Impeachment Notice Filed Against PM Abhisit, 8 Others

[webfact]

Impeachment notice filed against PM, 8 others

By Samatcha Hunsara,

Prapan Jindalert-udomdee

The Nation

The opposition Pheu Thai Party yesterday sought the impeachment of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and eight other Cabinet members for alleged corruption, as part of its move to grill the government.

A censure motion against the nine Cabinet members, plus Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya, will be filed today, according to chief opposition whip Witthaya Buranasiri, who said that MPs from other opposition parties like Pracharaj and Puea Pandin would also sign a note backing the censure motion.

The targeted Cabinet members are from the Democrat and Bhum Jai Thai parties, the coalition's two largest.

Witthaya and Pheu Thai deputy leader Mingkwan Sangsuwan yesterday led a group of party MPs to submit their impeachment motion with Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej against the prime minister and eight Cabinet ministers.

Abhisit, as the government head, is accused of condoning corruption among Cabinet members allegedly involved in irregularities.

The eight other Cabinet members are Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij, Information and Communications Technology Minister Chuti Krairiksh, PM's Office Minister Ong-art Klampaiboon, Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul, Deputy Agriculture Minister Supachai Phosu, and Transport Minister Sophon Saram.

Suthep is accused of being involved in graft linked to the shortage of palm oil, as well as supervising the deadly crackdown on red-shirt protesters last year. Porntiva is accused of making personal gain from the release of rice in government stockpiles, as well as from the auction of agricultural products.

Korn is suspected of benefiting from stock price "manipulation" through inside information, particularly in regard to the stock of Thaicom Satellite. Chuti is accused of irregularities involving the auction of a G3 telecom operating concession by government-owned firm CAT to the private company True Corporation.

Ong-art is accused of failing to tackle alleged irregularities in state-run media organisations, and Chaovarat is accused of failure to deal with alleged graft involving exams to select district chiefs, and the transfer of provincial governors and senior Interior Ministry officials.

Supachai is accused of unlawfully holding large land plots in the northeastern province of Nakhon Phanom,l while Sophon is accused of involvement in graft regarding construction of train routes and roads.

Mingkwan, who will be the opposition's main debater during the no-confidence debate, said yesterday the impeachment motion was in line with the constitutional requirement in cases where Cabinet members, targeted for censure grilling, are accused of graft. The motion was backed by 171 Pheu Thai MPs, he said.

In its impeachment motion, Pheu Thai also nominated Mingkwan as the prime ministerial candidate in case Abhisit ends up being impeached, according to Witthaya.

After accepting the impeachment motion, Prasopsuk said that after verifying the number of supporters and examining the content, the motion would be forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, possibly on Friday, for further action.

The coalition's chief whip, Witthaya Kaewparadai from the ruling Democrat Party, said yesterday that if the censure motion could be filed today, he expected the debate to be scheduled for March 9 and 10. He said two days for debate and another day for voting should be sufficient, adding that he did not think the opposition's request for four to five days of censure debate would be granted.

He said that when the Democrats were in opposition, censure debate often lasted just two to three days despite a large number of targeted Cabinet members.

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said the party's legal team had found the British-born prime minister violated political ethics by maintaining dual nationality. He said that during the upcoming censure debate, the opposition would produce proof contradicting Abhisit's claim he did not benefit from British nationality while studying in Britain.

-- The Nation 2011-03-1

[stepenwolf1958]

In OP:

"...and the transfer of provincial governors and senior Interior Ministry officials."

Even many thing in recent Government acting is wrong, i would say this is right of ruling parties anywhere in western world.

Ruling governments always would change officials in Ministries and place there their, loyal people in wish to control main points in institutions and administration and i think nothing is wrong about it.

The rest of accusations are very serious and to prove them will need a lot of evidences and time to present them in adequate way.

Now what is visible is try of Democrat to cut the time for debate to 2 days and PTP stated need for 4-5(include day for vote) Democrats are trying that way to make a rush in opposition so to force them fail in panic in time shortage.

To show and try to prove all what they have as evidences and in rush it will not be easy. I am not sure, if that short time will be allowed, that PTP is skilled enough to operate fast.

Tactical and clever political maneuver of Democrats so, we will see.

[whybother]

In OP:

"...and the transfer of provincial governors and senior Interior Ministry officials."

Even many thing in recent Government acting is wrong, i would say this is right of ruling parties anywhere in western world.

Ruling governments always would change officials in Ministries and place there their, loyal people in wish to control main points in institutions and administration and i think nothing is wrong about it.

The rest of accusations are very serious and to prove them will need a lot of evidences and time to present them in adequate way.

Now what is visible is try of Democrat to cut the time for debate to 2 days and PTP stated need for 4-5(include day for vote) Democrats are trying that way to make a rush in opposition so to force them fail in panic in time shortage.

To show and try to prove all what they have as evidences and in rush it will not be easy. I am not sure, if that short time will be allowed, that PTP is skilled enough to operate fast.

Tactical and clever political maneuver of Democrats so, we will see.

The precedent for the numbers of days for a censure motion was set when the Democrats were in opposition.

He said that when the Democrats were in opposition, censure debate often lasted just two to three days despite a large number of targeted Cabinet members.

[BigC]

and all that time i thought that politicians around the world did not got into politics for anything to do with money and that they did it for the people and the love of their country.Risk getting assinated, be grinded my journos, have head aches up to the ears and beyonde. i thought they did all that for fun. silly me

[Ricardo]

Good as always to see the Red-Shirts' main political-party working within the system, and bringing out evidence of corruption, this approach needs to become ingrained in Thai political-life, to reduce corruption in the future. One small but positive step.

Stock-manipulation of Thai Satellite by Khun Korn, that must bring back many memories for PTP-MPs, of the good old days when it was OK to pass laws on the telecoms-industry, to enable fortunes to be made by their then-leader ?

Interesting that they can't find much against the PM himself, even after a couple of years in-power, another small step in the right direction.

Also "The motion was backed by 171 Pua Thai MPs", so it will be interesting to see whether they get 171 votes, when the motion is put to the test. It will also be interesting to see who supports Mingkwan by speaking to the motion, and who amongst the Opposition simply sit back, and scratches themselves .

Perhaps they should offer PM-Abhisit an interpreter, as part of their ongoing-campaign, to suggest that he's really a dastardly farang in-disguise ?

Edited March 1, 2011 by Ricardo

[Buchholz]

How very appropriate of Pheu Thai Party to have its MP Karun in the OP photo op (2nd from right).

His "democracy advocate" status is long and checkered (without even including his spousal abuse charges)

The Nation - April 3, 2008

A government coalition MP decided to take things to a physical level yesterday by kicking an opposition member.

People Power Party member Karun Hosakul kung-<deleted> kicked Democrat Somkiart Pongpaiboon

Witnesses say Somkiart was eating with colleagues at the Parliament cafeteria when Karun entered and launched his ineffective attack. Karun then lashed out with a fist, but missed again. Then the pair got into a shouting match, with Somkiart on the end of heated abuse.

In fact, Karun got so worked up that he had to be restrained by police officers and other PPP members.

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

and then later, a follow-up:

The Nation - May 10, 2008

People Power Party MP Karun Hosakul was yesterday asked to honour his promise to resign after he was found guilty of physical and verbal attacks against Democrat MP Somkiart Pongpaiboon inside Parliament on April 2.

A fact-finding report reached a unanimous decision concluding that Karun had assaulted Somkiart and used rude language, MP Vichet Panvichartkul said yesterday.

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

He didn't resign as promised, in fact... five months later, he had another victim

The Nation - October 29, 2008

Gothom Araya, Chief Advisor of the National Economic and Social Development Board, Wednesday urged leading members of the People Power Party to reprimand PPP MP Karun Hosakul for having allegedly threatened to kick Senator Rosan Tositrakul.

Karun allegedly made the threat during a joint sitting of the House and Senate on Tuesday.

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

Still no resignation after the 2nd incident, and now as Pheu Thai Party MP... he's out on bail for Red Shirt terrorism

The Nation - June 8, 2010

Court grants bail to Jatuporn, Karun

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court Tuesday granted bail to Pheu Thai MPs Jatuporn Promphan and Karun Hosakul after the two posted Bt1 million in cash as guarantee each.

The Department of Special Investigations asked the court to detain the two without bail but the court disagreed.

The two were charged with instigating people to commit act of terrorism.

[random]

Good as always to see the Red-Shirts' main political-party working within the system, and bringing out evidence of corruption, this approach needs to become ingrained in Thai political-life, to reduce corruption in the future. One small but positive step.

Stock-manipulation of Thai Satellite by Khun Korn, that must bring back many memories for PTP-MPs, of the good old days when it was OK to pass laws on the telecoms-industry, to enable fortunes to be made by their then-leader ?

Interesting that they can't find much against the PM himself, even after a couple of years in-power, another small step in the right direction.

Also "The motion was backed by 171 Pua Thai MPs", so it will be interesting to see whether they get 171 votes, when the motion is put to the test. It will also be interesting to see who supports Mingkwan by speaking to the motion, and who amongst the Opposition simply sit back, and scratches themselves .

Perhaps they should offer PM-Abhisit an interpreter, as part of their ongoing-campaign, to suggest that he's really a dastardly farang in-disguise ?

you seem to miss the point, are you suggesting what is good for the goose is not good for the gander?

when the 'reds' were in power they were punished for this wrongdoings, are you suggesting they should just sit quietly and watch their opponents act corruptly? of course they shouldn't, they should highlight what is happening, just as others highlighted it when they were in power.

I find this a very weak argument, 'oh well they did it before so why are they complaining'?

[Ricardo]

Good as always to see the Red-Shirts' main political-party working within the system, and bringing out evidence of corruption, this approach needs to become ingrained in Thai political-life, to reduce corruption in the future. One small but positive step.

Stock-manipulation of Thai Satellite by Khun Korn, that must bring back many memories for PTP-MPs, of the good old days when it was OK to pass laws on the telecoms-industry, to enable fortunes to be made by their then-leader ?

Interesting that they can't find much against the PM himself, even after a couple of years in-power, another small step in the right direction.

Also "The motion was backed by 171 Pua Thai MPs", so it will be interesting to see whether they get 171 votes, when the motion is put to the test. It will also be interesting to see who supports Mingkwan by speaking to the motion, and who amongst the Opposition simply sit back, and scratches themselves .

Perhaps they should offer PM-Abhisit an interpreter, as part of their ongoing-campaign, to suggest that he's really a dastardly farang in-disguise ?

you seem to miss the point, are you suggesting what is good for the goose is not good for the gander?

when the 'reds' were in power they were punished for this wrongdoings, are you suggesting they should just sit quietly and watch their opponents act corruptly? of course they shouldn't, they should highlight what is happening, just as others highlighted it when they were in power.

I find this a very weak argument, 'oh well they did it before so why are they complaining'?

Sorry, you misunderstand me there, I totally approve of PTP laying charges and look forward to hearing their evidence. That's the system working as it should.

That's why I say "good ... to see the Red-Shirts main political party ... bringing out evidence of corruption".

But permit me please, to find it a trifle funny, that they happened to pick on corruption over telecommunications, given their (predecessor) party-history. Don't you see a certain irony in that ? Perhaps I just have a warped sense of humour !

[a99az]

Wow !! Who would of thunk it, maybe it comes with denouncing his British citizenship.<img src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif" alt="" class="bbc_emoticon"> 

[LikeHeat]

I'm wondering what all the charges are really going to accomplish. The charges are against MP's who according to the Red's have immunity. In that vein, why is Thaksin even troubled because he was an MP and thus, using Red logic, is immune?

In most countries the elected officials must live to a higher standard than a private person, but in Thailand getting elected seems to bestow immunity for all your actions.

Can someone explain what immunity is all about?

[bangon04]

What a crock of s**t.

Of course the entire political class of Thailand could spend all their time and the country's money on filing claims and counter claims about this or that alleged corruption.

What Prime Minister could even stay in office, or vaguely form a functioning government, if he had to be 100 per cent sure that not one of his colleagues had any possible blemishes on their lifestyle or career? Especially in Thailand.

How is this going to take Thailand forward? As soon as one set of politicians are dismissed, another will take over and the whole farce will continue without a pause.

Sometimes the Army even starts to look like a sensible option against these clowns.

[stepenwolf1958]

Perhaps, this would be kind of relief for PM. If PTP make some radical move, result of course.

He would get rid of some Cabinet members and his Deputy. Some of them were in charge about delicate maters and in critical situations and incompetent, acting as an elephant in a glass store but public would blame him. Especially opposition.

[rubl]

Perhaps, this would be kind of relief for PM. If PTP make some radical move, result of course.

He would get rid of some Cabinet members and his Deputy. Some of them were in charge about delicate maters and in critical situations and incompetent, acting as an elephant in a glass store but public would blame him. Especially opposition.

Censure debates of the last few yeas have seen NO result apart from comedy relief. All 'solid' facts provided during the debates rather had the tendency to evaporate, being suggestion, hearsay, wishful thinking. In Europe things take less time and mostly provide real solid facts. Less amusing I must admit.

[stepenwolf1958]

Perhaps, this would be kind of relief for PM. If PTP make some radical move, result of course.

He would get rid of some Cabinet members and his Deputy. Some of them were in charge about delicate maters and in critical situations and incompetent, acting as an elephant in a glass store but public would blame him. Especially opposition.

Censure debates of the last few yeas have seen NO result apart from comedy relief. All 'solid' facts provided during the debates rather had the tendency to evaporate, being suggestion, hearsay, wishful thinking. In Europe things take less time and mostly provide real solid facts. Less amusing I must admit.

Yes, i agree with way you thin and compare all.

Last no confidence debate i was watching on TV and i saw so much of childish, unprofessional acting in politic duels. Debate was about killed people in the temple. In Europe, in that case, any country and any Parliament you as PM would be riped apart for such "explanation" as here PM gave in public.

Obviously, the system of become a politician in Thailand is based just and only on wealth of your family and nothing else.

For sure, that is the most important reform recent PM should to think about so one day we could see more responsible politicians of any colour.

[animatic]

PTP just imagines what they would try to do in any situation and then match to fit what the Dems have done in a situation. The irony of having Minkwan accusing Portiva of screwing up a Rice Market scheme is truly breathtaking.