Election Commission Rules That Chart Thai & Matchima Thipataya Parties Be Dissolved

[sriracha john]

EC rules that Chart Thai, Matchima Thipataya be dissolved

Election Commission (EC) resolved Friday that Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya parties be dissolved. Election commissioners voted 4:1 that executives of the two parties knew about or conspired in vote-buying schemes in the Dec 23 general election last year. Somchai Juengprasert is the sole commissioner who decided that the two parties should not be dissolved. EC will forward the cases to the Attorney-General, who will then recommend the cases to the Constitution Court.

The Constitution Court will be the one giving the final rulings on

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=127060

[sriracha john]

EC seeks to disband Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya Parties

The Election Commission on Friday decided to petition the Constitution Court to rule whether to disband two coalition parties, Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya.

Their decisions based on grounds that their executives were involved in electoral fraud in the December 23 election.

The EC's decision was based on the majority vote of four members. One dissent member was Somchai Juengprasert.

Should the high court rule against the two parties, the mandatory punishment is by party dissolution.

- The Nation / 4-11-08

Edited April 11, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Two top Thai parties face dissolution over vote fraud

BANGKOK - Thai election authorities said on Friday they will ask a court to disband two partners in Thailand's coalition government after an investigation concluded they had bought votes in December polls.

Election Commission spokesman Ruengroj Chomsueb said the panel has recommended the disbanding of the Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya parties, on charges of vote buying by top executives.

Prosecutors now have 30 days to decide whether to uphold the commission's findings. If they agree, the case would then go to the Constitutional Court, which would consider whether to accept the charges.

If prosecutors refuse to take the case, the Election Commission could use legal manoeuvres to bring the parties to court itself.

The two parties are key partners in a coalition government led by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's People Power Party (PPP). But even if the coalition lost the 45 seats the parties hold, the remaining partners would still hold a comfortable majority, with 271 of the 480 seats in parliament.

However, Samak has launched a drive to amend the constitution and strip the courts of the power to disband political parties. He argues that the threat of party dissolution destabilises the government. The constitution was drafted by a panel following a 2006 coup and was approved in a national referendum in August.

Samak's drive to amend the basic law has sparked intense controversy, with critics saying he wants to prevent his own PPP from being disbanded.

The People Power Party's Deputy Leader, Yongyut Tiapairat, also faces vote-buying accusations that could eventually lead the Election Commission seeking the PPP's dissolution as well. The PPP is made up of allies of Thaksin, who remains an enormously divisive figure, adored in the Thailand's rural heartland but despised by much of the Bangkok elite.

- AFP / 4-11-08

Edited April 11, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Poll agency asks court to disband two coalition parties

BANGKOK, April 11 (TNA) – Thailand's Election Commission by majority vote on Friday resolved to ask the Constitution Court to dissolve two coalition political party partners -- the Chart Thai and Mahachima Thipataya parties-- charging that they had committed electoral fraud in relation to the December 23 general election last year.

The five-member poll agency voted 4-1 to pass the ruling after considering the personal judgment made by EC Chairman Apichart Sukhagganond, in his capacity as Registrar of Political Parties, according to Suthipol Thaveechaikarn, EC Secretary-General.

Mr. Apichart's judgement had been taken into account hours before the assembled commissioners passed their ruling that the two coalition parties be dissolved following the disqualification of their executive candidates for their alleged involvement in rigging the December elections, according to Mr. Suthipol.

The election body will forward its decision to the Attorney-General's office, which has 30 days to file the case in the Constitution Court.

If prosecutors refuse to take the case, the Election Commission could file the case before the court itself.

The top leaders of both parties testified before the Election Commissioners with additional information in bids to fight for their political survival Tuesday.

Dissolution would deal a heavy blow for both the 34-year-old Chart Thai Party under the helm of former Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-Archa and the Matchima Thipataya Party, led by Anongwan Thepsutin, the wife of Somsak Thepsutin, a banned executive of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party, which was formed prior to the December 23 general election.

The Chart Thai Party, which won 37 seats in the election, is the second largest party in six-party coalition government led by the People Power Party, while Matchima Thiptaya won seven seats.

=======================================

Matchima Thipataya is an excellent example of what happens when already-banned individuals start new parties... hmmm... that sounds a lot like the People Power Party situation, too.

[Scott]

As I understand it, all the parties buy votes. How is that some get dissolved and others don't?

[sriracha john]

Thai body rules parties guilty of violating election law

BANGKOK, Thailand: Thailand's Election Commission ruled Friday that two parties in the country's ruling coalition violated electoral law, and will seek to have them disbanded.

The decision is a potentially serious blow against the six party coalition government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, which took office in February.

The Commission announced that it had voted that executives of the Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya parties had committed electoral fraud in connection with last December's general election.

It will seek to have the Constitutional Court rule on whether to disband the parties, said its spokesman, Ruangrote Jomsueb. He said the Election Commissioners voted 4-1 to seek to have the parties disbanded. They will forward their decision to the Attorney-General's office, which has 30 days to file the case in court.

Election law states that if a senior member of a political party is found guilty of electoral crimes, the entire party will be disbanded if that person is found to have acted on its behalf.

Last month the Supreme Court agreed to hear a similar case against Yongyuth Tiyapairat, a member of Samak's People's Power Party. Yongyuth is appealing a commission ruling that he was guilty of electoral fraud.

If he loses, the case can proceed to the Constitutional Court, where a ruling implicating his party in his actions would bring down the government.

Samak's party topped the field in the December polls, winning 233 seats of the 480 in the lower house of Parliament. The party is considered a vehicle for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a September 2006 military coup after being accused of corruption and abuse of power.

A court dissolved Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party in 2006 and banned him and more than 100 of the party's executive officers from political office until 2011.

The Chart Thai Party, which won 37 seats in the election, is the second biggest party in Samak's coalition, which holds about a two-thirds majority. Matchima Thipataya won seven seats.

- Associated Press / April 11, 2008

[lazeeboy]

always trickery in these elections

[Plus]

Maybe you understand it wrong.

[sriracha john]

EC requests Constitution Court to dissolve Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya

The Election Commission (EC) meeting today has voted four to one to forward the party dissolution cases to the Constitution Court. The election commissioner who has voted against the majority is Somchai Juengprasert (สมชัย จึงประเสริฐ).

EC Chairman Apichart Sukhagganond (อภิชาต สุขัคคานนท์) says he is confident that EC can explain its decision to the society. EC earlier issued red cards to executives of Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya parties, prompting the two parties to face dissolution charges.

EC is required to submit the cases to the Attorney-General who will then forward the cases to the Constitution Court.

- ThaiNews (today)

Edited April 11, 2008 by sriracha john

[apetley]

This could get very interesting.

The race is on between dissolving the parties, changing the constitution and the third favourite another coup.

Place your bets.

[sriracha john]

One more year of uncertainties

The Election Commission's decision yesterday to seek dissolution of two government coalition parties, Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya, means Thais will have to endure another year of high political tension and unpredictability.

Here are answers to key questions being asked after the EC decided to ask the Constitution Court to disband the two parties on grounds that their executives committed electoral fraud:

1. What's next for Chat Thai and Matchima Thipataya?

Prosecutors have 30 days to decide whether to forward the EC's decision to the Constitution Court. If the prosecutors decide they will not proceed with the case, they and the EC will have another 30 days to sit together and argue. If they remain divided after that, the EC can go ahead and send the case to the Constitution Court by itself.

2. How long will the Constitution Court take?

It's anyone's guess, but it should take at least six months to elaborate the case.

3. What will be the court's ruling?

This crucial question will depends almost totally on who are the nine new judges to be selected to sit in the court.

4. Who will be the nine new judges?

Four are nominees proposed by a selection committee for approval by the Senate. According to initial reports, three of the nominees are hardliners who won't be swayed by government power. Three are judges from the Supreme Court, which had made key rulings against the former Thaksin government. Two are judges from the Supreme Administrative Court, which, like the Supreme Court, was not a good friend of the former Thaksin government.

5. What will happen to the People Power Party, whose senior executive Yongyuth Tiyapairat is also accused of poll fraud?

Yongyuth's case is at the Supreme Court now, as it is currently treated as a fraud case involving an individual MP. But once or if the Supreme Court finds him guilty, the trial can last up to six months, the EC will have to decide if it's a collective guilt of PPP executives. If the EC decides that Yongyuth's guilt represents his party's guilt, the same EC/prosecutors/Constitution Court process will begin. If the PPP case finally goes to the Constitution Court, it will take probably another six months for a trial.

6. What happens if the Constitution Court disbands a party?

That party's executives will be banned from politics for five years. The party's MPs, however, can join any legally registered party within 60 days without losing their MP status.

- The Nation / 4-11-08

[sriracha john]

Thai EC to ask court to disband two parties in coalition government

BANGKOK, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Election Commission (EC) on Friday resolved to ask the Constitution Court to dissolve two political parties in the coalition government -- the Chart Thai Party (Thai Nation Party) and Mahachima Thipataya Party (Neutual Democratic Party)-- charging that they had committed electoral fraud in relation to the December 23 general election last year.

The five-member poll agency voted 4-1 to pass the ruling after considering the personal judgment made by EC Chairman Apichart Sukhagganond, in his capacity as Registrar of Political Parties, said Suthipol Thaveechaikarn, EC Secretary-General, according to the Thai News Agency.

The ruling recommended the two coalition parties be dissolved following the disqualification of party executives who were allegedly involved in electoral fraud scheme during the December 23 election as MP candidates, according to Suthipol.

The EC will forward its decision to the Office of the Attorney General, which has 30 days to file the case with the Constitution Court. If prosecutors refuse to take the case, the EC could file the case before the court itself.

The top leaders of both parties had testified before the EC commissioners on Tuesday.

The possible dissolution would deal a heavy blow to the 34-year-old Chart Thai party led by former Prime Minister and veteran politician Banharn Silpa-archa and the Matchima Thipataya Party, led by current Natural Resources and Environment Minister Anongwan Thepsutin, who is also the wife of Somsak Thepsutin, the former executive of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai party.

Both Chart Thai, which won 37 seats in the House of Representatives in the election, and the Matchima Thiptaya Party with seven seats, joined hands with the People's Power Party (PPP) led by current Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, as well as three other parties, to form the coalition government after the PPP won the December polls, the first general election after a military coup in September 2006 ousted the elected government of Thaksin Shinawatra, whose Thai Rak Thai Party ruled the government for five and half years and dominated the parliament before it was ordered to dissolve last May on electoral fraud charges.

The dissolution of the two parties might also jeopardise the stability of Samak's coalition government, as the Chart Thai is the second largest party in the six-party coalition after the PPP.

[ThNiner]

As I understand it, all the parties buy votes. How is that some get dissolved and others don't?

If you have evidence of that, please report and hand it to the EC. And if a party executive member is involved, his party can be dissolved as well. However, if it's just a regular party member who commits the crime, his party won't be dissolved.

[MISTERBONK]

As I understand it, all the parties buy votes. How is that some get dissolved and others don't?

If you have evidence of that, please report and hand it to the EC. And if a party executive member is involved, his party can be dissolved as well. However, if it's just a regular party member who commits the crime, his party won't be dissolved.

Mister Bonk provided specific details to the EC of when and where money was to be handed out at a meeting of several hundred constituents -prior to the December election. Everyone attending the political meeting was promised 100bt.

The money was duly distributed to the people, but there were no police, nor EC members present.

Just like all Thai governments, the EC too are all talk and no action!

[sriracha john]

PPP may be next in the firing line

EC votes to disband two coalition parties

The PPP could well be in jeopardy following the EC's decision yesterday to push for the dissolution of its two coalition partners, the Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya parties, through the Constitution Court. After the EC's decision was announced, PPP Spokesman Kuthep Saikrachang was pessimistic about the future of the Thaksin Shinawatra-backed Party. The dissolution routes of Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya and the PPP are slightly different, although their fates rest with the Constitution Court. In the PPP's case, the EC is waiting for the Supreme Court to disqualify former Deputy Leader Yongyuth Tiyapairat, also for vote-buying. If Yongyuth is disqualified as an MP, the case will immediately be forwarded to the Constitution Court. Kuthep admitted. ''I think this course of action will not let the nation step forward,'' he said. He added the PPP-led government was trying to have the charter amended for the sake of the nation's future.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/12Apr2008_news01.php

[PhilHarries]

As I understand it, all the parties buy votes. How is that some get dissolved and others don't?

All parties in Thailand are equal but some are more soluble than others but those that get dissolved usually re-emerge from the primaeval swamp under a different banner.

Don't expect anything to happen soon though, in Thailand legalities are as dynamic as a spoonfull of molasses flowing down a 1% slope on a cold day.

[ThNiner]

Mister Bonk provided specific details to the EC of when and where money was to be handed out at a meeting of several hundred constituents -prior to the December election. Everyone attending the political meeting was promised 100bt.

The money was duly distributed to the people, but there were no police, nor EC members present.

Just like all Thai governments, the EC too are all talk and no action!

Read the title of this thread. They have ruled both parties to be dissolved. That's still no action? What more "actions" do you need? The EC themselves must go and behead all Chart Thai and Matchima party members?

[Mosha]

As I understand it, all the parties buy votes. How is that some get dissolved and others don't?

Well look at it this way. There are 11 commandments. You can break the 1st 10 with impunity. The one that gets you into trouble is number 11.

"Thou shalt not get caught".

[sriracha john]

Chart Thai Leader feels dejected following ruling of EC

The Chart Thai Party Leader, Banharn Silpa-archa, is feeling dejected following the Election Commission (EC)'s ruling to dissolve his party on the charges that they had committed electoral fraud in relation to the December-23rd general election last year.

Banharn says he could not eat or sleep when the EC was looking into the case. However, he would like to thank the EC for allowing his party to clarify the case before the commission. He adds that the process is yet to be finalized, as the EC has to forward the case to the Constitutional Court for further consideration.

- ThaiNews / 12 April 2008

[sriracha john]

The other Leader's somewhat different reaction...

Anongwan: EC decision was unexpected

Matchima Thipataya Party Leader Anongwan Thepsuthin said she did not expect the EC would push for the dissolution of her political party. Anongwan said the party has not prepared about the decision because it was unexpected. She also said she has not thought about joining People Power Party after the EC's decision.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=127071

=============================================================================

She may want to wait and see if People Power Party is dissolved before her own Party is....

but if it isn't and she does join then her husband could have the distinction of being involved with three separate political parties that were all dissolved for electoral fraud. Such an impressive achievement would be quite a feather in his cap.

Edited April 12, 2008 by sriracha john

[cclub75]

One more year of uncertainties

That's the key word.

First, the prosecutor have maximum 30 days to take the case. Then the Constitution Court. The process could take several months.

If the prosecutor doesn't comply, the EC could take another way... longer.

Meanwhile, we have the same story against the PPP.

A government can't work with such Damocles Sword over its head :

-risk of dissolution of some coalition members

-risk of dissolution of the main component of the coalition (PPP)

Coups, Junta, Referendum, Elections... have basically solved nothing. The power struggle behind the scene will continue... Until the issue of the King's succession (the real issue) is settled. It can take a long time...

[marshbags]

PPP may be next in the firing line

EC votes to disband two coalition parties

The PPP could well be in jeopardy following the EC's decision yesterday to push for the dissolution of its two coalition partners, the Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya parties, through the Constitution Court. After the EC's decision was announced, PPP Spokesman Kuthep Saikrachang was pessimistic about the future of the Thaksin Shinawatra-backed Party. The dissolution routes of Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya and the PPP are slightly different, although their fates rest with the Constitution Court. In the PPP's case, the EC is waiting for the Supreme Court to disqualify former Deputy Leader Yongyuth Tiyapairat, also for vote-buying. If Yongyuth is disqualified as an MP, the case will immediately be forwarded to the Constitution Court. Kuthep admitted. ''I think this course of action will not let the nation step forward,'' he said. He added the PPP-led government was trying to have the charter amended for the sake of the nation's future. :D

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/12Apr2008_news01.php

Bangkok Post, Breaking News

Quote:-

Noppadon laments dissolution of coalition parties

Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama said he hopes that the Constitution Court will not dissolve Chart Thai and Matchimathipataya parties after the Election Commission (EC) pushed for the dissolution of the two coalition partners.

Mr Noppadon claimed that it is against the principles of political science, jurisdiction and human rights

Unquote.

Ref url. http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=127076

He conveniently uses and refers the H.Rights when it suits his parties agenda and self interests.

It,s a pity they do / did not use them to protect all the poor souls who have paid the ultimate price, along with continued abuses of Thailands less fortunates, for whom they are meant to assit and fight for the rights of, in the first place.

His arrogance and insensitivity towards them makes my blood boil.

marshbags and

Edited April 12, 2008 by marshbags

[sriracha john]

PPP may be next in the firing line

EC votes to disband two coalition parties

The PPP could well be in jeopardy following the EC's decision yesterday to push for the dissolution of its two coalition partners, the Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya parties, through the Constitution Court. After the EC's decision was announced, PPP Spokesman Kuthep Saikrachang was pessimistic about the future of the Thaksin Shinawatra-backed Party. The dissolution routes of Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya and the PPP are slightly different, although their fates rest with the Constitution Court. In the PPP's case, the EC is waiting for the Supreme Court to disqualify former Deputy Leader Yongyuth Tiyapairat, also for vote-buying. If Yongyuth is disqualified as an MP, the case will immediately be forwarded to the Constitution Court. Kuthep admitted. ''I think this course of action will not let the nation step forward,'' he said. He added the PPP-led government was trying to have the charter amended for the sake of the nation's future. :D

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/12Apr2008_news01.php

Noppadon laments dissolution of coalition parties

Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama said he hopes that the Constitution Court will not dissolve Chart Thai and Matchimathipataya parties after the Election Commission (EC) pushed for the dissolution of the two coalition partners.

Mr Noppadon claimed that it is against the principles of political science, jurisdiction and human rights

---------------------------------------

His arrogance and insensitivity towards them makes my blood boil.

marshbags and

Their level of audacious shamelessness only seems to be increasing of late...

[Thaddeus]

As I understand it, all the parties buy votes. How is that some get dissolved and others don't?

Well look at it this way. There are 11 commandments. You can break the 1st 10 with impunity. The one that gets you into trouble is number 11.

"Thou shalt not get caught".

True..... but if you do get caught, just change your name and repeat the spin cycle.

Thai politics, looks like Lego, but is in fact a greed factory.

[sriracha john]

Bangkok Post

Noppadon laments dissolution of coalition parties

Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama said he hopes that the Constitution Court will not dissolve Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya parties after the Election Commission (EC) pushed for the dissolution of the two coalition partners.

Noppadon claimed that it is against the principles of political science, jurisdiction and human rights

--------------------------------

He conveniently uses and refers the human rights when it suits his parties agenda and self interests.

It's a pity they do / did not use them to protect all the poor souls who have paid the ultimate price, along with continued abuses of Thailands less fortunates, for whom they are meant to assit and fight for the rights of, in the first place.

His arrogance and insensitivity towards them makes my blood boil.

marshbags and

and now... Noppadope is saying not only does it violate political science, jurisdiction, and human rights...

he's crazily suggesting that holding a party responsible because of the actions of its leaders is against Buddhism itself...

:D :D

Noppadon denounces Article 237

Says it goes against Buddhist religious tenets

Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama said yesterday said nothing would stop the government from amending the charter.

The government has been under attack for many weeks for its decision to amend the charter, especially Article 237, which in effect states that if a party executive is found guilty of electoral fraud, then the political party of which the executive is a member should be disbanded.

Critics see the move as an act of self-preservation, and a PPP Deputy Leader is facing such a charge.

The foreign minister criticised Article 237 as unsound.

"This Article 237 has never existed in Thai history. It's against religious teaching for someone to commit a wrongdoing and then someone else pay for it," Noppadon said. *such a feeble arguement from a so-called lawyer*

"Punishment should be reserved for the one who has committed the crime. So any party executive who committed an offence should be punished, but the party should not be disbanded. Otherwise, people could try to have parties dissolved," said Noppadon.

- The Nation (today)

[Thai at Heart]

Bangkok Post

Noppadon laments dissolution of coalition parties

Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama said he hopes that the Constitution Court will not dissolve Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya parties after the Election Commission (EC) pushed for the dissolution of the two coalition partners.

Noppadon claimed that it is against the principles of political science, jurisdiction and human rights

--------------------------------

He conveniently uses and refers the human rights when it suits his parties agenda and self interests.

It's a pity they do / did not use them to protect all the poor souls who have paid the ultimate price, along with continued abuses of Thailands less fortunates, for whom they are meant to assit and fight for the rights of, in the first place.

His arrogance and insensitivity towards them makes my blood boil.

marshbags and

and now... Noppadope is saying not only does it violate political science, jurisdiction, and human rights...

he's crazily suggesting that holding a party responsible because of the actions of its leaders is against Buddhism itself...

:D :D

Noppadon denounces Article 237

Says it goes against Buddhist religious tenets

Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama said yesterday said nothing would stop the government from amending the charter.

The government has been under attack for many weeks for its decision to amend the charter, especially Article 237, which in effect states that if a party executive is found guilty of electoral fraud, then the political party of which the executive is a member should be disbanded.

Critics see the move as an act of self-preservation, and a PPP Deputy Leader is facing such a charge.

The foreign minister criticised Article 237 as unsound.

"This Article 237 has never existed in Thai history. It's against religious teaching for someone to commit a wrongdoing and then someone else pay for it," Noppadon said. *such a feeble arguement from a so-called lawyer*

"Punishment should be reserved for the one who has committed the crime. So any party executive who committed an offence should be punished, but the party should not be disbanded. Otherwise, people could try to have parties dissolved," said Noppadon.

- The Nation (today)

It is a very cleverly written rule isn't it. Puts a very slow break on vote buying doesn't it. Since the parties are based around a single personality with the cash, banning the whole party if someone at the top breaks the rules would appear to be an excellently written rule.

No wonder Noppadope is squirming coz we can now see exactly why this rule was written.

This rule has never existed in Thail society, but then of course neither did vote buying did it.

[sriracha john]

It'd be best to initiate another warrant for the guy who's already out on bail... but as the EC says, if Thaksin doesn't want to defend himself, <deleted> 'em.... and his party....

EC gives Thaksin deadline to testify

The EC has given former PM Thaksin until April 26 to testify about allegations that the PPP is a nominee of his disbanded TRT Party. This is the second and final 15-day extension, said Paitoon Netiphoti, who heads the EC inquiry panel. He said he was contacted last Friday by a person claiming to represent Thaksin, requesting 1 month to prepare his testimony. However, the panel did not receive a written request, he said, adding that in his view one month was too long. "When Thaksin's testimony arrives, the inquiry panel can immediately wrap up its report and await the EC's decision. It is the last piece of information we need," he said. If the inquiry rules that the PPP is a nominee of the TRT and the EC endorses the finding, the case will be presented to the Constitution Court, which will decide whether the PPP should be dissolved. He said the panel will finish its report on April 26, with or without Thaksin's testimony. "There is no need to wait. The panel will deem that Thaksin knows his rights, but refuses to defend himself," he said. The panel had sent its staff to Thaksin's home to hand over a letter inviting Thaksin to give his testimony, in person or in writing, but no one at his Chang Song Lah residence in Bang Phlad district accepted it. An attempt to send the letter via registered mail also failed. Thaksin had not contacted the panel, he added.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/15Apr2008_news09.php

[sriracha john]

and now... Noppadope is saying not only does it violate political science, jurisdiction, and human rights...

he's crazily suggesting that holding a party responsible because of the actions of its leaders is against Buddhism itself...

:D :D

Noppadon denounces Article 237

Says it goes against Buddhist religious tenets

To the laundry list of political science, jurisdiction, human rights, Buddhism.... add investor confidence... and national security....

Surapong: Party dissolution affects investors’ confidence

The Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Surapong Suebwonglee, admits that the Election Commission (EC)’s decision to dissolve both Matchima Thipataya and Chart Thai parties may impinge foreign investors’ confidence.

At the Spring Meeting 2008, which is being held at the World Bank in the United States of America, Surapong discussed the constitutional amendments with the Thai and American Business Council members.

He said that amendments aimed to ensure political stabilization and national security.

Concerning House Speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat’s electoral fraud case, Surapong says the People Power Party has not done anything at the moment. *have they done anything effective about anything since coming to power?*

He says his party needs to gather more information to get ready for further legal proceedings.

- ThaiNews (today)

[jts-khorat]

I personally do think Thai politics are great; they are like Thai soap operas, a lot of screaming, no plot resembling any reality and purely for entertainment only.

In the end a big cheque is sent to the main actors, who will then be invited to play in the next soap, under different identities but still totally recognizable to any viewer.

[Tony Clifton]

It'd be best to initiate another warrant for the guy who's already out on bail... but as the EC says, if Thaksin doesn't want to defend himself, <deleted> 'em.... and his party....

EC gives Thaksin deadline to testify

The EC has given former PM Thaksin until April 26 to testify about allegations that the PPP is a nominee of his disbanded TRT Party. This is the second and final 15-day extension, said Paitoon Netiphoti, who heads the EC inquiry panel. He said he was contacted last Friday by a person claiming to represent Thaksin, requesting 1 month to prepare his testimony. However, the panel did not receive a written request, he said, adding that in his view one month was too long. "When Thaksin's testimony arrives, the inquiry panel can immediately wrap up its report and await the EC's decision. It is the last piece of information we need," he said. If the inquiry rules that the PPP is a nominee of the TRT and the EC endorses the finding, the case will be presented to the Constitution Court, which will decide whether the PPP should be dissolved. He said the panel will finish its report on April 26, with or without Thaksin's testimony. "There is no need to wait. The panel will deem that Thaksin knows his rights, but refuses to defend himself," he said. The panel had sent its staff to Thaksin's home to hand over a letter inviting Thaksin to give his testimony, in person or in writing, but no one at his Chang Song Lah residence in Bang Phlad district accepted it. An attempt to send the letter via registered mail also failed. Thaksin had not contacted the panel, he added.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/15Apr2008_news09.php

An innocent coward?