Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BANGKOK5939
2006-09-27 04:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:
LIFE BEFORE THE COUP - EC COURT VERDICT
how-toVZCZCXRO1322 PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH DE RUEHBK #5939 2700440 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 270440Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1919 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 005939
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/26/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM TH
SUBJECT: LIFE BEFORE THE COUP - EC COURT VERDICT
REF: BANGKOK 4490 (COURT CONVICTS ELECTION
COMMISSIONERS)
Classified By: Political Counselor Susan M. Sutton, Reasons 1.4 (B,D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 005939
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/26/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM TH
SUBJECT: LIFE BEFORE THE COUP - EC COURT VERDICT
REF: BANGKOK 4490 (COURT CONVICTS ELECTION
COMMISSIONERS)
Classified By: Political Counselor Susan M. Sutton, Reasons 1.4 (B,D)
1. (U) Days before the coup, the Criminal Court found the
three former Election Commissioners (EC) guilty of electoral
law violations during their oversight of the annulled April 2
elections. Specifically, the court ruled on September 15
that the Commissioners purposefully stalled action on the
Democrat Party's allegation that Prime Minister Thaksin's
Thai-Rak-Thai Party (TRT) bankrolled small parties to
participate in that election. Each received two-year jail
sentences plus a ten-year revocation of voting rights, and
each was released on bail for 120,000 baht (USD 3250) pending
appeal within thirty days. This is the second guilty verdict
rendered against the former EC (reftel).
2. (C) While the first verdict has been appealed by all
three individuals, court officials could not confirm whether
appeals have been filed for the second verdict. They could
only confirm that both cases remain ongoing in the judiciary
and commented that the coup does not affect either of the
cases.
3. (C) Comment: The coup has put "on hold" various court
cases from both pro- and anti-Thaksin factions. This verdict
is worth noting now for two reasons: first, it provides
further corroboration for the argument that the April
election was seriously flawed, and that the Election
Commissioners were not acting impartially. Second, the
court's verdict also shows that there was some progress being
made, within the framework of the 1997 Constitution and Thai
law, in pushing back against Thaksin's control. End comment.
BOYCE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/26/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM TH
SUBJECT: LIFE BEFORE THE COUP - EC COURT VERDICT
REF: BANGKOK 4490 (COURT CONVICTS ELECTION
COMMISSIONERS)
Classified By: Political Counselor Susan M. Sutton, Reasons 1.4 (B,D)
1. (U) Days before the coup, the Criminal Court found the
three former Election Commissioners (EC) guilty of electoral
law violations during their oversight of the annulled April 2
elections. Specifically, the court ruled on September 15
that the Commissioners purposefully stalled action on the
Democrat Party's allegation that Prime Minister Thaksin's
Thai-Rak-Thai Party (TRT) bankrolled small parties to
participate in that election. Each received two-year jail
sentences plus a ten-year revocation of voting rights, and
each was released on bail for 120,000 baht (USD 3250) pending
appeal within thirty days. This is the second guilty verdict
rendered against the former EC (reftel).
2. (C) While the first verdict has been appealed by all
three individuals, court officials could not confirm whether
appeals have been filed for the second verdict. They could
only confirm that both cases remain ongoing in the judiciary
and commented that the coup does not affect either of the
cases.
3. (C) Comment: The coup has put "on hold" various court
cases from both pro- and anti-Thaksin factions. This verdict
is worth noting now for two reasons: first, it provides
further corroboration for the argument that the April
election was seriously flawed, and that the Election
Commissioners were not acting impartially. Second, the
court's verdict also shows that there was some progress being
made, within the framework of the 1997 Constitution and Thai
law, in pushing back against Thaksin's control. End comment.
BOYCE