Chavalit and lese majeste

The Bangkok Post reports that “Puea Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh arrived at the 11th Infantry Regiment base in Bangkok’s Bang Khen district this morning to report to the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situations (CRES) as summoned.  Gen Chavalit was wearing full military uniform – said to be for the first time in 20 years – handed over his letter clarifying the allegation that he was involved in an alleged plot against national security and the monarchy to the CRES.”

Here’s the interesting bit: Deputy PM Suthep Taugsuban “early this week said an arrest warrant would be issued for Gen Chavalit if he failed to answer the summons warrant.” Today  Suthep said “the documents submitted by Gen Chavalit to the CRES contain old stories and make no difference to the new case against him.” He added that the case against Chavalit “will be sent to the committee for screening special cases for the Department Special Investigation to investigate.

The committee will hold its next meeting on May 3.” This is a committee that investigates lese majeste charges. Charging a former prime minister is a big deal and bound to raise the political temperature yet again.

Chavalit apparently “did not enter the 11th Infantry Regiment base, where the CRES is located, and instead left only a letter and accompanying papers…”. He refused to enter when those accompanying him were not permitted to enter the base.

Suthep added that “if Gen Chavalit had gone inside the base to see him today he would have taken the opportunity to explain how the former prime minister had been implicated.”

Ah, now we understand: the letter adds nothing because Chavalit doesn’t know what the case against him is!

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