Re-election bid hits early snag

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Bangkok governor faces BTS charges

Published: 2 Jan 2013 at 23.35
Online news: Election

Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra's run for governor is off to a bad start after the Department of Special Investigation Wednesday said it would file charges against him and 10 others at City Hall over a skytrain extensions contract.

Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra counters the Department of Special Investigation's decision to bring charges in connection with City Hall's decision to grant a contract for skytrain extensions. (Photo by Apichart Jinakul)

The DSI has decided to press charges against him and 10 others in connection with City Hall's decision to grant a 30-year contract to skytrain operator Bangkok Transit System Co (BTSC).

MR Sukhumbhand, who is seeking a second term as governor, Wednesday threatened to file a counter-lawsuit against the DSI.

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brilliant
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Discussion 32 : 03 Jan 2013 at 21.3332
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"Does anyone know of another country where the criminal gets to sue the police for charging him?"

No, but since he's not a "criminal".....
Do you know of another country were a body such as the DSI can become the tool of one party to seek revenge for an actual convicted criminal?
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jacksprat
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Discussion 31 : 03 Jan 2013 at 20.0231
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One simple question : would Tarit be doing this if the governor were not a Democrat? I think we all know the answer, though the red shirt apologists will deny it most vehemently.
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jacksprat
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Discussion 30 : 03 Jan 2013 at 18.0430
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"Does anyone know of another country where the criminal gets to sue the police for charging him?" The USA comes to mind.
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Bangon
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Discussion 29 : 03 Jan 2013 at 17.0529
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And the witch hunt against K.Abhisit goes on full speed ahead, for the vengeance of one egomaniac would-be despot safely pulling the ropes from abroad, and perpetrated by all his boot-licking minions... What a shame for Justice! What a disgrace for Thailand! How deep can this country sink for you Thaksin Shinawatra?
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cpkinnally
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Discussion 28 : 03 Jan 2013 at 16.3828
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Let the show go on . . .
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unkn0wn
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Discussion 27 : 03 Jan 2013 at 16.3627
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I don't mind that the DSI is suing him but there are other obvious corruption schemes going on in the government. Example the rice management scheme and it saddens me the government is turning a blind eye even though they did admit there were some corrupt practices in the scheme.

But in this scenario I personally think the DSI is just a tool for PT and Mr. Tarit is just a puppet for the upcoming governor election but I'm not saying he is pro-PT or pro-Dem because he did work for both governments.
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Bangon
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Discussion 26 : 03 Jan 2013 at 14.3926
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The jurisprudentia and interpretation of laws in Thailand makes it alas possible to formulate two 180° opposite sets of valid conclusions for a same case, based on the same evidence and law texts. This is a very dangerous situation few magistrates seem to be concerned about, and MP's do superbly ignore. K.Sukhumbhand did for sure priorly consult with the best attorneys, but the PTP/Government owned vendetta machine, with DSI, Police, AG, PP's, and judges might still crush him. The Dem's need a good fresh vice-governor candidate, cause he might have to run the place for a while...
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jacksprat
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Discussion 25 : 03 Jan 2013 at 14.3525
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@discussion 20 - That's why Pheu Thai hates him.
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spiceman
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Discussion 24 : 03 Jan 2013 at 13.5124
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I think the law is needed to be changed to prevent this kind of confusion in the future. First of all, all provincial governors, including the Deep South, need to be elected by the people within his province, and will have full authority within his province. So, the people in each province will decide who they want as their provincial governor, instead of having to endure those being appointed from BKK. I can't think of anything more democratic than this!
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HowIWish
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Discussion 23 : 03 Jan 2013 at 11.2823
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Very poor timing on behalf of the DSI, however wasn't it reported a couple of days ago AV and the Dems reluctantly supported Sukhumbhand for a second term? Maybe no support coming from AV in this scenario, will wait and see. But to have a contract renewed so far from its renewal date certainly does warrant investigation, especially a direct contract renewal!!
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Re-election bid hits early snag | Bangkok Post: news