Thai court to decide on dissolution of opposition party in January

[webfact]

Thai court to decide on dissolution of opposition party in January

 

FILE PHOTO: Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, leader of the Future Forward Party, gives a speech during his campaign rally in Bangkok, Thailand, February 22, 2019. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun/File Photo

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's Constitutional Court said on Wednesday that it would rule on the dissolution of the opposition Future Forward Party on Jan. 21.

 

The complaint alleges the party's triangle logo resembles a symbol of the Illuminati, a secret society that conspiracy theorists believe seeks world domination.

 

The court gave the Future Forward Party 15 days to respond to separate allegations that it had violated laws governing political parties and accepting loans from its party leader.

 

The Future Forward Party, which came third in the elections, has emerged as the most outspoken voice against the coalition government headed by former military junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha.

 

The Election Commission this month recommended the Constitutional Court dissolve the party for infringing laws relating to the government of political parties and accepting loans from its leader.

 

The party, founded by 41-year-old billionaire Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, borrowed 191.2 million baht ($6.34 million)from its leader to finance operations.

 

Thai political party law does not bar parties from taking loans, but forbids acceptance of money, assets or interests from questionable sources. Future Forward Party has previously made its loans public and said they will be paid back with interest.

 

Days after the election panel's recommendation, thousands participated in a rally in Bangkok in support of Future Forward, in the largest demonstration since the coup in 2014.

 

In November, the court disqualified Thanathorn as a member of parliament for violating election law.

 

(Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng, editing by Ed Osmond)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-12-26

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[White Christmas13]

I really feel sorry for Thai people

[White Christmas13]

What a country

[neeray]

I've been trying to figure out how to eliminate all of my business competitors.

 

I guess I would need big guns, tanks, threats of jail and the top man on my side.

But since I don't have, it looks like I am helpless, just like the average Thai citizen.

[White Christmas13]

2 minutes ago, neeray said:

I've been trying to figure out how to eliminate all of my business competitors.

 

I guess I would need big guns, tanks, threats of jail and the top man on my side.

But since I don't have, it looks like I am helpless, just like the average Thai citizen.

No, for you it is a different story you have no right unless you are Thai.

[Thaiwrath]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Thailand's Constitutional Court said on Wednesday that it would rule on the dissolution of the opposition Future Forward Party on Jan. 21.

If this does happen, or should I say when, is it a case of:

Thailand, and

  

Sadly, and unfortunately.

[webfact]

Constitutional Court accepts petition for FWP dissolution

By THE NATION

 

 

The Constitutional Court on Wednesday (December 25) accepted the petition from the Election Commission of Thailand for the dissolution of the Future Forward Party (FWP), according to Section 72 and Section 92(3) of the Political Party Organic Law B.E. 2560.

 

Section 72 prohibits political parties and their officers from receiving donation of money or assets from any sources which they know are unlawful or have reasonable doubts of it being unlawful.

 

Section 92(3) allows the Constitutional Court to consider dissolving any political party that violates Section 72.

 

In the next step, the court will send a copy of the petition to FWP, giving it an opportunity to explain the allegation within 15 days after receiving the copy.

 

On December 11, the Election Commission filed a petition to the Constitutional Court, asking it to consider dissolving FWP over a loan of Bt191 million from its leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit to the party which may have violated the election and political party laws.

 

Regarding the petition made by lawyer Nuttaporn Toprayoon on June 18, accusing FWP leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, FWP secretary-general Piyabutr Saengkanokkul and four FWP board members of attempting to overthrow the democratic regime with the king as the head of state according to Section 49 in the 2017 Constitution, the court said the case had enough evidences for the trial to continue without further investigation, according to Section 58(1) of the Constitutional Court’s Trial Procedures Organic Law B.E. 2561.

 

The Constitutional Court therefore will continue the trial and will read its verdict on Tuesday (January 21) at 11.30 am.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30379832

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2019-12-26

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[DaveE13]

And there are still supporters on here of the shower of corrupt <deleted> running this country.

[webfact]

Thanathorn says he is not concerned that his party may be dissolved

 

 

Future Forward party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit said today (Wednesday) that he is not worried about the prospect of his party being disbanded by the Constitutional Court “because the Future Forward party is about the journey and the people.”

 

“Our hearts and souls are committed to bringing about democracy and equality in Thailand, where everyone has rights and liberty.  A party can be disbanded, but not its ideology or its resolve.  If dissolved, a new one will be founded.  

 

If dissolved, we will fight on.  Our MPs are still in parliament.  They do not disappear,” said Thanathorn, when asked about the prospect of dissolution over the 191-million baht loan it accepted from the party leader.

 

Asked if he has a party in reserve, Thanathorn simply said: “Let’s wait and see.”

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thanathorn-says-he-is-not-concerned-that-his-party-may-be-dissolved/

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2019-12-26

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[Samui Bodoh]

It is terribly sad to see what is occurring in the country.

 

For the bright, young person coming of age, there are basically three outcomes for their future;

 

• They will be denied any say in their country's future and accept that the old men will decide everything for them, and that those decisions will be made in the old men's interests and not the young person's interest(s).
• They can take to the streets and fight, thus utilizing political energy that would be much better used building a country.
• They can leave and seek their future elsewhere.

I am so grateful that I had better options.

 

Thailand is trying to maintain a nineteenth century political system while being part of a twenty-first century world. 

 

This kind of political inconsistency simply cannot stand; the breakage, when it occurs, will be ugly and deep.

 

 

 

Edited December 25, 2019 by Samui Bodoh
Lack of coffee

[Oziex1]

Is there a plan B for Thanathorn? 

 

If he didn't see this coming then is he a leader for the Thai people. 

[lujanit]

Why wait until January 21? The decision was made for the Court before the Court even knew it was hearing the case.

[holy cow cm]

So Jan 21 will be known as cut their throat Tuesday? If this sides happen then I really hope all the Thai peasants rise up. 

[scorecard]

1 hour ago, Oziex1 said:

Is there a plan B for Thanathorn? 

 

If he didn't see this coming then is he a leader for the Thai people. 

My guess is that he and his sidekick saw several possibilities, one being enough votes that nobody could touch them, but that not likely in the first elction they contested but they did get massive numbers of votes, way higher than many folks forecast.

 

Also, my guess is that they are both astute enought to know that the military party would use whatever powers and tricks / unethical strategies would be needed to keep power (and more importantly for them) keep the military large and powerful and very seriously oppose any attempts to reduce the army and it's influence. And rightly or wrongly the military party is at the moment able to unethically manipulate whatever is needed to maintain their situation.

 

IMHO opinion Khun Thanathorn and his party have achieved an overall victory, in that they have pushed the military into a corner but unfortunately the military can (and are) still capable of taking unethical / immoral actions. 

 

I see all of this as a stepping stone in a journey, I believe (I hope) Khun Thanathorn and FF will be strongly encouraged by what's happened to continue their journey, knowing that it will take quite some time to get the military into a more ethical situation. 

 

I really hope Khunathorn and his FF members raise many discussions opportunities (staying well away from violence and damage) and at the same time ensure they are not encouraging the old colour politics. On this specific point I hope FF disallow the old red and yellow diehards to become members of FF and more seriously screen all potential members. 

 

A long road ahead, go for it Khun Thanathorn and FF and keep learning. 

Edited December 25, 2019 by scorecard

[Thaifly88]

4 hours ago, White Christmas13 said:

No, for you it is a different story you have no right unless you are Thai.

I think you missed the point

[RichardColeman]

I would imagine that the dissolution of the opposition for a Logo by a basically Junta led government will not been seen in the best of lights by the rest of the world. 

 

As for Illuminati - isn't their thing ruling from the shadows ? As opposed to plastering the fact they are about and active as a political party.

 

Pure nonsense

[animalmagic]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The complaint alleges the party's triangle logo resembles a symbol of the Illuminati, a secret society that conspiracy theorists believe seeks world domination.

On this basis geometry must be banned!

[Chazar]

Bringing happiness to the people

[miamiman123]

Aaah democracy....what is that? 

[Chazar]

5 hours ago, White Christmas13 said:

No, for you it is a different story you have no right unless you are Thai.

and  even then you have almost  no  rights

[Jooss]

One day, Thai people will get up. And it could be soon...

[Sticky Wicket]

3 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

It is terribly sad to see what is occurring in the country.

 

For the bright, young person coming of age, there are basically three outcomes for their future;

 

• They will be denied any say in their country's future and accept that the old men will decide everything for them, and that those decisions will be made in the old men's interests and not the young person's interest(s).
• They can take to the streets and fight, thus utilizing political energy that would be much better used building a country.
• They can leave and seek their future elsewhere.

I am so grateful that I had better options.

 

Thailand is trying to maintain a nineteenth century political system while being part of a twenty-first century world. 

 

This kind of political inconsistency simply cannot stand; the breakage, when it occurs, will be ugly and deep.

 

 

 

Nineteenth century, you give them fair too much credit.

More neolithic for mine!

[Sticky Wicket]

30 minutes ago, Jooss said:

One day, Thai people will get up. And it could be soon...

I never thought they would but maybe Thanatorn is that catalyst

[Jester69]

And the current Thai Prime Minister isn't corrupt??? Someone here has double standards!

Thailand will never progress with the current controllers and the regime governing the daily movements

 

[HHTel]

On 12/26/2019 at 1:52 AM, webfact said:

The Future Forward Party, which came third in the elections, has emerged as the most outspoken voice against the coalition government headed by former military junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Now I wonder why they are up for 'dissolution'!

[Matzzon]

4 hours ago, DaveE13 said:

And there are still supporters on here of the shower of corrupt <deleted> running this country.

Where do you see the supporters?

[Bkkthebest]

What kind of reason is that to destroy a party? It just shows that Thai Court has not evolved out of their caveman era. 

[z42]

30 minutes ago, HHTel said:

Now I wonder why they are up for 'dissolution'!

Oh no no, these instructions / orders will have come from elsewhere, a key (or the principal) actor from afar. 

Their bidding will be done. It is only really a question of how many will actually respond when the order is carried out.

[spiroinusa1]

what a joke.

[ubon farang]

Why wait they long they have made  up there mind Democracy haha Not in thailand there is none. Dont worry the Pm already knows the verdict He started the <deleted> to get rid of them.