Red shirts petition for charter court judges' impeachment as Jatuporn calls for mass action

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt co-leader Jatuporn Promphan called yesterday for one million red shirts to take to the streets to send a signal to the Constitution Court that people will not accept another judicial coup, during remarks made to supporters in front of the Parliament.

Red shirts gathered in their thousands yesterday to sign a petition letter seeking the impeachment of the seven Constitution Court judges by the Senate. By midday they had already managed to gather the 20,000 signatures required by law to launch the impeachment process. The petition was handed over to a Deputy House Speaker early yesterday afternoon by the chairperson of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD), Thida Thavornseth Tojirakarn.

Jatuporn accused the court of wanting to destroy democracy. "We don't need to have elections anymore. Anyone who wants to become prime minister can apply to the Constitution Court," Jatuporn said on stage. "We discovered today that the Constitution Court has become a redundant part of the democratic system."

Jatuporn said people will not wait until yet another government is formed inside an army barracks, but will come out to the streets to fight now.

Those interviewed at random confessed, however, that they lacked the legal knowledge to say whether the court's recent ruling that the Parliament must halt the third reading on the Constitution amendment bill was legitimate. They also said they regarded the move by the court as an attempted "judicial coup". Legal experts from both sides of the political divide have expressed differing opinions as to whether the Court has overstepped its authority or not.

"[The court] won't survive if it abuses its power by overthrowing the people's government. In Burma, such power [against the people] couldn't last," said Somporn Taejalue, a 47-year-old native of Chiang Rai, now a small business owner based in Bangkok.

Somporn said she no longer watches mainstream television news, but tuned in to pro-red shirt Voice TV for news about the court controversy.

"People voted the MPs in so they can be our legislators to rewrite the charter," Somporn said angrily in front of the Parliament.

Sixty-three-year-old Bangkokian Sa-ard Boonsomkiat, another red shirt who came to sign the petition, said it is painful to see the judiciary interfere with elected government again and again.

"People won't put up with it this time. People know what's happening now with Facebook and the Internet and other things. This is a judicial coup," Sa-ard concluded.

Neither was sure if the petition would eventually lead to the impeachment of the Constitution Court judges, but said they had to come out in a show of force.

One speaker told the crowd not to leave until they were told to, adding that they would gather again today.

"We won't stop until we are told to stop," said the man on the stage.

Security around the Parliament was more relaxed than during the tense yellow-shirt and multicoloured shirt protests last week in front of the Parliament, although traffic around the Parliament ended up being closed off nonetheless.

-- The Nation 2012-06-08

The red shirts interviewed admitted they didn't know if the court's action was legitimate or not.

'We won't stop until we are told to stop'.

Ignorance is a dangerous thing.

The red shirts interviewed admitted they didn't know if the court's action was legitimate or not.

'We won't stop until we are told to stop'.

Ignorance is a dangerous thing.

And it only gets worse when someone like Somporn "no longer watches mainstream television news", but instead "tunes in to pro-red shirt Voice TV" for news about the court controversy.

I have no doubt she will get a good balanced argument from this source....!!

"Jatuporn accused the court of wanting to destroy democracy." - fine one to talk!

"Jatuporn said people will not wait until yet another government is formed inside an army barracks, but will come out to the streets to fight now."

Typical Jatuporn style. When his toys fall out of the pram he calls for street war. He isn't enticing civil war, per chance, again is he?

-mel.

Red-shirt co-leader Jatuporn Promphan called yesterday for one million red shirts to take to the streets

Once again, the obligatory 1,000,000 of anything is thrust out there...

What is it with this million thing and Thaksin and the Red Shirts and the Pheu Thai Party?

When has it ever worked out for them? and yet, the still keep using it.

Whether it's Thaksin's one million Elite Cards, or Red Shirt's one million-man march, or PTP's one million credit cards for farmers... they all coming crashing down.

edit: At least he's not promoting TEN million Red Shirts showing up the way fellow Red Shirt Leader Kwanchai predicted for the Songkran visit of Red Shirts to Laos/Cambodia to see Thaksin.

.

Edited June 8, 201214 yr by Buchholz

Coup? What coup?

Red-shirt co-leader Jatuporn Promphan called yesterday for one million red shirts to take to the streets

Once again, the obligatory 1,000,000 of anything is thrust out there...

What is it with this million thing and Thaksin and the Red Shirts and the Pheu Thai Party?

When has it ever worked out for them? and yet, the still keep using it.

Whether it's Thaksin's one million Elite Cards, or Red Shirt's one million-man march, or PTP's one million credit cards for farmers... they all coming crashing down.

edit: At least he's not promoting TEN million Red Shirts showing up the way fellow Red Shirt Leader Kwanchai predicted for the Songkran visit of Red Shirts to Laos/Cambodia to see Thaksin.

His unobtainable 1 million being ~1.5% of the population.

Isn't Jatuporn on bail? Wasn't one of his bail restrictions not to address public meetings?

So Jutaporn complains about destroying democracy, but every time something doesn't go the red way, they protest and threaten violence. I would really like to know what these people think democracy is.

Gotta love Thailand

If you do not get your way - protest

If you do not get your way - Sue them

If you do not get your way - Flee the country

If you do not get your way - Give people money so you can get your way

If you do not get your way - Burn down Bangkok

Gotta love Thailand

If you do not get your way - protest

If you do not get your way - Sue them

If you do not get your way - Flee the country

If you do not get your way - Give people money so you can get your way

If you do not get your way - Burn down Bangkok

Now now, let's not forget all the evil that the other side made.

If you do not get your way - have a bloodless coup.

If you do not get your way - occupy an airport and clean up after the mess

If you do not get your way - throw some paper

But you also forgot about the Red's

If you do not get your way - throw feces and contaminated blood around

"We don't need to have elections anymore. Anyone who wants to become prime minister can apply to the Constitution Court"

Or sail his pretty-but-dim sister into power on an ocean of bribes and promises and intimidation, then use her to get his custodial sentence over-turned and his stolen money back and become prime minister.

Edited June 8, 201214 yr by Yunla

Red Shirt movement camps out overnight at Parliament, waiting to open way for MPs to enter Parliament for session on Friday /MCOT

His unobtainable 1 million being ~1.5% of the population.

Isn't Jatuporn on bail? Wasn't one of his bail restrictions not to address public meetings?

My thoughts exactly!

And still as yet no one can correctly call if the C has acted within the legality of its remit or not.

If nothing else, that should be something that should be cleared up in the constitution.(sarcasm)

What an absolute mess.

Red Shirt movement camps out overnight at Parliament, waiting to open way for MPs to enter Parliament for session on Friday /MCOT

And i'm sure that the Red Government will also decide to vote the new bill through today as well. Discussion or Opposition to the bill? Tough Sh*t we are the government and we will do as we please... opposition parties, high court judges and everyone else can goto hell... we are the elected government and we write the laws, not you!

RT @terryfrd: Thai PBS reports that govt & opposition whips have agreed that 3rd reading of const amendment bill NOT be considered today.

The red shirts interviewed admitted they didn't know if the court's action was legitimate or not.

'We won't stop until we are told to stop'.

Ignorance is a dangerous thing.

Yes the reds were ignorant & unprepared before the last military putsch. This time they are well organised and can be mobilised quickly to oppose the undemocratic aggressors.

The red shirts interviewed admitted they didn't know if the court's action was legitimate or not.

'We won't stop until we are told to stop'.

Ignorance is a dangerous thing.

Yes the reds were ignorant & unprepared before the last military putsch. This time they are well organised and can be mobilised quickly to oppose the undemocratic aggressors.

You missed this years deadline but keep working on your craft and try to get something submitted for next year.

http://www.bulwer-lytton.com/

Red Shirts waiting to open way for MPs

BANGKOK, June 8 - The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), the red shirt movement, camped out near Parliament Thursday night, waiting to open the way for members of the upper and lower houses, both senators and MPs, to enter the building for today’s joint session.

The red shirts occupied the area at the entrances to Parliament to prevent the rival yellow shirted People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) movement from denying the lawmakers access to their chamber. Last Friday’s action by the yellow shirts forced House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont to cancel the reconciliation bills debate.

MPs and senators are scheduled to attend a joint sitting of the two houses.

The UDD rallying now at Parliament called upon the body to proceed with the third reading of the Constitution amendment bill. UDD leaders took turns at the platform microphones to attack the injunction ordered by the Constitution Court which delays any vote or reading of the bill.

Jatuporn Prompan, a key red shirt movement leader, demanded the resignations of the Constitution Court justices, saying the group will rally one million supporters from across the country to march to Bangkok to demand justice and democracy.

The vote on the third reading of the draft charter amendment cannot proceed because the Constitution Court agreed to study the legality of the amendment and issued an injunction to suspend the process until the court ruling, as it accepted five petitions filed by a group of senators and opposition Democrat MPs challenging the legality of the draft.

In related developments, the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) on Thursday said that the amendment was not aimed at overthrowing the political system, as alleged in the petitions filed separately by five groups from both houses.

OAG spokesperson Winai Damrongmongkolkul told a news conference after six-hour-meeting to consider the petition on the draft constitution amendment that the OAG decided that the amendment bill would not result in changes to the political system and it would not forward the petitions to the Constitution Court.

Mr Winai, who directs the agency’s Department of Special Litigation, said the OAG would not interfere with the other agency related to the petitions.

This could refer to the Constitution Court which has scheduled a hearing on the matter next month. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-06-08

You just can't argue with stupid.

The red shirts interviewed admitted they didn't know if the court's action was legitimate or not.

'We won't stop until we are told to stop'.

Ignorance is a dangerous thing.

Ignorance??

They are paid to demonstrate, they aren't paid to be lawers.

They do what they are paid for, which is good attitude for staff.

It is like my staff in the production.....they don't understand why they produce orings and when to stop. They produce as long as I am telling them to do. In exchange I pay them fair.

No difference

The red shirts interviewed admitted they didn't know if the court's action was legitimate or not.

'We won't stop until we are told to stop'.

Ignorance is a dangerous thing.

Yes the reds were ignorant & unprepared before the last military putsch. This time they are well organised and can be mobilised quickly to oppose the undemocratic aggressors.

You missed this years deadline but keep working on your craft and try to get something submitted for next year.

http://www.bulwer-lytton.com/

Jaturporn should be in Jail for inciting violence... he is just a thug who will be probably shot and taken out... I thing Thailand is in for bad times aslong as this idiot is alive

Jaturporn should be in Jail for inciting violence... he is just a thug who will be probably shot and taken out... I thing Thailand is in for bad times aslong as this idiot is alive

Not going to happen, he would just become a martyr for his ardent followers and some one equally as unpleasant would take his place. (Ok, it's arguable as to if there is anyone as equally unpleasant)

Gotta love Thailand

If you do not get your way - protest

If you do not get your way - Sue them

If you do not get your way - Flee the country

If you do not get your way - Give people money so you can get your way

If you do not get your way - Burn down Bangkok

Now now, let's not forget all the evil that the other side made.

If you do not get your way - have a bloodless coup.

If you do not get your way - occupy an airport and clean up after the mess

If you do not get your way - throw some paper

But you also forgot about the Red's

If you do not get your way - throw feces and contaminated blood around

The red shirts interviewed admitted they didn't know if the court's action was legitimate or not.

'We won't stop until we are told to stop'.

Ignorance is a dangerous thing.

Yes the reds were ignorant & unprepared before the last military putsch. This time they are well organised and can be mobilised quickly to oppose the undemocratic aggressors.

Good luck with that.

"A disorderly mob is no more an army than a heap of building materials is a house." Socrates

Kokaew threatens to cut court budget

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai MP Kokaew Pikulthong on Friday urged the Constitution Court to cancel its injunction on the legislative vote for charter change in exchange for avoiding impeachment and budget cut.

"The red shirts will stop the impeachment drive against the judges if the court order on legislative voting is dropped," he said.

Kokaew also hinted that the House committee vetting the 2013 Budget Bill might cut the high court's non-esstential expenditures, such as the spendings on security services for the court buildings and personnel.

-- The Nation 2012-06-08

Kokaew threatens to cut court budget

Pheu Thai MP Kokaew Pikulthong on Friday urged the Constitution Court to cancel its injunction on the legislative vote for charter change in exchange for avoiding impeachment and budget cut

Another Red Shirt politician, another making threats....

yesterday's Red Shirt politician threats weren't enough apparently?

TR @sunaibkk: In front of Parliament, red leader Jeng Dokjik has announced phone numbers of charter court judges & their family members.

Red Shirt Leader and Deputy Secretary-General to the Interior Minister Yoswaris "Jeng Dokjik" Chuklom

Naewna Newspaper (article in Thai)

http://www.naewna.com/

the desired effect of Dokjik's threats are realized....

Police tightens security after charter court judges receive threats

BANGKOK, 7 June 2012 (NNT) – The Metropolitan Police Bureau is deploying additional police personnel for the security of Constitution Court President Wasan Soipisut and 8 other judges, following threats made against them.

After the Constitution Tribunal accepted five petitions lodged by a group of senators and MPs questioning the legality of the charter amendment draft, the judges have been placed under special protection.

Police Major General Anan Srihirun, Deputy Metropolitan Police Commander, said authorities are providing 24-hour security around the residences of the presiding judge and 8 other judges.

The deputy commander added that the Metropolitan Police Bureau is also coordinating with Bang Sue, Suthisarn, Khlong Tan and Taling Chan Police Stations as well as relevant agencies in Nonthaburi and Nakhon Pathom provinces to closely monitor the situation and ensure safety for the Constitution Court judges.

Jaturporn should be in Jail for inciting violence... he is just a thug who will be probably shot and taken out... I thing Thailand is in for bad times aslong as this idiot is alive

Not going to happen, he would just become a martyr for his ardent followers and some one equally as unpleasant would take his place. (Ok, it's arguable as to if there is anyone as equally unpleasant)

I'd risk it.

Kokaew threatens to cut court budget

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai MP Kokaew Pikulthong on Friday urged the Constitution Court to cancel its injunction on the legislative vote for charter change in exchange for avoiding impeachment and budget cut.

"The red shirts will stop the impeachment drive against the judges if the court order on legislative voting is dropped," he said.

Kokaew also hinted that the House committee vetting the 2013 Budget Bill might cut the high court's non-esstential expenditures, such as the spendings on security services for the court buildings and personnel.

-- The Nation 2012-06-08

Fascism at work.