Thailand's Election Commission Powerless to Compel Thaksin to Testify

[webfact]

File photo courtesy: Thai Rath

 

In a somewhat paradoxical development, Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) finds itself unable to mandate former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to appear and provide evidence in a high-profile inquiry.

 

The commission's investigation revolves around allegations that Thaksin wielded excessive influence over the ruling Pheu Thai Party.

 

Navigating through these political waters, EC Chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong confirmed on Wednesday that while accusations have been lodged, the panel conducting the inquiry lacks the authority to summon Thaksin.

 

Despite having gathered testimonies from those who lodged the complaints against the former premier and Pheu Thai, the absence of Thaksin remains a stumbling block.

 

Mr. Ittiporn conceded that if Thaksin decides against cooperating, the panel is left to proceed with the limited information at its disposal. Nevertheless, he called upon the former leader to voluntarily contribute his side, suggesting that it would afford him an opportunity to clear his name and refute the accusations.

The genesis of these complaints stems from a convergence of events in mid-August. It was reported that members of Pheu Thai alongside both current and former coalition partners met with Thaksin at his Bangkok residence.

 

This gathering transpired after Srettha Thavisin was ousted from the prime ministership by the Constitutional Court on August 14th.

 

During this meeting, potential successors to Mr. Srettha were discussed. In an intriguing twist, Thaksin is said to have played a role in steering these discussions, purportedly influencing the selection of a new prime ministerial candidate.

 

The group initially leaned towards Chaikasem Nitisiri, a seasoned figure and former justice minister. However, subsequent developments saw Pheu Thai members propose Paetongtarn, Thaksin’s daughter, for the premiership.

 

Leading the charge in these allegations are Warong Dechgitvigrom of the Thai Pakdee Party and Ruangkrai Leekitwattana of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), among others.

 

The complaints contend that Thaksin continued exerting influence over Pheu Thai, demonstrated through multiple media interviews discussing party policies and coalition dynamics.

 

As the panel progresses with its findings, the sufficiency of the evidence collected will determine the succeeding steps. The EC secretary-general, acting in the capacity of the political party registrar, will decide on whether to advance the case, an outcome that remains fervently anticipated in the corridors of Thai politics.

 

In this climate of political intricacies, the saga concerning Thaksin Shinawatra and the Pheu Thai Party continues to captivate public attention, spotlighting the ongoing interplay of power within the Thai political landscape, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2024-12-19

 

 

[dinsdale]

Can still be judged without testimony on his part if he decides not give no defence. Not that it will matter. The outcome will have already been decided for the greater good of the royalist military elite aka the establishment.

[ikke1959]

How come that the EC is now powerless?? They use everything and can do everything to bring opposition parties down and ban them for 10 years or lifetime... But a culprit as Thaksin has so much power???

[Denim]

6 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

How come that the EC is now powerless?? They use everything and can do everything to bring opposition parties down and ban them for 10 years or lifetime... But a culprit as Thaksin has so much power???

 

They just do as they are ordered so as to keep their pay cheque's coming. Just a bunch of rubber stampers. 

[OneMoreFarang]

Guilty as charged. Put him in jail. Case closed. 

[Captain Flack]

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[billd766]

How odd that the EC has NEVER investigated any aspect of ANY military coup, yet the want to "deal" with Thaksin, who was the victim of a military coup.

[kingstonkid]

6 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

How come that the EC is now powerless?? They use everything and can do everything to bring opposition parties down and ban them for 10 years or lifetime... But a culprit as Thaksin has so much power???

They arenot powerless to make a decision they are powerless to subpeona a person.  That could be a good thing.  It means that Thaksin can have the power to come in and speak or not.  If he does speak then he can be asked a lot of questins that he probably would not like answered as well as a look at his books.  If the ECC sees smoke they can then boot it up to the NACC for them to make the next call.  That would tie in BIG TIME WITH THE PAPERWORK THAT WAS JUST SUBMITTED  and would not be a good look for PTP or Thaksin.  

 

It is possible that the NACC could disband PTP bar Thaksin and his family from any involvement in politics (including money) 

[billd766]

8 minutes ago, kingstonkid said:

They arenot powerless to make a decision they are powerless to subpeona a person.  That could be a good thing.  It means that Thaksin can have the power to come in and speak or not.  If he does speak then he can be asked a lot of questins that he probably would not like answered as well as a look at his books.  If the ECC sees smoke they can then boot it up to the NACC for them to make the next call.  That would tie in BIG TIME WITH THE PAPERWORK THAT WAS JUST SUBMITTED  and would not be a good look for PTP or Thaksin.  

 

It is possible that the NACC could disband PTP bar Thaksin and his family from any involvement in politics (including money) 

It si long past the time that the EC and the NACC were disbanded and reformed under new NON partisan leadership, and with no sign of the military, police or politicians.

[kingstonkid]

3 minutes ago, billd766 said:

It si long past the time that the EC and the NACC were disbanded and reformed under new NON partisan leadership, and with no sign of the military, police or politicians.

Good luck with that. Remember teh senate? Everyone thought it would be better lol

 

Until they get a real chance to redo the constitution, there are always going to be issues.

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Can still be judged without testimony on his part if he decides not give no defence. Not that it will matter. The outcome will have already been decided for the greater good of the royalist military elite aka the establishment.

Teflon Tony is playing the game, at the moment he seems to be the master.

[Karma80]

Welcome to 2024 as we enter a new era where power over politics and entire nations is openly wielded entirely by the unelected and wealthy who remain unanwerable to anyone because of it. Want to challenge him? Sure - be buried in a billion dollars of law suits.

Thaksin is just Thailands version of Musk.

[billd766]

2 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

Good luck with that. Remember teh senate? Everyone thought it would be better lol

 

Until they get a real chance to redo the constitution, there are always going to be issues.

However until they stop the military coups,  the constitution changes are meaningless, as the military simply tears up the existing constitution and writes a new one  in their favour.

[billd766]

20 hours ago, Karma80 said:

Welcome to 2024 as we enter a new era where power over politics and entire nations is openly wielded entirely by the unelected and wealthy who remain unanwerable to anyone because of it. Want to challenge him? Sure - be buried in a billion dollars of law suits.

Thaksin is just Thailands version of Musk.

The difference is that Thaksin was legally elected as a PM and overthrown in a military coup, but Musk was merely appointed by Trump with NO input from the people of the USA.