Chuvit gets 5 years in beer bar case

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Chuvit gets 5 years in beer bar case

Published: 11 Sep 2012 at 17.04
Online news: Crimes

Chuvit Kamolvisit, the leader of Rak Thailand Party, was sentenced to five years in jail without suspension by the Appeals Court on Tuesday, overriding the lower court's decision acquitting him in the 2003 Sukhumvit Square beer bar demolition case.

In this case, Mr Chuvit and his associates were accused of intruding into and damaging other people's property at night, and also forcefully detaining another person on Jan 26, 2003.

The owners of 135 retail shops in the six-rai Sukhumvit Square beer bar compound on the corner of Sukhumvit Soi 10 which was demolished that night, filed a complaint against Mr Chuvit and his associates. The prosecution filed suit on March 13, 2003. All pleaded not guilty.

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samut
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Discussion 24 : 12 Sep 2012 at 17.5524
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The way Chuvit cleaned up this area is questionable however he owns the land and didn’t get paid; if he would have wait for a court decision he would be still waiting; and for Bangkok it was good to get rid of such a place there are too many already. If I compare this to other offenses by politicians and Government official I would call this a minor offence but of course he is now on the wrong side.
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jacksprat
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Discussion 23 : 12 Sep 2012 at 11.1523
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As I recall, there were some problems over the leasing of businesses on the land. Whoever was collecting the rent allegedly was not passing it on to the owner, Chuwit. The renters did not know this and were quite shocked by the midnight raid. Apparently, something similar happened across the street at Clinton Plaza. The restaurant and bar owners had signed contracts - but with people who did not actually own the land. The Clinton Plaza businesses were evicted to make way for a high rise building, but at least they were given advance notice.
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barryw
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Discussion 22 : 12 Sep 2012 at 11.1422
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We all know that he will never spend a day in jail, no matter what. He is rich, and rich people in Thailand do not go to jail. Period.
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jacksprat
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Discussion 21 : 12 Sep 2012 at 11.0621
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The park has been there for years. It looks rather nice, but everyone figured Chuwit had put it there as sort of "temporary". If he ever got a good offer for the land, he'd sell it for construction.
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brilliant
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Discussion 20 : 12 Sep 2012 at 06.5620
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jacksprat - if there is a park there, I stand corrected. When was the park built? I didn't often get to this particular area of Sukhumvit.
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jacksprat
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Discussion 19 : 12 Sep 2012 at 06.3819
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This was indeed at today's Chuwit Park. It was almost opposite the then Clinton Plaza nightlife area, which was also later evicted (though not violently). I saw it just hours after it happened, looking like a tornado had struck. Chuwit certainly needs to pay for this, but not with 5 years of his life. How will that benefit anyone. except those who want to shut him up?
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whatajoke
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Discussion 18 : 12 Sep 2012 at 06.2718
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Thailand probably has more criminal or indicted politicians than any other country in the world (if you include immune MPs and those on the run). Chuwit deserves to be in jail, I don't think it's the sole result of a personal vendetta to silence him, but it will certainly look like it, he's peeved a lot of people off, but fair game to him, it's not going to silence him is it. Serves the govt right for tolerating MP immunity.
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brilliant
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Discussion 17 : 12 Sep 2012 at 05.1017
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Chuvit is certainly no hero for doing this.
Were the beer bars eyesores and needed to be removed? Yes.
Did the tenants deserve due process? Yes.
Were people hurt? Yes. Everyone who had put money into their "bar" under the belief that Chuvit was leasing space to them.
I don't think this is the park, OldThaiHand, I believe it is the area of nicer souvenir shops on the corner.
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nui
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Discussion 16 : 12 Sep 2012 at 03.4616
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Now you know why politicians and influential criminals don't care much about court cases : 9.5 years for Criminal Court and Appeals Court to decide. Until the Supreme Court gives its final verdict, it may take another 5-10 years = Total 20 years .
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dao
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Discussion 15 : 11 Sep 2012 at 22.4015
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I like Chuwit exposing corruption even if its selective .The Sukhumvit beer bar as they call it was a night market that never took off .He tried strong arm the few vendors out with a late night demolition crew .Of course no police showed up .His property deal to a potential hotel went south so he changed it into a park and became an MP.
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Chuvit gets 5 years in beer bar case | Bangkok Post: news