PAD in legal battles

[Mid]

PAD in legal battles
14/07/2009

The People's Alliance for Democracy on Tuesday sought the replacement of police investigators handling the Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports blockade case.

The PAD's request was made in a petition for justice submitted by lawyer Nitithorn Lamlua to police chief Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan.

Thirty-six leaders of the PAD have been summoned to report to police on Thursday to hear criminal charges, including acts of terrorism, in relation with the blockade of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports late last year.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya also lodged a petition seeking justice, asking police to review and withdraw all charges filed against him, set up a committee to probe investigators handling the case, and temporarily halt the investigation.

The petition was handed to police chief Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan by Nitithorn Lamlua, Mr Kasit's lawyer.

Mr Kasit is one of 36 people summoned by police to hear criminal charges, including acts of terrorism and violation of the emergency law, in connection with the PAD's blockade of two airports from November 25 to December 2 last year in a drive to oust the then Somchai Wongsawat government.

Mr Nitithorn said Mr Kasit had already reported to police to hear charges against him. Mr Kasit denied the charges and asked for 30 days to submit additional testimony, saying that the charges were unfounded and exaggerated.

The lawyer said Mr Kasit's speech made on the PAD stage on November 30 was to express his opinion and criticise the government - action allowed by the constitution.

The terrorism charges against Mr Kasit were unreasonable because he caused no damage to Suvarnabhumi airport. Moreover, the PAD's protest at the airport was not in violation of the emergency law.

Mr Nitithorn said other PAD suspects in the case would report to police on Thursday as required to acknowledge the charges against them.

Mr Kasit would continue to perform his duties as foreign minister until such time as the prosecution decides to indict him on terrorism charges, the foreign minister's lawyer said.

Assistant police chief Lt-Gen Wuthi Puawes, head of the investigation team, said police had sufficient evidence and witnesses to substantiate the charges.

At the same time, the prosecution has postponed its decision whether to indict nine leaders of the anti-Thaksin group for the seizure of Government House last year for 30 days.

The decision was originally set to be made on Tuesday.

In this case, nine PAD leaders have been charged by police with causing public disturbance and instigating unrest in connection with the seizure of Government House. They are Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, Sondhi Limthongkul, Somsak Kosaisuk, Pibhop Dhongchai, Somkiat Pongpaiboon, Suriyasai Katasila, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, Amorn Amornrattananont, and Therdphum Jaidee.

A source at the Criminal Litigation Department of the Office of the Attorney General said the postponement was allowed after the suspects asked police to interrogate 38 more witnesses and the police have not yet finished their work.

The prosecution has set September 10 to make the decision.

Meanwhile, police had found a Toyota Vigo pick-up truck suspected to have been used in the ambush of PAD leader Sondhi in Bangkok on April 17.

Pol Maj-Gen Panu Kerdlarppol, deputy metropolitan police chief, said the Lop Buri-registered vehicle was seized by Region 1 provincial police from a military camp in Lop Buri.

It was brought to the Traffic Division headquarters on Monday night for forensic examination, he said.

Mr Sondhi was hit in the head by bullet shrapnel and his driver seriously injured when the van they were travelling in was attacked by gunmen who sprayed the vehicle with bullets near Bang Khun Phrom intersection early on April 17. Mr Sondhi was on his way to work.

Police have issued a warrant to arrest a soldier and a police officer suspected to have been involved in the attempt to take the life of Mr Sondhi, a police source said.

Pol Gen Thanee Somboonsap, a deputy police chief who is in charge of the case, sent police investigators to the Criminal Court to seek approval for the arrest.

One of the suspects was a non-commissioned army officer, known only by his first name Panya, attached to the Special Warfare Centre in Lop Buri, and the other was a non-commissioned police officer, identified only as Wut, attached to the Narcotics Suppression Division.

The vehicle belonged to a woman named Rassami Mekchai, 27, of tambon Thale Chupsorn in Muang district of Lop Buri.

bangkokpost.com

The People's Alliance for Democracy on Tuesday sought the replacement of police investigators handling the Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports blockade case.

didn't like what they came up with huh ?

.

[Mid]

Court rejects PAD charge against PM
15/07/2009

Kasit's lawyer urges police to drop case

The Criminal Court yesterday dismissed the People's Alliance for Democracy's formal complaint against the prime minister, his deputy and the national police chief for ordering police to lay terrorism charges against leading PAD members.

Chaiwat Sinsuwong, a PAD leader, filed the complaint with the court on Monday accusing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and the police chief, Patcharawat Wongsuwon, of malfeasance in office for ordering that a terrorism charge be pressed against the movement's top members.

Mr Chaiwat claimed he lodged the complaint on his own and was not prompted by anyone from the PAD to do so.

The charge was brought in connection with the PAD's blockade of Suvarnabhumi airport late last year.

The court said the complaint had no grounds as the police responsible for the case had exercised their authority independently.

The lawyer representing Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya in the case yesterday asked police to drop the terrorism charge against the minister and the other accused PAD members, insisting it was baseless.

Nitithorn Lamlua handed a petition to Pol Gen Patcharawat through his subordinate at the Royal Thai Police Office in Pathumwan yesterday.

The petition maintained there was no evidence of a terrorist act being committed by Mr Kasit and any of the other accused 24 PAD leaders demonstrating against the Somchai Wongsawat government at the two main Bangkok airports - Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang - last year.

According to the petition, Mr Kasit appeared on the PAD's protest stage at Suvarnabhumi airport just once on Nov 30, 2008, and there was no proof that Mr Kasit had committed an act of terrorism.

Mr Kasit's speech made at the PAD protest on that day was meant to criticise the performances of the previous government, which was within his constitutional right to do, it said.

The declaration of a state of emergency at the time did not in any way imply that the PAD had resorted to acts of terrorism.

There were other PAD leaders who also had a hand in the blockade of Don Mueang airport, but no charges have been brought against them.

Besides the call for the terrorism charge to be scrapped, the lawyer also wanted an immediate investigation into the matter, and the disclosure of the names of the police officers who had pressed the terrorism charge against Mr Kasit and the other demonstrators.

Mr Nitithorn also said Mr Kasit would consider stepping down as foreign minister only after he was indicted by the public prosecution.

Assistant police chief Pol Lt Gen Wut Puawet, who has been asked to take over the case, said yesterday that his team had enough evidence to seek the prosecution of Mr Kasit and the other accused PAD members.

In a related case, the public prosecution yesterday postponed its decision until Sept 10 on whether to indict nine key PAD figures separately accused of attempting to topple the previous government, illegal assembly and instigating national unrest.

The charges were largely linked to the group's occupation of Government House prior to the blockades of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.

The decision was postponed as it was reported that PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul had yet to recover from a head surgery which he underwent following an attempt on his life.

bangkokpost.com

[Mid]

Thailand's PAD lodges opposition to police charge of international terrorism
Editor: Zhang Xiang

BANGKOK, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Two lawyers of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) Thursday lodged opposition to a police charge of international terrorism with investigators at the Royal Thai Police Sports Club in capital Bangkok.

On July 4, Bangkok's police issued a summons for 36 PAD leaders and co-leaders to question them on alleged involvement in the seizure of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports last year. All of them are scheduled to report to the police on Thursday.

The two lawyers, Suwat Apaipak and Nitithorn Lamlua, said the charge of the international terrorism was extremely strong as the PAD rallies at the two airports were peaceful without any weapon, according to Thai language news agency INN.

The two lawyers said of the total seven charges earlier filed against the 36 PAD leaders and co-leaders, the hardest one is the terrorism charge under Article 6 (bi) of the Criminal Code, which carries the strongest punishment of a death sentence.

Now, an investigative team, which is headed by Pol Lt-General Wut Puawes, assistant chief of the National Police Commission, is considering the opposition.

Over 20 of the total 36 PAD leaders and co-leaders also arrived at the Royal Thai Police Sports Club, however, they did not go to meet with the investigators inside the Royal Thai Police Sports Club as they did not accept the police charge.

The PAD leaders and co-leaders had arrived at the Royal Thai Police Sports Club to express the opposition to the police charge, Thai language news agency Krungthep Turakij Online quoted Suriyasai Katasila, PAD coordinator, as saying.

If the PAD had gone to acknowledge of the police allegation, it meant that the accused PAD people accepted the police charge of the international terrorism, Suriyasai said.

The investigators were obligated to acknowledge the PAD dispute to the terrorism charge and they might probably upgrade the summons for questioning to arrested warrants, but the PAD leaders and co-leaders will deny the charge in courts only, he added.

Meanwhile, outside the Royal Thai Police Sports Club apart from the PAD leaders and co-leaders, hundreds of yellow shirts from upcountry rallied to show their moral support to the accused PAD people.

The PAD people have opposed the ousted former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as well as the last two Thaksin-affiliated administrations.

The PAD group has gained the worldwide notice late 2008 when they besieged two Bangkok international airports for nine days as the leverage to force then Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat's government to dissolve.

news.xinhuanet.com

lodged opposition to a police charge of international terrorism with investigators at the Royal Thai Police Sports Club

file firmly under only in Thailand

Sports Club huh

.

[Mid]

PAD indictments again deferred
18/09/2009

The prosecution on Friday postponed to Nov 2 its decision on whether to indict leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy over the 193-day seizure of Government House by PAD protesters last year.

PAD leaders Sondhi Limthongkul, Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, Pibhop Dhongchai, Somsak Kosaisuk, Somkiat Pongpaiboon, Suriyasai Katasila, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, Amorn Amornrattananont and Therdphum Jaidee have been charged with criminal offences under Articles 116, 215 and 216.

The prosecution said the postponement was necessary because investigation of new witnesses brought forward by the accused had not been completed.

bangkokpost.com

[Mid]

Senators Criticize Probe into PAD Case
20 August 2010

The Senate committee on corruption investigation has called in the team of investigators working on the case involving the airport seizures by the yellow-shirt protesters, to provide clarification on suspected irregularities.

The committee has also recommended that the investigation be taken over by the Department of Special Investigation.

Bangkok Senator Rosana Tositrakul, as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Corruption Investigation and Good Governance Promotion, said the committee has found irregularities in the summons orders issued for 76 protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, who were called in regarding their alleged involvement in seizing the Donmuang and Suvarnabhumi airports.

She compared issuing the summons to casting a net, saying that the terrorist allegations filed against the protesters are unreasonable.

Assistant to the National Police chief, Police Lieutenant General Somyos Pumphanmuang, who leads the team investigating the PAD's case, explained that his team issued the summons orders upon receiving petitions from government agencies.

However, Pongsak Siriwong, director of the venue management and security unit of Government House, argued that he only filed legal action against eight protesters for allegedly blocking access to Donmuang Airport and Government House.

In response, Somyos said the 76 protesters facing various charges, not just terrorism. He affirmed that investigators are proceeding in the case according to the law and available evidence.

Meanwhile, a majority of the Senate committee members agreed that the Department of Special Investigation should take over the probe in order to ensure that the same standards are applied to this case as to the red-shirt group's cases.

The committee is reportedly planning to submit a letter detailing its recommendations to the prime minister.

thailandoutlook.tv

[corvettelover]

Sounds reasonible said i was sorry can i go out and play now.
as i am sure reds would like similar treatment.
yeah right

[The Bold Rodney]

"The two lawyers, Suwat Apaipak and Nitithorn Lamlua, said the charge of the international terrorism was extremely strong as the PAD rallies at the two airports were peaceful without any weapon, according to Thai language news agency INN"

Ohhh yeah... and how many PAD demostrators got shot at?

The INN's about as imparcial as the Bangok Post and The Nation or Abihishit during one of his TV political broadcasts. (its easy to see his strings being pulled)

If the situation in Thai politics wasn't so serious it would be laughable, but it appears that slowly the prior years of string pulling, meddling by the Elite's are slowly becoming better documented and more apparent to the rest of the world.

[StrontiumDog]

http://www.tannetwork.tv/tan/ViewData.aspx?DataID=1033868

PAD Cries Foul over Exaggerated Charges

UPDATE : 24 August 2010

The People's Alliance for Democracy have submitted a complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission against the metropolitan police deputy commissioner for what they alleged as exaggerated charges.

Members of the People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, led by Major General Chamlong Srimuang, met with the National Anti-Corruption Commission, or NACC.

The group handed a written complaint to NACC member Wichai Wiwitsewi, claiming that deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Police Major General Amnuay Nimmano, has abused his authority to harass members of their movement by exaggerating charges against them.

The PAD has taken offense with charges of terrorism lodged by the metropolitan police over their protests at Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports in 2008. The group has asked the NACC to consider their call for justice.

Chamlong stated that police have abused their power by exaggerating the charges against his group.

[StrontiumDog]

I have to admit, I chuckled a little after reading this....

[TizMe]

peaceful without any weapon

I remember seeing....


and..



and

[Bettyboo]

The committee has also recommended that the investigation be taken over by the Department of Special Investigation.

That would make things better, farrrrk..... If this does go thru then it could be the proverbial straw...

[StrontiumDog]

Bangkok Post : PAD accused to hear charges

PAD accused to hear charges

• Published: 25/08/2010 at 02:29 PM
• Online news: Breakingnews

Leaders and supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) will report to the Crime Suppression Division on Thursday to hear charges in connection with the blockade of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in late 2008, PAD lawyer Nitithorn Lamlua said.

Mr Nitithorn on Wednesday went to the CSD headquarters to make the preparations.

Most of the suspects would would show up, except those who had already surrendered, to hear the charges, he said.

Mr Nitithorn said he and Suwat Apaipak would act as defence lawyers. Some of the suspects might appoint their own lawyers.

Of the 79 suspects, four surrendered earlier -- Rear Admiral Min Kolkikkamchorn (retired); Lakkhana Didyasarin, the treasurer of the New Politics Party; Suchart Srisang, a former MP for Maha Sarakham; and Pinij Sithiho, a former MP for Loei.

[StrontiumDog]

Sondhi, yellow shirts report to police for airport seizure


Sondhi, yellow shirts report to police for airport seizure



People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi Limthongkul on Thursday reported himself at the Crime Suppression Division to fight charges related to the airport seizure in 2008 by the yellow shirts.

"I come today to give my statement to police as I have been charged for terrorism and myriad offences - this is going to be a long story," he said upon arriving at the CSD.

Sondhi said he suspected police trying to throw frame-up charges at him and the yellow shirts. He vowed to fight by filing counter lawsuits against police to the full extent of the law.

The Nation

[StrontiumDog]

http://www.tannetwork.tv/tan/ViewData.aspx?DataID=1033943

AOT President Testifies in Airport Seizures Case

UPDATE : 26 August 2010

The Airports of Thailand's president testified in court yesterday admitting he was the one to order the closure of Suvarnabhumi Airport when the People's Alliance for Democracy marched into the airport in November, 2008.

President of Airports of Thailand Serirat Prasutanont testified in court yesterday on the civil case against 14 leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy or the PAD for organizing sit-in demonstrations at Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports in November, 2008.

The leaders are being sued for monetary damages, a total of 245 million baht, from the closure of the airports.

However, the Transport Ministry has estimated that the seizures had cost 19 billion baht in damages, not including the impact on the tourism sector.

Serirat claimed that he did not know who the airports belong to or whether taxpayers' money was spent on the construction of the airports.

However, he pointed out that the airports had been petitioned into two zones, the public area and the controlled area for authorized personnel only.

Serirat admitted that he ordered the temporary closure of the airports at 9 PM on November 25, 2008 after the protesters entered the terminals, which caused both passengers and employees to panic at the time.

The AOT president added that at 11 PM that night, he ordered the airports to be closed indefinitely, to ensure the safety of those inside the airports.

Serirat also mentioned there was a failed attempt to negotiate with the protesters before his order was issued.

In a separate matter, Serirat also admitted he is a brother-in-law to Veera Musikapong, one of the core red-shirt leaders.

However, the AOT president denied knowing whether Veera was working for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

[StrontiumDog]

"In a separate matter, Serirat also admitted he is a brother-in-law to Veera Musikapong, one of the core red-shirt leaders.

However, the AOT president denied knowing whether Veera was working for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra."


Eh?

[StrontiumDog]

PAD leaders meet police on charges related to airport seizures


PAD leaders meet police on charges related to airport seizures


วันพฤหัสบดี ที่ 26 ส.ค. 2553

• • 

BANGKOK, Aug 26 -- Amid tight security, People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) core leader Sondhi Limthongkul led Yellow Shirt leaders and activists to the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) on Thursday morning to answer charges related to their seizure of Thailand's two main airports nearly two years ago.

Seventy-nine Yellow Shirt protesters were accused in the two cases of leading thousands of demonstrators to occupy and shut down Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in November 2008.

They are expected to be immediately released after they acknowledge the charges.

Nearly 200 commandos were deployed to ensure order with some 50 closed circuit television monitors surveyed the area to record any untoward incident.

Police had prepared 20 teams of investigators from the CSD and Samut Prakan provincial station, 3 each, to investigate the PAD.

Mr Sondhi, a media mogul and founder of the PAD arrived first at CSD headquarters telling reporters before he entered the offices that the case would be a lengthy legal fight in court because there are so many witnesses and so much evidence to consider.

He asserted that the PAD actions could not be considered terrorist acts and that the PAD plans to file charges against all investigators who were involved in the case -- particularly Pol Maj-Gen Amnuay Nimmano, Deputy Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau.

Meanwhile, Assistant National Police Chief Pol Lt-Gen Somyos Phumphanmuang, chief investigator of the case, said he had instructed the
investigators to be patient in carrying out their duties.

Gen Somyos said he could not say when the questioning would end as it depended on the accused PAD. If it could not be concluded today, the investigators could continue on another day.

He said he was unworried over the report that the PAD will file charges against the investigators.

The "Yellow Shirts" who opposed ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra staged protests in 2008 that led to a nine-day blockade and occupation of Bangkok's airports. The siege left more than 300,000 tourists and business visitors stranded, denting the kingdom's tourist-friendly image.

The yellow-shirt protesters besieged the airports to oust the then government of Somchai Wongsawat whom they considered as a proxy of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

After Mr Sondhi's arrival, other PAD leaders began arriving at the CSD headquarters, including Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, Somsak Kosaisuk, Suriyasai Katasila, Tul Sittisomwong, Anchalee Paireerak and Sarocha Pornudomsak. (MCOT online news)

[sabang]

Whilst the 'delays' in the judicial process as relating to the PAD demonstrators are suspiciously convenient, I fear there is a smoke screen being erected here.

What about the Democrat Party?? By the very same measures of 'justice' meted out by the Thai "judiciary" to dissolve the TRT and PPP parties, the Dem's should have been dissolved at least two, but quite probably three, times over.

Still waiting.

[The Ghost Of The Moog]

What about the Democrat Party?? By the very same measures of 'justice' meted out by the Thai "judiciary" to dissolve the TRT and PPP parties, the Dem's should have been dissolved at least two, but quite probably three, times over.

Still waiting.

I think you already know the answers to these (rhetorical) questions.

[tomta]

Mr Nitithorn said Mr Kasit had already reported to police to hear charges against him. Mr Kasit denied the charges and asked for 30 days to submit additional testimony, saying that the charges were unfounded and exaggerated.

If the charges are unfounded, how could they be exaggerated?

This is like saying I didn't do it and anyway what I did wasn't that bad.

[Thaihome]

Whilst the 'delays' in the judicial process as relating to the PAD demonstrators are suspiciously convenient, I fear there is a smoke screen being erected here.

What about the Democrat Party?? By the very same measures of 'justice' meted out by the Thai "judiciary" to dissolve the TRT and PPP parties, the Dem's should have been dissolved at least two, but quite probably three, times over.

Still waiting.

Perhaps I missed it, but could provide a link to the video of the Democrat Party Deputy Leader and House Speaker handing out 20,000 baht each to local administration officials to pass out on election day?

There are indeed charges against the Democrats, and they may be disolved under the same law that saw the PPP disolved, but the evidence is hardly as cut and dried as what got the PPP disolved.
TH

[sabang]

20,000 baht each

But you failed to mention the cooking show.

TH, do I need to remind you about the amount of money the Democrat party cases concern? Even Sondhi has admitted corruption has got worse since the Dem's were appointed.

Lets cut to the quick here- I thought you had dropped any pretence about the Thai "judiciary" being independent and impartial, and for that matter unbiased. Am I mistaken?

[Thaihome]

But you failed to mention the cooking show.

Samak’s disqualification?

Samak had been working for the production company Face Media Co. for 7 years prior to being made PM After assuming the PM office he did two more shows.

A charge was brought by a Senator (the same one by the way that brought the SMS charges against Abhisit last year) that he had continued to be an employee in violation of Section 267 and Section 100 of the 1999 Organic Act on Countering Corruption.

Samak had admitted in previous interviews he accepted payment for doing the shows, both before and after the getting the PM job. He later wrote a letter to the court denying this even though video of the interviews and the testimony of employees from Face made it plain he was accepting payment and/or transportation allowances. As the TV channel the show was broadcast on is government regulated, it fell within the 1999 Organic Act jusrisdiction.

The Constitutional Court agreed and said Samak’s term as PM was ended. His cabinet was allowed to continue in caretaker capacity and Samak was allowed to retain his seat in Parliament.

Samak could have been elected PM again the next day and re-appointed his entire cabinet. But that didn’t happen did it?

So, effectively, it was not the PAD or the opposition party nor even the court’s actions that ended Samak’s time as PM. It was Thaksin that did it.

...Lets cut to the quick here- I thought you had dropped any pretence about the Thai "judiciary" being independent and impartial, and for that matter unbiased. Am I mistaken?

We were not discussing the impartiality, I was pointing out that the Thai courts take a very long time to come to a decision and the more complex the case the longer it takes.

I take do exception to your constant posting the same rant every time a PAD or Democratic Party legal issue comes up and is delayed. There are charges against UDD leaders that are going on two years old that have not even got to indictment stage. If you had any first hand experience with Thai courts you would know that delays are not a sign of partiality, but the way the courts work and your accusations of favoritism are unproven.


TH

[Mid]

Sondhi reports, will sue police
26/08/2010

Sondhi Limthongkul, leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, on Thursday said he will file both criminal and civil lawsuits against Pol Lt-Gen Somyos Phumphanmuang, an assistant police chief who is in charge of the case against PAD leaders and supporters involving the blockade of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in late 2008.

Mr Sondhi announced his plans after reporting to the Crime Suppression Division, where arrangements had been made for him and other suspects in the case to report to police to hear charges against them. Altogether 79 suspects were summonsed to report.

On hand to receive Mr Sondhi and other suspects were Pol Lt-Gen Somyos and Pol Lt-Gen Tha-ngai Prasachaksattru, commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau.

Mr Sondhi was first to arrive, followed by other suspects.

After nearly three hours of interrogation, Mr Sondhi emerged and said he denied all the charges and would submit a written defence statement to police investigators in 30 days.

He said he was not worried by the terrorism charge filed against him and had solid evidence to fight it.

All PAD protesters were armed only with hand-clappers and wooden clubs, and should not be charged with terrorism.

Mr Sondhi cited a statement given to the Civil Court by Serirat Pasutanont, president of Airports of Thailand Plc, to support his claim. Mr Serirat testified to the court that the PAD protesters rallied at the outer areas of the airports and caused no damage to AoT, and this was confirmed by other AoT officials.

Therefore, all accusations against PAD protesters were groundless and the case was politically motivated and proceeded as ordered by politicians. This being so, he and the other accused would fight to the end, he said.

Mr Sondhi said he would definitely counter sue Pol Lt-Gen Somyos, who handles the investigation, and would not wait until the case is over.

"We will petition through all channels, including the National Anti-Counter Corruption Commission, Civil Court, Criminal Court and the Adminstrative Court," he said.

Pol Lt-Gen Somyos later insisted he and the other police investigators performed their duty according to the law and said they were ready for the lawsuits.

He said police investigators would try to conclude the PAD case and submit it to prosecutors in September.

Other PAD leaders who reported to the CSD on Thursday to hear the charges included Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, Somkiat Pongpaiboon, Pibhop Dhongchai, Somsak Kosaisuk, Suriyasai Katasila, Maleerat Kaewka, Saranyu Wongkrachang and Anchalee Paireerak.

About 100 PAD supporters in multi-coloured shirts turned up at the CSD to give them moral support.

About 170 commando police were deployed around the CSD heaquarters on Phahon Yothin Road to ensure law and order.

Since the accused reported to police in answer to a summons, as pre-arranged, they all were released and no collateral was required.

PAD lawyers Nitithorn Lamlua and Suwat Apaipak said six of those summonsed could not report today. They are Gen Pathompong Kesornsuk, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, Veera Somkwamkid, Somchai Wongwech, Somboon Thongburan and Yo Saeng-arthit.

An arrangement would be made for them to surrender to police later.
Four of the suspects had earlier surrendered to police.

bangkokpost.com

[Mid]

59 PAD suspects report to police
26/08/2010

Altogether 59 People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) suspects reported to police to hear charges over the 2008 airports seizure, assistant police chief Pol Lt-Gen Somyos Phumphanmuang said on Thursday.

Pol Lt-Gen Somyos, who is in charge of the case, said that of the 79 suspects summonsed, 59 reported to the Crime Suppression Division on Thursday, six requested postponement of reporting, and five had earlier surrendered to police.

It was not known why the rest had not showed up. The police investigators would consider seeking court approval for warrants for their arrest, he said.
The officers said all of the suspects who had surrendered denied all charges filed against them, saying they would testify in court.

He would asked for 15 more investigators from the Region 1 Provincial Police, 15 from the Metropolitan Police Bureau, and 10 from the Central Investigation Bureau in order to expedite conclusion of the case before the end of September.

Pol Lt-Gen Somyos insisted that no politicians had interfered in the case and did not feel being under pressure in handling the case.

He addmitted the suspects might complain that too many charges were filed against them, but everything was based on the law. If there is no solid evidence to support the charges, the case could be dropped by the prosecutors.

On a petition for justice filed with a Senate committee by a suspect, actress Sirilak 'Joy' Phongchoke, Pol Lt-Gen Somyos said he had explained to the committee that every police action was above board.

bangkokpost.com

[Mid]

Govt Backs Police in Airport Protest Case
27 August 2010

A deputy prime minster advises investigators responsible for the airport protest case against yellow-shirt core elements not to worry about facing countercharges. He also pledges the government's full support to investigators in charge of the case.

Deputy Prime Minister for national security Suthep Thaugsuban said he sympathized with investigators in charge of the cases against both the People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, and the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship.

Suthep added that their work will always draw criticism from both parties.

Suthep advised the investigators not to take any side and perform their duties without worry about threats of countercharges.

He affirmed the government will give its full support for the investigators.

Commenting on the PAD's argument that charges made against their core leaders are too harsh, Suthep said public prosecutors will decide by themselves whether the charges are valid or not.

He said if the state attorneys dismissed the case, the charges will be dropped. If the case is deliberated by the court, the judges can rule in favor of the group if the charges are deemed baseless.

Suthep's statement followed the threat made by PAD core leader Sondhi Limthongkul to file countercharges against the chief investigator of the airport closure case on grounds that the officer acted under a political agenda.

thailandoutlook.tv