Thai Court System Has Been The Biggest Loser

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

Court system has been the biggest loser

By Jintana Panyaarvudh

The series of video clips posted on YouTube showing Constitution Court judges discussing controversial matters has created significant political consequences for many people. Some are winners and some are losers.

The clips showed a range of scenes - a Democrat MP discussing the dissolution case with the then-secretary of the Constitution Court president, judges discussing the case, and judges allegedly discussing cheating in tests for people who sought jobs at the court two years ago.

For the Democrat Party, at first glance, it seemed they may benefit if the court faces a lot of pressure and were unable to rule on the case, or if a ruling on the case was prolonged. That may enable the ruling party to remain in power longer or stay until the parliamentary term ends late next year.

But in fact, it would be more of an advantage for the ruling party if the court could rule on the case as soon as possible, as they believe they are likely to survive and avoid dissolution.

The longer the verdict is set back the more it could trouble the ruling party.

For both Pheu Thai Party and red-shirt supporters, the affair appears to yield positive political points. The clips have shaken the credibility of the top court. This could be a plus for anti-government groups - something they could use as an excuse to begin a new protest against the government and the court, claiming "double standards". The Pheu Thai and red shirts believed the court won't dissolve the ruling party. Or if the case is delayed due to the controversy, the fate of its rivals, the Democrats, hangs in the balance.

For the judges and the Constitution Court, they have largely been losers in this game. The way they responded looks to have disappointed the public. They said the clips were created to discredit and smear them. They seem to have tried to ignore the content of the clips.

The court set up a fact-finding committee, which inquired into who took the video footage and who posted the clips online, as well as if the clips were real or doctored. Content was not probed. Details the panel sought to determine aren't as important to the public as the contents. The public is more interested in whether the Democrats lobbied the judges or if there was cheating in the hiring of court officials.

The affair has created doubt and undermined the credibility of the top court - and probably all courts - in the public eye. It could lead to changes among the court.

Whether the court rules to dissolve the Democrats or not, it has cast a doubt over the judges and their looming verdict.

If they rule not to dissolve, people may think the Democrats successfully lobbied the judges. It could be a reason for anti-government protesters to gather for another series of protests amid more claims about double standards in court judgements. For the top court has previously ruled to dissolve the Thai Rak Thai and People Power parties.

If the court rules to dissolve, the Democrats could claim the court ruled against them because they were pressured to do that by the red shirts.

In the political turmoil a few years ago, others agencies in the justice system were criticised for being partial, but the judges appeared to be the public's last hope for honest dealings.

But if the courts, which are expected to be a major pillar of support for the people, are involved in scandals, then who else can people rely on?

So, the judges need to clear themselves better from these accusations. That is the best solution.

-- The Nation 2010-11-08

[londonthai]

they can clear themselves from the accusations by clearing off - they are quilty of a gross misconduct and should face consequences.

as to thai courts and the whole jurisdical system - they are as corrupt as the government administraction, police and the parliament. They are all very much part of the establishment

[asiawatcher]

they can clear themselves from the accusations by clearing off - they are quilty of a gross misconduct and should face consequences.

as to thai courts and the whole jurisdical system - they are as corrupt as the government administraction, police and the parliament. They are all very much part of the establishment

agree - Thailand knows no bounds....

[Thai at Heart]

Only the courts have been losers? Ohhh. Boo hoo for them personally. It must be keeping them up at night having their integrity shown to be so publicly lacking. Oh, the pain....

Coups, Whole parties banned, airports stormed, city centres burned, and an organisation that is supposed to be one of the impartial arbiters in these issues is shown to not be above reproach?

What faith can ANYONE be they poor or rich have in the system to do its job in the spirit and word of the law.

I would say the whole country is suffering because of precisely this type of ingrained corruption. The whole system cannot survive even the slightest scrutiny.

Edited November 8, 2010 by Thai at Heart

[kuffki]

i can not help but wonder who made those videos?

i doubt all those involved were aware of being filmed

But it would be pretty hard to make such a video without people involved knowing, so who made it? how did they make? and most importantly why did they make it and release it now, not the day after recording it.

I would question the authenticity of the video's or perhaps context in which some of it was recorded.

[Buchholz]

i can not help but wonder who made those videos?

i doubt all those involved were aware of being filmed

But it would be pretty hard to make such a video without people involved knowing, so who made it? how did they make? and most importantly why did they make it and release it now, not the day after recording it.

1. Pasit

2. They weren't, it was filmed clandestinely.

3. Miniature cameras have been around for ages. Pasit. Miniature camera. The why part is the tricky one. Once he returns from Hong Kong, the reason may be learned.

[LomSak27]

The whole system cannot survive even the slightest scrutiny.

Indeed and that is the problem for any substantive reform in this country.

[Piengrudee]

I think the clip release yesterday has confirmed that there might be something fishy, else why block it? คำสารภาพคนโกงข้อสอบ