'Ko Tee' weapons raid could be political: poll

[webfact]

'Ko Tee' weapons raid could be political: poll
By The Nation

 

BANGKOK: -- POLITICAL motivation could be a factor in the recent seizure of a weapons cache allegedly concealed by red-shirt leader Wuttipong “Ko Tee” Kottham-makhun, according to a Suan Dusit Poll conducted from Monday to Saturday.

 

More than three-fourths of the 1,276 respondents – 76 per cent – believed political and personal factors were at play in the controversial raid by troops and police on a Pathum Thani house formerly occupied by Wuttipong, who is believed to have fled to Laos.

 

Over 74 per cent of the respondents also said the raid reflected the persistent political divide while another 37.6 per cent said it would affect the government’s ongoing reconciliation efforts.

 

Meanwhile, deputy chief of the Department of Special Investigation Pol Colonel Songsak Raksaksakul said the agency would meet this week to discuss the Wuttipong case as some weapons had been linked to a violent political demonstration in 2010.

 

Nine suspects, including Wuttipong, face multiple criminal charges, including terrorism.

 

The Criminal Court rejected their bail applications. Eight of the suspects are detained at Bangkok Remand Prison, while Wuttipong remains at large.

 

Thai authorities are attempting to secure Wuttipong’s extradition in cooperation with Lao authorities.

 

Efforts for extradition

 

Amnaj Chotichai, head of the Office of the Attorney-General’s unit in charge of overseas affairs, said authorities were working on the extradition case. Thai authorities would have to state explicitly that the case was not politically motivated, but rather a criminal and terrorist investigation, to satisfy extradition requirements under a bilateral treaty.

 

At this stage, the DSI and other authorities are preparing the case for the Attorney-General to forward it to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs so that Laotian authorities |can review the Thai extradition request.

 

However, Amnaj said the final decision on extradition rested with the neighbouring country.

 

Surachai Sae Dan, leader of the Daeng Siam group who is exiled in Vientiane, said in a YouTube radio broadcast on Saturday that Thai military leaders had negotiated with Laotian counterparts several times on extradition of fugitive offenders of the Thai less majeste law, but there had been no progress because Laos has no such legislation.

 

Surachai said the Wuttipong case could be seen as a criminal and terrorist act, so Wuttipong and some associates were recently told to leave Laos to ease political pressures.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30310363

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-03-27

[candide]

Dusit poll playing with fire? 

[yellowboat]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Over 74 per cent of the respondents also said the raid reflected the persistent political divide while another 37.6 per cent said it would affect the government’s ongoing reconciliation efforts.

Or rather what reconciliation efforts ?   Doubt many believe in the junta's propaganda anymore.

[whatawonderfulday]

And it took a poll to discover the obvious ?

[chainarong]

Where you have a Junta with no checks and balances and supported by section 44 that can arrest 7 year old girls for interfering with election paper bill boards posted on street poles , there must be some suspicion in all comments and statements made, after all the track record of previous Juntas prior to democratic elections , honesty hasn't been their best point and in a similar poll two weeks back the people where against the junta on that issue ,  some one is waking up besides the students.......................................

[sungod]

8 minutes ago, chainarong said:

Where you have a Junta with no checks and balances and supported by section 44 that can arrest 7 year old girls for interfering with election paper bill boards posted on street poles , there must be some suspicion in all comments and statements made, after all the track record of previous Juntas prior to democratic elections , honesty hasn't been their best point and in a similar poll two weeks back the people where against the junta on that issue ,  some one is waking up besides the students.......................................

Same can be said for democratically elected governments relationship with the police, its been a little lop sided at times.

[hansnl]

1 hour ago, chainarong said:

Where you have a Junta with no checks and balances and supported by section 44 that can arrest 7 year old girls for interfering with election paper bill boards posted on street poles , there must be some suspicion in all comments and statements made, after all the track record of previous Juntas prior to democratic elections , honesty hasn't been their best point and in a similar poll two weeks back the people where against the junta on that issue ,  some one is waking up besides the students.......................................

And you are certain that democratically elected officials have a splendid track record of honesty and truthfulness?

 

And you are absolutely certain checks and balances were there and working when the government was democratic?

 

If you can say yes to both questions it surely is time for you to wake up from dreamland.

If you say no to both questions it shows you are realistic, and are gifted with a good memory.

Edited March 27, 2017 by hansnl

[sweatalot]

as soon as the government does anything (still not enough) against the violent and stealing gang that was part of the so called "democratic government" it seems to be a brainless reflex of some to claim it was "political motivated"  and not an action against criminals