Mentors Posted August 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 Govt to check names seeking royal pardon for Thaksin Those who file petition must take responsibility if they dupe the people: Abhisit Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday the government would check the name list requesting a royal pardon for former premier Thaksin Shinawatra for fear that people were tricked into signing the petition. "Those who file the petition must take responsibility if they duped the people. We will take legal action if there is any irregularity,'' Abhisit said. The red shirts would have to submit the petition through the Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary, which is authorised to decide whether it could be lodged, he said. The office normally seeks the government's opinion first and the government must look for any discrepancies. Abhisit said the Council of University Presidents of Thailand had earlier forwarded its opinion to the office that the red shirts may have an ulterior motive in filing the petition even though it realised that such a petition could not be accepted. Abhisit defended the Interior Ministry for opening a channel for people who had lent their signatures to withdraw them, saying the ministry was concerned they might have been misled. Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said the people were entitled to appeal to His Majesty the King according to Article 91 of the Constitution and the government should let them exercise their rights. He said the party would file a complaint on Wednesday with the National Anti-Corruption Commission against Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul and the ministry's permanent secretary Wichai Srikwan for instructing governors and district chiefs to oppose the petition and urge people to withdraw their names. He accused the two of malfeasance for violating Articles 157 and 259 of the Criminal Code. Thaksin phoned in to a community radio programme in Chiang Mai attacking the government for depriving citizens of their rights for the move to block the petition. "If the petition is sent through the Thai post office, or district chief it will go missing,'' he said. A group called "Thais who love peace", led by Dr Wallop Yangtrong, held a press conference to attack the Council of University Presidents of Thailand for opposing the signature drive, saying the people have the right to seek royal mercy and it is the royal prerogative to make that decision. He questioned the move to block the petition as a possible offence to the power vested in the monarchy. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/08/03/politics/politics_30108906.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted August 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 UDD to submit petition on Aug 17 Bowing to a barrage of criticism that Aug 7 is inappropriate, the UDD has set a new date to submit its petition for a royal pardon for fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship has settled on Monday Aug 17, the same day the Supreme Court is due to deliver its verdict in the rubber saplings corruption case, which involves many former Thaksin cabinet ministers including Bumjaithai defacto leader Newin Chidchob. Originally, the red-shirted group planned to submit the petition and lists of supporting signatures on Aug 7. However, the choice of the date was slammed as being inappropriate by critics who pointed out that it is known as “Gun Explosion Day†-- the date the outlawed Communist Party of Thailand launched its war of liberation against the Establishment in 1965. UDD core leader Veera Musikhapong said on Monday that so far 5.4 million people had signed the petition. Another leader, Natthawut Saikua, said he would file a complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission against Interior Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul and his deputy, Boonjong Wongtrairat, accusing them of abuse of authority for attempting to prevent Thaksin’s supporters signing the pardon petition. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Sunday that he would have the signature lists checked to find out any of those who signed the petition did so under duress or after being misled. The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions is due to deliver its verdict in the rubber saplings corruption case on Aug 7. The case concerns a government project to provide 90 million rubber saplings to farmers at a cost of 1.440 billion baht. The saplings were provided by Charoek Pokphand, Resort Land and Ek Charoen companies. A total of 44 former cabinet members of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai party and government officials were charged in the case and put on trial. They include former deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak in his capacity as chairman of the committee to assist farmers, former finance minister Varathep Rattanakorn, former agriculture minister Sora-ath Klinprathum, former commerce minister Adisai Potharamik and Newin Chidchob, who was then deputy agriculture minister in the Thaskin government. The UDD has claimed the Bhumjaithai party’s recent role in organising a campaign against the signature collection drive might be intended to influence the Supreme Court’s decision in the case. This suggestion that the verdict may be somehow compromised is widely viewed as an insult to the court. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/150991/udd-to-submit-pardon-petition-on-august-17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SurinBum Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 With the new developments in the last couple of days, I believe that the Thai authorities find it doesn't seem to matter what such outcomes might be. T-Square's brother-in-Law is now threatening to engage militarily, which shouldn't be a great relevation to anyone as both sides are based upon militarism ideals and the respective support from both camps are just pawns used to play the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SurinBum Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 This would be the same Supreme Court that can easily be swayed and purchased? The same Supreme Court that history has accused of 'judicial coups'. Personally, I find that the inhouse fighting within all political camps to be unworthy and partisanly self-serving. Neither of the political philosophies serves any best interest to the Thai society. I'm not a supporter of Red, Yellow, or Blue....a pox on all their houses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted August 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 must agree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted August 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2009 UDD sets time, date for petition The red-shirts will submit their petition seeking a royal pardon for fugitive ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra at 1.30pm on Aug 17, Veera Musikhapong, a core leader of the United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), said on Thursday afternoon. On that day, at least 1,000 Buddhist monks and 1,500 representatives of UDD will deliver more than 600 boxes of evidence and lists of people who had signed in support of the petition to the Office of His Majesty’s Principal Private Secretary, he said. Earlier on Thursday, former prime minister Suchinda Kraprayoon had advised the UDD to drop the royal pardon campaign. Speaking on his 76th birthday, he said if the red-shirts are loyal they should refrain from any activity that could affect the highest institution. The petition for a pardon for Thaksin pardon has been strongly opposed by Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej, the group of 40 senators, the ruling Democrat party, the main coalition partner Bhumjaithai party and many academics. They all argue that seeking a pardon for a convicted felon who has not served part of his sentence is not constitutional. But members of the House 111 group say that people have the right to petition their King and that a royal pardon could lead to national reconciliation. They claim that the effort to block the petition by the government is tantamount to preventing His Majesty the King from exercising royal authority. http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/151305/udd-to-submit-petition-on-aug-17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted August 6, 2009 Report Share Posted August 6, 2009 The same court that found Thaksin hadn't done anything wrong by hiding 100s of millions of baht in bank accounts under the names of his maid, chauffeur, gardener etc??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 Bangkok Post 11 Aug 2009 Battle over pardon petition continues More than five million people have signed their names in opposition to the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship's campaign to petition for a royal pardon for fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat says. Mr Boonjong said on Tuesday the Interior Ministry would continue to accept people's signatures for an indefinite period. However, the names would not be submitted when the UDD submits its petition because the ministry only wanted to let the people see how big the opposition was to a pardon for Thaksin. The minister denied he wanted to divide the people or to gauge the Bhumjaithai Party's popularity. Bhumjaithai's de facto leader is banned politician and former Thaksin's loyalist Newin Chidchob. Mr Boonjong said he was not worried by a police complaint filed by the opposition Puea Thai party accusing him, Interior Minister Chavarat Charnveerakul and interior permanent secretary Wichai Srikhwan of lese majeste. He said he was only doing his duty on behalf of the Thai people. The complaint, filed by Puea Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit and his lawyer, alleged the three had violated the Criminal Code by ordering local administration officials throughout the country to set up tables to force people to sign their names in opposition to the pardon petition. Pongthep Thepkanchana, Thaksin's personal spokesman, said earlier that the petition prepared by the UDD was not out of the ordinary as people had the right to submit their grievances to His Majesty the King. It was up to the King to decide whether to respond to the petition. Organising opposition to the petition was improper and could further divide the people, the former justice minister claimed. Former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, Thaksin's former brother-in-law, said the government should not have interfered in this matter. Opposition to the petition could be construed as a violation of human rights, he added. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said there was no link between the red shirts' plan to submit their pardon petition for the fugitive politician to the Bureau of the Royal Household on Monday and the Supreme Court verdict in the rubber saplings corruption case, which is due on the same day. Many former Thaksin cabinet ministers are among the 44 defendants, including Mr Newin. He said they were two separate issues and the court would abide by legal principle when ruling on the case. He did not expect UDD supporters to rally outside the court on Monday, as they could be charged with acting in contempt of court. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted August 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 However, the names would not be submitted and what about examine these signatures? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted August 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2009 Police plan response for UDD petition handover Police are ready to secure the capital when Thaksin Shinawatra supporters file a petition for his pardon at the Royal Household Bureau and opponents gather at the nearby Supreme Court on Monday. Acting national police chief Wichien Pojphosri yesterday said he had discussed a security plan with the Bangkok police, the 1st Army, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Royal Household Bureau. He said an official of the Royal Household Bureau will wait at the Wiset Chaisri gate of the Grand Palace, the location of the bureau, and red shirt demonstrators will not be allowed through the gate to reach the bureau. Pol Gen Wichien asked demonstrators to maintain order and warned them not to approach the Grand Palace in huge numbers. Police will not block red shirt demonstrators from approaching the Grand Palace but will form a line to separate them from blue shirt protesters who are likely to show up at the adjacent Supreme Court. They will turn up to back veteran politician Newin Chidchob. A court verdict is due on the same day in the rubber sapling graft case in which he is implicated. Bangkok police chief Pol Lt Gen Worapong Chiewpreecha has asked the armed forces to have soldiers on standby in case Bangkok police seek their assistance on Monday. Red shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) said the Royal Household Bureau contacted his group to coordinate the submission of the petition and this contact proved people had the right to petition for a royal pardon for Thaksin. He said the bureau has allowed the UDD to increase the number of its representatives who will submit the petition, from eight to 15. Monks will be among those filing the petition. The document will be submitted at 1pm on Monday. Then the representatives will join over 100,000 red shirt demonstrators at Sanam Luang. There, Thaksin will phone in to thank the rally-goers for supporting the petition. The gathering is due to disperse by 3pm. The UDD had invited former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and some privy councillors and expected their response soon, he said. Afterwards, the UDD would turn to movements to oust the Abhisit Vejjajiva government, Mr Jatuporn said. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/22069/police-plan-response-for-udd-petition-handover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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