Yingluck’s supporters threatened over verdict

[webfact]

Yingluck’s supporters threatened over verdict

By POLITICAL DESK 
THE NATION

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha

 

Gatherings OKAY, but coordination banned.

 

BANGKOK: -- THE GOVERNMENT yesterday continued to try to dissuade supporters of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra from gathering in the capital next month for a Supreme Court verdict in the negligence case against her.

 

Key government figures warned gatherings could be deemed contempt of court and lead to unrest or violence. Security authorities also threatened to enforce a junta ban on political gatherings if Yingluck’s supporters are judged to be mobilising politically.

 

Large numbers of Yingluck’s supporters are expected to gather in Bangkok on August 25, when the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division on Political Office Holders is scheduled to deliver its verdict in a case stemming from her government’s rice-pledging scheme. She has been accused of criminal negligence for failing to end the project despite irregularities.

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday said Yingluck’s supporters could run into legal trouble for contempt of court.

 

“People acting in contempt of court risk harsh punishment. So don’t stir up things,” Prayut said during his weekly press briefing at Government House.

 

The penalties for such an offence are one to seven years in prison, a fine of Bt2,000 to Bt14,000, or both.

 

Prayut said authorities would not obstruct gatherings by Yingluck’s supporters, but arranging vehicles loaded with supporters would be deemed “unacceptable”.

 

“I want the public to understand that wrongdoers need to be prosecuted. [The gatherings] won’t do any good and they can’t change the rulings,” the prime minister said.

 

The ruling is expected at about the same time as the junta-formulated “agreement of truth” for reconciliation is released.

 

Asked yesterday if a ruling against Yingluck would create even deeper political fractures and obstruct reconciliation attempts, Prayut replied: “Reconciliation needs to be justifiable by the legal process. Every case needs to go through the normal process. This government is clear with all cases.”

 

Meanwhile, Yingluck said yesterday she would continue to fight to prove her innocence. “What I can say is that I’m still strong and ready to fight to prove my innocence,” the ex-premier said on Facebook.

 

She said moral support from her backers would help bolster her strength and tolerance. 

 

She added that authorities had begun freezing her assets even though the Administrative Court had not ruled on her petition for an injunction.

 

“The government has chosen to go ahead with it because they think they have the power to do whatever they want, without even waiting on the court’s decision on my injunction request,” Yingluck said.

 

“This action creates a condition that could influence the Supreme Court decision on the rice case,” she added.

 

The Department of Legal Execution has moved to freeze 12 of Yingluck’s bank accounts in a civil liability action against her related to the same case. The Finance Ministry, representing the government as the plaintiff, is also pursuing other assets belonging to the ex-premier. 

 

Authorities have issued an executive order for Yingluck to pay Bt35.7 billion in compensation to the state to cover losses stemming from the rice scheme, estimated at Bt500 billion.

 

In May 2015, one year after leaving office, Yingluck reported to the National Anti-Corruption Commission that she had total assets worth Bt610.8 million, including Bt14.2 million in cash and Bt24.9 million in bank deposits.

 

Yingluck was yesterday still waiting for an Administrative Court decision on her request for an injunction regarding the freezing of her assets.

 

The Finance Ministry has continued work to locate Yingluck’s assets in the absence of an injunction, the ministry’s permanent secretary Somchai Sujjapongse said yesterday.

 

Meanwhile, Interior Minister General Anupong Paochinda yesterday said he had assigned provincial governors to make sure peace and order in the areas under their jurisdiction was assured in the run-up to the Supreme Court verdict.

 

He added that there had not been any issues of concern so far and authorities had not targeted any local figures in particular. 

 

But some sources said military authorities had been closely monitoring key red-shirt supporters of Yingluck and her Pheu Thai Party.

 

Anupong also said Yingluck’s supporters should not gather in numbers in Bangkok on the day of the verdict. “I understand what some people think, but we have to put our country first. I hope things will be in order,” he said.

 

Hundreds of Yingluck’s supporters gathered at the Supreme Court last Friday during the final hearing in the case ahead of the verdict. 

 

Meanwhile, a National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) spokesperson said yesterday that the government would follow guidelines laid out by Prayut, in his capacity as the NCPO head, regarding the matter. “We will mainly adhere to the law to ensure peace and order. We will protect the rights of people who may be affected” by a gathering of Yingluck’s supporters, NCPO spokesman Colonel Winthai Suwaree said.

 

Army chief General Chalermchai Sitthisart, deputy director of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), had warned that mobilising people for public gatherings was a violation of the Public Demonstration Act and the NCPO ban on political gatherings of more than four people, Isoc spokesman Colonel Pirawat Sangthong said yesterday.

 

However, an NCPO source said yesterday a strictly neutral interpretation of gatherings by Yingluck’s supporters could not be viewed as political. “But it could be meant to pressure the court.”

 

National Security Council secretary-general Thawip Netniyom yesterday said the agency had not taken any special measures ahead of the court ruling because it did not expect any severe incident or unrest.

 

Pheu Thai politicians yesterday also maintained that there would be not be a coordinated mobilisation of people to support Yingluck. 

 

“Her admirers know that Yingluck is sorrowful that there will be a court verdict on August 25. So they want to give her moral support on their own,” Pheu Thai’s former MP Amnuay Klangpha said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30321791

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-07-26

[tracker1]

I did not know that gathering outside a court could be classed as Contempt of Court then again this is Thailand Prayut said authorities would not obstruct gatherings by Yingluck’s supporters, but arranging vehicles loaded with supporters would be deemed “unacceptable " Very confusing !

[Thechook]

38 minutes ago, tracker1 said:

I did not know that gathering outside a court could be classed as Contempt of Court then again this is Thailand Prayut said authorities would not obstruct gatherings by Yingluck’s supporters, but arranging vehicles loaded with supporters would be deemed “unacceptable " Very confusing !

I think it means you can gather but if you drive a car there with more than 3 passengers then the vehicle would be loaded and that won't be tolerated, unacceptable even if your car is legally registered to carry 5 persons.  I think the same goes for a bus, leave one empty seat and that should be acceptable.  As for the contempt of court, I don't believe the court has ordered the citizens not to come for the verdict and Prayuth is just trying to threaten and intimidate his subservients.

Edited July 25, 2017 by Thechook

[yellowboat]

38 minutes ago, tracker1 said:

I did not know that gathering outside a court could be classed as Contempt of Court then again this is Thailand Prayut said authorities would not obstruct gatherings by Yingluck’s supporters, but arranging vehicles loaded with supporters would be deemed “unacceptable " Very confusing !

Contempt of court outside the court building is a new one.  They just make things up as they go along.  It is a highly creative autocracy.

[alant]

I sense the presence of a lot of brown smelly stuff, bum guns at the ready...

[steven100]

good job Khun Prayuth .....   if they want to make trouble then give them trouble.

They just want to cause fighting.

Lock em up. 

[yellowboat]

22 minutes ago, steven100 said:

good job Khun Prayuth .....   if they want to make trouble then give them trouble.

They just want to cause fighting.

Lock em up. 

Is just showing up making trouble ?  She is beautiful, charming, hard working and popular.  She is a celebrity.  Why wouldn't people go see her?  Think you are and junta are hitting the panic button a little too soon there stevo.  If there is violence, then they should be arrested but do not accuse your fellow Thai of violence prematurely.  That is just fear mongering.

[robblok]

I think what he means is busses full organised by red shirt leaders won't be allowed but going there on ones own accord not from a central organised red shirt meeting will be ok. I think he wants to make sure real protesters come not paid for (here is 500 bt go sit int he bus protesters).

 

I can understand why they don't want red shirts causing trouble, we have all seen the violence and destruction they are capable off last time they were in BKK. Who (besides the red lovers) would want that again. I am all for an normal protest without violence at a location away from the court so they can't pressure the judges. Just remember previously adressen of judges were given out, death threats made. The reds just have a real bad track record and the junta has a right to be worried. 

 

Tough balancing act, giving them room to protest but not letting them threaten people or get violent. 

 

The picture i enclose is of last time they burned coffins of judges.

 

 

Edited July 26, 2017 by robblok

[steven100]

1 minute ago, yellowboat said:

Is just showing up making trouble ?  She is beautiful, charming, hard working and popular.  She is a celebrity.  Why wouldn't people go see her?  Think you are and junta are hitting the panic button a little too soon there stevo.  If there is violence, then they should be arrested but do not accuse your fellow Thai of violence prematurely.  That is just fear mongering.

I guess he doesn't want the red shirt even thinking about causing trouble, hence his warning to them.  It may be a bit of overreacting, however if it stops fighting then it has to be a good thing.  There is nothing wrong with showing up as long as it's peaceful without any plan to cause trouble .....   past history has shown that is difficult for red shirts to do.

[Ricardo]

Perhaps threaten a tax-investigation of any businessmen sympathising with or supporting the rally  ...  there's a precendent for that under an elected-government, dear old DPM Chalerm a few years back.

[yellowboat]

Just now, steven100 said:

I guess he doesn't want the red shirt even thinking about causing trouble, hence his warning to them.  It may be a bit of overreacting, however if it stops fighting then it has to be a good thing.  There is nothing wrong with showing up as long as it's peaceful without any plan to cause trouble .....   past history has shown that is difficult for red shirts to do.

They are your people.  Too bad you cannot live with them. 

[robblok]

2 minutes ago, yellowboat said:

They are your people.  Too bad you cannot live with them. 

I think most people can live with red shirts.. as long as they don't turn violent.. and that is the problem. Their track record and that of their leaders (remember how they incited people to burn BKK ?) is not really that good. 

[Eric Loh]

Prayut is influencing the court by his threats. 

[yellowboat]

3 minutes ago, robblok said:

I think most people can live with red shirts.. as long as they don't turn violent.. and that is the problem. Their track record and that of their leaders (remember how they incited people to burn BKK ?) is not really that good. 

Don't think that was the entire voting block, just a few bad apples.  Don't condone violence of any sort, but when rule of law is in question and free speech is quashed, there will be civil disobedience as there is not outlet for legitimate grievance to be heard.   How does one even begin to reconcile with that?

[Eric Loh]

Let's hope the yellow shirts will not take advantage of the situation and create an incident to give cause for the junta to prolong their illegal stay. They are very good at this.  

[yellowboat]

Just now, Eric Loh said:

Prayut is influencing the court by his threats. 

Was hoping the law would be the only influence.  Of course, how is one to believe in law when you have a government that came to be by the threat of violence, has completely forgiven themselves for all past and future crimes, and came up with a new name for martial law for the sake of tourist revenues ? 

[steven100]

3 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

Let's hope the yellow shirts will not take advantage of the situation and create an incident to give cause for the junta to prolong their illegal stay. They are very good at this.  

well it's good to know that the red shirts have been given prior warning as mentioned earlier, they have a history of causing violence and hopefully the message will get across.

I don't expect any yellow shirt incident as this would be seen as a bad move by most.

[robblok]

8 minutes ago, yellowboat said:

Don't think that was the entire voting block, just a few bad apples.  Don't condone violence of any sort, but when rule of law is in question and free speech is quashed, there will be civil disobedience as there is not outlet for legitimate grievance to be heard.   How does one even begin to reconcile with that?

You don't agree with violence... BUT... 

 

sounds like you agree when it suits you.

 

I do agree that not all red shirts are murderous thugs and that they are in fact not a majority. But there are quite a lot of them for it to be just a few bad apples, and the leaders are violent thugs as we seen when they enticed the burning of BKK asking people to drive over soldiers and take fuel with them to burn BKK. If the leaders are that bad, then the followers are not of a high caliber either.

 

But there is a difference between PTP supporters and redshirts, they are not one and the same. 

[Eric Loh]

Just now, steven100 said:

well it's good to know that the red shirts have been given prior warning as mentioned earlier, they have a history of causing violence and hopefully the message will get across.

I don't expect any yellow shirt incident as this would be seen as a bad move by most.

If it is history of causing violence, then the accolade must surely be given to the yellow shirts in 2005/06 before any red shirts appeared. The yellow shirts will do anything for money especially when rubber farmers are struggling. For them, they are no bad move; just monetary gains just like the hiring of Navy personnel as PDRC guards. But I think this will be peaceful. After October, bets are off.  

[WinnieTheKhwai]

5 minutes ago, robblok said:

You don't agree with violence... BUT... 

 

sounds like you agree when it suits you.

 

Or you can just read his post, and understand what it means.

 

Pathetic.

[robblok]

5 minutes ago, WinnieTheKhwai said:

 

Or you can just read his post, and understand what it means.

 

Pathetic.

I read his post I understood.. it sounded quite nice... not condoning violence.. just like i don't condone it.. but then there came a but. Had he not put that there i would have agreed. I got my belly full of all the violence here by protesters.  (regardless of their color) 

[WhizBang]

This is starting to look like the straw that could brake the camel's back.  Plus it is being handled very badly, and clumsily by Prayut and friends.  Oh well, the junta's use by date ran out a long time ago.  Time for them to leave the stage.

[ben2talk]

Whatever - I just hope there'll be SOME justice for what she did - after her brother gets kicked out she just comes up and uses his rice scheme to get celebrity status whilst the country bled billions of dollars...

 

Her being elected and popular is proof positive that the country doesn't qualify for democracy. You don't let your 3 year old kids vote on whether to eat eggs or chocolate for breakfast.

[yellowboat]

5 minutes ago, robblok said:

You don't agree with violence... BUT... 

 

sounds like you agree when it suits you.

But what ?  What are trying not to say ?  Are you implying the desire for violence ?  Think you have that confused with desire to see rule of law meted out fairly for all, regardless of social status.  

 

But you, on the other hand, seem to think that free speech is a privilege and not a right.  Keep the red shirts out of Bangkok you say over and over and over again.  That is your mantra.  That is around 40% of the population.  Not all are bad and they should be able to go anywhere they like in Thailand, so long as they do not break the law.    You seem to say those who support the Shinawarta are of a lower status. 

[chuang]

Paranoid Paranoid Paranoid.....

[robblok]

1 minute ago, yellowboat said:

But what ?  What are trying not to say ?  Are you implying the desire for violence ?  Think you have that confused with desire to see rule of law meted out fairly for all, regardless of social status.  

 

But you, on the other hand, seem to think that free speech is a privilege and not a right.  Keep the red shirts out of Bangkok you say over and over and over again.  That is your mantra.  That is around 40% of the population.  Not all are bad and they should be able to go anywhere they like in Thailand, so long as they do not break the law.    You seem to say those who support the Shinawarta are of a lower status. 

Yes my mantra is keep them out of BKK, history has shown what they did here. I would not want that, let them cause trouble in Chang Mai. There was one peaceful protest near puttamon sai 3 of the redshirts, if they could repeat it there in the same area no problems at all. 

 

I want rule of law to be fair to all, why else do you think i posted in Jentrop topic and red bull. I don't think we differ much there.

 

I don't see those that support the Shins as of a lower status, only those that are violent. But be honest, if you got leaders that say burn BKK run over people ect. How can you then have peaceful supporters or trust in peaceful gatherings. Did you not see the pic I posted of  the last time red shirts protested against judges ? Have you not read how they at that time passed out phone nrs and addresses of judges.. does that sound peaceful. 

 

Also I made a difference between PTP supporters and red shirts and accept that not all red shirts are violent. 

 

I agreed with all that you said.. just felt the but invalidated it. 

[mercman24]

i just love it, she has still got this lot running scared ..big boss might have the tanks, to take over an elected government, but she still has a huge following, if there ever is an election this lot dont stand a snowballs chance in hell and he jolly well knows it. why do ya think he keeps stalling on the dates. 

[Eric Loh]

20 minutes ago, ben2talk said:

Whatever - I just hope there'll be SOME justice for what she did - after her brother gets kicked out she just comes up and uses his rice scheme to get celebrity status whilst the country bled billions of dollars...

 

Her being elected and popular is proof positive that the country doesn't qualify for democracy. You don't let your 3 year old kids vote on whether to eat eggs or chocolate for breakfast.

Yes, let the uneducated be unrepesented. The sakdina system of keeping the mass submissive to the few mandarins and the military. You still reminiscing for the old days of feudalism and militarism. You are a dinosaur. 

[Lupatria]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

“I want the public to understand that wrongdoers need to be prosecuted."

...unless they are members of certain groups running the show?

[realenglish1]

Her assets are long gone out of the country They are not going to find anything in her name