Charter Court acquits PM Prayut Chan-o-cha

[webfact]

Charter Court acquits PM Prayut Chan-o-cha

By The Nation

 

 

The Constitutional Court has ruled that Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha should remain in office as he did not violate the charter.

 

Wednesday’s verdict came amid political unrest that has been escalating since July, with pro-democracy protesters demanding Prayut’s resignation, charter change and monarchy reform.

 

Protesters also called a rally at Lat Phrao Intersection today.

 

The opposition accuses Gen Prayut of breaching the Constitution by staying on at an official Army residence in the First Infantry Battalion of Royal Guards on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in Bangkok, after his military retirement at the end of September 2014.

 

Prayut is accused of violating Sections 184 and 186 of the Constitution that forbid a government minister from “receiving any special money or benefit from a government agency, state agency or state enterprise apart from that given by the government agency, state agency or state enterprise to other persons in the ordinary course of business”.

 

In so doing, the opposition leader’s petition alleges, the PM also violated Section 160 of the Constitution which states: “A minister must not behave in ways that constitute a serious violation of or failure to comply with ethical standards.

 

”According to Section 170, a violation of Section 160 warrants termination of the culprit’s ministerial post.

 

In his testimony to the court, Prayut argued that he had to stay at the Army residence because the PM’s official residence, Baan Phitsanulok, was being renovated, according to a Parliament source.

 

Also, the PM argued that his security team suggested he live at the Army residence for safety. Hence, he said, the court should dismiss the petition against him.

 

The Army informed the court that the residence was provided to Prayut because he is PM and deserves the honour and security it provides.

 

Similar housing has been provided to other former Army chiefs who are members of the Cabinet, the Privy Council and Parliament, the Army says.

 

The opposition pushed the case knowing that a guilty verdict would mean Prayut immediately loses his premiership and is disqualified from holding government office for two years.

 

It also knew an acquittal would mean business as usual for the prime minister, perhaps even bolstering his legitimacy as PM.

 

The Constitutional Court has played a key role in shifting political momentum in past years, making several controversial verdicts deemed politically biased by critics.

 

The court has disqualified three prime ministers – Samak Sundaravej, Somchai Wongsawat and Yingluck Shinawatra – and dissolved a handful of political parties including Thai Rak Thai, People's Power, Thai Nation Party, Neutral Democratic Party and, most recently, Future Forward. All were at the opposite end of the spectrum to the conservative establishment.

 

The verdicts were also seen as fuel for mass protests by the red shirts and now Ratsadon (People’s Movement) against conservative governments and the royalist establishment.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30398965

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-12-02

 

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[ThailandRyan]

Let the games begin.  This will be interesting to see how this all plays out.  Stay safe people it is about to get even more real.

[Golden Triangle]

My my, what a surprise, not.

[Mr Meeseeks]

Acquitted to continue returning happiness to his people. 

[oompie69]

Must be very extensive renovation to take so long to complete.

[from the home of CC]

better luck next time billionaire..

[ThailandRyan]

I like his defense that he could not live in the PM's residence as it was being remodeled.  For how many years has it been under remodel.  Then add in his own words that "It's to big for his Family", and you know he never intended to live there.  I would like to see the expenses used for his security and housing while living on base.  It is a perk that he gets security and housing, but he should be living in the official residence not a military house that can be used by some other needy military commander.

[webfact]

Thai PM found 'not guilty' in conflict of interest case

 

Thailand Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha attends an agreement signing ceremony for purchase of AstraZeneca's potential COVID-19 vaccine at Government House, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Bangkok, Thailand November 27, 2020. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa/Pool

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's constitutional court ruled on Wednesday that Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha was "not guilty" of a conflict of interest for staying in an army residence after retiring.

 

The ruling meant that he can stay in power. The court's decision comes with tension high after months of protests to demand his removal.

 

Opposition parliamentarians filed a petition that it constituted a conflict of interest for Prayuth to have remained in military housing after his retirement from the army in 2014. Prayuth has said he needs to stay there for security reasons.

 

(Reporting by Patpicha Tanakasempipat and Panarat Thepgumpanat; Editing by Matthew Tostevin)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-12-02

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

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[Thaiwrath]

9 minutes ago, webfact said:

The Constitutional Court has played a key role in shifting political momentum in past years, making several controversial verdicts deemed politically biased by critics.

Showing the true colours of the Thai justice system under this military regime, disgraceful !

  

[DaveE13]

6 minutes ago, from the home of CC said:

better luck next time billionaire..

The billionaire lol  the one with the watch collection?

[Hayduke]

43 minutes ago, webfact said:

Charter Court acquits PM Prayut Chan-o-cha

 

The result....was never in doubt.

 

The Hero-General has an absurdly large army (for a country with no intention of ever fighting anyone…except unarmed Thai people), lots of really expensive, scary weapons (some of which theoretically work), billions upon billions of (choose your currency) stashed away in an endless number of world-wide banks,....and a complete lack of honesty, integrity, ethics, and morality .

 

He also has an extensive collection of the exceedingly rare and highly prized…”Protection from the Law” amulets…which guarantee lifetime immunity for any and all crimes.

 

The Constitutional Court was no doubt much impressed with such...extraordinary credentials.

 

 

 

Edited December 2, 2020 by Hayduke

[colinneil]

Well theres a surprise, what a bloody disgraceful farce.

[ourmanflint]

i never would have guessed...

[darksidedog]

18 minutes ago, webfact said:

The verdicts were also seen as fuel for mass protests

History does have a habit of repeating itself, does it not?

You have to suspect that this, albeit much expected verdict is not going to sit well with many after all.

[from the home of CC]

4 minutes ago, DaveE13 said:

The billionaire lol  the one with the watch collection?

nah, the one that got chased out of the south spreading bs in the school systems..

[NanLaew]

25 minutes ago, webfact said:

The court has disqualified three prime ministers – Samak Sundaravej, Somchai Wongsawat and Yingluck Shinawatra – and dissolved a handful of political parties including Thai Rak Thai, People's Power, Thai Nation Party, Neutral Democratic Party and, most recently, Future Forward. All were at the opposite end of the spectrum to the conservative establishment.

 

This is all one really needs to know.

[RJRS1301]

20 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

I like his defense that he could not live in the PM's residence as it was being remodeled.  For how many years has it been under remodel.  Then add in his own words that "It's to big for his Family", and you know he never intended to live there.  I would like to see the expenses used for his security and housing while living on base.  It is a perk that he gets security and housing, but he should be living in the official residence not a military house that can be used by some other needy military commander.

Needy or greedy?

 

[RJRS1301]

30 minutes ago, webfact said:

The court has disqualified three prime ministers – Samak Sundaravej, Somchai Wongsawat and Yingluck Shinawatra – and dissolved a handful of political parties including Thai Rak Thai, People's Power, Thai Nation Party, Neutral Democratic Party and, most recently, Future Forward. All were at the opposite end of the spectrum to the conservative establishment

No there is a surprise for an "independent body"

Wonder how many former army generals appointed to that court?

 

[overt2016]

If the reasons given were known beforehand why did they

go through with the case?

[Bangyai]

There will never ever be any real justice in Thailand while its written laws are open to ' judicial interpretation. '

 

They just make it up as they go along. Time spent deliberating really means time spent searching for the right wording of a verdict previously decided to fob off onto the hoi palloi .

[ThailandRyan]

6 minutes ago, Bangyai said:

There will never ever be any real justice in Thailand while its written laws are open to ' judicial interpretation. '

 

They just make it up as they go along. Time spent deliberating really means time spent searching for the right wording of a verdict previously decided to fob off onto the hoi palloi .

They had to find Prayuts Amnesty law he created for himself and the rest of the Junta.  It in essence absolves him of any wrongdoing and ensures he is in power for 20 years plus.  He will never relinguish power.  There would have to be a major civil war and such with pressures from the other countries, but then China will back him all the way to the end.  Reminds me of Vietnam circa 1960's

[anchadian]

Lets the protests continue.

[2530Ubon]

So now gasoline has been poured over the fire and guess what, there's a gas station nearby and the flames have just started licking the pumps

 

 

Edited December 2, 2020 by 2530Ubon

[PatOngo]

Did anyone expect any less? And they worry about the national image! Disgraceful and disgusting! So glad I'm not a Thai peasant, shafted on a daily basis!

[rkidlad]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The Army informed the court that the residence was provided to Prayut because he is PM and deserves the honour and security it provides.

And where do they draw the line about which people and which institutions can give what kinds of benefits providing honour and security?

 

Can rich business people, for example, give politicians fancy cars if they have bulletproof windows? How about a mansion with German Shepards or a Rolex that releases sleeping gas?

 

Will the army be supplying housing for all future PM’s? 

Edited December 2, 2020 by rkidlad

[djayz]

Didn't see that coming... 

[sammieuk1]

Phew! that was close the constitutional court seems to be following Prayuts constitution for some unknown reason let the fireworks begin it's show time????????

[ThailandRyan]

2 minutes ago, sammieuk1 said:

Phew! that was close the constitutional court seems to be following Prayuts constitution for some unknown reason let the fireworks begin it's show time????????

It was part of the 20 year Roadmap the good general designed.  That and the way he has taken decisive control of the peoples rights.

[bluesofa]

I had no doubt the court would reach the right decision.

After all, the Thai justice is the best justice system in the world money can buy.

 

<For the hard-of-learning: The text above may contain traces of sarcasm>

[kotsak]