3 replies to this topic

[Birch]

"Acting National Police Chief Seripisuth Temiyavej has spoken following reports the Assets Scrutiny Committee is preparing to issue arrest warrants for ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra's wife Potjaman Shinawatra, her son Panthongtae and two other close associates on Shin Corp shares sale to Temasek Holdings of Singapore.

The ASC found Khunying Potjaman, Mr Panthontae, her secretary Karnchanapa Honghern and her sister-in-law Bussaba Damapong to be uncooperative as they failed to show up before the panel looking into the 73-billion-baht deal. The panel decided to take criminal action against them.

“I still haven’t heard anything from the Assets Scrutiny Committee,” Pol Gen Seripisuth said, “but if we are asked by the ASC to make arrests, then we are ready to fulfill our duties immediately.”

Under Article 118 of the Anti-Corruption Act, those who fail to appear before an inquiry panel are liable to a maximum six months in jail and/or a fine of up to 10,000 baht."

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=120442

[Hedda]

Although I am no fan of the Thaksins, I do not understand how anyone can be charged with a criminal offense for invoking their right to remaim silent in the face of accusations of improper or illegal conduct.

According to the link below: The 1997 Thai Constitution specifically provided: "A person has a right not to incriminate himself or herself in a criminal case." In addition, there are several codes still extant that recognize the right to remain silent in the face of accusations.

http://www.inter.ago.go.th/botkawm/page45.htm

[Snowy]

Although I am no fan of the Thaksins, I do not understand how anyone can be charged with a criminal offense for invoking their right to remaim silent in the face of accusations of improper or illegal conduct.

..... "The 1997 Thai Constitution specifically provided: A person has a right not to incriminate himself or herself in a criminal case."

All that may be true but, as I understand it, their 'crime' in this particular instance is not answering a summons to appear before the committee ---"Under Article 118 of the Anti-Corruption Act, those who fail to appear before an inquiry panel are liable to a maximum six months in jail and/or a fine of up to 10,000 baht."

I hold no brief for Thaksin and his family but the obvious solution for them is to appear before the committee, thereby fulfilling their obligations under Article 118 but to then refuse to answer any questions that would incriminate themselves under the quoted paragraph of the 1997 Thai Constitution. On the face of it, problem solved - but no doubt some other provision of Thai law would be trotted out to get round that solution !!!

[DollyLamma]

Now that they are throwing protestors in jail, it may be only a matter of time that Mrs. Thaksin and her family follows them. I don't know about you, but I am getting a funny feeling about the direction of politics right now in Thailand.