Thailand Braces For Key Court Ruling

[webfact]

Thailand braces for key court ruling

BANGKOK, July 13, 2012 (AFP) - Hundreds of police surrounded Thailand's Constitutional Court Friday as the country braced for a crunch ruling that threatens to rip open the kingdom's bitter political divisions.

The court is set to rule on whether plans by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's party to amend the constitution -- drawn up under the military junta that deposed her divisive brother Thaksin -- are legal.

The opposition Democrats, which were swept out of power in a landslide election win for Yingluck last year, claim that the efforts to amend the constitution signal a threat to the deeply-revered monarchy.

A verdict against the ruling party could lead to its dissolution, risking fresh conflict in a nation that has been racked by bloody street rallies since huge protests helped topple Thaksin from power in 2006.

Yingluck -- who would not necessarily be removed from power even if her party is dissolved -- called for calm on the eve of the decision, urging people from all sides "not to use violence".

Several anti-Thaksin protesters gathered outside the court on Friday, while a faction of the rival "Red Shirts" -- mainly rural, working class supporters of the fugitive former premier -- also held a small rally near parliament.

National police spokesman Major General Piya Utayo said four companies -- around 600 officers were deployed in and around the court, with a further nine companies on standby nearby.

"The situation in and around the court is peaceful," he said.

Constitutional Court officials said eight judges -- two of whom were involved in drafting the constitution -- began deliberations on Friday morning.

Two pro-Thaksin premiers were forced from office in 2008 in judicial rulings, making way for the Democrats, who are backed by the military and Bangkok elite, to take power in a parliamentary vote.

Yingluck's Puea Thai party swept to power last year on a wave of Thaksin support following deadly 2010 Red Shirt street protests, promising to amend the constitution that was drawn up in 2007.

The party is trying to amend the section of Thailand's charter governing the process for changing the constitution in order to allow it to set up a redrafting committee and to put their recommendations to a referendum.

But the Democrats, who also fear the move could be used to open the way for Thaksin's return, allege the underlying motivation threatens Thailand's system of constitutional monarchy.

Observers said the court could decide to throw out the complaint, to rule against the party -- which denies any intent to undermine the royal family -- or to find a compromise agreement that would limit the extent of future revisions to the constitution.

Thailand expert Thitinan Pongsudhirak, of Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, said there had been a "systematic effort to undermine and subvert democratic institutions" in recent years.

"In previous judicial dissolutions, the grounds were questionable but less bogus. This time... the verdict is rooted in presumptions about the future which has not happened," he said.

"There will be a severe backlash if we see yet another repeat of the usurpation of electoral rule and this time the court is in a much weaker position."

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-07-13

[webfact]

CONSTITUTION COURT

Fear of chaos as verdict looms

THE NATION

Pro-amendment rallies planned across country

BANGKOK: -- A Constitution Court spokesman yesterday warned of a possible fracas at the courthouse when the landmark ruling on constitutional amendment comes out this afternoon.

"There is concern that some groups of people with ill intentions may try to create a situation and cause violence," Somrit Chaiwong said.

People interested in the case against charter-change advocates should stay home and watch the verdict reading on TV, he said, adding that the court's secretary-general, Chaowana Traimas, had decided to allow the proceedings to be broadcast live.

Security for the court has been beefed up, with its premises declared off-limits to demonstrators and guarded by police reinforcements.

Supporters of the pro-amendment camp continued to pressure the eight justices presiding over the case by planning rallies today at various spots in Bangkok and at various provincial halls including those in Khon Kaen, Pathum Thani and Chiang Mai. The demonstrators have been told by leaders to wait for the court verdict before making their next move.

No demonstrators would be allowed inside the court's compound, according to a source. Barriers were set up at the court's gate and no cars were allowed to park in the area.

About 300 police, including some from crowd-control units, were dispatched to the court to ensure safety for the judges.

National Police chief Priewpan Damapong expressed confidence the force could cope with any emergency following the ruling, with 13 companies assigned to the job.

Senior police, including Priewpan's deputy, General Worapong Chiewpreecha, went to the court to inspect drills by the crowd-control police.

Court spokesman Somrit said none of the judges has pulled out of the case despite the strain. They would make their decision according to legal principles. They have each been provided a copy of both closing statements for use in writing their individual opinions.

They would then meet this morning to discuss their individual views and vote on the final verdict before it was written and read out at about 2pm, he added.

Professor Prawase Wasi, a respected social critic, warned of possible turmoil.

By Thais' nature, the court verdict would not be extreme. However, the problem was the ongoing attempts to fan hatred between the opposing camps, which could eventually lead to violence and unrest. Similar incidents have occurred in other countries, such as the United States, Sri Lanka and Rwanda, leading to the deaths of several thousands of people.

"The Thai people have to be careful so that there will be no turmoil. We should not spread hatred although there is conflict," he said.

The differences should be settled peacefully through proper communication, he added.

Red-shirt leaders, with many supporting the government and backing the charter amendment bills, held gatherings of their followers at the Royal Plaza and their base at the Imperial Department Store in Lat Phrao that began yesterday and continued until today.

Payap Panket, an MP from the ruling Pheu Thai Party and a red-shirt leader, said the rally leaders would also criticise the Constitution Court judges, whom he accused of "having connections with dictatorship".

Kokaew Pikulthong, another Pheu Thai MP and red-shirt leader, called on the government's red-shirt supporters to come out en masse for the gatherings at the Royal Plaza and the Imperial Lat Phrao mall. However, he advised them against gathering at the Constitution Court to avoid becoming "the victim". He did not elaborate.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra called on government supporters to wait peacefully for the court verdict.

"I do not want them to be overly worried," she said.

Yingluck will attend the Asean-US Business Forum in Cambodia's Siem Reap today.

Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha yesterday left for Myanmar to attend a meeting on preparations for the Southeast Asian Games.

Pheu Thai MP Worachai Hema assigned his attorney Karom Polthaklang to file a civil suit against all but one of the nine Constitution Court judges seeking damages of Bt1.55 million and an order suspending the trial.

-- The Nation 2012-07-13

[Skywalker69]

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra called on government supporters to wait peacefully for the court verdict.

And then what?

[h90]

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra called on government supporters to wait peacefully for the court verdict.

And then what?

Than wait till the red police under the control of Thaksins brother in law opens the doors, so the spontaneously eruption of the peoples anger can find their way to the judges.

[Moruya]

"Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra called on government supporters to wait peacefully for the court verdict.

"I do not want them to be overly worried," she said"

Lah di dah.

We're off for a picnic

don't worry

everything will take its course

just follow procedure

dont ask me

I dont know

ask Chalerm

ask the red shirts

I dont know - I'm off to Pathet Phnom Phen

[Crushdepth]

I very much doubt that the judgement will be anything drastic. Probably they will put a few strings on the debate re. certain topics as specified by the charter, but that's about it.

Had PT defined which areas of the charter they were unhappy with (ie. been transparent about their intentions), this would never have ended up in court. Of course, the last thing they wanted was transparency, and hence the problem.

[webfact]

Constitution Court judges hold meeting to discuss joint verdict

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Judges of the Constitution Court gathered at the court Friday morning and began their meeting at 9:30 am to discuss a joint verdict on the charter amendments, a court official said.

The court is scheduled to read a joint verdict at 2 pm.

Each judge has prepared his verdict ahead of the meeting. Constitution Court President Wasant Sroypisut said Thursday evening that he had finished writing his version of verdict.

During the meeting, each of the judge would make verbal announce of his verdict in the process of voting how the joint verdict should be.

-- The Nation 2012-07-13

[OzMick]

"rallies today........ at various provincial halls including those in Khon Kaen, Pathum Thani and Chiang Mai."

I hope their fire insurance is both paid and comprehensive.

[Yunla]

"There is concern that some groups of people with ill intentions may try to create a situation and cause violence," Somrit Chaiwong said.

The root problem today is not the Thai constitution, the judges, or their ruling.

The root problem is the PTP's mono-policy 'unity bill' and the undemocratic manner in which they have pursued its inception.

[Moruya]

"rallies today........ at various provincial halls including those in Khon Kaen, Pathum Thani and Chiang Mai."

I hope their fire insurance is both paid and comprehensive.

Doesn't cover acts of terrorism and the PTP has spent all the money and already raped the BMA funds so they'll need to rebuild with tin and cardboard

[Thai at Heart]

Rayong to khon kaen this morning, not a single police checkpoint. Must all be in bangkok

[WtFugarwe]

PTP won the election. They deserve to govern, unimpeded by yellow shirt judges.

[binjalin]

PTP won the election. They deserve to govern, unimpeded by yellow shirt judges.

+1

[Moruya]

PTP won the election. They deserve to govern, unimpeded by yellow shirt judges.

Judges are impartial and should be permitted to carry out their work without red terrorism

Edited July 13, 2012 by Moruya

[Robby nz]

The MP's may make the laws but that doesnt mean they are above these laws.

They must answer to the law the same as everyone else.

The court and judges are there to administer the law and (should) make their decisions according to the law.

Incidentaly the judges are also subject to the law, no one is above it.

Or thats how it should be and they should be allowed to go about their job without facing the threats and intimidation that we are now seeing.

Statements like' if you make the wrong decision there will be civil war' are nothing but intimidation.

We wait to see if this afternoons decision is according to law or if the threats have worked.

[h90]

PTP won the election. They deserve to govern, unimpeded by yellow shirt judges.

First: they bought the election

Second: Even a legal government is not allowed to break the constitution, neither in Europe, nor in USA, nor anywhere else.

[Moruya]

PTP won the election. They deserve to govern, unimpeded by yellow shirt judges.

First: they bought the election

Second: Even a legal government is not allowed to break the constitution, neither in Europe, nor in USA, nor anywhere else.

Indeed - let them all move to Cambodia if they love it so much.

[scorecard]

PTP won the election. They deserve to govern, unimpeded by yellow shirt judges.

Judges are impartial and should be permitted to carry out their work without red terrorism

PTP won the election. They deserve to govern, unimpeded by yellow shirt judges.

+1

Please explain, specifically, why you call them 'yellow shirt judges'.

[h90]

PTP won the election. They deserve to govern, unimpeded by yellow shirt judges.

First: they bought the election

Second: Even a legal government is not allowed to break the constitution, neither in Europe, nor in USA, nor anywhere else.

Indeed - let them all move to Cambodia if they love it so much.

I think they would prefer North Korea. In Cambodia there is still active opposition.

[h90]

Please explain, specifically, why you call them 'yellow shirt judges'.

Because they aren't full under control of Thaksin, yet.

[Moruya]

Please explain, specifically, why you call them 'yellow shirt judges'.

Because they aren't full under control of Thaksin, yet.

Please explain, specifically, why you call them 'yellow shirt judges'.

Because they aren't full under control of Thaksin, yet.

Let's see who is under the control of Thaksin and his DNA

Justice Department - check

OAG - check

DSI - check

Police - check

[Nickymaster]

PTP won the election. They deserve to govern, unimpeded by yellow shirt judges.

for all people under the rule of law

[h90]

Let's see who is under the control of Thaksin and his DNA

Justice Department - check

OAG - check

DSI - check

Police - check

That list is far from complete....

[Moruya]

and with little more that 40 minutes to go here in Laksi before kick off the atmosphere is as palpable as one of Martine Dennis' palpable things - after all TiT!

Both sides have been warming up with Dirty Dozen Left Winger Korkeaw in poor for for the reds. The Corinthians are a man down before kick off but have promised to come out and play their usual game.

The athems will shortly be starting with Thaksin Uber Ales first on the podium sung by Arisman. The Corinthians have opted for a lesser know version of the Red Flag as originally penned by Winston Churchill.

Red Shirt star striker Jauporn is carrying a bit of an injury having been newtered in a previous encounter with the Corinthians but he is determined to hobble around for as long as his skeletal frame can support his blubbery torso. 8 man Corinthians are looking in fine fettle with the hopes of the nation resting on them.

The bookies are setting the odds pretty evenly here.

[Moruya]

Let's see who is under the control of Thaksin and his DNA

Justice Department - check

OAG - check

DSI - check

Police - check

That list is far from complete....

I know. Lazy B@st@rd today.

[h90]

Let's see who is under the control of Thaksin and his DNA

Justice Department - check

OAG - check

DSI - check

Police - check

That list is far from complete....

I know. Lazy B@st@rd today.

There is no "independend" organization in which he hasn't at least some people, very often relatives, in key positions.

I always wonder how big his family must be, and all have some "strange" histories.

Breeding and cheating must be in their genes....

[backtonormal]

PTP won the election. They deserve to govern, unimpeded by yellow shirt judges.

Judges are impartial and should be permitted to carry out their work without red terrorism

Look which institution of Thailand is made up of retired top brass from the military, the airforce the navy and last but not least The judiciary. You will realise how stupid that comment is in Thailand

[Crushdepth]

And there you have it, no big deal. So much for the howling about 'judicial activisim' and 'yellow judges'. Maybe now some of the jackboot brigade will have the decency to withdraw their allegations of bias in the court?

I'm looking at you, tslanford.

[Steely Dan]

"There is concern that some groups of people with ill intentions may try to create a situation and cause violence," Somrit Chaiwong said.

The root problem today is not the Thai constitution, the judges, or their ruling.

The root problem is the PTP's mono-policy 'unity bill' and the undemocratic manner in which they have pursued its inception.

It's indeed Obamaesque in it's contempt for the constitution.

[binjalin]

"There is concern that some groups of people with ill intentions may try to create a situation and cause violence," Somrit Chaiwong said.

The root problem today is not the Thai constitution, the judges, or their ruling.

The root problem is the PTP's mono-policy 'unity bill' and the undemocratic manner in which they have pursued its inception.

It's indeed Obamaesque in it's contempt for the constitution.

well pity they don't have a constitution like the US where they can DISCUSS things without being hauled up before a Court