Pheu Thai’s Watana risks arrest over his Yingluck FB posts

[rooster59]

Pheu Thai’s Watana risks arrest over his Yingluck FB posts

By THE SUNDAY NATION

 

 

WATANA MUANGSOOK, a key Pheu Thai Party figure, risks prosecution for instigating unrest and violating the computer crimes law with his Facebook posts regarding the junta’s actions during the trial of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

 

Pol Colonel Chakrit Sawasdee, deputy commander of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), said yesterday that the police were considering whether Watana could be deemed to have broken the law, possibly its Article 14 which prohibits posting “distorted” information on the Internet.

 

On Friday, police filed a complaint against Watana for breaking the penal code’s Article 116 for instigation, as the former minister had published on his Facebook page several posts blaming what he called the junta government’s legal bias against its political opponents.

 

His posts from July 19 to 26 criticised the new draft bill on criminal procedures against political office holders, which is widely believed to be aimed at self-exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He also posted about the coming verdict in Yingluck’s case regarding her alleged negligence in managing her government’s rice-pledging scheme.

 

In those posts, he encouraged the public to gather and give courage to Yingluck at the court on Tuesday, when she will give her final closing statement, and on August 25, when her verdict will be read.

 

The accusation against Watana was made to the CSD by Special Branch police officers as the government has cited public order as a reason for people not to gather in mass at the court on those days.

 

Chakrit said yesterday that the CSD has not yet issued a warrant against Watana, as they still had to gather further evidence.

 

Despite the fact that he is likely to face charges, Watana insisted on encouraging people to provide moral support to Yingluck.

 

“It’s our freedom to give courage to Yingluck,” Watana said in a Facebook post yesterday. “Asking people to support her doesn’t break the law, because we won’t gather to change laws, overthrow the government, or create conflicts.”

 

Watana said that any gathering should be regarded as a custom – an act that is allowed and exempted under the law on public assembly.

 

His criticism of public figures – the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) in this case – should also not be deemed as instigation, he said.

 

Watana, who had several records of being summoned by the NCPO, added that the junta and the police already have his contacts in hand and should be able to approach him directly should they want to summon him.

 

Apart from Watana, police are seeking three more people for allegedly instigating unrest in the Yingluck case. The court has been considering the issuance of arrest warrants for the three, deputy national police chief General Srivara Ransibrahmanakul said on Thursday.

 

Meanwhile, an NCPO source yesterday said that its evaluations so far had not suggested the likelihood of conflict outside court. However, people have been advised to stay put rather than go to court to support Yingluck on Tuesday.

 

The source cited Prime Minister and NCPO head General Prayut Chan-o-cha as saying on Tuesday that arranging trucks and cars full of people to go to the court could “risk violating laws”.

 

Any supporters are expected to travel from metropolitan areas, given that the North and Northeastern parts of Thailand, which are Pheu Thai strongholds, have been inundated with floods over the past week.

 

“The court has its security system and the police will oversee outside the court’s compound,” the source said. “We won’t stop them, but we ask them to come and go and not put pressure on police and court officials.”

 

Measures for August 25 will be considered later, the source added.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30322210

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-07-30

[leeneeds]

Does S_ _ _ stick to a blanket.

[yellowboat]

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

“We won’t stop them, but we ask them to come and go and not put pressure on police and court officials.”

That is all you can ask.

[quadperfect]

1 person is willing to risk freedom in the name of it. Brave man.

[sweatalot]

2 hours ago, quadperfect said:

1 person is willing to risk freedom in the name of it. Brave man.

I suspect he is risking freedom for more money from the desert.

[robblok]

2 hours ago, yellowboat said:

That is all you can ask.

I thought they still were able to ban gatherings, I just don't want to see any violence again. The likely hood of them committing violence or trying to pressure the judges is quite high. In previous gatherings they were giving out addresses and phone nr's of judges and burning coffins. 

 

Now if they can hold a peaceful protests and leave after that I have no problems at all. But I doubt it, with leaders who in the past told them to bring fuel to Bangkok and burn it and drive over people who stood in their way. Now I just hope I am wrong but I think its a big mistake to allow them to mobilize. Maybe they should held the leaders personally responsible for any violence that would stop it for sure. These guys prefer others to take the fall for them.  

[seajae]

simply making sure he keeps getting his payments from the boss, thats all any of the ptp/reds do, calling for gatherings which normally lead to violence is what they do best, they dont do it themselves but expect their minions to do it for them.

[rkidlad]

The law is whatever we say it is! You must respect it! (And when I say 'you' I don't mean me)

[tomwct]

What a loser!

[Russbert]

51 minutes ago, seajae said:

simply making sure he keeps getting his payments from the boss, thats all any of the ptp/reds do, calling for gatherings which normally lead to violence is what they do best, they dont do it themselves but expect their minions to do it for them.

From the various photos in the press it is impossible to deny there is a tremendous amount of genuine affection for Yingluck. I think you are entirely wrong when it comes to Watanas reason for speaking about - his actions are clearly those of one witnessing an incredible injustice unfolding in front of his eyes and not being able to do anything other than offer a little moral support due to the oppressive nature of the government that Thailand currently finds itself under the thumb of. Good on him, I am pleased to see this small show of decency at great personal risk.

Edited July 30, 2017 by Russbert

[idman]

This Earsling should be getting free room and board at Bankok's Greybar Hilton. A dyed in the wool Red Shirt who openly taunts the Powers That Be.

Sent from my SM-T805 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Baerboxer]

On 7/30/2017 at 7:51 AM, quadperfect said:

1 person is willing to risk freedom in the name of it. Brave man.

 

One person is willing to risk freedom by posting on FB what he's been instructed to post. Paid flunky.

Edited July 31, 2017 by Baerboxer

[Baerboxer]

Just now, Baerboxer said:

 

 

On 7/30/2017 at 11:45 AM, Russbert said:

From the various photos in the press it is impossible to deny there is a tremendous amount of genuine affection for Yingluck. I think you are entirely wrong when it comes to Watanas reason for speaking about - his actions are clearly those of one witnessing an incredible injustice unfolding in front of his eyes and not being able to do anything other than offer a little moral support due to the oppressive nature of the government that Thailand currently finds itself under the thumb of. Good on him, I am pleased to see this small show of decency at great personal risk.

 

A poster who joined yesterday posts like this - now who'd have thought that!

 

[Baerboxer]

On 7/30/2017 at 11:45 AM, Russbert said:

From the various photos in the press it is impossible to deny there is a tremendous amount of genuine affection for Yingluck. I think you are entirely wrong when it comes to Watanas reason for speaking about - his actions are clearly those of one witnessing an incredible injustice unfolding in front of his eyes and not being able to do anything other than offer a little moral support due to the oppressive nature of the government that Thailand currently finds itself under the thumb of. Good on him, I am pleased to see this small show of decency at great personal risk.

 

Sir or Madame, could you kindly explain something. 

 

How is appointing yourself to chair a flagship scheme of your government, and then not bothering to actually attend and chair any meetings; not bothering even when being warned by several prestigious organizations, and several senior office holders; and not bothering to take any actions to ensure all was well in the scheme, not negligence?

 

That is the charge.

 

 

[Rimmer]

A couple of personal attacks and replies have been removed

[tomta]

9 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

 

A poster who joined yesterday posts like this - now who'd have thought that!

 

Why on earth would it matter that he joined yesterday be of any importance? I guess I've been on TV for a couple  of years, you Baerboxer probably longer. I don't think either of us can claim any greater wisdom than Russbert because of that.