Thaksin case reboots ‘above-board’

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam has defended the Office of the AttorneyGeneral (OAG)’s move to seek the resumption of court hearings in two criminal cases against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, saying this is not a violation of human rights principles.

The OAG said on Tuesday it had asked the Supreme Court to try Thaksin in the cases involving the Krungthai Bank loan scandal and the Thaksin government’s conversion of mobile phone operators’ concession fees into excise tax which was said to have benefited Thaksin’s own company.

This came after a new organic law which allows the trial of fugitive politicians in absentia took effect in September.

Mr Wissanu said the trials can resume and rulings can be passed in absentia. However, the defendant must be given a chance to fight the case, he noted. If he does not turn up himself, the former premier can still send a lawyer.

“Such a principle is used in various countries,” Mr Wissanu said.

“It caries no risk of violating human rights principles since an opportunity has been given to the defendant to show up.”

He was speaking after Thaksin’s lawyers said the OAG’s move runs foul of human rights principles and international law.

Asked whether the pursuit of the cases during this period of time is politically motivated, Mr Wissanu said the OAG worked in line with its duty and the newly-enforced law.

Kosolwat Intujanyong, deputy spokesman of the OAG, said the Supreme Court can decide promptly whether the hearings can proceed.

“The trial of the case in absentia and pursuit of his arrest can be done in parallel,” said Mr Kosolwat, insisting the OAG has not been pressured to pursue the cases.

Thaksin’s lawyer Phichit Chuenban questioned whether the OAG could ask the court to try Thaksin this time by citing the new law, as the agency had earlier indicted the former premier with the court over the two cases.