Pita verdict a victory for rule of law in Thailand

[webfact]

On Wednesday, the Constitutional Court delivered its long-awaited verdict on Pita Limjaroenrat’s status as a Member of Parliament. 

 

The Court decided that Pita is not disqualified from being an MP due to his retention of shares in iTV, since the company was not broadcasting media nor generating revenue from media operations when he ran for office. This is because Thai law prohibits MPs from holding shares in the media business on the rationale that MPs should not influence the media for their political agenda.

 

As the former leader of Move Forward Party, which won last year’s elections, and current chairperson of its advisory board, Pita remains influential in Thai politics and largely popular among Thailand’s electorate for his progressive proposals of reform. By extension, the Court’s decision on Pita’s fate is widespread.

 

Here are some key takeaways, lessons learnt, and reflections on the verdict.

 

By Lynn Sasinpong

 

Full story: THAI ENQUIRER 2024-01-25

 

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[lordgrinz]

It's called a participation trophy, meaningless in the grand scheme of things.

[nikmar]

let s see after the 31st!

[herfiehandbag]

It might be regarded as a bit of a Pyrrhic victory, since the allegations and court case were central to frustrating the outcome of the election!

[billd766]

Yet the military who own many radio and TV stations in Thailand CAN become MP's and hand picked un-elected senators, and in 1 case can also become a PM, and then go on to be a Privy Counsellor.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The Court decided that Pita is not disqualified from being an MP due to his retention of shares in iTV, since the company was not broadcasting media nor generating revenue from media operations when he ran for office.

He along with his party and the voters were all denied a victory.

Thai justice stinks.

They were deprived of their rightful win, he was booted out over a share ownership debacle.

Then with the new government in place they reverse the decision saying he was never guilty.

Thai justice.

[retarius]

I think this is an overestimation of the result. any sane person could see it was a stupid idea to sue someone for share in a defunct company, but it ruined Pita's shot at PM.....and that is a lasting result. Giving him this tiny victory now costs the elite nothing at all.

We will find out later if the more serious charges laid against him are found to be upheld. That could put him out of politics for 20 years and in jail if they were vindictive, but would make a martyr of Pita. So it depends on what the time frame and the instructions of the court have been, ie do they want to really kill him off now and risk unrest, or let him off the charges and let him stew for 4 years in opposition hoping his shiny new exterior wanes before the next election. 

[Thingamabob]

Nothing much to celibrate. A long way to go yet. The ruling elite are determined to silence him one way or another, sadly.

[lineofentry]

Someone high up has disobeyed orders and jumped ship. The cracks are opening up.

[zzaa09]

On 1/24/2024 at 10:29 PM, billd766 said:

Yet the military who own many radio and TV stations in Thailand CAN become MP's and hand picked un-elected senators, and in 1 case can also become a PM, and then go on to be a Privy Counsellor.

Tradition. It is what it is. 

Yet, clarion trumpeters have sung the songs of revolutionary for ages, yet things remain the same, steadfast. Why is this? 

 

Today, we enjoy [and quite available to all] a great array of independent and alternative sources, yet somewhere in the mix the messages are subdued or passively indifferent about promoting change for the better. I believe a truer manner comes about, as Thais know they're not that oppressed and fixed in everyday life........unlike the highly deluded civilised world who prefer to exist through a myopic and controlled lens.