'Time To Scrap Party-Dissolution Rule': Interview

[webfact]

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

'Time to scrap party-dissolution rule'

Chularat Saengpassa,

Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

Veteran Phoomtham Vejchayachai to file petition to axe severe ban on execs

BANGKKOK:-- Penalties under the Political Act which prescribe the dissolution of parties and the revocation of their executives' voting rights must be revoked, according to veteran politician Phoomtham Vejchayachai, a former executive of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party who was banned from politics for five years.

A petition to this effect will be announced on Wednesday by four of the 111 former executives of Thai Rak Thai, when they are free from a five-year political ban that came with a court order to disband their twice-ruling party.

"For five years our democracy, righteousness, and law were destroyed by dissolving a political party, which had over 2 million members," he told The Nation in special interview.

"Our political rights were banned by the law that was issued after the occurrence of wrongful conduct even though we [Thai Rak Thai former executives] were not involved in what happened in the past and could not be proved [to have been involved]," the key man said.

On May 30, 2007, the post-coup Constitution Tribunal ordered Thai Rak Thai to be dissolved for electoral fraud and deprived its 111 executives, including co-founder and ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra of electoral rights for five years.

However, it is no secret that many of Thai Rak Thai's 111 have played politics behind the scenes through nominees, such as spouses, children, and other family members. Some key figures among the group retained influence behind parties legally run by politicians loyal to them.

"We will tell members of the public what we will do for the political movement in future after we are free from the five-year political ban," Phoomtham said.

"We are not too old or too young for politics. If they [Pheu Thai's executive members] still want us to help them I am sure our political expertise could resolve the country's problems."

However, he said there would be no impact on Pheu Thai Party if the 111 former TRT executives return to political work with Pheu Thai, as they would not take any position.

"We have never talked about ministerial positions in the Cabinet," he said.

Over the past five years since he was banned from political activity, Phoomtham said he learnt a lot of the similarities and differences between politics in the past and at present.

"It is a very difficult question to answer because I really did not have time to think about what the differences were in politics between the past and present time," he said.

"We still have seen the products of the 2006 coup d'etat such as laws and regulations that are still problems that need to be revised and made more democratic," he said after thinking for a while.

On the differences in society over the past five years, he said people had changed their ways of life. Many had become 'neo-middle class' using technology to communicate. Moreover, people in rural areas now could communicate with the world outside their communities. They had travelled round the world to work as migrant workers in several countries and back to their hometowns.

"They have learnt a lot about the outside world. They know a lot about people's participation to determine their destiny and respect other people's rights," he said.

"This is changing the root of our society. We are now in a transforming period."

Asked if former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra should come home, he said this was not a question he could answer.

"If we are talking about whether Thaksin should go home or not, I think there is no end point. The most important thing is we should talk about the principle. Thaksin is Thai, and has a right to go home and has rights to go anywhere. He has been in several countries over the past few years because he was treated with unfairness. Just to be clear, is the judicial system fair to him?" he said.

"I don't want society to focus too much on Thaksin. If we want our country to step forward and be accepted by the international community, we should make our country follow the right principles. It would be easy to talk to each other if you agree with me."

Reconciliation was very important for Thai society, Phoomtham said, adding that most Thais want to reconcile but the relationship must be managed in a proper way and based on fairness.

"This was a very expensive lesson for people, fought for democracy. Nearly a hundred people died during the protest in the capital [in 2010]. This expensive lesson told us to find a resolution to stop this conflict that helps the country to go forward," he said.

-- The Nation 2012-05-28

[OzMick]

Well there is always the alternative of obeying electoral law. Nah, that's no fun, scrap the penalties instead.

If PTP gets disbanded, can the 110 reform TRT?

[Buchholz]

Our political rights were banned ...

even though we [Thai Rak Thai former executives] were not involved in what happened in the past...

the key man said

key man, indeed.

Phoomtham was at the very core of Thaksin's machinations and has been in the inner folds for a very long time.

The Thai Rak Thai Party is spreading its wings over local politics in a bid to fulfill Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's aspiration of ruling the country for 18 more years.

But TRT chief strategist Phoomtham Vejchayachai denied that his party had any such policy.

July 17, 2003

http://www.nationmul...aces-82203.html

Now, all of a sudden, he's crying, I didn't know anything about anything.... yeah, right.

"Our political rights were banned ..."

Phoomtham's never missed a beat the whole time...

It is widely known that many prominent political figures who were banned, such as Sudarat, Chaturon, Pongthep Thepkanchana, Prommin Lertsuridej, Varathep Ratanakorn, Pongsak Raktapongpaisal, Phoomtham Vejchayachai and Suranand, have been working as Yingluck's advisers right from the start.

March 8, 2012

http://nationmultime...--30177472.html

and then,

Over the past five years since he was banned from political activity, Phoomtham said he learnt a lot of the similarities and differences between politics in the past and at present.

"It is a very difficult question to answer because I really did not have time to think about what the differences were in politics between the past and present time," he said.

No doubt. There's not been a lot of difference for Phoomtham in a decade of his shenanigans.

.

Edited May 28, 2012 by Buchholz

[Buchholz]

Well there is always the alternative of obeying electoral law. Nah, that's no fun, scrap the penalties instead.

If PTP gets disbanded, can the 110 reform TRT?

They would be required to select a new party name/acronym.

With TRT, PPP, and PTP ineligible.... perhaps they'd go buy out the oil company and use theirs

Professional Thaksin Thieves?

.

Edited May 28, 2012 by Buchholz

[birdpooguava]

Well there is always the alternative of obeying electoral law. Nah, that's no fun, scrap the penalties instead.

Dems didn't follow 'electoral law' but were allowed to slither off the hook on a technicality.

Edited May 28, 2012 by birdpooguava

[Crushdepth]

Time to start jailing people for electoral fraud instead.

[animatic]

"It is a very difficult question to answer because I really did not have time to think about what the differences were in politics between the past and present time," he said.

but he is prepared to run the country again... DUH!

Yes in 5 years he had no time to "THINK"...

Yes it is all over... but the whining!

OK campers back in the trough.

Edited May 28, 2012 by animatic

[Buchholz]

Time to start jailing people for electoral fraud instead.

Agreed. It's plainly obvious the penalties need to be strengthened, rather than relaxed, in order for the law to be effective and complied with.

Penalties under the Political Act which prescribe the dissolution of parties and the revocation of their executives' voting rights

Thailand's version of the RICO Act

The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly referred to as the RICO Act, is a United States federal law that provides for extended criminal penalties and a civil cause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization. The RICO Act focuses specifically on racketeering, and it allows for the leaders of a syndicate to be tried for the crimes which they ordered others to do or assisted them, closing a perceived loophole that allowed someone who told a man to, for example, murder, to be exempt from the trial because they did not actually do it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racketeer_Influenced_and_Corrupt_Organizations_Act

needs to share its penalties:

Those found guilty of racketeering can be fined up to $25,000 and sentenced to 20 years in prison per racketeering count.

(same link above)

.

[animatic]

key man, indeed.

The OP said:

Our political rights were banned ...

even though we [Thai Rak Thai former executives] were not involved in what happened in the past...

the key man said

Phoomtham was at the very core of Thaksin's machinations and has been in the inner folds for a very long time.

The Thai Rak Thai Party is spreading its wings over local politics in a bid to fulfill Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's aspiration of ruling the country for 18 more years.

But TRT chief strategist Phoomtham Vejchayachai denied that his party had any such policy.

July 17, 2003

http://www.nationmul...aces-82203.html

Now, all of a sudden, he's crying, I didn't know anything about anything.... yeah, right.

"Our political rights were banned ..."

Phoomtham's never missed a beat the whole time...

It is widely known that many prominent political figures who were banned, such as Sudarat, Chaturon, Pongthep Thepkanchana, Prommin Lertsuridej, Varathep Ratanakorn, Pongsak Raktapongpaisal, Phoomtham Vejchayachai and Suranand, have been working as Yingluck's advisers right from the start.

March 8, 2012

http://nationmultime...--30177472.html

and then,

Over the past five years since he was banned from political activity, Phoomtham said he learnt a lot of the similarities and differences between politics in the past and at present.

"It is a very difficult question to answer because I really did not have time to think about what the differences were in politics between the past and present time," he said.

No doubt. There's not been a lot of difference for Phoomtham in a decade of his shenanigans.

.

Inner folds...LOL

like twists in a spastic colon.

Cut a worm in half and you get two worms doing the same thing.,

Edited May 28, 2012 by animatic

[thaicbr]

Well there is always the alternative of obeying electoral law. Nah, that's no fun, scrap the penalties instead.

Dems didn't follow 'electoral law' but were allowed to slither off the hook on a technicality.

Ohhhh the Dem's did this/that.

Jesus poo. It still does not make it right does it. Maybe if the Mp's didn't have immunity on these charges that would help stop ALL such shenanigans.

sent from my Wellcom A90+

[animatic]

Time to start jailing people for electoral fraud instead.

Agreed. It's plainly obvious the penalties need to be strengthened, rather than relaxed, in order for the law to be effective and complied with.

Penalties under the Political Act which prescribe the dissolution of parties and the revocation of their executives' voting rights

Thailand's version of the RICO Act

The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly referred to as the RICO Act, is a United States federal law that provides for extended criminal penalties and a civil cause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization. The RICO Act focuses specifically on racketeering, and it allows for the leaders of a syndicate to be tried for the crimes which they ordered others to do or assisted them, closing a perceived loophole that allowed someone who told a man to, for example, murder, to be exempt from the trial because they did not actually do it.

http://en.wikipedia....ganizations_Act

needs to share its penalties:

Those found guilty of racketeering can be fined up to $25,000 and sentenced to 20 years in prison per racketeering count.

(same link above)

.

Indeed significantly strengthened.

The party members can move on, they only lose their mastheaqd and umbrella.

The party leaders, should be held accountable for each other.

Particularly in this political culture.

This is nothing more than a power grab and attempt to move backwards

to blanket freedom to do as you wish, with no recourse by the public or justice system.

[gand]

When there are no consequences or not severe enough consequences, then it only gets worse, not better.

[gand]

There are websites where people can report bribes and corruption. Exposing them is a start.

[Reasonableman]

Well there is always the alternative of obeying electoral law. Nah, that's no fun, scrap the penalties instead.

Dems didn't follow 'electoral law' but were allowed to slither off the hook on a technicality.

Oh, well that makes it all right then. No double standards there.

[Reasonableman]

There are websites where people can report bribes and corruption. Exposing them is a start.

And exposing oneself to retribution is the historical disincentive -> status quo

[OzMick]

Well there is always the alternative of obeying electoral law. Nah, that's no fun, scrap the penalties instead.

Dems didn't follow 'electoral law' but were allowed to slither off the hook on a technicality.

As the case wasn't presented to court, they have the presumption of innocence in what appeared to be a BS case.

[OzMick]

Time to start jailing people for electoral fraud instead.

Agreed. It's plainly obvious the penalties need to be strengthened, rather than relaxed, in order for the law to be effective and complied with.

Penalties under the Political Act which prescribe the dissolution of parties and the revocation of their executives' voting rights

Thailand's version of the RICO Act

The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly referred to as the RICO Act, is a United States federal law that provides for extended criminal penalties and a civil cause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization. The RICO Act focuses specifically on racketeering, and it allows for the leaders of a syndicate to be tried for the crimes which they ordered others to do or assisted them, closing a perceived loophole that allowed someone who told a man to, for example, murder, to be exempt from the trial because they did not actually do it.

http://en.wikipedia....ganizations_Act

needs to share its penalties:

Those found guilty of racketeering can be fined up to $25,000 and sentenced to 20 years in prison per racketeering count.

(same link above)

Even though Yingluk is claiming a crackdown in the hub of corruption, somehow I doubt if a RICO style act will appear, let alone pass. It would be akin to most of PTP volunteering to go to prison.

[pakorn7]

Just in time to save DEM from dissolution; from the EastWater scandal.

[473geo]

It would appear that there is a real need to at least re-design, or remove completely, a law which achieved the short term aim removing the opposition big hitters.......but in the long term has achieved very little in the way of success for the 'law makers'

[OzMick]

It would appear that there is a real need to at least re-design, or remove completely, a law which achieved the short term aim removing the opposition big hitters.......but in the long term has achieved very little in the way of success for the 'law makers'

Better do it fast before they bring down their case on Thaksin's involvement in the last election.

Oh yeah, it'll have to wait with everything else until the whitewash law is passed.

Edited May 28, 2012 by OzMick

[473geo]

It would appear that there is a real need to at least re-design, or remove completely, a law which achieved the short term aim removing the opposition big hitters.......but in the long term has achieved very little in the way of success for the 'law makers'

Better do it fast before they bring down their case on Thaksin's involvement in the last election.

Oh yeah, it'll have to wait with everything else until the whitewash law is passed.

You think this law is effective as it stands?...... The ban appears to "have removed their electoral rights for 5 years" .........I don't recall any of the banned members attempting to get elected......isn't that about it?

Edited May 28, 2012 by 473geo

[birdpooguava]

You mean like Yingluk's perjury, or Jatuporn et al LM cases which didn't manage to get anywhere near a judge? You don't need technicalities when you have politically persuadable lackeys.

You may have to get Mrs BPG to change the newspaper in your cage.

Or AV & ST's mass murder charges while you're at it!

[OzMick]

You mean like Yingluk's perjury, or Jatuporn et al LM cases which didn't manage to get anywhere near a judge? You don't need technicalities when you have politically persuadable lackeys.

You may have to get Mrs BPG to change the newspaper in your cage.

Or AV & ST's mass murder charges while you're at it!

the cases haven't proceeded because they don't have a legal leg to stand on, and they can't be dropped or the red shirts will throw a hissy-fit.

Do you get free Kool-Aid top-ups at the red shirt restaurant?

[OzMick]

It would appear that there is a real need to at least re-design, or remove completely, a law which achieved the short term aim removing the opposition big hitters.......but in the long term has achieved very little in the way of success for the 'law makers'

Better do it fast before they bring down their case on Thaksin's involvement in the last election.

Oh yeah, it'll have to wait with everything else until the whitewash law is passed.

You think this law is effective as it stands?...... The ban appears to "have removed their electoral rights for 5 years" .........I don't recall any of the banned members attempting to get elected......isn't that about it?

You are partially correct. I would like to see the penalties increased to include jail and massive financial penalties proportional to the guilty parties declared wealth, and ongoing checks that these people are STAYING out as ordered by the court. A 5 year jail sentence suspended until found guilty of disobeying the court's order sounds fair - with additional 5 year sentences for every breach for those who choose to break their court orders while outside the country.

[metisdead]

A childish name calling post has been removed as well as reply.

[MaiChai]

Lets just get rid of all the laws, balances and checks and let the politicians run riot and empty government coffers and do what they want ?

[OzMick]

I believe the PTP motto was stolen from JFK - "Ask not what your country can do to you—ask what you can do to your country."

[473geo]

Lets just get rid of all the laws, balances and checks and let the politicians run riot and empty government coffers and do what they want ?

Is that not called a coup?

[fxe1200]

There are websites where people can report bribes and corruption. Exposing them is a start.

...please, which website is it?

[metisdead]

A post containing links to anti-corruption websites has been removed as they were related to anti-corruption in India, therefore, off topic.