tuanku]

Seems to me there are 2 options for the Junta;

1. they can use their unlimited powers to railroad the decision the way they intend it to go or

2.they can reform the justice system

I guess it will be the easier and quicker of those two.

[bino]

flayed, flay·ing, flays

1. To strip off the skin or outer covering of.

2. To strip of money or goods; fleece.

3. To whip or lash.

4. To assail with stinging criticism; excoriate.

I don't disagree with you... but flaying (#1) just might be the only way to save her skin in this debacle.

[Denim]

Yingluck flayed for dragging her feet

Perhaps that headline is just a tad sensational?

From the definitions below only two are relevant.

#4, which has already happened and #2, which may happen if she is found guilty.

Only her harshest critics would wish #1 and #3 to happen.

flayed, flay·ing, flays

1. To strip off the skin or outer covering of.

2. To strip of money or goods; fleece.

3. To whip or lash.

4. To assail with stinging criticism; excoriate.

If the government were really sincere about returning happiness to at least some of the people they would use article 44 to force a native English speaker to be employed as a proof reader at The Nation.

Such a benign move would be hailed and lauded by everyone.

[eggers]

Really..... more witnesses!!

Surprised she hasn't sought a couple of cleaners & gardeners at Gov't House as witnesses....that would be a good cross section of frmr ministers!!

[ezzra]

Delay, delay, delay, and than delay some more... every green lawyer will tell you that

this is the essential thing to do, given time, memories fades, and people change,

and use to be down is now up... so she plays for time as much as she can....

[oneday]

"This is nothing but an attempt to drag out the case," he said, adding that the military-led regime was tired of her moves.

So what! Anyone of the people in power now would be doing the exact same thing if it were them up on these ridiculous charges. Who wouldn't be deeply concerned with a thoroughly biased government and court system as demonstration by all the red shirts put in jail and nary a yellow seeing a day of jail. She may have had bad judgement with this rice scheme, but that is all she can be accused of and that is not a jail-able offense. The junta is just looking to bury the red shirts and she is the only prime Thaksin symbol they can get at.

We've seen how far this government will go to get what they want in the recent Koh Tao murder case. Wouldn't you be afraid knowing there is no justice in Thailand these days?

Edited January 1, 2016 by oneday

[WitawatWatawit]

Yingluck flayed for dragging her feet

Perhaps that headline is just a tad sensational?

From the definitions below only two are relevant.

#4, which has already happened and #2, which may happen if she is found guilty.

Only her harshest critics would wish #1 and #3 to happen.

flayed, flay·ing, flays

1. To strip off the skin or outer covering of.

2. To strip of money or goods; fleece.

3. To whip or lash.

4. To assail with stinging criticism; excoriate.

If the government were really sincere about returning happiness to at least some of the people they would use article 44 to force a native English speaker to be employed as a proof reader at The Nation.

Such a benign move would be hailed and lauded by everyone.

Truly literate native English speakers are a rare find these days. Especially in this literary backwater.

[Langsuan Man]

The Military Bully Boys have Article 44

And Yinluck has the Thai judicial system, seems fair to me

[billphillips]

"This is nothing but an attempt to drag out the case," he said, adding that the military-led regime was tired of her moves.

I would imagine that Yingluck is more tired of the government moves and its haste to announce the (possibly pre-determined) verdict. The legal system is in place for all prosecutors and defenders to use / misuse to their own advantage. Why call foul when it's not going your way?

[trogers]

Dragging it on!

but that is the justice system here

can she make 10 years?

Ten years? She is just aiming for the Olympics...

[darren84310]

Dragging her feet..... she should get a job in McDonalds.

[TheCruncher]

Can she make it to the revolution?

What revolution???

99% of the people like this government.

Please no exaggerations here, it is only 98.2%