Little late. Porch light was already turned off.
"Accused arms dealer’s extradition on hold" by Associated Press | October 5, 2010
BANGKOK — The long-awaited extradition to the United States of reputed Russian arms smuggler Viktor Bout hit another delay yesterday when a Thai court ruled that it needs to consider other charges Washington filed against him.
Also see: Slow Saturday Special: Thailand Turns on Lord of War
Oh, RUN MISSIONS in IRAQ, did he?
The ruling by Bangkok Criminal Court is another blow to the United States, which had expected Bout’s rapid extradition after a Thai appeals court gave its approval Aug. 20. He faces trial in the United States on four terrorism-related charges and life in prison if convicted.
No one likes us anymore.
The delay stems from a second set of charges Washington filed against Bout as a precautionary measure to secure his extradition, a move that is now stalling the process and could even scuttle it if there are long legal delays....
Bout, a 43-year-old former Soviet Air Force officer, is reputed to be one of the world’s most prolific arms dealers. He has been jailed in Bangkok since March 2008, when a US-led sting operation ended years of searching for the elusive Russian who has been referred to as “The Merchant of Death.’’
I guess they would know how to get in contact with him.
The case has plunged Thailand into a diplomatic dilemma....
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"Thais aid US bid to extradite suspect" by Kinan Suchaovanich, Associated Press | October 6, 2010
BANGKOK — An alleged Russian arms smuggler dubbed the “Merchant of Death’’ was led off by masked commandos after a Thai court yesterday removed a key legal obstacle to his US extradition, which has landed Thailand in the midst of a diplomatic tussle between Washington and Moscow.
Viktor Bout, who allegedly supplied weapons that fueled civil wars in South America, the Middle East, and Africa, has been fighting extradition since his March 2008 arrest in Bangkok as part of a US-led sting operation....
The announcement of the ruling stunned the normally stoic Bout, who was standing to hear the verdict but then sat and hugged his wife, who was seated beside him and began to weep. He then waded through the courtroom to his defense lawyer, and with a look of concern said: “[Do] something now. The appeal. We need to appeal.’’
Court officials told reporters that the defense was not allowed to appeal. Only prosecutors who filed the charges of money laundering and wire fraud on behalf of the United States have the right to appeal within 72 hours, after which time Bout could be extradited.
Prosecutors were not expected to appeal.
One possible twist: Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has said that once the court process is finished, he will have the final say in Bout’s extradition....
We are still waiting to hear back from the Globe.
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Did you hear a boom?
"Blast in Thai building kills three" by Associated Press | October 6, 2010
BANGKOK — A blast blew out the side of a residential building in a Bangkok suburb yesterday, killing three people in what police said might have been a bombing.
Police had yet to establish the cause of the blast, and there was no obvious reason that the five-story apartment block in Nonthaburi Province, near the Thai capital, might be a target.
Hmmmmmmmmm.
The TNN cable news channel reported that police explosives specialists were speculating that the blast was caused by TNT or C4, perhaps used in a bomb as big as 110 pounds....
The WORK of INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES!
TNN said police explosives specialists believed yesterday’s blast may have been similar to bombs Islamic separatist insurgents used in southern Thailand.
Not RED SHIRT CIA?
Related: Boston Globe Color Blind When it Comes to Thailand
Now they don't see a thing.
The insurgents have been waging a terror campaign since 2004 that has led to about 4,300 deaths.
The blast occurred on the same day that Thai authorities extended a state of emergency in Bangkok and three surrounding provinces, citing continued security concerns.
And cui bono?
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"Thai Web journalist arrested again" by Associated Press | September 25, 2010
BANGKOK — Thai police detained the manager of a popular news website on charges of insulting the monarchy as she returned yesterday from an Internet freedom conference in Europe.
Chiranuch Premchaiporn, webmaster of Prachatai, said she was stopped at an immigration checkpoint at Bangkok’s international airport and shown an arrest warrant issued by police in the province of Khon Kaen. She had attended a conference in Hungary dealing with online free expression....
Thailand’s freedom of speech reputation has taken a battering in recent years, as the government has tried to suppress political opposition that has sometimes turned violent....
Actually, if you read through my Thailand posts you will find the government was very patient with CIA provocateurs, 'er, protesters.
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"SOGGY DISTRACTION -- Floodwaters from Thailand's northeast provinces, which have swamped thousands of acres of farmland, have spread to the capital. These young Bangkok residents went on with daily life in a flooded house (Boston Globe October 26 2010)."
Yeah, must be no big deal since that was the last I saw of Thailand in my Glob.
