Surapong in the dock over Thaksin's passports

[rooster59]

Surapong in the dock over Thaksin's passports

By NUNTIDA PUANGTHONG
THE SUNDAY NATION

 

 

FORMER foreign minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul has made headlines again after the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) voted unanimously to seek criminal action against him and also his impeachment over his decision to reissue passports to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

 

The national anti-graft agency accused Surapong, a key politician from the Pheu Thai Party, of malfeasance and dereliction of duty under the Penal Code and of violating ethical standards under Prime Minister’s Office regulations for political appointees.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30306683

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-02-19

[Reigntax]

So all the military should have their passports revoked also? Of course not. They are the protectors of the country and principles and do it so lawfully. Right ?

[leeneeds]

Concoction of greed, mate-ship, and total disrespect for the law of the land,

no thought of  the Thai people

who they where supposed to serve,

just reward for his part in the making of the soup.

[colinneil]

Dereliction of duty, so what i was helping my old pal Thaksin.

Got some serious money for doing it.

[craigt3365]

1 hour ago, Reigntax said:

So all the military should have their passports revoked also? Of course not. They are the protectors of the country and principles and do it so lawfully. Right ?

Did any of them have their passports issued by a standing minister while they were out of the country avoiding legal charges?

[mtls2005]

The national anti-graft agency accused Surapong, a key politician from the Pheu Thai Party, 

 

It is amazing how "efficient" these "anti-xxxxx" agencies", and the "judicial" system can be when it involves red-shirts.

 

The hunt for Red-Shirts will never end. All in the name of "reconciliation".

[IMA_FARANG]

Who cares

Old news from the past anyhow.

That nonsense is yesterday.

 

[craigt3365]

1 minute ago, mtls2005 said:

The national anti-graft agency accused Surapong, a key politician from the Pheu Thai Party, 

 

It is amazing how "efficient" these "anti-xxxxx" agencies", and the "judicial" system can be when it involved red-shirts.

 

The hunt for Red-Shirts will never end. All in the name of "reconciliation".

I'm neither red nor yellow...nor anything else.  But it makes sense you'll see more of their members get into trouble.  They were in power for a majority of the past 20 years or so.  Makes sense they'd be more in the news for stuff like this.  Not saying the other parties are any better....

[Reigntax]

27 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

Did any of them have their passports issued by a standing minister while they were out of the country avoiding legal charges?

 

No, the were in the country avoiding legal charges by granting themselves amnesty.

[robblok]

9 minutes ago, Reigntax said:

 

No, the were in the country avoiding legal charges by granting themselves amnesty.

You really don't get it.. or don't want top get it... the military did not have their passport revoked. They had not fled the country to avoid a load of court-cases that could send him away for a long time. Surapong was aiding  a convicted criminal on the run. Look up what that gets you in the USA. 

[mtls2005]

3 minutes ago, robblok said:

You really don't get it.. or don't want top get it... the military did not have their passport revoked. They had not fled the country to avoid a load of court-cases that could send him away for a long time. Surapong was aiding  a convicted criminal on the run. Look up what that gets you in the USA. 

 

I'd submit that it is you who doesn't "get it". When you grant yourself retroactive amnesty you can get away with anything.

 

And read up a bit on Thai history. Many, many, many military and yellow politicians, and their family members, have done a runner with Thai passports in hand. Most after committing serious crimes, only to return shortly after the statute of limitations is met.

 

Any "government" needs to govern equally and fairly, for the good of all the people. And laws must be applied equally and fairly. And the "law" can't be used to prosecute only political enemies. 

[robblok]

7 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

 

I'd submit that it is you who doesn't "get it". When you grant yourself retroactive amnesty you can get away with anything.

 

And read up a bit on Thai history. Many, many, many military and yellow politicians, and their family members, have done a runner with Thai passports in hand. Most after committing serious crimes, only to return shortly after the statute of limitations is met.

 

Any "government" needs to govern equally and fairly, for the good of all the people. And laws must be applied equally and fairly. And the "law" can't be used to prosecute only political enemies. 

Oh dear an other who.. but they.. no Thaksin was wrong and something was done against him. There are also countless of reds on the run with their passport but here something was done and by an illegal act was his passport given back. 

 

The PTP played the same games (actually they all play the same games) they all go after their enemies when in power. Payback is a bitch for the PTP being so long in power suppressing so many and now getting a taste of their won medicine.

 

I prefer equal justice.. but it just does not happen here. So I rather have it that they go after their enemies because otherwise nobody ever gets punished. 

[mtls2005]

So I rather have it that they go after their enemies because otherwise nobody ever gets punished. 

 

 

And therein lies the problem.

 

Thank you for so succinctly distilling down the recurring problems to a simple, honest statement.

 

Four legs good, two legs bad.

[aussieinthailand]

I have no doubt that Thaksin's passport was returned to him  unlawfully, and the person responsible for issuing it should be held accountable.

The problem most reasonable people have is that the law's are not applied to all equally, eg; Thaksins son's legal case is being taken over personally by DIS head, while the junta leader's nephew's legal case has been suspended.

 

[robblok]

3 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

So I rather have it that they go after their enemies because otherwise nobody ever gets punished. 

 

 

And therein lies the problem.

 

Thank you for so succinctly distilling down the recurring problems to a simple, honest statement.

 

Four legs good, two legs bad.

The problem is that the PTP.. army.. democrats.. whoever is in power always go after their enemies.. none seems to be interested in going after their own. So the only things that work here are regular government changes so enemies on both sides get punished. Before it was the PTP going after their enemies.. now its the army.. far from perfect.. but better then all those fat cats getting away with whatever they want. 

[craigt3365]

4 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

So I rather have it that they go after their enemies because otherwise nobody ever gets punished. 

 

 

And therein lies the problem.

 

Thank you for so succinctly distilling down the recurring problems to a simple, honest statement.

 

Four legs good, two legs bad.

I think what he's saying is it's good somebody who broke a law gets sentenced.  Regardless of their political slant.  Too often here, they get way with this stuff.

[robblok]

1 minute ago, aussieinthailand said:

I have no doubt that Thaksin's passport was returned to him  unlawfully, and the person responsible for issuing it should be held accountable.

The problem most reasonable people have is that the law's are not applied to all equally, eg; Thaksins son's legal case is being taken over personally by DIS head, while the junta leader's nephew's legal case has been suspended.

 

The junta leaders nephew case was one of countless cases suspended.. not singled out at all.. was non news.  All these cases will be worked on once the new laws come into effect.

 

It was exactly the same under the PTP they also went after their enemies no different then what the army is doing now. They are all guilty for the same thing and their supporters crying when its their turn to get punished. 

[robblok]

1 minute ago, craigt3365 said:

I think what he's saying is it's good somebody who broke a law gets sentenced.  Regardless of their political slant.  Too often here, they get way with this stuff.

What I am saying is indeed its good that people get punished.. and bad that it only happens when their enemies are in power.. but that is how its played here.. the PTP did the same thing.. 

 

So I am happy with anyone who gets punished because they can't be punished for following the law so they are punished for real crimes. 

[robblok]

During the PTP reign cases were stalled.. the DSI used as their personal attack dog and released at their enemies (remember Tarit). Now the junta is doing exactly the same thing and people are complaining. They did not complain when it was their side who did the same thing.

 

Face it.. this is the only way some of the fat cats will get punished. During the reign of their party they are untouchable.. only later can get punished.

 

This is how it works here and it won't change, I can bet you if the PTP gets in power certain cases will be stalled others sped up.. and their enemies percecuted. That is just how it is. So now they have to suck it up and take it.. they dished it out too.

 

The only protection against this is not committing crimes, be clean and they don't have anything on you. 

[aussieinthailand]

3 minutes ago, robblok said:

The junta leaders nephew case was one of countless cases suspended.. not singled out at all.. was non news.  All these cases will be worked on once the new laws come into effect.

 

It was exactly the same under the PTP they also went after their enemies no different then what the army is doing now. They are all guilty for the same thing and their supporters crying when its their turn to get punished. 

Sorry mate have to disagree with you on the junta's nephew's case was selected to be suspended and many other cases along with his to give the false impression of non-bias.  Do you really believe that BS the junta buddy's are telling the public???

Yes each side go'es after their enemies once in power, that's the way they do it here and yes I understand your thinking that ok better some people getting punished than no one being punished. And now it's the junta's turn in power and they have a real hatred for any and all PTP members. Are charges against some people politically motivated YES do all sides do it YES, but that doesn't make it right.

[robblok]

2 minutes ago, aussieinthailand said:

Sorry mate have to disagree with you on the junta's nephew's case was selected to be suspended and many other cases along with his to give the false impression of non-bias.  Do you really believe that BS the junta buddy's are telling the public???

Yes each side go'es after their enemies once in power, that's the way they do it here and yes I understand your thinking that ok better some people getting punished than no one being punished. And now it's the junta's turn in power and they have a real hatred for any and all PTP members. Are charges against some people politically motivated YES do all sides do it YES, but that doesn't make it right.

Its not right.. but did not hear the reds protesting when their guys went after their enemies. Its now your time to suck it up and accept it, if your guys were clean they would not have a thing on them. Who knows if they get in power maybe they can go after Prayut his nephew (I would certainly applaud it).

 

Thing is this is the way it is.. its not right but you will see the PTP won't change it either. I bet I won't see you protest if they are in power against the bias enforcement that will happen. It has happened in the past will happen again. 

 

I prefer an other way.. but that is not the way here, but unlike you I will be applauding when people go down for doing bad things. What surapong did was a crime it certainly was not legal he was aiding and abetting a criminal on the run. Had he not done it he would not be open for a punishment.

 

Now if they catch people on my side doing bad things and corruption I won't complain.. seems you just think its unfair that your side is taking a beating even though you know and accept your side did the same thing before. 

[mtls2005]

Now the junta is doing exactly the same thing

 

So I guess maintaining the status quo is progress? What is that quote about repeating the same thing, and expecting a different result?

 

All these cases will be worked on once the new laws come into effect.

 

5-5-5, maybe cut back on the Yellow Kool-Aid?

 

Must add this to the "Three Biggest Lies" list.

 

"We're from the NCPO and we're here to help."

 

 

[craigt3365]

23 minutes ago, aussieinthailand said:

Sorry mate have to disagree with you on the junta's nephew's case was selected to be suspended and many other cases along with his to give the false impression of non-bias.  Do you really believe that BS the junta buddy's are telling the public???

Yes each side go'es after their enemies once in power, that's the way they do it here and yes I understand your thinking that ok better some people getting punished than no one being punished. And now it's the junta's turn in power and they have a real hatred for any and all PTP members. Are charges against some people politically motivated YES do all sides do it YES, but that doesn't make it right.

Not all in the military hate PTP members.  Remember the "watermelons"?  Men in Black?  Seh Daeng?  The army not stopping trains of protesters going into Bangkok?  Etc, etc, etc.

 

As an aside, I believe little of what any government here says.  The former finance minister even admitted he lied to the public.  To make them happy. LOL

[hansnl]

1 hour ago, mtls2005 said:

 

I'd submit that it is you who doesn't "get it". When you grant yourself retroactive amnesty you can get away with anything.

 

And read up a bit on Thai history. Many, many, many military and yellow politicians, and their family members, have done a runner with Thai passports in hand. Most after committing serious crimes, only to return shortly after the statute of limitations is met.

 

Any "government" needs to govern equally and fairly, for the good of all the people. And laws must be applied equally and fairly. And the "law" can't be used to prosecute only political enemies. 

The law, sir, is an ass, sir.

Anywhere on this earth, sir.

[Get Real]

I suppose he have other passports from other countries, so really not a big issue. Maybe even better if they let him keep his passports from start. Then they would have at least been able to track his moves.

[aussieinthailand]

11 minutes ago, robblok said:

Its not right.. but did not hear the reds protesting when their guys went after their enemies. Its now your time to suck it up and accept it, if your guys were clean they would not have a thing on them. Who knows if they get in power maybe they can go after Prayut his nephew (I would certainly applaud it).

 

Thing is this is the way it is.. its not right but you will see the PTP won't change it either. I bet I won't see you protest if they are in power against the bias enforcement that will happen. It has happened in the past will happen again. 

 

I prefer an other way.. but that is not the way here, but unlike you I will be applauding when people go down for doing bad things. What surapong did was a crime it certainly was not legal he was aiding and abetting a criminal on the run. Had he not done it he would not be open for a punishment.

 

Now if they catch people on my side doing bad things and corruption I won't complain.. seems you just think its unfair that your side is taking a beating even though you know and accept your side did the same thing before. 

I will refer you to my post #15.

"I have no doubt that Thaksin's passport was returned to him unlawfully, and the person responsible for issuing it should be held accountable."  

I'm happy he is being held accountable as I said in my post, If you break the law you should be punished regardless of your political persuasion. Sometimes just being clean/innocent/not corrupt is not enough, there are many many people that were innocent and were punished and gaoled with manufactured evidence, eg; the lady in the hit and run case and police threatening people with lawsuit. The Koh Tao Burmese two that are in gaol still, The old couple gaoled for illegal logging when they were in fact picking mushrooms. So just being clean/innocent/not corrupt is not always enough in the land of scams...

The judicial system is bias in a very big way, if you think about it who the PTP's enemies are?  well that would be the military, the yellow?Democrats and the courts.

 

[scorecard]

1 hour ago, aussieinthailand said:

I will refer you to my post #15.

"I have no doubt that Thaksin's passport was returned to him unlawfully, and the person responsible for issuing it should be held accountable."  

I'm happy he is being held accountable as I said in my post, If you break the law you should be punished regardless of your political persuasion. Sometimes just being clean/innocent/not corrupt is not enough, there are many many people that were innocent and were punished and gaoled with manufactured evidence, eg; the lady in the hit and run case and police threatening people with lawsuit. The Koh Tao Burmese two that are in gaol still, The old couple gaoled for illegal logging when they were in fact picking mushrooms. So just being clean/innocent/not corrupt is not always enough in the land of scams...

The judicial system is bias in a very big way, if you think about it who the PTP's enemies are?  well that would be the military, the yellow?Democrats and the courts.

 

And perhaps you might like to refer back to the open ignoring and breaking of laws / court decisions / lack of process / selective lack of process etc etc., when your beloved idol and his family controlled the whole situation. 

 

Further, did you ever consider that the total number of cases against the dems (who certainly have their faults) is way way less than those against your wonderful shin family and their red machine. Ahh the udd / red machine the bastions of democracy. 

[Baerboxer]

16 hours ago, Reigntax said:

So all the military should have their passports revoked also? Of course not. They are the protectors of the country and principles and do it so lawfully. Right ?

 

Silly comparison.

 

Do you know the facts of the case? Care to comment on his actions or his decision to ignore the Ombudsman's repeated questions on them?

[Baerboxer]

14 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

The national anti-graft agency accused Surapong, a key politician from the Pheu Thai Party, 

 

It is amazing how "efficient" these "anti-xxxxx" agencies", and the "judicial" system can be when it involves red-shirts.

 

The hunt for Red-Shirts will never end. All in the name of "reconciliation".

 

He isn't a red shirt. He is a member of the PTP, and a former minister. He opened the foreign ministry especially when the government complexes were shut due to the worst floods in living memory to issue a new passport (and apparently a diplomatic one) for his cousin who has a convicted criminal on the run wasn't entitled. He then apparently hand delivered it to him in Dubai as a birthday surprise.

 

So stop trying to pretend this is anti reconciliation. It's about a minister flaunting the law and wasting tax payers money to <deleted> up to his cousin who happens to be his boss.

[Baerboxer]

14 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

 

I'd submit that it is you who doesn't "get it". When you grant yourself retroactive amnesty you can get away with anything.

 

And read up a bit on Thai history. Many, many, many military and yellow politicians, and their family members, have done a runner with Thai passports in hand. Most after committing serious crimes, only to return shortly after the statute of limitations is met.

 

Any "government" needs to govern equally and fairly, for the good of all the people. And laws must be applied equally and fairly. And the "law" can't be used to prosecute only political enemies. 

 

None of which excuses the actions of this ex Minister. Nor does it have any bearing on this case. 

 

You might care to remember that it was pursuing a general amnesty for their boss that brought PTP down in the end. And really, are you so naive to pretend the Shins ruled fairly - 555! They rules in their own favor, changed laws to suit themselves or ignored laws and court decisions they didn't like, Thaksin is sitting out the statute of limitations on some very serious outstanding cases. Then he still has to deal with the conviction, sentence and jumping bail. Thaksin and his clan also made full use of the law to persecute and silence opponents when they could.