Opinion: Constitutional Court’s latest controversy shows moral gaps that can happen ONLY in Thailand

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By Arun Saronchai

 

The Constitutional Court justices are embroiled in a new dilemma that shows big moral gaps within the court that should worry any legal scholars in Thailand and the greater public about the court’s judgement.

 

The problem stems from the age of the current President of the Constitutional Court, Worawit Kangsasitiam.

 

Worawit is about to turn 70 years old this March. According to the 2007, Constitutional Court justices cannot be over 70 years and cannot serve for nine years.

 

Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/37856/opinion-constitutional-courts-latest-controversy-shows-moral-gaps-that-can-happen-only-in-thailand/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-02-24

 

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[LivinLOS]

Not only Thailand.. Its a hallmark of 3rd world or banana republic type governance.. 
 

When folks rail against the term 3rd world or developing nation for Thailand.. This is the kind of stuff that keeps them included. 

[internationalism]

Looks similar as the current prime minister who wants to run for his 3rd term.  Ruling since 2014. If elected the next year, he might end rule in 2027.

Both have full support from the dinosaurs more powerful, them themselves

 

[mikebell]

'moral gaps that can happen ONLY in Thailand' - 

1 Police decide IF a crime is committed & depending on the law breaker whether to prosecute.

2 After a General Election the Government can be brought down by tanks.

 

On reflection perhaps not only in Thailand.

[EVENKEEL]

70 yrs old age limit for government sounds about right. At a minimum the oldsters should take an annual cognitive test to show they're mentally fit. When I renew my US driver's license at age 72 I'll be required to show I'm fit. 

[ikke1959]

People have to make place for younger ones.. That is normal in life.. It is not good to stay in a job when you are older than 70, because that is already too much, but alas..It has to stop somewhere. As a PM should not serve more than 6 years either..and a MP not more than 10 years...

[HaoleBoy]

Utterly ridiculous cherry picking a clause from a now defunct constitution.

There should only be 1 country constitution!

This just makes a mockery of this Constitutional Court ... seems fully inline with the current gov though.

[Bluespunk]

“Worawit is about to turn 70 years old this March. According to the 2007, Constitutional Court justices cannot be over 70 years and cannot serve for nine years.

 

However, according to the 2017 constitution, that 70 year limit can be expanded to 75 years but justices cannot serve for more than seven years on the court.

 

The dilemma is that while Worawit is about to turn 70 years old, he is also on his eighth year on the court.”

 

There is no dilemma.
 

He has to retire. 

[Tropicalevo]

What relevance does the law have for dictators and rich people in Thailand?

It is only abused used to keep demonstrators in gaol.

[BangkokReady]

3 hours ago, LivinLOS said:

This is the kind of stuff that keeps them included. 

Along with the fact that they are a country that is still developing, no?

[BangkokReady]

2 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

At a minimum the oldsters should take an annual cognitive test to show they're mentally fit.

Only if the youngsters can pass it also.

[mtls2005]

How hard could it be to find a younger "rubber stamp"?

 

 

[Enoon]

There are always two constitutions in operation in Thailand.

 

One is publicly presented to the people of Thailand and the world.

 

The other one is little publicised, discussion of it discouraged.....but it prevails.

 

 

Edited February 24, 2022 by Enoon

[Foghorn]

5 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

70 yrs old age limit for government sounds about right. At a minimum the oldsters should take an annual cognitive test to show they're mentally fit. When I renew my US driver's license at age 72 I'll be required to show I'm fit. 

Should also be a requirement of thaivisa , oops sorry would loose too many customers 

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

People have to make place for younger ones.. That is normal in life.. It is not good to stay in a job when you are older than 70, because that is already too much, but alas..It has to stop somewhere. As a PM should not serve more than 6 years either..and a MP not more than 10 years...

I'm sure Xi and Vladimir Putin will take notice and resign immediately.

[sammieuk1]

The problem stems from just how unusually wealthy is the constitutional court I suspect ????

[Bangkok Barry]

9 hours ago, LivinLOS said:

Not only Thailand.. Its a hallmark of 3rd world or banana republic type governance.. 
 

When folks rail against the term 3rd world or developing nation for Thailand.. This is the kind of stuff that keeps them included. 

Yes. And putting up a few tall and shiny glass buildings doesn't change that. The leadership in all its forms in Thailand has an 18th century mentality.

[Scott Tracy]

Why is there such a bruhaha?

 

How long do Supreme Court justices serve in the United States? Not only that, this court must be the most political in the world.

 

How old and how long do members of the UK Supreme Court serve?

[Boyn]

Come on guys and gals you know the Gov. and Hisos just do whatever suits them, im sure they regard doing this is having a constitution.

[kingstonkid]

T I T

[NeoDinosaw]

12 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

70 yrs old age limit for government sounds about right. At a minimum the oldsters should take an annual cognitive test to show they're mentally fit. When I renew my US driver's license at age 72 I'll be required to show I'm fit. 

When I renewed my UK driver's license by post at age 7X I had to write that I was fit.