Former PDRC leader Suthep is ready to defend himself against the EC's lawsuit

[webfact]

Former PDRC leader Suthep is ready to defend himself against the EC's lawsuit



BANGKOK: -- Former leader of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee Suthep Thuagsuban announced Tuesday that he is ready to fight the case filed against him by the Election Commission for blocking the February 2, 2014 election.

Similar charge was also lodged against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra by the EC demanding a total of2.4 billion baht in compensation from both the two defendants.

Suthep denied that the collapse of the election was not the fault of the PDRC and he wanted to prove to the court that election could not be staged on that particular day.

The former PDRC leader admitted he didn’t know whether the lawsuit against him to seek a huge amount of compensation actually stemmed from the fact that the EC is now experiencing financial problem.

He said he was glad that the EC decided to sue him and Ms Yingluck because this would provide him with a chance to clear himself for being responsible for causing the collapse of the election.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/154132


-- Thai PBS 2016-03-09

[Thechook]

I thought Yingluk wanted the election and Suthep and his band disrupted by blocking passage to booths, intimidating and assaulting candidates and voters. Why is Yingluk charged with offences committed by this person? He will walk as he has been in bed with the military from the start paving the way for the coup. He has held demonstrations since the coup and nothing was said whilst a few students speaking out against corruption were arrested.

[canuckamuck]

I am sure that he is very concerned about his future and the decision of the court.

[aussieinthailand]

Not to difficult to prove guilt in this case really, plenty of video evidence out there of him actively supporting the blocking of the election.

But as usual most can guess the out come...

Most of his supporters on TV would admit if (being honest) that he did have a very large hand in blocking the election.

" he wanted to prove to the court that the election could not be staged on that particular day" What was wrong with that particular day???

If it were held the next day then ok? or the next after that? maybe the week after then all good? What a load of .................!

If that's his best defense then a better lawyer may be necessary? Case closed.

[bobmac10]

He'll get off.

Odds 1000 to 1 that he doesn't.

[canuckamuck]

He handed the power block at least 4 resistance free years of skimming, manipulating, and rewriting the rules to ensures decades more of living above the law. Will the establishment now punish him?

[arrowsdawdle]

Wink-wink.

Stuphet is as Stuphet does.

[Squeegee]

"Suthep denied that the collapse of the election was not the fault of the PDRC...."

Yeah, he's right to deny that it wasn't their fault, because it was their fault, but something tells me Thai PBS need to sack the translator.

[Srikcir]

he wanted to prove to the court that election could not be staged on that particular day.

As 90% of votes were successfully cast on that particular day in compliance with the Royal Decree, Suthep will have to offer a very innovative excuse. The Decree was made only after both the PM Yingluck and the EC agreed to that particular day.

Maybe Suthep will insist that there was some technical problem at the blocked polls that prevented 10% of the voters from voting. For example, blank ballots came from an unrecognized source. The PDRC did in fact attempt to block shipment of blank ballots to the polls. Perhaps Suthep will argue the PDRC was actually doing the voters a favor by blocking the polls.

Otherwise, it would appear that Suthep would have to place blame in part with the EC and the Issuer of the Royal Decree. And that will be a very slippery slope to climb. Best Prayut just grant Suthep amnesty. Suthep has had too much judicial coddling with all the charges he's evaded.

PS: The election did not collapse.One hundred percent of Thais who decided to vote did in fact get to vote. But it was the Constitutional Court that invalidated the entire election results because the 10% of voters who were prevented from voting on election day were allowed to vote on another day two weeks later.

[Sarathi]

The EC did request the election be delayed, but YL refused stating that the constitution stipulated an election within 90 days of the dissolution of her government. She said if she did not comply with the constitution on this score they would accuse her of trying to prolong the caretaker government. She also said she would accept a delay in the election if the EC would do so under their own authority.

[elgordo38]

I am sure that he is very concerned about his future and the decision of the court.

Methinks he is holding a "Get Out Of Jail Free" card. He has some pretty powerful protectors.

Edited March 9, 2016 by elgordo38

[candide]

What will be the outcome: Suthep cleared and YL convicted? Hmmmmm....

[tbthailand]

not his fault...

The election "collapsed" due to those numskulls trying to vote...

Exhibit A:

[candide]

What will be the outcome: Suthep cleared and YL convicted? Hmmmmm....

It is not a completely wild idea. We all know what the real orders were, but Suthep had been quite cautious and angel-like in his public statements. He could well argue in front of a possibly sympathetic court that protesters did not follow his recommandations.

Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has vowed not to stop people from voting, while calling for a peaceful blockade of roads in the city.

"The people will not close the polling booths," he said.

"If anyone comes to try to cause trouble, we absolutely will not argue with them. We won't do anything that will hinder people from going to vote."

Mr Suthep said protesters should not fight voters.

"In the south, for those who are surrounding the places where ballots are being collected, surround them as usual, but I ask that you sit there peacefully," he said.

"Don't back down, don't run away, and do not fight them, just pray.

"I believe that this poll will be voided for sure"

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-01/an-bangkok-tense-on-eve-of-thailand-election/5232840

[Ulic]

Will be found guilty in some minor way and get a fully suspended sentence.