The Constitutional Tribunal Disbands Thai Rak Thai - Election cheating

[John K]

Does anyone find it interesting that the initials TRT appear so frequently in the news after they were officially sent packing. The only thing I can see it is allowing people to keep continuity as to who these people are. For that point I think it is a good thing to remind people they may be voting for the TRT. It also could explain to people why they seem to be so arrogant and self centered.

[John K]

Samak vows amnesty for banned 111

People Power Party draws on former TRT MPs for Chiang Mai seats

People Power Party (PPP) leader Samak Sundaravej yesterday vowed to grant amnesty to all the 111 banned Thai Rak Thai executives if his party wins the next election and assumes power.

"If I become prime minister, I will grant the amnesty to the 111 who have been banned," Samak said.

"They all are important politically. They are suitable to do the work passed on from me," he said.

Samak insisted he had never asked for financial support from former premier Thaksin Shina-watra. "I use my own judgement. I am not Thaksin Shinawatra."

The veteran politician said people involved in the failed military coup of 1981 were granted amnesty, and therefore the 111 who were overthrown in last September's coup should enjoy a similar privilege too because "their wrongdoing was much lighter".

The PPP, new home to former MPs and supporters of the TRT, yesterday introduced its election candidates to contest seats in Chiang Mai, including first-time candidate Chinnicha Wongsa-wat, a niece of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Surapong Towijakchaikul, a key member of the PPP, said the party has already decided on the candidates for the 11 constituencies in Chiang Mai. Most are former Thai Rak Thai MPs, as well as two new faces - Prasit Wutthinanchai, a Democrat candidate in the last poll, and Chinnicha, who is a daughter of key party figure Yaowapha Wongsawat.

"The system of MP elections has been changed from single-MP to multiple-MP constituencies. This caused us to change the line-up of candidates for suitability," he said.

For Khon Kaen province, another large constituency, the party plans to mostly field ex-MPs as its candidates.

Meanwhile, the Chat Thai Party yesterday announced its readiness to contest the election by saying that it has candidates for all constituencies throughout the country.

Party deputy leader Nikorn Chamnong said the party is counting down to the election. They plan to visit Khon Kaen in two weeks and will open new party branches in Nong Bua Lamphu, Chiang Mai and in the South.

The party's election campaign has been finished and the policy platform will be publicised after the election law is effective, he said.

In another political development, Pimon Sriwikorn, co-founder of the Ruam Jai Thai group, said a working group has been set up to draft policies to address Bangkok's problems. He is going to serve as the working group's chairman, with former Bangkok governor Bhichit Rattakul as its adviser.

He said the group would publicly introduce its Bangkok candidates every Monday.

Ruam Jai Thai leader Pradit Pattaraprasit, said he would register the group as a political party within this month.

The Nation

[John K]

You know I can only think of one person with this much arrogance. Who did he say he was proxy for?

[Tony Clifton]

Samak vows amnesty for banned 111

Big words for a man with corruption cases and a suspended 2 year jail sentence dangling on the end of his nose.

Samak first, and then the PPP are in for each quite a deceiving surprise...

[John K]

My initial gut feeling was that this one statement could very quickly reset the stress, anxiety, and division levels to early September 2006 and not Early September 2007.

[sriracha john]

Samak Sundaravej

PPP Leader Vows to Grant Amnesty for TRT

With visions in winning the upcoming election and assuming political power, People Power Party (PPP) leader Samak Sundaravej yesterday vowed to grant amnesty to each one of the 111 banned Thai Rak Thai (TRT) executives.

Samak said if he happens to become elected as prime minister, he would grant amnesty to all the 111 former members of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party banned from politics for five years.

Aside to deeming their great importance in politics, the former Bangkok governor said the banned MPs would be most suitable to work with him in carrying out the party’s mission.

Samak claimed that he had never request for financial support from deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He added that he has the ability to use his own judgment, for he is not Thaksin Shinawatra.

If he was to assume the office of Prime Minister after the general election, Samak iterated that he would make it his first priority to depose the Assets Examination Committee and forward all their pending cases to the realm of the National Counter Corruption Commission.

Separately, the PPP, new shelter for former TRT MPs and TRT supporters, yesterday introduced Chinnicha Wongsawad, a niece of Thaksin Shinawatra, as one of its election candidates to contest for parliament seats in Chiang Mai.

- Thailand Outlook

[bobfla]

Are we Farang in reality, just peeing in the wind, trying to use our Western criteria to evaluate, cheating, corruption and bribery here in the LOS (sic) ?

Awhile back The Nation used this following article that puts things in perpective, we must never forget the term TIT.

Corruption from the cradle to the grave

Since the ousting of the former prime minister, much has been said and written about corruption at the highest level, but perhaps it could be argued that the essence of corruption is as embedded within every class of Thai society as making merit at the local temple.

Instead of simply pointing our fingers at Thailand's most powerful and blaming them for all the country's corruption, let's go deeper, have a look in the mirror, and delve into the root of the issue.

Let's begin with the good old-fashioned upcountry family. Even before a toddler can walk and talk, his delirious daddy on his unlicensed motorbike is already showing off to him, his amazing driving skills. Approaching the traffic lights with half the family packed on the back like a row of squashed sardines, he shoots left, then right, and takes a dare-devil U-turn. Toddler is thrilled at how daddy can save precious time swerving around the traffic laws without having to wait 60 seconds at the lights. Then, on approaching a police box, Toddler is again amazed at the way Daddy, like magic, one-handedly grabs his helmet in the front basket and quickly sticks it on his head like a clumsy construction worker.

A little later in the day, Toddler learns that it is absolutely pointless to stop for a red-light when there are no other vehicles around. Just drive straight through!

Toddler is soon enlightened further by his caring mummy. When she invites half the neighbourhood to the house on a sunny afternoon to play cards in the living room, he is taught to stay outside, keep guard and knock on the door five times if he spots a policeman passing by on his motorbike.

Having grown out of his diapers, the toddler eventually realises that one of Mum's favourite times of the year is the run-up to any kind of election. Opening the door to canvassers, she is delighted at the free bottles of fish sauce, washing detergent and tins of fried mackerel. For Dad, a small bottle of local hooch is also thrown in. Toddler sits back and hears Mum raving at the generosity of the candidate.

Before he is even five years of age, the average kid in the countryside learns that if you want to win the hearts and minds of the villagers, you need only cash.

A year or so later and it's time for school - and, of course, getting decent grades. The young student soon realises that the most efficient method for securing high grades, besides working hard in the classroom, is to attend private weekend or evening classes run by some of his teachers at their homes.

After paying the private tuition fees, he will score top marks for his homework assignments and even be given insightful information on the contents of the mid-year exam.

After private class in the evening, should the young student care to hang around a bit longer, he may have the opportunity to sneak a look through his teacher's front curtains and see her also dealing out cards to her friends. This time however, no guard is needed, as the teacher is married to a ranking local policeman.

The young upcountry student has been taught all the subtleties of corruption from the cradle, but there is much more to be learned in the epicentre of corruption conditioning - Bangkok.

The well-to-do Bangkokian kid also sees from a young age how his well-connected daddy is able to weave around laws by flashing a fancy name card or by dropping the name of some well-connected relative or acquaintance (preferably holding the rank of at least major general). Should a traffic policeman have the nerve to question him, the child will be thrilled at how Daddy advises the officer along the lines of: "Now buddy, the last thing you need is a telephone call to your boss about your failing eyesight."

If parents' finances work wonders with the government education system upcountry, this is nothing compared to what can be got in the City of Angels. There are plenty of families who want to get their kid into a well-known private school, even though their child may be as knowledgeable as a dodo. Intelligence is strictly unnecessary, but a handsome donation is.

Preferred donations appreciated by some reputable schools, very often with Christian-sounding names, include minibuses, laptop computers or simply a cheque. In fact, a generous annual donation to the school's budget will guarantee that the child can be a complete delinquent while the administrators turn a blind eye.

A few years later, upon graduating, it's time to seek employment. With a certificate in one hand, it is also vitally important to have a "noodle" (connection) in the other. A couple of days before the interview at a prestigious company, good-old Daddy diligently calls around to all the noodles asking for their valuable assistance in getting the job for Sonny.

Should all the applicants have worthy qualifications, preference will be afforded to the one with the most influential noodle.

Many foreigners here in Thailand get up in arms at such injustice and lawlessness, but a great percentage of them are just as bad or even worse. Every week, we read letters to the editor that moan about the lack of basic law enforcement in Thailand. But just how many expats enjoy the benefits of corruption themselves? Innumerable expats love nothing more than explaining to newcomers where to get a beer on a Buddhist holiday. Some collect "noodle" name cards and they know the appropriate sum to stuff under the traffic policeman's helmet when they get pulled over. Complaining about the lack of law enforcement one day, they are furious the next. Out drinking at 2am they become fuming mad when a policeman stops and orders the bar closed.

For the long-term expat facing legal obstacles, there are plenty of law firms to turn to. With the help of cash money and the firm's noodles, legal miracles can be made to happen. So perhaps some expats ought to be a little bit more careful about one-sided whining, as they are just as fond of bending the law as the locals.

With so many folk participating in and enjoying the benefits of corruption from a young age, does this prove that corruption on a basic level is simply a social norm, accepted and practiced by people of every class?

Or does Thailand have too many laws? Are there so many rules and regulations that exist only to be broken?

Steve Suphan

Special to The Nation

[sriracha john]

Samak slammed for amnesty vow

The People's Alliance for Democracy will face down People Power Party leader Samak Sundaravej over his move to grant amnesty to 111 former Thai Rak Thai Party executives and to block the corruption investigation against deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Campaign for Popular Democracy secretary-general, Suriyasai Katasila said Samak was a person who has also done something wrong and will suffer the consequences because the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) has accused Samak of involvement in alleged corruption in the purchase of fire-fighting equipment.

Samak said on Wednesday that if his party won the general election and formed the next government, it would push for amnesty for the Thai Rak Thai Party executives and have the National Counter Corruption Commission take over all corruption investigations from the AEC.

"This proves that People Power is being used as a tool to protect the interests of Thaksin's regime and not in solving the country's problems. Samak should be aware of the consequences if he creates divisions and brings the country to a political crisis,'' he said.

PM's Office Minister Theerapat Serirangsan criticised Samak's comment saying that whatever the politician wanted to do for the election campaign, he should not do anything that adversely affects the country's checks and balances.

"He should realize that seeking political support at the expense of the country's political turmoil is totally irresponsible,'' he said.

National Legislative Assembly (NLA) member Prasong Soonsiri said it was "a pity" that Samak as a law graduate did not even understand the ruling of the Constitution Tribunal.

"Even though the people who have been banned did not make the statement about granting amnesty, yet by making other people speak, they must be careful of breaching the ban,'' Prasong said.

He said he was concerned about other members of People Power Party who had good intentions to work for the country because the statement by the party leader may cause the party to be dissolved and they won't be able contest the election.

Samak elaborated his statement on Wednesday that he did not seek public support and did not speak on the order of any one else, but just wanted the public to consider the country's loss of good politicians such as Somkid Jatusripitak, Chaturon Chaisang and Pongthep Thepkanchana who have been banned for five years.

Democrat Party deputy leader Jurin Laksanawisit welcomed the move by Samak for clearly announcing the party's stance to grant amnesty to the former Thai Rak Thai Party executives.

"The public can now easily judge whether this party has policies to protect the public interest or vested interests,'' he said sarcastically.

Council for National Security chief, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin yesterday said he was ready to accept the decision by the public whether the 111 former Thai Rak Thai Party executives should be granted amnesty.

"Samak has announced his political agenda. It is now up to the people whether they want to vote this party into power,'' he said.

People Power Party chief advisor Lt General Kan Thienkaew said he supported the move by Samak saying that many people among the 111 politicians should not have been punished.

"It is not right and it is a pity,'' he said.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Surapong defends amnesty

People Power party secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee said yesterday the move by his leader Samak Sundaravej to grant an amnesty to all the 111 banned Thai Rak Thai executives was a way of creating harmony.

Samak said on Wednesday that he would grant an amnesty to the banned 111 Thai Rak Thai executives if his party became the next government.

Samak's idea was opposed by many, especially Campaign for Popular Democracy secretary-general Suriyasai Katasila, who said the People Power group was being used as a tool to protect the interests of Thaksin's former regime and not aimed at solving the country's problems.

Surapong, however, defended Samak and said the 111 should be granted amnesty in the same way that people involved in the failed military coup of 1981 had been granted amnesty.

"This idea will bring harmony to the country, not create a political crisis as has been claimed," he said.

He said the amnesty would not affect the ruling of the constitution tribunal. "If the party enters Parliament, it will push the idea for the House to debate," he said.

Surapong added that the suggestion to grant an amnesty was not an attempt to win but would be a cure for those who suffered from the retroactive effect of the verdict of a tribunal that was set up by a junta.

He said the party would accept it if the people did not want to see an amnesty. "The people can judge us at the election. If they think the 111 should not be granted an amnesty we will accept the people's decision," he said.

- The Nation

[Tony Clifton]

So, amnesty for the 111 is announced first before any mention of a party platform.

But wait a minute, isn' t People Power party secretary-general, Samak supporter Surapong Suebwonglee himself one of the 111 TRT execs that were banned?

I can't find a list.

Of the 111 , what's the official number on Surapong's jersey?

Edited September 7, 2007 by Tony Clifton

[John K]

So, amnesty for the 111 is announced first before any mention of a party platform.

But wait a minute, isn' t People Power party secretary-general, Samak supporter Surapong Suebwonglee himself one of the 111 TRT execs that were banned?

I can't find a list.

Of the 111 , what's the official number on Surapong's jersey?

The platform will be undo everything that happened after the coup, that’s a given Tony.

[hammered]

Short term political gain is the game. No policies needed here. If we get in we undo all your work and punish you and anyone who as much as assisted you is the PPP message, and by the way 111 guys dont go to the other side as we will let you all off and then let you play with us again. Oh and by the way we need all your proxies to win the election, so we hope the other side cant match our offer. PPP and Samak talk 101.

[sriracha john]

The bribe offer investigation is picking up... with the committee finding there are grounds to pursue it.... with a further big decision from the president of the Supreme Court due out today...

ELECTORAL FRAUD

Court inquiry finds official tried to bribe charter judges

An investigative committee of the Supreme Court has found there are grounds to a complaint that a bribe was offered to the Constitution Tribunal to spare a political party from a guilty verdict on a charge of electoral fraud earlier this year. Saravoot Benchakul, deputy secretary-general of the Office of the Judiciary, said yesterday that the inquiry found that a judicial official had offered the bribe. The findings have been reported to Supreme Court president Panya Thanomrod, who chairs the Tribunal. Panya is expected to rule today if a further inquiry is needed or if any action should be taken under judicial regulations and laws. The inquiry was triggered by permanent secretary for justice Jarun Pukditanakul, who said in June that an official in the Office of the Judiciary and a police colonel had tried to bribe the Constitution Tribunal. One document was an unsigned, handwritten note indicating that ML Krairirk Kasemsant, one of the nine members of the Constitution Tribunal had notified Panya that a class of 1966 law graduate of Thammasat University had tried to lobby the tribunal. In that note, dated Nov 1 last year, ML Krairirk reportedly informed Mr Panya that the wife of a classmate who had offered a bribe was indebted to ''Khunying Or''. It was reported that the approach was turned down.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/07Aug2007_news03.php

=============================================

of note:

Khunying Or [PM Thaksin’s wife's nickname] donated 50 million baht to the TRT party.

- Matichon newspaper / December 21, 2004

(provided by the good folks at 2bangkok.com)

Police faces arrest for bribing judges

(BangkokPost.com) - Police will ask Criminal Court on Wednesday to issue an arrest warrant for a police colonel who is believed to have offered 30 million baht as a bribe for a Constitution Tribunal judge to spare a political party from a guilty verdict on an electoral fraud charge earlier this year, assistant police chief Jongrak Chutanont said Tuesday.

Pol Lt-Gen Jongrak refused to reveal the person's name but said he is a class of 1966 law graduate of Thammasat University.

More here

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=120706

This one has been around for a while. It seems it may actually have legs. It would be good to see someone caught with this kind of activity. Maybe the MP buying can come next if anyone can sort out who is meant to investigate it. The rumour is that there is evidence of that too but it is a hot potato that maybe nobody wants to touch.

Seems that Khunying Or is facing some actual documented evidence...

UPDATE...with the other person involved being named

CONSTITUTION TRIBUNAL BRIBERY CHARGES

Official suspended pending probe

Judiciary Office Secretary-General Phinit Susaoraj has been suspended after a fact-finding committee ruled there were grounds to allegations he attempted to bribe Constitution Tribunal judges hearing electoral fraud cases earlier this year. Supreme Court president Wirat Limwichai signed an order suspending Phinit from duty, effective from Oct 9, pending the result of a disciplinary inquiry into his alleged bribery attempt, a source said. Wirat, who was appointed to head the fact-finding panel when still first vice-president of the Supreme Court, found there were grounds to the bribery allegations against Phinit, the source said. The Secretary-General would be subject to a disciplinary investigation. ''As a result of the Supreme Court president's decision, Phinit must be suspended from duty immediately'' said the source at the court. The court's inquiry was initiated by permanent secretary for justice Jarun Pukditanakul who brought the problem to public attention shortly after the tribunal handed down its May 30 ruling. He said two judges were offered bribes to vote against the dissolution of the Thai Rak Thai party. Jarun claimed to have documents with signatures of the people who offered bribes to the judges. Jarun had submitted evidence to the Supreme Court and the National Counter Corruption Commission that a retired police officer had tried to bribe ML Krairirk Kasemsant, the Supreme Court vice-president, to vote against the dissolution of a political party.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/11Oct2007_news11.php

[jbowman1993]

TRT is dead and gone. Perhaps this thread needs to go in that direction as well. Updates should be directed towards topics on the PPP.

[Mid]

yes sir ................................

[TAWP]

yes sir ................................

You can take your sanctimony and stick it! I, along with quite a few others. are sick and tired of your little one liners. If you have something to say to me, pm me and I'll send you my home address. You can feel free to discuss it with me in person. If you can actually pry your giant butt out of that computer chair....which I doubt, looking at the amount of time you spend posting your inane comments and links to other people's news articles. Why would you want to risk your "platinum club" standing at Pizza Company?

Forum-treats over the internet is always the sign of a huge manhood.

Edited October 12, 2007 by TAWP

[John K]

TRT is dead and gone. Perhaps this thread needs to go in that direction as well. Updates should be directed towards topics on the PPP.

Not according to the head of the PPP.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=1567778

along with a few other posts in the same thread.

[Tony Clifton]

It should remain open until PPP gets it's own "gets disbanded/EC disqualifies" topic.

[sriracha john]

They're having a garage sale in the front yard...

THAI RAK THAI Party property set for auction

Auditor-General Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka has appointed committees to prepare an auction for the assets of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party.

The assets, which include furniture, air-conditioners, televisions and trucks, have been evaluated and set at the pre-auction price of 1 baht each.

One of the 800 lots, the party's library, was set with a starting price of Bt8 million.

- The Nation

==============================================

Can something be over-priced at 1 baht?

[John K]

I can’t help but wonder when they go to auction the stuff off, they will find an empty warehouse and everything now at the PPP office.

[sriracha john]

Is the extremely powerful and magical elephant wand going up for sale?

It's sheer awesome strength is evidenced by its ability to control those that sought to oust him...

More news from the "far side" or "tales from the dark side":

BANGKOK, Thailand -- Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is taking his fight to hold onto his job all over the country and beyond -- to the netherworld.

Thaksin, who has previously accused his political foes of using black magic in their efforts to force him from office, received a gift Tuesday -- a magical elephant prod -- to help him ward off bad luck.

"I will use this prod, along with spells and talismans, to control the fierce opponents who are trying to oust me," Thaksin said during a campaign stop in the northeastern Surin province where he rode an elephant.

- Associated Press

[JacknDanny]

Is the extremely powerful and magical elephant wand going up for sale? :D

It's sheer awesome strength is evidenced by its ability to control those that sought to oust him...

More news from the "far side" or "tales from the dark side":

BANGKOK, Thailand -- Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is taking his fight to hold onto his job all over the country and beyond -- to the netherworld.

Thaksin, who has previously accused his political foes of using black magic in their efforts to force him from office, received a gift Tuesday -- a magical elephant prod -- to help him ward off bad luck.

"I will use this prod, along with spells and talismans, to control the fierce opponents who are trying to oust me," Thaksin said during a campaign stop in the northeastern Surin province where he rode an elephant.

- Associated Press

I was always taught at school that the way to tell the difference between an elephant and a hedgehog was that a hedgehog was the one with the pricks on top.

Now this latest picture is confusing me

[sriracha john]

CONSTITUTION TRIBUNAL / THAI RAK THAI DISSOLUTION

Decision on attempted bribery case due today

The Judiciary Commission will today decide the fate of a high-ranking judicial official accused of attempting to bribe Constitution Tribunal judges hearing the electoral fraud cases that led to the dissolution of the Thai Rak Thai party. Spokesman Prasong Mahaleetrakul said Supreme Court Deputy President Phichit Khamfaeng, as Chairman of the Judiciary Commission, would today meet the commissioners to discuss the findings of a disciplinary inquiry into Judiciary Office Secretary-General Phinit Susaoraj. Phinit was suspended after a fact-finding panel ruled there were grounds to allegations that he may have been involved in an attempt to bribe tribunal judges to vote against the dissolution of a political party. The inquiry was initiated by Justice Permanent Secretary Jarun Pukditanakul after the tribunal handed down its May 30 ruling. He said two judges were offered bribes not to dissolve Thai Rak Thai.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/04Dec2007_news07.php

Edited December 4, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Constitutional Tribunal Bribery Case to be Concluded Today

The attempted bribery case involving a high-ranking judicial official accused for bribing Constitution Tribunal judges to sway votes during the hearing of electoral fraud cases on May 30th that caused the former Thai Rak Thai Party to be dissolved, will be finalized today by the Judiciary Commission.

Commission spokesman Prasong Mahaleetrakul reported that the chairman of the Judiciary Commission, Supreme Court deputy president Pichit Khamfaeng would chair a meeting today with the commissioners to discuss the findings of a disciplinary committee investigating Judiciary Office secretary-general Pinit Susaoraj, who has been alleged for offering bribes to tribunal judges to alter votes in favor of the Thai Rak Thais.

Reportedly, Pinit has been suspended from the post of Judiciary Office secretary-general when the Commission’s fact-finding committee found that he might have been involved in an attempt to bribe the judges to vote against the dissolution of the Thai Rak Thai Party.

Earlier, the Supreme Court President, Panya Thanomrod had ordered the establishment of an inquiry panel, led by Theerawat Pattranawat who current serves as the second deputy president of the Supreme Court, to look into the allegations against Pinit.

The inquiry panel had ordered submitted its findings to the Judicial Commission for further consideration, said Prasong.

According to the commission spokesman, the Supreme Court president’s order on the case would comply with the commission’s final decision.

Following the tribunal ruling on May 30th which had dissolved the Thai Rak Thai Party and a few other small parties due to their involvement with the parties’ electoral fraud attempts, the inquiry panel was initiated by Justice permanent secretary Jarun Pukditanakul, who claimed that two tribunal judges has been offered bribes to voted against the decision to dissolve the Thai Rak Thai.

- Thailand Outlook

[sriracha john]

One step forward and two steps back...

Acquittal of Pinij stirs anger

Weera Somkwamkid, Secretary-General of the People's Network against Corruption, will petition the National Counter Corruption Commission and the Administrative Court against the Judicial Service Commission's acquittal of Pinij Susaoraj, Secretary-General of the Court of Justice, on charges of bribery.

Pinij was cleared on Tuesday over claims he sought to buy off judges to rule in favour of the Thak Rak Thai Party in its dissolution case in late May.

Weera said he was tipped off by Judicial Service Commission members that they were lobbied to exonerate Pinij. The JSC voted 10-4 in Pinij's favour, citing lack of evidence.

Weera questioned the integrity of the JSC's decision, saying a disciplinary panel had earlier ruled 2-1 that the bribery allegation had grounds, which conformed with the result of the investigation by the fact-finding panel headed by Supreme Court President Wirat Limwichai.

Weera said clearing Pinij was the only way to end the bribery allegation against him and help others escape the law. He said some of the majority JSC members were subordinates of Pinij. Some were outsiders who know nothing about judicial circles. Four who abstained were judges.

"Some judges said they were disappointed in the results of the investigation because both the fact-finding and disciplinary panels found the bribery allegation was justified. It seems the judicial circle is back to the Dark Ages. Some JSC members who abstained said they were being transferred for not voting for Pinij," he said.

A Constitution Tribunal judge who ruled to dissolve Thai Rak Thai said he felt saddened by the JSC case. He wondered why the JSC overrode the two panels. A source said the JSC widely discussed the matter before the vote.

- The Nation

[John K]

This appears to be a dead horse. The correct unanimous ruling of the court still stands. Also per usual the TRT is doing it’s best to ignore it.

It would seem Thaksin is reestablishing his network of corruption.

[ando]

The biggest problem for the military junta and their backers -- being the ruling class elite, is DEMOCRACY.

eg: The elite ruling class and their military lackeys are a minority of voters while the poor underclass peasants are the majority of voters.

That makes it hard for the elite to hold onto power under a democratic system, especially if a party like TRT or PPP leans towards bettering the lots of the poor peasant majority in order to get elected into government.

Thailand, as are most developing countries, is a corrupt country by western standards. Corrupt at every level of government office to some degree. Surely anyone who has been around Thailand for any length of time would know that. Put any individual or political party under the microscope and you are going to find some degree of corruption. Unless of course you happen to be looking through rose coloured glasses or happen to be the ruling government of the day with control over the judiciary. Corruption cases against the opponents of the ruling junta and its backers are certain to dig up some dirt and make it stick with compliance from the judiciary. After all this is Thailand.

The Junta and its elite backers are still fighting Thaksin and the TRT (as are most of the sad old anti-Thaskin crowd here ), as their main threat to gaining and retaining political power. However, the emergence of the PPP under Samak is taking the election up to the military junta despite martial law in PPP strongholds, manipulative media restrictions and selective corruption inquiries. The PPP is certainly under a HUGE disadvantage considering the short notice at forming and consolidating a new party under the juntas autheratian rule. However, It does look like the PPP might just get up and win back democratic political power taken away by the military take over of government just over a year ago.

Thailand is at a crossroads now between a truly democratic society and the old corrupt rule by the minority elite (backed by the military of course).

It would be interesting to see what might happen if the PPP wins outright power later this month. Would the minority elite and their military enforcers put their tails between their legs and accept the umpires decision, or would they go into the bunkers planning the next coup to snatch back power once again? With a history of 17 military coups over the past 60 years, I think the latter is most probable.

[Prakanong]

I agree with a lot of what you say and of course Thailand has a much bigger "Crossroads" (or watershed) to come - how it deals with that situation may set the seal on its future for some time.

[John K]

If the PPP did not buy their votes would they still win?

[Plus]

PPP is nothing but reincarnation of TRT with Thaksin in charge. There is nothing new about it and Samak is a nobody. Just look at how many walkouts he had when he took to the stage in areas "his" party has the strongest support. No one listens to him as he is a self-proclaimed nominee.

On the part of junta it's an unfinished business - they were supposed to remove these people and their money from politics. So far they've only managed to keep them isolated.

Anyway, PPP will lose the elections (not win a 50% majority) to what Ando called "elite and their military lakeys".