Six Thai MPs Disqualified From House Seats

[webfact]

Six MPs disqualified

By Attayuth Butrsripoom

The Nation

Status of deputy ministers Boonjong and Kuerkul not affected; 39 House members acquitted

Two ministers are among six MPs disqualified from House seats for possessing shares in ventures linked to state concessions.

A total of 45 MPs and senators faced the judicial inquiry by the Constitution Court, of whom 39 were acquitted, including all the 16 senators.

The court ruled seven to one to disqualify the six MPs.

The disqualified MPs are: Somkietr Xanthavanij from Democrat Party; Maliwan Tanyasakulkit from Puea Pandin Party; Boonjong Wongtrairat from Bhum Jai Thai Party; Kuerkul Danchaivichit from Chart Thai Pattana Party; Preechaphol Pongpanit from Pheu Thai Party; and MR Kittiwattana Jayan from Puea Pandin Party.

Boonjong is currently the deputy Interior Minister and Kuerkul is deputy Transport Minister but the ruling does not impact their ministerial status.

Boonjong said he would decide soon on his next course of action following the verdict. "I can't tell now whether I will step down as minister or I will run in the upcoming by-election again. However, whatever I do will be in accordance with the law."

Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul, Bhum Jai Thai Party leader, said Boonjong was only disqualified as an MP but that would not affect his ministerial status. The party would decide whether to field him as its candidate for the by-election, Chaovarat said.

Like Boonjong and Chaovarat, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva also said the verdict did not create problems for his Cabinet composition.

Following the court verdict, the six vacant House seats will be filled after by-elections in Bangkok (replacing Somkietr), Ayutthaya (replacing Kuerkul and Peechaphol), Nakhon Ratchasima (replacing Boonjong), Surin (replacing Maliwan).

Kittiwattana is a party-list MP and Puea Pandin will fill her seat from its party list.

The court ruled six to two that MPs or senators could not buy shares linked to state concessions while they held a House position. However, they can retain the shares they had acquired before taking the post.

Five out of the six MPs were disqualified because of their or their spouse's holdings in PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited, whose shares are popular among politicians. Although it is a holding company, the court said it hold shares in the proportion that can influence the industry.

Although the six MPs were disqualified, they can run in the by-election as they have not been banned from politics.

-- The Nation 2010-11-04

[Buchholz]

disqualified MPs are:

Preechaphol Pongpanit from Pheu Thai Party

It's a shame that 27 year-old Preechaphol was disqualified as MP for Khon Kaen. I understand he was making real in-roads on understanding the poor in his rural Northeastern constituency whilst indulging his favorite activity, driving around Bangkok in his new Mercedes coupe.

Still, he's no newcomer to adversity as, after all, he took over his position after his father, Sermsak (a Cabinet Minister in Thaksin's regime) was banned from politics for participating in electoral fraud.

[whybother]

Excellent. This means we will get to see results from a few more by-elections, including some PTP areas, which will give some more indications on what might happen in a general election.

Edited November 4, 2010 by whybother

[slapout]

It is kind of ironic that the Ministerial position is exempt from those legal rules that the MP's have to work under. Wonder if those disqualified/kicked out will have to rearrange their holding prior to running for the position again?

[siampolee]

Money , Money , Money , it's the rich man's tool.

[phiphidon]

disqualified MPs are:

Preechaphol Pongpanit from Pheu Thai Party

It's a shame that 27 year-old Preechaphol was disqualified as MP for Khon Kaen. I understand he was making real in-roads on understanding the poor in his rural Northeastern constituency whilst indulging his favorite activity, driving around Bangkok in his new Mercedes coupe.

Still, he's no newcomer to adversity as, after all, he took over his position after his father, Sermsak (a Cabinet Minister in Thaksin's regime) was banned from politics for participating in electoral fraud.

Many thanks for the biographical detail, are you going to be providing more or is it just the PTP you're interested in? Show me a poor politician.

[rreddin]

It is kind of ironic that the Ministerial position is exempt from those legal rules that the MP's have to work under. Wonder if those disqualified/kicked out will have to rearrange their holding prior to running for the position again?

If I had had to pick just one weakness in the Thai democratic/Parliamentary process, today I would choose this: How in the name of that is democratic can you have a government minister who is not accountable to either Parliament or the electorate?

[Buchholz]

disqualified MPs are:

Preechaphol Pongpanit from Pheu Thai Party

It's a shame that 27 year-old Preechaphol was disqualified as MP for Khon Kaen. I understand he was making real in-roads on understanding the poor in his rural Northeastern constituency whilst indulging his favorite activity, driving around Bangkok in his new Mercedes coupe.

Still, he's no newcomer to adversity as, after all, he took over his position after his father, Sermsak (a Cabinet Minister in Thaksin's regime) was banned from politics for participating in electoral fraud.

Many thanks for the biographical detail, are you going to be providing more or is it just the PTP you're interested in? Show me a poor politician.

Nakhon Ratchasima MP Ranongruk Suwanchawee who has a net worth of negative 107 million baht.

[SomTumTiger]

Non story. They will be voted back in. Actually, the only interesting thing to see will be if the PTP is voted it, or if a Dem or BJT take his seat.

[hammered]

It is kind of ironic that the Ministerial position is exempt from those legal rules that the MP's have to work under. Wonder if those disqualified/kicked out will have to rearrange their holding prior to running for the position again?

If I had had to pick just one weakness in the Thai democratic/Parliamentary process, today I would choose this: How in the name of that is democratic can you have a government minister who is not accountable to either Parliament or the electorate?

It happens in loads of countries that ministers are appointed from outside of MPs. Sometimes a technocrat who doesnt want to go through the debilitating and meglomaniacal process of party politics is a better choice for a ministry that requires expert knowledge than a senior party hack. Im not saying this is the case in Thailand but that is the rationale although usually the PM, as in Thailand these days, must be an MP although not necessarily of the largest party.

[hammered]

disqualified MPs are:

Preechaphol Pongpanit from Pheu Thai Party

It's a shame that 27 year-old Preechaphol was disqualified as MP for Khon Kaen. I understand he was making real in-roads on understanding the poor in his rural Northeastern constituency whilst indulging his favorite activity, driving around Bangkok in his new Mercedes coupe.

Still, he's no newcomer to adversity as, after all, he took over his position after his father, Sermsak (a Cabinet Minister in Thaksin's regime) was banned from politics for participating in electoral fraud.

Many thanks for the biographical detail, are you going to be providing more or is it just the PTP you're interested in? Show me a poor politician.

He is a typical rural MP from the local powerful feudal lords family. Pretty much every rural MP of any party comes via this route and they hsave little interest in serving their electorate who are pretty much "encouraged" how to vote by the local lords machinary. It is hard to borrow money, machinary or sell your produce if the local baron is upset with you. Sadly that is how elections in rural areas go. It will take decades for that to change as the rural MPs are a vast majority and have little interest in seeing their power reduced.

Party is irrelevent. There are no good parties in real terms. The only people who would change things to actually genuinely advantage the poor in the rural areas are those that dont get elected under the current system of feudal exploitation.

[Buchholz]

Non story. They will be voted back in. Actually, the only interesting thing to see will be if the PTP is voted it, or if a Dem or BJT take his seat.

Perhaps PTP will go with Mom instead of Sonny Boy this time around. As she's an ex-Senator herself and Chairwoman of the Association for Promoting Warmth and Happiness in Families, she might be more appealing to voters with her ultra-conservatism. Her campaign against sexually appealing photographs of celebrities and models on media releases as well as letter-writing effort to all department stores that allow inappropriate swimsuit fashion shows to take place has garnered a lot of attention.

[GarryP]

What gets me is that most of them/wives bought shares in the same companies, PTT, NT&T. What I would like to know is whether the shares were bought around the same time and if so whether insider trading was involved.

[rubl]

Many thanks for the biographical detail, are you going to be providing more or is it just the PTP you're interested in? Show me a poor politician.

Nakhon Ratchasima MP Ranongruk Suwanchawee who has a net worth of negative 107 million baht.

Maybe add Democrat Party figure Chumpol Kanchana, who forgot 13 times to declare his debts of THB 200 million and may be sued by the E.C for damages for having had to hold a by-election in Surat Thani(costs THB 16M).

[whybother]

It is kind of ironic that the Ministerial position is exempt from those legal rules that the MP's have to work under. Wonder if those disqualified/kicked out will have to rearrange their holding prior to running for the position again?

It appears they do need to do something with their holding.

Somsak said under the election law, Kuerkul was qualified for his re-election bid because he had already sold his shares in question.

[Buchholz]

Following the court verdict, the six vacant House seats will be filled after by-elections in Bangkok (replacing Somkietr), Ayutthaya (replacing Kuerkul and Peechaphol)

,

It's a shame that 27 year-old Preechaphol was disqualified as MP for Khon Kaen. I understand he was making real in-roads on understanding the poor in his rural Northeastern constituency whilst indulging his favorite activity, driving around Bangkok in his new Mercedes coupe.

Still, he's no newcomer to adversity as, after all, he took over his position after his father, Sermsak (a Cabinet Minister in Thaksin's regime) was banned from politics for participating in electoral fraud.

I put Preechaphol in Khon Kaen instead of the OP's Ayuthhaya based on other news articles and sources, including MCOT's, which also details the time frame for the by-elections to be held:

Opposition Puea Thai MP for Khon Kaen Preechapol Pongpanich.

Under the court's verdict, the six MPs have lost their House seats but they are not banned from politics so they can still run in by-elections, which must be held within 45 days.

http://www.mcot.net/cfcustom/cache_page/124522.html

[rubl]

begin removed ...

Under the court's verdict, the six MPs have lost their House seats but they are not banned from politics so they can still run in by-elections, which must be held within 45 days.

http://www.mcot.net/cfcustom/cache_page/124522.html

With Sunday, December 5th the King's birthday that leaves us with Sunday 12th I think.

[Buchholz]

the only interesting thing to see will be if the PTP is voted it, or if a Dem or BJT take his seat.

Perhaps PTP will go with Mom instead of Sonny Boy this time around. As she's an ex-Senator herself and Chairwoman of the Association for Promoting Warmth and Happiness in Families, she might be more appealing to voters with her ultra-conservatism. Her campaign against sexually appealing photographs of celebrities and models on media releases as well as letter-writing effort to all department stores that allow inappropriate swimsuit fashion shows to take place has garnered a lot of attention.

Everyone's favorite spokesman, PTP's Prompong Nopparit (on the right with mouth taped shut), has announced that his Party will go with Preechaphol, and not Mom, in the by-election.

[webfact]

EC to Hold By-election for Disqualified MPs on Dec 12

The Election Commission will be holding a by-election to replace the 6 MPs, who were disqualified from their post for illegal shareholding by the Constitution Court, on December 12.

Election Commissioner Sodsri Sattayatham spoke about the 2 ministers whose MP status was disqualified, saying there is no law that requires them to quit their ministerial posts.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-04

[Buchholz]

With Sunday, December 5th the King's birthday that leaves us with Sunday 12th I think.

The Election Commission will be holding a by-election to replace the 6 MPs, who were disqualified from their post for illegal shareholding by the Constitution Court, on December 12.

Impressive that the EC set the date after consultation with rubl first.

[Buchholz]

The court ruled seven to one to disqualify the six MPs.

The disqualified MPs are: Somkietr Xanthavanij from Democrat Party; Maliwan Tanyasakulkit from Puea Pandin Party; Boonjong Wongtrairat from Bhum Jai Thai Party; Kuerkul Danchaivichit from Chart Thai Pattana Party; Preechaphol Pongpanit from Pheu Thai Party; and MR Kittiwattana Jayan from Puea Pandin Party.

Further info on the by-election reveals that there will 5 by-elections to replace the 6 MP's on the date rubl selected.

The sixth, Kittiwattana Jayan from Puea Pandin Party, was a Party-list MP, who will be replaced by someone next to him on the Party list.

Candidate applications will be later this month, November 22nd to the 26th and advanced voting will be December 4th and 5th.

All dates need to be approved by the Cabinet.

[Buchholz]

Everyone's favorite pit bull, Jatuporn, has come to say that the disqualified Bhum Jai Thai Party MP Boonjong Wongtrairat should resign his cabinet position if he is going to be running in the by-election. He went on to claim that the constituency in Korat is Pheu Thai Party "turf" and that Boonjong had won the seat because he had previously run under the TRT and PPP banner.

Edited November 4, 2010 by Buchholz

[whybother]

Everyone's favorite pit bull, Jatuporn, has come to say that the disqualified Bhum Jai Thai Party MP Boonjong Wongtrairat should resign his cabinet position if he is going to be running in the by-election. He went on to claim that the constituency in Korat is Pheu Thai Party "turf" and that Boonjong had won the seat because he had previously run under the TRT and PPP banner.

This is going to be a particularly interesting by-election. Will the people vote for the incumbent, or will they punish him for switching parties?

It's also interesting that Jatuporn is calling Korat PTP "turf" (what was the exact term used?) and that BJT can not contest.

Does that mean that only PTP candidates are allowed to run in an election on "PTP turf"? Yay for red democracy!!

[Buchholz]

"turf" what was the exact term used

The other paper sourced it that way. It certainly does come across as intimidating and it will hopefully not result in a "turf war."

Additionally, Jatuporn didn't elaborate on why Boonjong, who had previously been with TRT and PPP, didn't go with PTP in the last election. I guess that's his way of saying the Pheu Thai Party is the only true proxy of Thaksin's TRT and PPP.

Edited November 4, 2010 by Buchholz

[asiawatcher]

disqualified MPs are:

Preechaphol Pongpanit from Pheu Thai Party

It's a shame that 27 year-old Preechaphol was disqualified as MP for Khon Kaen. I understand he was making real in-roads on understanding the poor in his rural Northeastern constituency whilst indulging his favorite activity, driving around Bangkok in his new Mercedes coupe.

Still, he's no newcomer to adversity as, after all, he took over his position after his father, Sermsak (a Cabinet Minister in Thaksin's regime) was banned from politics for participating in electoral fraud.

So he will have a good mentor and teacher!

[animatic]

"turf" what was the exact term used

The other paper sourced it that way. It certainly does come across as intimidating and it will hopefully not result in a "turf war."

Additionally, Jatuporn didn't elaborate on why Boonjong, who had previously been with TRT and PPP, didn't go with PTP in the last election. I guess that's his way of saying the Pheu Thai Party is the only true proxy of Thaksin's TRT and PPP.

I prefer the term 'Redheaded Bastard Child'.

[Buchholz]

Court ejects 6 MPs out of their House seats

BANGKOK, 4 November 2010 (NNT) - The Constitutional Court has ruled that 6 MPs held shares in violation of the law. Two of those found to have breached the constitution are cabinet members in the coalition government.

The tribunal judges voted seven to one against six MPs for holding shares in state concessionaires and media companies after they had accepted their MP posts. As a consequence, the six immediately lost their seats in the House on the judgment day. A by-election will have to be held to find 6 MPs to replace them.

The ruling did not affect the ministerial posts held by Deputy Transport Minister Kuerkul Danchaivichit of the Chat Thai Pattana Party and Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat from the Bhum Jai Thai Party.

The verdict came after Senate and House Speakers had forwarded the Election Commission’s proposal to the Court requesting it to consider if the 16 senators and 29 MPs accused had violated the law forbidding them to hold shares in government concessionaires and media firms.held the shares .

The Court spared the rest, 16 senators and 23 MPs, saying they had acquired those shares prior to their being elected.

-- NNT 2010-11-04

[mca]

Court ejects 6 MPs out of their House seats

BOOOINNNGGG!

(sorry)

[Buchholz]

Court ejects 6 MPs out of their House seats

I often enjoy how the NNT phrases things...

Bye-bye 6 MP's

[Buchholz]

Court ejects 6 MPs out of their House seats

BOOOINNNGGG!

(sorry)

*$)!@#&!#+!@##(* too dang fast