Joint Parliamentary Sitting Sought For Friday

[webfact]

Joint parliamentary sitting sought for Friday

BANGKOK, June 4 – The government chief whip has asked the Speaker of the House to call a joint parliamentary sitting on Friday to discuss Section 190 of the Constitution so that senators and members of the lower house may discuss together whether or not the Constitution Court has authority to order the House to suspend deliberations on the charter amendment bill.

The court on Friday ordered the House to suspend debate on the bill until after the court rules whether or not the charter rewrite attempt is against the constitution.

Government chief whip Udomdej Rattanasathien said if the joint sitting concluded that the Court has no authority to do so, it might proceed with the third and final reading of the bill.

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai party spokesperson Prompong Nopparit urged seven charter court judges to rethink their decision of the court's authority in accepting the petition questioning legality of the charter rewrite bill.

"Court president Wasan Soypisudh should thoroughly look into Section 68 of the Constitution as it stipulates that the court has no authority to rule whether the charter amendment bill was unconstitutional or not. Therefore the court has neither authority to order the House (to suspend debate) nor to overstep the legislative branch," he said.

Mr Prompong urged the Office of the Attorney-General to clarify the issue to the public to end confusion.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva however urged tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting to consider issuing a draft royal decree to close the current parliamentary session to defuse the current political rift.

He advised that the lawmakers would have more time during a recess in parliament before the next session scheduled for August 1 to seek a better solution rather than creating conditions for confrontation.

"To proceed with deliberating the national reconciliation bills will only cause a rift," he warned.

But Mr Prompong dismissed the opposition leader's advice, saying he was disappointed with the opposition's stance.

The ruling party spokesperson said he would petition the House Speaker on Friday to probe ethical conducts of four Democrat MPs--Apichart Supapang, Pongvej Vejjajiva, Rangsima Rodrassami and Thani Thaugsuban--for what he described as "inappropriate behaviour" during the House session. Another complaint will later be filed with the Ombudsman to seek their removal.

Meanwhile, seven Thammasat law lecturers of the Nitirat group issued a statement saying they opposed the court injunction ordering the House to suspend deliberations of the charter rewrite bill.

"Ordering this is tantamount to court interference in the charter amendment procedure without authority," the Nitirat group said in its statement.

"Parliament, by accepting such an order, will allow the court to extend its jurisdiction beyond its authority to become a supraconstitutional body above all other state organisations, which constitutes the destruction of the rule of law and democracy," it said. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-06-04

[Moruya]

I can see why the Brits have an unwritten constitution.

My mother used to tell me after putting away a large meal that I had the constitution of an ox. I can only assume that had she been a witness to this fiasco that she might have some other animal in mind.

Sent from my dog.

[mccw]

Constitution court ruling on a question of constitutionality. Sounds like that is exactly what it is made for; to maintain democracy by keeping the government within the counstitution/ rule of law.

This is a key moment for Thailand. Accept democracy is a system of checks and balances or turn in to a an single party autocracy with no limit to its corruption and worse

[gand]

What happen to 'adjourn indefinitely'? What happen to the 60 days?

[MikeOboe57]

"the [Constitution] court has no authority to rule whether the charter amendment bill was unconstitutional or not"

Nice insight into a red brain.

[gand]

"the [Constitution] court has no authority to rule whether the charter amendment bill was unconstitutional or not"

Nice insight into a red brain.

Then there may as well not be a Constitutional Court.

[waza]

Hmmm maybe after this process concludes there may not be a constitutional court along with a judiciary and a rule of law..............

[gand]

Hmmm maybe after this process concludes there may not be a constitutional court along with a judiciary and a rule of law..............

Just a rubber stamp.

[rubl]

Government chief whip Udomdej Rattanasathien said if the joint sitting concluded that the Court has no authority to do so, it might proceed with the third and final reading of the bill.

Me and my friends have concluded that the one deciding on an alcohol-free day had no authority to do so, therefor we proceeded buying some.

The ruling party spokesperson said he would petition the House Speaker on Friday to probe ethical conducts of four Democrat MPs--Apichart Supapang, Pongvej Vejjajiva, Rangsima Rodrassami and Thani Thaugsuban--for what he described as "inappropriate behaviour" during the House session. Another complaint will later be filed with the Ombudsman to seek their removal.

Pot, kettle, etc., etc. Clearly a Pheu Thai coup trying to remove the opposition to whatever they (i.e. Pheu Thai) want to decide. Now where is the UDD when you need to mobilize forces to protect our democracy ?

[LuckyLew]

Just another attempt here to shove this bill thru

seemingly they do not give two hoots about the

uproar it will cause

Since MP's will have two months off work, what do

they care if protestors rampage thru Bkk?