Court rejects plea against Thai Raksa Chart case

Court rejects plea against Thai Raksa Chart case

By THE NATION

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THE CENTRAL Administrative Court yesterday rejected Thai Raksa Chart member Ruangkrai Leekitwatana’s plea to halt the Election Commission (EC)’s efforts to have the party disbanded.

The court reasoned that, because party dissolution is legally specified to be a matter for the Constitutional Court, it did not have the authority to consider Ruangkrai’s appeal.

The EC launched a petition with the Constitutional Court two weeks ago accusing Thai Raksa Chart of breaching the law by nominating Princess Ubolratana as its sole prime ministerial candidate. The Constitutional Court will deliver a verdict next Thursday on whether Thai Raksa Chart must be disbanded. 

Thai Raksa Chart will hold a major campaign rally in central Bangkok today despite its fate hanging by a thread.

The campaign event, “Determining Thailand’s Future”, will be held at Lan Khon Muang near the Giant Swing at 5pm. 

Core members including Chaturon Chaisang, Nattawut Saikua and Pichai Nariptaphan are expected to appear onstage.

‘Dissolution topic to be avoided’

Nattawut said yesterday the speakers would focus on the party’s policy proposals and its stance against the current military-led regime and would not mention the possibility of the party being dissolved. 

Pro-democracy party Future Forward was meanwhile also facing the threat of dissolution yesterday.

Boonthavorn Panyasit, repre-senting a group called People Protecting the Constitution, lodged |a petition with the EC to |consider breaking up Future Forward Party.

He alleged that it was “exhibiting behaviour against the monarchy”, citing secretary general Piyabutr Saengkanokkul’s personal stance in opposition to the lese majeste law.

Boonthavorn also wondered what party leader Thanathorn Jungroong-ruangkit meant when he said recently that Future Forward would complete the mission of Khana Ratsadon.

The Khana Ratsadon group brought an end to the absolute monarchy in the 1932 Siamese Revolution.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30365001