Court set to rule in case against ex-PM, Chavalit over crackdown
The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders is set to rule against former prime minister Somchai Wonsawat of the now defunct People’s Power Party and some of his deputy prime ministers and top ranking police officers over the crackdown by his government on People’s Alliance for Democracy protesters in 2008.
The verdict will be announced on August 2.
The case was filed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission against him, his then deputy General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, former police chief Pol General Patcharawat Wongsuwan, and former Metropolitan police chief Pol Lt-General Suchart Muankaew for violating Article 157 in the crackdown
The incident took place on October 7, 2008, when the PAD members demonstrated outside the Parliament building to put pressure on Somchai, who was set to report the government’s policies to Parliament.
Somchai left Parliament shortly before police used tear gas and clashed with protesters, leading to deaths and casualties.
