Jatupat’s action like ‘destroying democracy’

[snoop1130]

Jatupat’s action like ‘destroying democracy’

By THE NATION

 

Jatupat Boonpattararaksa // Photo from: tlhr2014.com

 

A MILITARY officer told a military court in Northeast Khon Kaen province on Wednesday that holding a banner with a message against the coup d’etat – as student activists led by Jatupat Boonpattararaksa did in May 2015 – was an act of “destroying democracy”.

 

Testifying as a witness against Jatupat and six other students, Captain Apinan Wanpetch, who arrested the activists, said the 2014 coup to scrap the 2007 constitution and topple the elected civilian government was an admirable mission.

 

“There is no reason to oppose the coup. Although holding a banner against the coup is freedom of expression, the act is destroying democracy, therefore they deserve arrest and attitude adjustment,” he told the court. A military prosecutor yesterday sought a ruling that Jatupat, also known as Pai Dao Din, serve his full time in jail if he is convicted, and not have the jail time included in the sentence he is already serving for lese majeste.

 

Jatupat and six other student activists were charged with breaching the National Council for Peace and Order’s ban on political gatherings of five or more people on May 22, 2015 – the first anniversary of the coup -– when they held banners with messages against the coup. 

 

The ban carries the punishment of up to one-year imprisonment and a fine of up to Bt20,000.

 

The prosecutor yesterday sought permission from the military court in Khon Kaen to amend the indictment, asking the court to hand down a prison sentence on top of the term Jatupat is serving for the royal defamation charge.

 

Court defers decision

 

The defendant’s lawyer, however, objected to the request. The court deferred the amendment, according to the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights group.

 

Earlier this month, Jatupat was sentenced to two years and six months in prison for lese majeste after sharing a BBC article. 

 

The activist is also facing other charges as a consequence of his activism against the military junta. Among them are charges of sedition and violation of a political ban, which are ongoing in courts. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30324711

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-8-23

[Thechook]

What democracy, they country is ruled by one man with a blanket amnesty and his personal section 44.

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

555555555555555 ignorance in uniform.

[Eric Loh]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

“There is no reason to oppose the coup. Although holding a banner against the coup is freedom of expression, the act is destroying democracy, therefore they deserve arrest and attitude adjustment,” he told the court.

What a dumb statement. It is like saying you have the right of law to cross on the zebra crossing but if a car mow you down without stopping, you deserved the injuries caused to you. Are RTA officers as dumb as the junta PM?

[Dave67]

haven't heard "Attitude adjustment: for a while must be making a come back

[Lupatria]

...holding a banner with a message against the coup d’etat – was an act of “destroying democracy”.

 

Ever tried to destroy something which does not exist, and does it mean a coup d’etat is an act of democracy? 

[lonewolf99]

I have just been watching a program about animals on  the tv here, and it was explaining how the more complex a social hierarchy in a community is the more difficult it is to control. Baboon troops were the example.
I know of no other complex system than that I see here, with constant expectation of Kowtowing, bowing and scraping and over use of uniforms and badges, medals and ribbons that anywhere else on the planet are considered ridiculous. 
Primary school teachers wearing khaki uniforms and medals for christ sake!!!.

All that I have mentioned can only be maintained with complete oppression this then leads to the violence and aggression that is bubbling underneath the society at the lower levels.

 

Meanwhile next door in Cambodia another dictator in the region is getting rid of the free press. 

[dcpo]

Freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength.

[stephen tracy]

You really couldn't script it.

[Srikcir]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Although holding a banner against the coup is freedom of expression, the act is destroying democracy,

No legal basis, just a personal opinion.

Certainly not testimony from someone who can call himself an expert on democracy and whose life revolves around an organization known for not being run as a democracy.

[YetAnother]

2 hours ago, Lupatria said:

...holding a banner with a message against the coup d’etat – was an act of “destroying democracy”.

 

Ever tried to destroy something which does not exist, and does it mean a coup d’etat is an act of democracy? 

if he was here, i bet he would say ' heck yes'

[Cadbury]

If the military Officer did not testify in exactly the way that he was instructed he would quickly be busted to Private and put on latrine and KP duty. Just another military stooge being jerked around by the chief puppeteer.

[Grumpy Duck]

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

“There is no reason to oppose the coup. Although holding a banner against the coup is freedom of expression, the act is destroying democracy, therefore they deserve arrest and attitude adjustment,” he told the court. A military prosecutor yesterday sought a ruling that Jatupat, also known as Pai Dao Din, serve his full time in jail if he is convicted, and not have the jail time included in the sentence he is already serving for lese majeste.

Freedom of expression/speech is a basic tenant of a democracy. Limiting dissent is more like totalitarian martial law than a democracy

[Grumpy Duck]

6 hours ago, Dave67 said:

haven't heard "Attitude adjustment: for a while must be making a come back

True, I have not heard the term used since I got out of the US Army in 1978

[Grumpy Duck]

6 hours ago, Dave67 said:

haven't heard "Attitude adjustment: for a while must be making a come back

Perhaps "retraining" as used by the communist Vietnamese in 1975 (or was it 76) after the fall of Saigon, oopsie I mean Ho Chi Min City. 

Edited August 24, 2017 by Grumpy Duck
Senility

[Jonmarleesco]

22 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Although holding a banner against the coup is freedom of expression, the act is destroying democracy, therefore they deserve arrest and attitude adjustment,

Dear, oh dear, I wonder whose winding his key.

[Jonmarleesco]

2 hours ago, Grumpy Duck said:

True, I have not heard the term used since I got out of the US Army in 1978

You've been missing something, then. It's been de rigeur with the junta for quite a while.

[Grumpy Duck]

27 minutes ago, Jonmarleesco said:

You've been missing something, then. It's been de rigeur with the junta for quite a while.

Ahhh, much like the re-education north Vietnam forced on the conquered south?

[Myshkin]

Technically, you cannot destroy something that isn't there!

[baboon]

Military officer testifying against civilians in a military court on behalf of a military junta who came to power via a coup says that pro democracy banners destroy democracy. 

Aye, right you are. Next!

[greenchair]

Terrible how this young man's life has been destroyed. 

He is a true hero to me. 

One of the few people thailand can be truly proud of. 

I wish him well for what will be a long recovery after he gets out. 

[piersbeckett]

On 8/24/2017 at 4:09 PM, Grumpy Duck said:

Freedom of expression/speech is a basic tenant of a democracy. Limiting dissent is more like totalitarian martial law than a democracy

A tenet of democracy, I agree.

[metisdead]

A baiting troll post has been removed.  

 

Offensive posts and replies have been removed. 

[Joebuzz]

So am I the only expat that ran when I realized the general (pun) population choked when they voted for military rule?  On the road to living like the North Koreans when the tourists quit coming.