Thailand Lifts Ban On New Political Parties

[george]

Thailand lifts ban on new political parties

BANGKOK: -- The legislation to allow existing political parties to conduct political activities and the initiation of new political parties was approved by Thailand's National Legislative Assembly Wednesday, though the use of the name, logo or major policy of any dissolved party will not be allowed until after a five-year period from the dissolution.

The NLA overwhelmingly endorsed the bill amending Decree No.15, issued by the military junta following last year's coup which ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, in order to allow Thailand's existing political parties to conduct political activity or prepare for future election campaigns.

In addition, the amendment will allow setting up a brand-new political party, except for one which might bear the same name, logo or major policy as that of a previously dissolved party.

However, the NLA voted 149 against 4 to assign an ad hoc committee to revise the organic law of the constitution to the extent that the future establishment of a political party with a similar name, logo and major policy as the one earlier dissolved, for instance the Thai Rak Thai party, may be legally allowed after a five-years time.

A Constitutional Tribunal had earlier dissolved the TRT party, once led by Mr. Thaksin, on electoral rigging charges under which little-known parties had been hired to nominally contest the April 2, 2006 election, later declared null and void, so that the then-TRT candidates contesting individual constituencies needed not win a minimum 20 per cent of eligible votes.

Consequently, the TRT party was dissolved while its 111 executives were prohibited from contesting future elections for a five-year timeframe.

--TNA 2007-07-18

[LaoPo]

A lawmaker says Thailand has lifted a ban on setting up new political parties

The Associated Press

Published: July 18, 2007

BANGKOK, Thailand: Thailand lifted an order that bans setting up new political parties, paving the way for a general election that is expected to be held by the end of the year.

The ban had been imposed last September in a coup d'etat that ousted an elected government of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The National Legislative Assembly, which is the interim parliament established by the military, voted 149 to four in favor of reversing a coup order than bans registration of new political parties after the Council of State — the government's legal advisory body — reviewed the language of the proposal, said Prapan Kunmee, a member of the NLA.

The move came more than a month after the government lifted a ban on political party activities that was also imposed Sept. 19.

Former members of Thai Rak Thai party had been lobbying strongly for the lifting of the ban on their activities since a court ordered the dissolution of the party on May 30, arguing that it was necessary to help the restoration of democracy.

The Constitutional Tribunal also barred more than 100 of Thai Rak Thai's top leaders from public office for five years for electoral law violations in connection with a general election held in April last year. The Democrat Party, the country's second-biggest, also faced charges but was exonerated.

Thai Rak Thai remains very popular among Thailand's rural majority, who delivered the party huge electoral victories.

The move would allow Thai Rak Thai's former members who were not barred from politics to register a new party and carry out organized political activities.

LaoPo

[Jai Dee]

NLA approves CDRs 15th amendment

The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has approved the amendment of the Council for Democratic Reform (CDR)'s 15th announcement.

The NLA meeting yesterday (Jul 18) discussed the draft bill on the CDR's 15th announcement, which prohibits political parties from conducting political activities. The responsible subcommittee has revised the draft bill in three consecutive readings.

Meanwhile, NLA member Panthep Puwanartnurak (ปานเทพ ภูวนาถนุรักษ์) submitted the motion to amend Article 3 to sustain the Constitution Tribunal's verdict on the party dissolution case.

The subcommittee chairman, Mr. Praphan Khunmee (ประพันธ์ คูณมี), says the subcommittee has agreed with the motion since the Constitution Tribunal's verdict is final. If the party has registered under the same name, it would ruin the verdict and the principle of democracy. The meeting has agreed with the amendment with a vote of 149:4.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 July 2007

[Jai Dee]

Thai parliament lifts ban on political activities

Thailand's army-appointed parliament has passed a law allowing political parties to resume activities banned since last year's coup.

The lifting of the ban imposed after the ousting of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in September also allows the formation of new parties to contest promised elections.

This means Thaksin's disbanded party could re-form under a new name.

"The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has agreed to amend announcement number 15 by the coup leaders," NLA president Meechai Ruchupan told the assembly after a 149-4 vote on the new law, which still needs royal approval.

The elections promised for December will be staged under a new constitution, which is to be put to a referendum on August 19.

Surviving members of Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party, dissolved for electoral fraud, and 111 of its leaders banned from politics for five years, have said they would form a new party and campaign against the charter.

Thaksin now lives in exile in London.

Critics say the draft constitution weakens the role of politicians and gives too much power to bureaucrats. They argue it also opens the door to army meddling in politics.

Aside from the possible revival of Thai Rak Thai, speculation is rife that coup leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin might run in the election under the banner of a new party.

General Sonthi, due to reach his mandatory retirement age of 60 in September, has said he will make a decision on his future after the referendum.

Despite the lifting of the ban on political activities, few human rights officials believe either the referendum or poll can be free or fair.

Thirty-five of Thailand's 76 provinces remain under the martial law imposed after the bloodless coup, and police and soldiers have thrown up roadblocks in Bangkok and in Thaksin's political stronghold in the north to stop anti-coup protests.

Source: ABC News - 19 July 2007

[jbowman1993]

Good news! Keep marching towards a return to democratic rule. Every little bit helps.

[Jai Dee]

Registration for new political party can take place after CDR’s 15 announcement eased

The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) indicates that politicians can register for a new political party after the 15th announcement of the Council for Democratic Reform (CDR) has been officially eased. However, they cannot set up of a party under the same name before their old party’s assets have been scrutinized by the Office of the Auditor General.

CDC Member and Election Commissioner Praphan Naikowit (ประพันธ์ นัยโกวิทย์) says the Auditor General may not complete its examination on the assets of the disbanded parties in time before the general election.

Meanwhile, CDC Chairman Sqn.Ldr.Prasong Soonsiri (ประสงค์ สุ่นศิริ) says the National Legislative Assembly has amended CDR’s 15th announcement to pave way for a formation of a political party. Next week, the NLA meeting will consider organic laws of the constitution concerning political parties.

As for politicians of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai (ไทยรักไทย) Party who wish to register for a new party under the same name, the chairman says it depends on the registrar of the political parties.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 July 2007

[Jai Dee]

Endorsement of the withdrawal of the 15th announcement in the royal gazette will take effect before Aug 19th

Election Commission (EC) believes that the endorsement of the withdrawal of the 15th announcement in the royal gazette will take effect before August 19th.

A member of Election Commission of Thailand, Mrs Sodsri Satayatham (สดศรี สัตยธรรม) says that the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has already approved to revoke the 15th announcement of the Council of Democratic Reform. It is now awaiting to be endorsed in the royal gazette.

Currently, only Thai Rak Thai (ไทยรักไทย) Party members have reveal their assets.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 July 2007

[Mid]

Democrat to launch TV election campaigns Thursday

July 19, 2007 : Last updated 05:58 pm

The Democrat Party launches its election campaign Thursday with a TV slot named after the party's former slogan, "The people come first". The party will also hold its annual meeting and a fundraising event this Saturday.

Party executive Sathit Wongnongtoei said the campaign would begin Thursday via television, which is gearing up for the upcoming election.

The TV campaign has 10 series, said Sathit. The first is the "People Agenda" which will be aired until July 31.

Other outlets for the party's campaign will include radio stations, websites and print media, he said.

The Nation

[John K]

Thai Rak Thai to take over Palang Prachachon

The Thai Rak Thai Group has decided to take over the Palang Prachachon Party as its new political banner, a leading member of the group said Saturday.

Surapong Suebwonglee told a press conference that the group had decided to join the Palang Prachachon because it has similar platform with the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party.

Surapong said the group has resolved unanimously to join the Palang Prachachon.

The Nation

[hammered]

Thai Rak Thai to take over Palang Prachachon

The Thai Rak Thai Group has decided to take over the Palang Prachachon Party as its new political banner, a leading member of the group said Saturday.

Surapong Suebwonglee told a press conference that the group had decided to join the Palang Prachachon because it has similar platform with the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party.

Surapong said the group has resolved unanimously to join the Palang Prachachon.

The Nation

Palang Prachachon has a history of links to TRT.

Taken from an old BKK Post report of 5 parties (TRT and the 4 metioned below) that turned up to register for the boycotted and now annulled April 2 farce.

Even followers of the other four small parties, who could be recognised by their small banners with their party's initials written on them, also waved the Thai Rak Thai flag with the name of Bangkok MP Wattana Saengpairor on it. They also chanted the Thai Rak Thai theme song and held up Mr Thaksin's picture in support.

''We also like Mr Thaksin and we want to support him too, and there's nothing wrong with that,'' said a Kaset-trakorn Thai [Thai Farmers] party supporter.

The four other parties present were Kaset-trakorn Thai, Prachakorn Thai, Palang Prachachon and Pandin Thai.

[hammered]

From the Post: http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=120503

TRT invites Samak to lead its group

(BangkokPost.com) - Surapong Suebwonglee, former Thai Rak Thai executive, confirmed news reports on Saturday that some party members have invited former Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej to lead their political party.

I wonder how this will go down with the October people TRTers?

[Plus]

They lived with Thaksin, they can live with Samak.

[hammered]

They lived with Thaksin, they can live with Samak.

T may have had a bunch of alleged drug addicts offed but Samaks inciting events in the 70's is pretty controversial to say the least with October people. If any can live with Samak they may well have had to abandon any principles first. I wonder if the Samak thing is actually just a desperate attempt by Sudarat to shore up her ruined image in her base of Bangkok where Samak does still retain a little pulling power.

[A_Traveller]

They lived with Thaksin, they can live with Samak.

but not for long I would think. To a degree it's always puzzled me, the Bangkok 'affection' for him, given his past, but outside I would have thought he would be more of a liability especially if there was a concerted effort to review past activities.

Regards