Ex-premier invokes rule of law in final plea

[webfact]

Ex-premier invokes rule of law in final plea

By KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN 
THE NATION

 

Yingluck Shinawatra

 

BANGKOK: -- IN HER CLOSING statements yesterday, former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra pleaded with the Supreme Court as “the last refuge of the people” to dismiss the case against her and to ignore comments regarding the case, including those from the chief of the National Council for Peace and Order, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

She is being prosecuted in connection with the rice-pledging scheme that her administration carried out during her term. Yingluck also referred to remarks made by Prayut on July 25, when he said “if there was no guilt, the case would not have been brought to the court in the first place”.

 

“The statement by such a powerful person could lead people in society to think in a certain way as though the crime had truly been committed, when the court has not yet handed down a verdict,” she said.

 

She also pleaded with the court to base its ruling on the law as well as legitimate evidence and witness testimony.

 

In 2014, Yingluck was accused by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) of dereliction of duty for failing to prevent corruption in the controversial rice-pledging scheme, which was her government’s signature policy. The trial against her started in January last year with her closing statements being delivered yesterday.

 

The court is due to render its ruling on August 25. 

 

Arriving at the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders in all-black silk business attire, Yingluck appeared to be in good spirits as she greeted with bright smiles a crowd of her supporters and members of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).

 

The courtroom where the former prime minister delivered her one-hour closing statement was filled with key Pheu Thai politicians, such as Sudarat Keyuraphan, Chaturon Chaisang, Watana Muangsook, Phumtham Wechayachai and Pichai Niriptapan. UDD leaders Nattawut Saikua and Thida Tojirakarn were also present to show solidarity with Yingluck.

 

Other supporters and members of the media also filled the courtroom. Yingluck took a seat at the podium in the centre of the room facing the bench and read her closing statement in a firm voice. She raised six major points, arguing that the prosecution was illegitimate and denying allegations against her, while insisting on the valuable contributions the rice-pledging scheme had made and her government’s solid commitment to the people.

 

She also repeatedly asked the court to consider only the evidence and the report originally brought by the NACC and disregard allegations and evidence accumulated afterwards in a manner that she described as “illegitimate” and “unfair”.

 

‘Beneficial public policy’

 

The rice-pledging scheme did not damage the national budget as had been alleged, the former prime minister argued. Rather, it had contributed greatly to the macro-economy, she said, adding that the public policy had been meant to serve the people, not maximise profits.

“I feel I am a victim in a subtle political game,” she said. “Therefore, I hope to seek refuge with the court.”

 

On the brink of tears and insisting she was innocent, Yingluck said she was proud to have promoted the policy for the benefit of farmers, which she said brought them better quality of life and educational opportunities for their children.

 

“Although the pursuit of this public policy, which improved the farmers’ lives, has inflicted great pain on me as I fight against my accusers, I will continue to be patient and determined, in the hope that future governments will carry out more public policies that are advantageous to the people,” Yingluck said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30322491

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-08-02

[barrywhite]

The whole country is a total farce.

[yellowboat]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

“if there was no guilt, the case would not have been brought to the court in the first place”.

A very poor choice of words there.  He stepped in it again.

[Baerboxer]

3 hours ago, yellowboat said:

A very poor choice of words there.  He stepped in it again.

 

Is your Thai fluent enough to validate the translation?

[leeneeds]

The game is about to be  check mate.

[chickenslegs]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

“if there was no guilt, the case would not have been brought to the court in the first place”.

 

3 hours ago, yellowboat said:

A very poor choice of words there.  He stepped in it again.

 

And, didn't one of his Deputies refer to August 25th as "the day of sentencing".

[sn1per]

“if there was no guilt, the case would not have been brought to the court in the first place”.

 

Ah the old guilty until proved innocent ploy... get the ducking stool out

[baboon]

“if there was no guilt, the case would not have been brought to the court in the first place”.

 

If that isn't perverting the course of justice I don't know what is. And it isn't his first time.

[YetAnother]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

“the last refuge of the people”

what ?! how in heavens name does that have anything to do with this case ? am beginning to wonder, after all these years living here, what the other people here 'think'

[YetAnother]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Ex-premier invokes

cut thru all these mindless lawyer-speech;

ex premiers do not INVOKE anything; they are the same status as you and i ; pretty much nothing in today's thailand

[Jai Dee]

A couple of troll posts and replies have been removed from this thread.

[sn1per]

12 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 

Your specific response would be good.

Just asking the same question that you asked yellowboat in your post, so as to furnish us with a specific validation  re the translation

[yellowboat]

3 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Is your Thai fluent enough to validate the translation?

Is yours?  If we cannot trust the translation, we should refrain from commenting at all. 

[sandemara]

15 hours ago, webfact said:

She is being prosecuted in connection with the rice-pledging scheme that her administration carried out during her term. Yingluck also referred to remarks made by Prayut on July 25, when he said “if there was no guilt, the case would not have been brought to the court in the first place”.

In any genuine democracy such a statement by a country's leader alone would have been enough to throw out the legal proceedings referred to.

Amazing that the coup-maker believes he's become a juristic expert as well..

[Cadbury]

16 hours ago, webfact said:

Ex-premier invokes rule of law in final plea

 

Who is this ex-premier that is being referred to? I see it mentioned constantly in the media. I stand corrected but I thought Thailand only had Prime Ministers.

If they can't get the headline right what hope for the rest of the story.

[tbthailand]

She's toast, ... has been since 2014.

[alwaysrainsinUK]

very sexy lady indeed mmmmm