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

[sriracha john]

Pro-government protest targets court in Thailand

BANGKOK, Thailand – Hundreds of pro-government demonstrators swarmed around a court building Tuesday, forcing the relocation of judges who will rule on the fate of a Thai government beset by protests and a virtual shutdown of international air links.

Judges of the Constitutional Court had to scurry to a suburban courtroom where they are to decide whether Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat and others in his party committed electoral fraud — a move that would see him banned from politics and his party dissolved.

The protesters followed the judges to the new location, shouting "Fight, fight," as dozens of soldiers carrying riot shields and batons and about 100 riot police guarded the court compound.

Hours earlier, an explosive device was hurled into a crowd of anti-government protesters at Bangkok's domestic airport, killing one person and wounding 22, said Surachet Sathitniramai of the Narenthorn Medical Center.

The court is expected to rule this week, and if the decision goes against Somchai it could dampen protests by the People's Alliance for Democracy, which has been seeking Somchai's ouster through daily protests and the seizure of Bangkok's domestic and international airports.

But it could also inflame pro-government supporters who have been gathering their strength in recent days and widen an already dangerous rift in Thai society, further paralyzing government machinery and draining the economy of millions of dollars.

Late Monday, the explosive device fired from an elevated highway fell among hundreds of protesters, some of them asleep, inside Don Muang domestic airport, Surachet said. A protest leader, Somsak Kosaisuk, said the crowd was hit by a grenade from an M-79 launcher, a battlefield weapon.

It was the third such attack in two days by unidentified assailants targeting the protesters. So far, seven people have been killed and scores injured in bomb attacks, clashes with police and street battles between government opponents and supporters.

Somchai has been working out of Chiang Mai since last Wednesday, saying he wants to avoid confrontation with the protest alliance.

The protesters accuse Somchai of being a puppet of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the alliance's original target. Thaksin, who is Somchai's brother-in-law, was deposed in a 2006 military coup and has fled the country to escape corruption charges.

The Constitutional Court was to hear closing arguments Tuesday in the electoral fraud case against Somchai's People's Power Party and two other parties in the governing coalition.

If found guilty, the parties would be dissolved and Somchai and 23 other lawmakers could be barred from politics for five years. Somchai's removal from office would bring down his government, but other members of his dissolved party would be free to join other parties and form a new government.

"This may diffuse the crisis but it won't end it. We will have to wait and see what the court says, but even if the parties are disbanded and the government is disqualified, they can regroup under a new umbrella and form a new government," said Panithan Wattanayagorn, a political scientist at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University.

"However, the ruling would allow the protesters to say they have achieved their objective of getting rid of the government so it might solve the immediate crisis at the besieged airports," he said.

Protest leader Chamlong Srimuang said his group's "objective" would be achieved if the government falls.

But Veera Musikapong, a pro-government leader, said the court case against Somchai was part of "a coordinated effort to overthrow the government."

- Associated Press / 3 minutes ago

Edited December 2, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Crucial verdicts on PM, three coalition parties due this week

The Constitution Court is expected to hand down the verdict on the electoral fraud involving Thailand’s ruling party and its coalition parties this week. The verdicts will possibly lead to the demise of three political parties and the departure of the prime ministere.

Members of three political parties in the coalition government, --the People Power Party, Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya parties—will be keeping their fingers crossed with the Constitution Court due to deliver its verdicts involving their fate this week.

The three parties have been charged with electoral fraud and, if found guilty, would have to be dissolved. Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, in his capacity as the People Power Party Leader, would consequently be banned from politics for five years as imposed in the Constitution.

Apart from Somchai, all 37 executives of the People Power Party would likely be handed down a similar punishment.

Some political observers believe such a severe blow to the government bloc might cool the political crisis which has almost crippled the kingdom with the closures of Bangkok’s two main airports by protesters of the People’s Alliance for Democracy or PAD. They have persistently demanded the premier’s resignation.

The verdict, if announced as predicted, is not the end of the road for the People Power Party though.

The Constitution allows MPs of a dissolved party to move to another party within 60 days in order to retain their parliamentary seats. A new political party is waiting to welcome them…the Puea Thai Party which was registered by some members of the People Power Party.

Under such scenario, the majority of MPs in the three disbanded parties would move to their new homes while the disbanded parties’ executives would be banned from politics for five years.

There are however some leniencies in the Constitution. The government bloc would not necessarily lose its seats in the House because MPs of the People Power Party could move to the Puea Thai Party.

A few names have popped up in the past few weeks as potential replacements for prime minister Somchai at the helm of a new government controlled by the coalition bloc.

In the opposition bloc, the Democrat Party has not ruled out taking MPs from two of the parties, if they are disbanded—the Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya Parties, under its wing. If that is the case, the Democrat bloc might gain enough strength to head a new coalition government.

As another turning point in Thailand’s political scene approaches this week, with the Constitution Court handing down its verdicts, supporters of the People Power Party known as the activists in red shirts, announced earlier they would try every way to maintain the status of the ruling party. They even threatened to come out in full force at the Constitution Court to show their power.

Thailand has experienced many bitter showdowns in the past several months and its possible yet another showdown will take place at the Constitution Court this week.

- TNA / 2008-12-02

Edited December 2, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Thai court verdict looms

In a sign of the divisions in Thai society, hundreds of rival pro-government supporters sealed off central Bangkok's Constitutional Court, where judges were set to hear closing arguments in a vote fraud case.

The judges moved to another court on the outskirts of town to consider whether to disband three parties in the ruling coalition because some of their executives were convicted of vote fraud after elections in December 2007.

No date for the verdict has been set, but if it goes against the ruling People Power Party (PPP) it would also see Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat banned from politics for five years.

Expecting the decision to go against the party, government supporters in bright red shirts massed around the court building and set up makeshift stages on trucks, witnesses said.

"The final hearing will now begin at the Administrative Court building," a court spokesman told AFP.

Protesters wore headbands and scarves reading "Against Dictatorship" and "Love Thaksin," a reference to premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup. They later moved to the Administrative Court.

Hundreds of police armed with batons stood guard at the Constitutional Court and soldiers were also deployed around the building, amid fears of clashes between the PAD and pro-government groups as tensions escalate.

- AFP / 2008-12-02

Edited December 2, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Banharn bracing for verdict

Chart Thai Party Leader Banharn Silapa-archa said on Tuesday he was bracing for any eventuality for the verdict on the Party dissolution case.

"I am still upbeat and have no worries for whatever will happen," he said before departing the court.

Banharn completed making his closing statement to defend his Party from disbandment and left the court room around 10.20 am.

Matchima Thipataya Party Leader Anongwan Thepsuthin has began to deliver her closing statement around 10.40 am.

- The Nation / 2008-12-02

Edited December 2, 2008 by sriracha john

[animatic]

they have already formed the Puea Thai Party (PTP) for weeks.

First it's the TRT.

Then it's PPP.

So, now they stand-by PTP.

They never seems to get the 'right formula'

Everyone knows that the code for permanent good governance and social utopia is PRP, but sssh.. don't tell Somchai it's funny to watch him stumbling about. Mind you I guess it's pretty unlikely he'll be anything to do with it by then.

Next summer the STP gas treatment party.

In any case they are giving the country a real lube job.

Or at least greasing the skids.

[sriracha john]

Chart Thai Party Leader Banharn Silpa-archa pleads his case

Court moves political party dissolution case to new venue to avoid protest

BANGKOK, Dec 2 (TNA) - Thailand's Constitution Court judges have moved their consideration of the ruling party's dissolution case Tuesday to the Supreme Administration Court in the Chaeng Wattana area after hundreds of the "Red Shirts" group, the pro-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) demonstrators, surrounded the office of the Constitutional Court in an attempt to bar the judges from entering the office.

The People Power Party, Chart Thai, and Matchima Thipataya parties have been charged with electoral fraud and, if found guilty, would have to be dissolved.

The final hearing in the case, which could result in the disbanding of the ruling People Power Party and two coalition partners, began at 10 am at the Supreme Administrative Court.

Banharn Silpa-archa, Chart Thai Party Leader was the first to give the closing statement for the case to defend his party against charges that it was involved in electoral fraud punishable by party disbandment.

The People Power Party and the Matchima Thipataya Party did not participate in the session.

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, in his capacity as People Power Party Leader, would consequently be banned from politics for five years as imposed in the Constitution if his party found guilty of electoral fraud.

Apart from Mr. Somchai, all 37 executives of the People Power Party would likely be given similar punishment.

The case has proceeded amid a demonstration by hundreds of pro-government supporters.

The judicial panel moved from the Constitution Court to the Supreme Administrative Court after it was known that the Constitution Court judges has decided to relocate its session to the Supreme Administrative Court.

The pro government supporters were protesting the imminent verdict which they assume to be leading to the party's disbandment.

However the verdict, if announced as predicted, is not the end of the road for the People Power Party though.

The Constitution allows MPs of a dissolved party to move to another party within 60 days in order to retain their parliamentary seats.

A new political party is waiting to welcome them, the Puea Thai Party which was registered by some members of the People Power Party.

Under such a scenario, the majority of MPs in the three disbanded parties would move to their new homes while the disbanded parties' executives would be banned from politics for five years.

There is, however, some leniency in the Constitution. The government bloc would not necessarily lose its seats in the House because MPs of the People Power Party could move to the Puea Thai Party.

A few names have surfaced in the political discussions of the past few weeks as potential replacements for prime minister Somchai at the helm of a new government controlled by the ongoing coalition bloc.

- TNA / 2008-12-02

Edited December 2, 2008 by sriracha john

[TAWP]

First it's the TRT.

Then it's PPP.

So, now they stand-by PTP.

They never seems to get the 'right formula'

They need to get with the chemical engineers at PTT

And their rule is like DDT for the people.

(The long-lasting negative effects far exceeds the positive short-term.)

[Old Man River]

Bangkok Pundit has done an analysis of what the political landscape may look like following the court's decisions:

http://bangkokpundit.blogspot.com/2008/12/...government.html

[h90]

Bangkok Pundit has done an analysis of what the political landscape may look like following the court's decisions:

http://bangkokpundit.blogspot.com/2008/12/...government.html

interesting, thanks for the link

[sriracha john]

Constitution Courtl moves dissolution closing statements to Administrative Court

The Constitution Court has to schedule the reading of its closing statements for three political party dissolution cases at the Administrative Court due to the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship's (UDD) gathering to listen to the statements.

The reading of the closing statements for political party dissolution cases by the Constitution Tribunal today (December 2nd) has been moved to the Administrative Court in anticipation of large crowds from the UDD gathering.

The UDD demonstrators have traveled from the Constitution Court to the Administrative Court on Chaeng Wattana road after they learned that the tribunal decided to deliver the closing statements at the Chaeng Wattana courthouse.

The gathering overpowered police limits, forcing authorities to allow the group members to enter the Administrative Court building.

UDD Leader Chinwat Habunpat (ชินวัฒน์ หาบุญพาด) used the area as a stage to lambast Constitution Court Justice Charan Phakdeethanakul (จรัญ ภักดีธนากุล) and called for a review of all nine tribunal justices. The group affirmed that they would not accept the court's verdict until a probe into each justice was conducted.

Chart Thai leader Banharn Silapa-archa made his way to the court amidst the throngs but assured that his party would hold to statements of fact and allow the Constitution Tribunal to conduct its proceedings. He declined to comment however on whether or not a new party would be formed in the event of a Chart Thai dissolution.

- ThaiNews / 2008-12-02

[sriracha john]

TOC just reported the Court will read its verdict at 1:30pm.

[K2K]

Bloomberg newflash says Somchai out - PPP banned!

[sriracha john]

Thai court forced to shift key case

Thailand's constitutional court has moved an electoral fraud case involving the ruling party to another venue after hundreds of government supporters surrounded the building.

The court, which could order the disbanding of the People's Power party (PPP) and its two coalition partners, decided to move the case after red-shirted government supporters gathered outside the building to try to stop the final hearing.

The case is now scheduled to proceed at Bangkok's Administrative Court and a decision affecting the ruling coalition is expected later on Tuesday.

If found guilty of electoral fraud, it would mean parliament would have to be dissolved, a new coalition will have to be formed, possibly with an opposition party, and a caretaker government set up by the PPP until new elections are called.

Al Jazeera's Step Vaessen, reporting from the Administrative Court in Bangkok, said the ruling was not, however, likely to break the deadlock between government opponents and supporters.

Anti-government protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) continue to demand that the whole cabinet resigns and any moves by the ruling party to form a new shell party and select another from among its ranks to become prime minister would probably be met with more protests.

Hours before the court move, an anti-government protester was killed and 22 others were wounded in a bomb blast at Bangkok's besieged Don Muang airport.

Local Thai television Channel 7 said a grenade was fired from a flyover near the domestic airport which has been occupied by the PAD since Thursday.

The yellow-shirted PAD supporters have been trying to force out Somchai Wongsawat, the prime minister, by accusing him of being a proxy for Thaksin Shinawatra, the premier ousted in a 2006 coup and the original target of the anti-government campaign.

Thaksin, who is Somchai's brother-in-law, is in exile after fleeing the country to escape corruption charges.

So far, six people have been killed and scores injured in bomb attacks, clashes with police and street battles between government opponents and supporters.

On Monday Somchai insisted that he will not leave office under pressure from the PAD.

"I will not quit and I will not dissolve parliament," he told reporters in the northern city of Chiang Mai, where he has been forced to govern from after being prevented from returning to Bangkok from a summit in Peru when protesters took over the city's two airports.

Al Jazeera's Step Vaessen reporting from the main international airport says Somchai will have to come down to the capital to attend to preparations for the Thai king's birthday celebration later this week, which is usually marked by a military parade.

Late on Monday the PAD supporters began leaving the protest camp at Government House which they had occupied since late August, to consolidate their control of the Bangkok airports. Chamlong Srimuang, a protest leader, said they were moving out of the prime minister's office compound because it was becoming unsafe to stay in the compound, which has frequently come under grenade attacks by unidentified assailants.

A grenade attack early on Sunday at the protest camp wounded about 50 people, prompting PAD leaders to order the move to the two airports to reinforce their numbers there. The PAD has so far allowed 37 empty aircraft to fly out of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi international airport.

Al Jazeera's Step Vaessen, reporting from Thailand at a military base serving thousands of stranded travellers, said that extraordinary scenes of people trying to leave the country made it look like a natural disaster had struck Thailand. More than 160,000 people have been stranded and the military base does not have enough check-in counters and the capacity to deal with all the luggage, our correspondent said.

The airport siege, coming in the wake of a global economic slump, is expected to severely hurt Thailand's $15bn tourism industry.

Thailand's tourism council says more than 300,000 travellers were stranded in the country, with 35,000 to 45,000 more being added each day the airports remained closed.

- Al Jazeera / 2008-12-02

[h90]

TOC just reported the Court will read its verdict at 1:30pm.

yes wife is hearing it and I didn't saw her in such good mood since month.....

[Insight]

Wife telling me the same, although no websites seem to be updated yet.

[sriracha john]

TOC reported the verdict decision leaked was "not a suprise"... but is waiting for the official reading.

[Moonrakers]

Constitution Courtl moves dissolution closing statements to Administrative Court

The Constitution Court has to schedule the reading of its closing statements for three political party dissolution cases at the Administrative Court due to the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship's (UDD) gathering to listen to the statements.

The reading of the closing statements for political party dissolution cases by the Constitution Tribunal today (December 2nd) has been moved to the Administrative Court in anticipation of large crowds from the UDD gathering.

The UDD demonstrators have traveled from the Constitution Court to the Administrative Court on Chaeng Wattana road after they learned that the tribunal decided to deliver the closing statements at the Chaeng Wattana courthouse.

The gathering overpowered police limits, forcing authorities to allow the group members to enter the Administrative Court building.

UDD Leader Chinwat Habunpat (ชินวัฒน์ หาบุญพาด) used the area as a stage to lambast Constitution Court Justice Charan Phakdeethanakul (จรัญ ภักดีธนากุล) and called for a review of all nine tribunal justices. The group affirmed that they would not accept the court's verdict until a probe into each justice was conducted.

Chart Thai leader Banharn Silapa-archa made his way to the court amidst the throngs but assured that his party would hold to statements of fact and allow the Constitution Tribunal to conduct its proceedings. He declined to comment however on whether or not a new party would be formed in the event of a Chart Thai dissolution.

- ThaiNews / 2008-12-02

So they are refusing to accept the verdict before it is given? How stoopid would that make them look in the unlikely event that it goes their way.

[thaimiller]

CNN reporting now that PM banned and parliment dissolved

[anothertorres]

done.

Constitution Court dissolves People Power Party

The Constitution Court dissolves People Power Party and ban its executive board members for five years.

[jingjingna]

Same being announced on Thai television channels now.

[h90]

CNN reporting now that PM banned and parliment dissolved

I think translation error....PPP dissolved....

[Moonrakers]

Well that was unexpected.

But considering that they are just going to start up again under a new banner (and a few new faces) with Thaksin still pulling the strings, is this verdict not quite pointless?

Edited December 2, 2008 by globalj

[K2K]

The Nation confirming it now also...

Constitution Court dissolves People Power Party

The Constitution Court dissolves People Power Party and ban its executive board members for five years.

[anothertorres]

CNN reporting now that PM banned and parliment dissolved

I think translation error....PPP dissolved....

CNN is running the by-line along the "Breaking" bar at the bottom of the TV saying "Thai Prime Minister banned from politics".

[ray08]

Now , What is the next move for the PAD , any ideas ?

[sriracha john]

TOC reported the Matchima Thipataya Party is also now dissolved.

[h90]

Well that was unexpected.

But considering that they are just going to start up again under a new banner (and a few new faces) with Thaksin still pulling the strings, is this verdict not quite pointless?

well maybe some groups split, maybe PAD blocks parliament so no new government can be formed. Maybe a lot power/money games behind which makes a guy in London, Hongkong, Philippines aeh I mean I Cambodia even more upset, so he get complete :D

I think it will be more and more difficult to find people for minister positions.

[sriracha john]

Charter court dissolves Matchima Thipataya

The Constitution Court unanimously dissolves Matchima Thipataya Party and banned its executive board members from politics for five years.

- The Nation / 2008-12-02

[nikster]

Well that was unexpected.

But considering that they are just going to start up again under a new banner (and a few new faces) with Thaksin still pulling the strings, is this verdict not quite pointless?

Its not the end, it's just one move in the power game. It's a blow for the PPP, and the PAD probably needs to move out of the airports now. But TIT... I don't pretend to understand the game.

[Plus]

I wish we could retroactively edit out all the references to "legitimate government" that has been posted on this board in the past year.