Pheu Thai vows to respect court verdict on charter

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- Key figures from the ruling Pheu Thai Party yesterday promised to respect a ruling by the Constitution Court in the charter amendment case, although some of them warned against a verdict that "goes against the public's desire".

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said yesterday he believed the Constitution Court would not rule against public feelings regarding the charter amendment, otherwise the country would be faced with political turmoil.

He said the proposed amendment to Article 291 of the Constitution is aimed at selecting 99 charter writers who would draft a new charter and the public would get to vote if they agree with the new charter. If they reject it, the matter is put to rest, Chalerm said.

He said he would be happy if the court meets MPs half way by allowing amendment of some articles that are ambiguous. He urged the media not to cause panic among the public by suggesting that a court decision could result in party dissolution. He added that even if the Pheu Thai is dissolved, the government would still survive.

Deputy PM and Pheu Thai leader Yongyuth Wichaidit said after giving his testimony to the court he believed the ruling, scheduled for Friday, would be fair. He said Pheu Thai would respect the court decision.

"I cannot say that I am confident the court will rule in our party's favour because my answer could be used in newspaper headlines and that could be a double-edged sword,'' he said. He said all political groups have the right to express their feelings after the court ruling but they must abide by the law.

Pheu Thai deputy spokesman Jirayu Huangsap said the party would accept the court's decision and has assigned Pheu Thai MPs to create understanding among the public. The party called on legal experts to express their views on amending Article 291.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said she was not giving any thought to the dissolution of the Pheu Thai Party as a result of the court ruling, adding she would rather wait for the ruling and decide after that.

Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont said he would submit a closing statement to the court on Wednesday. Asked how he would speculate on the ruling, Somsak, a Pheu Thai MP, said he was ready to step back if it could prevent the country from plunging into a crisis and killings among Thais.

Democrat Party deputy leader Thaworn Senneam urged red-shirt leader Thida Thawornset not to mobilise the masses to pressure the court or sabotage its credibility.

Thaworn said he had submitted video discs as evidence to show how red shirts threaten to topple the country's democratic regime. He said whether the reds would rally against the court decision or not would depend on whether ex-PM Thaksin could pay.

-- The Nation 2012-07-08

PTP seems to be sure of the outcome of the Court-verdict.

"Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said yesterday he believed the Constitution Court would not rule against public feelings regarding the charter amendment, otherwise the country would be faced with political turmoil."

They are ruling on points of the law, not 'public feeling'

Nice cowboy shirt mirrors the mentality of the wearer and his party to a T.

Key figures from the ruling Pheu Thai Party yesterday promised to respect a ruling by the Constitution Court in the charter amendment case, although some of them warned against a verdict that "goes against the public's desire".

They do not know the "public's desire". There has been no referendum on what anybody except PTP and their families and card-carrying members want.

So to paraphrase, we will respect your ruling, no matter what your ruling is, but if you rule against us we will order Smithers to 'release the hounds'.

Edited July 8, 201214 yr by Yunla

By mentioning 'public desire,' Chalerm is thinly veiling a threat at mob rule, if his cronies don't get their way. I challenge him to test the waters of 'public desire' to see whether the public desires him or his sons to be involved with political maneuvering. Don't forget your to keep your 'ear medicine' nearby, Mr. Chalerm.

He said he would be happy if the court meets MPs half way by allowing amendment of some articles that are ambiguous.

A much more reasonable and legal manner rather than their current efforts.

It's a shame the PTP didn't employ this strategy from the beginning rather than rewriting the whole constitution.

It would involve actually specifying what particular articles then find objectionable rather than their current talk of vague and misleading rhetoric.

.

PTP will respect it, however there terrorist arm aka The Red Shirts will not, it there DL doesn't get what he wants.

Edited July 8, 201214 yr by mrtoad

Key figures from the ruling Pheu Thai Party yesterday promised to respect a ruling by the Constitution Court in the charter amendment case, although some of them warned against a verdict that "goes against the public's desire".

They do not know the "public's desire". There has been no referendum on what anybody except PTP and their families and card-carrying members want.

So to paraphrase, we will respect your ruling, no matter what your ruling is, but if you rule against us we will order Smithers to 'release the hounds'.

You really do not understand how the constitution is amended or what section 291 is about do you?

He said he would be happy if the court meets MPs half way by allowing amendment of some articles that are ambiguous.

A much more reasonable and legal manner rather than their current efforts.

It's a shame the PTP didn't employ this strategy from the beginning rather than rewriting the whole constitution.

It would involve actually specifying what particular articles then find objectionable rather than their current talk of vague and misleading rhetoric.

'Reasonable' perhaps, if politicians were a reasoned bunch. What's 'ambiguous' is open to interpretation. PT is fixated on 'fixing' any parts which will enable their hero to return to Thailand, with no repercussions for his crimes. PT will also repeat, ad nauseum, that they got most votes, therefore everything they do (their puppetmaster instructs them to do) is backed by majority of Thais.

If there was a provision for excusing T for lying to jurists (saying he was just going to the Beijing Olympics, and would come right back, for example), then they'd claim that sort of law was ambiguous and needs to be amended also - in order to whitewash their financier. But of course, they won't state it in that manner. Being truthful was never on the agenda for PT people.

Chalerm is right that the court should respect the public feeling.

But he's wrong if he thinks the public feeling supports his amendments.

PTP seems to be sure of the outcome of the Court-verdict.

I wonder how much it costs...

"Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said yesterday he believed the Constitution Court would not rule against public feelings regarding the charter amendment, otherwise the country would be faced with political turmoil."

They are ruling on points of the law, not 'public feeling'

exactly.

Just typical PT lack of understanding the whole system of Government.

I am surprised he didn't hand out the phone numbers of the Judges just in case some one had missed them.

Now, why does he have to make such a promise? Is it not the way democracy should work?