1	Thailand, lese majeste, Sondhi

PAD leader and New Politics Party leader Sondhi Limthongkul has faced lese majeste problems previously in 2006, but in the aftermath of the coup the charge was dropped on the grounds of reconcilitation. 

In 2008, Sondhi L repeated the statements made by Da Torpedo and a lese majeste complaint was filed. The prosecutors proceeded comparatively quickly on the case against Da Torpedo, who was sentenced to 18 years in jail last year, whereas the prosecutors have continually deferred the lese majeste case against Sondhi L. Now, there are reports that Sondhi L will face prosecution, but he is filing a petition for a royal pardon.

Krungthep Turakit quotes the prosecutor as stating that they are of the view to charge Sondhi L with lese majeste over distributing Da Torpedos statements on the PAD stage on July 20, 2008 and that Sondhi L has asked for a delay as he has stated he is filing a petition for a royal pardon. The prosecutor said that according to the law if the prosecutor deems it appropriate to press charges then must do so and let justice run its course. In relation to Sondhi L submitting a petition, even though the court has yet to issue a judgement sentencing him to jail, that normally petititions can only be submitted for (a) general matters when a person has a problem, and (b) and after being sentenced and then to the department of corrections. Also see the government-run Public Relations Department report.

BP: Hmm, wasn't Sondhi L and the PAD in the camp that Thaksin's petition last year was "improper"? Yes, they were. As have already noted there are no restrictions on who may submit a petition and it is up to HM the King to decide whether to grant a pardon. This applies to Sondhi L as it did to Thaksin, but will we see any critical commentary of Sondhi L?