Opinion: PDRC Cases Show Standard for Thai Justice System

        On Wednesday (Feb. 24), the Criminal Court ruled that the leaders of People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) have been found guilty of various accusations e.g. occupying government buildings and hampering 2014 election process.

PDRC's Rally at the Constitution Monument

        PDRC was sparked after the escaping Yingluck Shinnawattra’s administration had been scrutinizing the blanket amnesty act for her brother – Taksin Shinnawattra- at 3.00 am. Additionally, the negligence of duty of  the escaping premiere on the Rice Pledging Scheme which allowed civil servants and a minister, Boonsong Teriyabhirom who is now behind bars for corruption via counterfeited G2G selling agreement, to practice corruption that left 600 billion baht damage was one of the factors of mass protests with a million demonstrators.

PDRC's Protest against Yingluck's Administration

        Before the judgment hearing, Suthep Tuagsubun – key leader of PDRC and other monitors were accused of rebellion and terrorism which they could face sentences of at most death or life incarceration according to Section 113 and 135. However, they all appeared at the Criminal Court, showing no signs of escape and resistance as Suthep revealed “We will definitely respect the court’s ruling and no one intends to escape”. At the end, they were sentenced for at most 9 years and 24 months on other accusations e.g. invading government compounds, fomenting people to halt transportation services, hampering general election which they were, too, calling for election reform. They should have been called “Heroic Patriots” because they have fought against corruption and tyranny of the administration and have admitted the consequences of rallies.

PDRC's Demonstrators Waving National Flags

        The similar offences have been conducted by the anti-monarchy protesters (Ratsadorn) since last year e.g. invading Thammasat University, damaging police cars and other public properties, agitating people to go on bandh. Obviously, the leaders of the group have repeatedly done such similar offences and shown signs of resistance and escape. Furthermore, the protesters obstructed officials by attempting to abduct the outlaws. In addition to this, the Ratsadorn leaders always refuse consequences they made. 

        For their cowardly and despicable acts, they should be named as shameful disgrace of the country, be imprisoned for what they have done, be given neither praises nor mercy.