PAD leader raps terrorism charges

Published: 5/07/2009 at 04:34 PM
Online news: Politics

Suriyasai Katasila, the People's Alliance for Democracy coordinator, said on Sunday the terrorism charges to be slapped on 36 PAD leaders for the blockades of Don Mueng and Suvarnabhumi airport late last year are too far and groundless.

Mr Suriyasai said this was not different from when nine PAD leaders were initially charged with treason but the charge was later removed by the Appeals Court.

"The blockades of the two airports were not intended to create unrest but an exercise of the right to peaceful assembly under the constitution to oppose the then government which was illegitimate. We did no damage to property of the airports. Moreover, we were attacked with M79 grenades several times but police have not been able to arrest any suspect," said Mr Suriyasai.

He said the crimes committed by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship protesters that forced the cancellation of the Asean Summit in Pattaya and attempted to take the prime minister's life at the Interior Ministry were far more serious than those committed by the PAD.

However, Mr Suriyasai said all of those summoned to hear charges will report to police and fight in the judicial process.

Mr Suriyasai, in his capacity as secretary-general of the New Politics Party, believed the charges would not affect the new party.

He said it is not necessary for Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, who will also be charged in connection with the seizure of Suvarnabhumi airport, to resign since only a summon has been issued for him to report to police, not to mention the fact that the terrorism charges are too far beyond reality.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in his Sunday television programme that Mr Kasit at this stage can continue to perform his duties. Whether Mr Kasit should suspend his work will be considered as required by the law, he said.

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Peter

Discussion 7 : 06/07/2009 at 11:12 AM7
How absurd. Quite apart from the airport blockade, does Mr Suriyasai believe the PAD siege and occupation of Government House did no damage to property? As far as I am aware, to date the PAD have not footed the bill to repair that damage. As everyone knows, in terms of costs, the damages incurred as a result of the airports blockade were far higher.
RicefieldRadio

Discussion 6 : 06/07/2009 at 05:44 AM6
Perhaps Mr. Suriyasai should have read the Montreal Protocol of 1988 on Aviation security, which Thailand signed, before embarking on an airport takeover. Using that international document's guidelines he is indeed a terrorist. Even if they all happen to get off you may see international repercussions with them all on the no fly list.
Joe from california

Discussion 5 : 06/07/2009 at 03:41 AM5
As a tourist who was caught in the airport takeover protest, it personally cost my wife and I around $5000. financially not to mention the personal discomfort and loss.
All the PAD leaders show be charged with terroism.
And who was responsible for allowing them to take over an international airport?
They should be charged and thrown out of office.
boon

Discussion 4 : 05/07/2009 at 11:30 PM4
If the Court accept that invading and taking over airports is an exercise of the right to peaceful assembly under the constitution to oppose a people elected government, then let us have more of that. I also think that the present government is not only illegitimate but illegal.
Red Capitalist

Discussion 3 : 05/07/2009 at 09:51 PM3
Rather than claiming innocence, Khun Suriyasai could claim ignorance of the 36 PAD leaders.

Medical certificates, stating their mental incapacity, might help. These may not be too hard to obtain. Buy 2 (dozen), get 1 (dozen) free.
Gerd

Discussion 2 : 05/07/2009 at 08:52 PM2
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in his Sunday television programme that Mr Kasit at this stage can continue to perform his duties.

How could he say anything different? During the occupation of the airports he was walking amongst the PAD members to get their support since at this time he was still the opposition leader. At that time he did not speak out against the occupation and was in line with the head of the armed forces, that this was a political problem to be solved by the government in power.

Nowadays he is piping a different tune when it comes to the UFD. But nothing else was and is expected from a highly educated Oxford man.
Mr Suriyasai said : "The blockades of the two airports were not intended to create unrest but an exercise of the right to peaceful assembly under the constitution to oppose the then government which was illegitimate. We did no damage to property of the airports. Moreover, we were attacked with M79 grenades several times but police have not been able to arrest any suspect."
Standing on a bridge across a busy motorway and throwing brigs down I might not intend to hit a car but most likely I will. Throwing brigs is not a criminal offence but doing it on a motorway and hitting cars is. Mr. Suriyasai is right that he can peaceful assemble with other demonstrators and express his displeasure with an existing government. But when 300.000 foreigners due to that action are held against their will within a country not able to leave or to move he should be asked under what law he was allowed to do that.
He can not be that naïve not to have known that the occupation of the airport would cause disruption and that foreigners would be stuck in Thailand. If he should claim that this is the case he is more stupid than the person throwing brigs of a bridge and he should have no place in politics at all.
The Great Swami

Discussion 1 : 05/07/2009 at 04:48 PM1
Don't worry my friend, these are the chosen people. My prediction will be the charges will be reduced to something like littering or just having too much fun. All these charges are to distract the silly Thai people from what the government is really doing, like stealing you blind. Remember if I am wrong I will eat my turban but I have never been wrong yet.

PAD leader raps terrorism charges