Thailand's Parliament Convenes First Session Since 2006 Coup

[Old Man River]

I'm not sure PPP will be able to survive the immediate challenges, and if that wasn't enough, they'll surely provoke people to take to the streets and fuel their anger.

Back in December Bangkokians gave them the chance, PPP looks like they are going to abuse it by either openly protecting Thaksin, openly ingoring good governance practices, or openly ignoring legal issues. I also think PPP will mismanage public backlash and their reaction to protests will only make matters worse. Eventually they'll be forced to commit themselves to heavy handed crackdown on demonstrators.

Or they can go away peacefully, regroup themselves and run in the elections again (if they find someone to pay for it).

I just don't see the PAD generating wide scale support from Bangkok for its protests unless the PPP is caught openly interfering in Thaksin's court cases or they openly commit lese majeste. Otherwise, I can't see the type of demonstrations we had pre-coup. People in Bangkok are tired of protests and just want to see the country stable and the economy doing well and protests are disruptive to this end. Of course, if the PPP ever does use heavy handed tactics, then all bets are off.

[sriracha john]

Sumeth: EC has no option on dissolution

The Election Commission has no option but to recommend that two parties in the government coalition be disbanded for poll fraud, because the law is very specific, Election Commissioner Sumeth Upanisakorn said yesterday. Sumeth pointed to the wording of Article 103 of the political parties law, which would be the basis for dissolving Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya, two main coalition partners, over vote-buying by executive party members. The executives are Chart Thai's Deputy Secretary-General and Matchima Thipataya Deputy Leader. Article 103 states that if the leader of a political party, or an executive member, commits a legal offence, the law regards that action as equivalent to the political party in question having exercised its power of administration in breach of the law. Sumeth insisted the word ''regards'' does not leave room for interpretation. "I've been taught that 'regards' in legal terms cannot be construed in any other way," he said. The letter of the law in this case must be followed strictly. "The EC doesn't have a choice. We ask for public understanding. It's simply that the law has put a lock and chain around our neck," he said. Any violation of Article 103 would prompt the Election Commission to recommend to the prosecution the dissolution of the political parties concerned. The case would then go to the Constitution Court.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/20Mar2008_news08.php

[sriracha john]

Two more given out...

Yellow Cards Given to PPP Northeastern MPs

The Election Commission gave more yellow cards, penalizing two Buri Ram MPs from the People Power Party for electoral fraud during the December 23rd election.

Two MPs from the People Power Party, Prasit Tangsrikiattikul and Sanong Thepaksornnarong, who are Buri Ram constituency 3 MPs, received yellow cards. The two are facing charges of vote buying and convincing voters by giving valuable assets.

The EC has ordered a re-election. The case will be reported to the Supreme Court division looking into election corruption cases within two weeks.

Regarding the EC petition against the People Power Party Buri Ram MP, Deputy Transport Minister Songsak Thongsri, for his alleged corruption in the election on December 23rd, the panel has yet to begin discussions on the case.

- Thailand Outlook (today)

[sriracha john]

on their way out the door???

PARTIES' DISSOLUTION LOOMS

Lawyers back EC fraud cases

The Election Commission's (EC) legal advisers yesterday backed its efforts to bring fraud cases against two coalition parties to the Constitution Court.

The legal advisory panel voted 6-1 for the EC to pursue the dissolution cases against the Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya parties.

Most of the advisers agreed the MP candidates of the two parties who had violated the electoral law were executive members, and therefore it could be deemed that the parties themselves were involved, said a source.

An EC subcommittee recently advised against pursuing the cases against the two parties, prompting the EC to seek recommendation from its advisory panel.

The Constitution authorises the Constitution Court to rule whether a political party will be disbanded in case the party leader or any of its executive members is found to be aware of or abet electoral fraud by its election candidate.

The People Power Party (PPP) will likely face a similar fate if the Supreme Court endorses the EC's disqualification of its deputy leader Yongyuth Tiyapairat. The EC would then be required by law to file a petition with the Constitution Court to rule whether the PPP should be disbanded.

- The Nation (today)

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[sriracha john]

Chuwit offers to testify against Chart Thai Party

Former Deputy Party Leader Chuwit Kamolvisit said Thursday he believes the Chart Thai Party will be dissolved for electoral fraud. Chuwit said he feels sympathy that the party is facing the charge, but believes anyone who acts wrongly should accept the consequences of their actions. He said it is now time for Party Leader Banharn Silpa-archa to end his political career, because there are many party members who are qualified to replace him. He added that Chart Thai Party should improve its image. Chuwit said he is willing to give information to the Election Commission (EC) because he has classified information to

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=126764