New laws could reopen suspended cases against Thaksin: Attorney-General

Courts had previously suspended cases launched against Thaksin following previous legal procedures against politicians in criminal cases.
But the new laws could allow cases to be re-opened and pursued, said Khemchai, adding that this is his person interpretation of the new law. Article 69 stipulates that any legal procedures would be continued under the new law, unless they are finished under the old law. Article 28 also stipulates that the Supreme Court can deliberate cases in absentia if defendants fail to appear before the courts.
Khemchai said he views these legal causes as allowing previously abandoned cases to proceed under the new law.
The Attorney General said he has ordered a panel created to consider the possibility but had not given it a specific deadline. The panel could present a request to pursue the cases to the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders.
Two cases indicting Thaksin were temporarily disposed of by the court. One involves accusations concerning a Krung Thai Bank loan fraud and the other a satellite and mobile telephone signals concession-turned-excise tax.
Khemchai declined to comment on other cases that could be considered by the National Anti Corruption Commission, saying it’s up to the agency to consider whether they should fall under the new law.
Asked whether the Office of the Attorney General had singled out and targeted Thaksin, Khemchai said it’s the job of the office to consider the implications of the new law. It is then up to the courts how it would rule on the OAG request once it had received it. If the OAG failed to pursue the cases, it could be subject to criticism, he said.
Thaksin is now back in Dubai after spending time with his family in London last month.
Thaksin’s youngest daughter Paetongtarn on Thursday posted a photo of her father in his Dubai residence on her Facebook account, Ing Shinawatra.