Thai Court's Ruling Keeps Red Shirt Turmoil At Bay

[webfact]

Thai court's ruling keeps red shirt turmoil at bay

Lindsay Murdoch, Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND'S Constitutional Court last night delivered a favourable verdict to the ruling Pheu Thai party in a case that could have brought its ''red shirt'' supporters on to the streets and triggered new turmoil in the country.

The decision to dismiss a challenge against a move to amend the constitution is a blow to Bangkok's powerful conservative and royal elite who have been involved in a tug-of-war with supporters of exiled former prime minister and billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra. Security forces across the country were on standby in case the court found the amendment was a threat to the monarchy and dismissed Pheu Thai MPs. The complex case was the biggest test yet for the government, led by Thaksin's younger sister Yingluck, which was elected to power 12 months ago in a landslide.

The verdict coincided with an announcement that the health of revered 84-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej has deteriorated, adding to security concerns in the country that has suffered violent political upheaval over the past seven years. An official statement said King Bhumibol, the world's longest-serving monarch, has suffered bleeding in the brain but his heartbeat and blood pressure had returned to normal. The king, seen as a unifying figure by many, has been in hospital for almost three years but his health had improved in recent months.

Government supporters were jubilant over the Constitutional Court's verdict that proposed changes to the constitution did not threaten the role of the monarchy, as some opponents had argued.

''The court dismisses all the petitions,'' said Nurak Marpraneet, one of eight judges at the court. But the judges ruled a referendum was necessary to decide whether the government could go ahead with changes to the constitution. [more...]

Full story: http://www.smh.com.a...0713-221o2.html

-- The Sydney Morning Herald 2012-07-14

[JurgenG]

Really funny. While the Nation has mobilised his editors team to explain us why yesterday's decision was actually a victory for the Democrats, the foreing press seems to be unanimous to describes it as "a blow to Bangkok's powerful conservative and royal elite".

Foreigners will never understand Thailand.

Edited July 14, 2012 by JurgenG

[Notstupid30]

Yea yea whatever attention seekers you are like a old record player these days me me me me me me boring ..

[maeab]

Sorry to thaksin And his bad luck bears. Better luck next time...not

[asiawatcher]

Talk about a conflict of interest.

[lovetotravel]

Really funny. While the Nation has mobilised his editors team to explain us why yesterday's decision was actually a victory for the Democrats, the foreing press seems to be unanimous to describes it as "a blow to Bangkok's powerful conservative and royal elite".

Foreigners will never understand Thailand.

I think since it was such a middle of the road decision, both sides can, to a certain degree, claim victory? Depends on your perspective also. Right?

IMHO, the biggest thing here was the decision that a referendum was needed. Good for the courts.

[maeab]

The reds and ptp lost big time they just dont know it yet. Give them a few days to let it sink in.

[metisdead]

A nonsense name calling post and replies have been removed.

[gohmer]

Really funny. While the Nation has mobilised his editors team to explain us why yesterday's decision was actually a victory for the Democrats, the foreing press seems to be unanimous to describes it as "a blow to Bangkok's powerful conservative and royal elite".

Foreigners will never understand Thailand.

In the same way Thais will never understand anything except Thai.

[EarthAlien]

Thai court's ruling keeps red shirt turmoil at bay,... for Now!

Personally I think this could play right into the hands of Mr T and PTP.

He must have known that it was a long shot that the court would roll over on this one and let them (PTP) have their way.

So whereas he can't control the court,.. he has proven that he can control the people!

They won government by a public vote,... why not a constitution,- which is also public vote is it not?

Same Same,.. but not so different!

[KOZMO]

The court chickened out after there names and addresses were printed in the paper. unfortunately, Thailand is better with a military dictatorship. i have been in and out of Thailand since 1970. i can spend about 6 months here before i have to go back to civilization!!!!

[KireB]

Let's see whether PT/Reds/UDD thugs will respect this verdict and the 'required' referenda! I doubt it!

[gl555]

PTP isn't dissolved but their plans of changing the constituition and bringing back their paymaster has been thwarted for the moment. A win win for both sides I would say. Democracy is the real winner here and the court is right that something this important should have a referandum. I look forward to see how the vote goes.

[h90]

Let's see whether PT/Reds/UDD thugs will respect this verdict and the 'required' referenda! I doubt it!

They will just put many changes in one referendum.

Enough candies in it to vote yes

[h90]

PTP isn't dissolved but their plans of changing the constituition and bringing back their paymaster has been thwarted for the moment. A win win for both sides I would say. Democracy is the real winner here and the court is right that something this important should have a referandum. I look forward to see how the vote goes.

but only for a short moment.....

[tragickingdom]

But does it keep the neo nazi PAD at bay?

[h90]

But does it keep the neo nazi PAD at bay?

The neo nazi PAD??

A lot of them are left wing and labor unions and a lot other are conservative Buddhists. The majority are middle class educated Bangkok people.

But maybe there is somewhere a nazi hidden.....

I would say the red shirts with the cult about their leader is more fascist than the PAD.

[Siripon]

I expect the Nitirat group of lawyers to attack the Constitution Court soon, possibly suggesting it's annulled and an ad hoc court is set up to judge case by case.

[tlansford]

But does it keep the neo nazi PAD at bay?

The neo nazi PAD??

A lot of them are left wing and labor unions and a lot other are conservative Buddhists. The majority are middle class educated Bangkok people.

But maybe there is somewhere a nazi hidden.....

I would say the red shirts with the cult about their leader is more fascist than the PAD.

and a lot of Nazis were working class & devout catholics, so?

I think all of the Hitler/Mao/Stalin analogies are over the top.

But most of the time on TVF they go in the other direction.

[theajarn]

The part that was and will probably never be clear to me nor the next person nor ANYBODY in Thailand is how this was seen as a "threat to the Monarchy" in the first place. They just don't lay it out in black & white do they?

Probably because it was never a threat in the first place!!

The monarchy will always be protected... not by laws that favour politicians and are thrown out of the window at every passing of government... but by the people. If the monarchy is ever threatened, the true citizens of this country will come forth -- not those cowards that are easily bribed and who hide under a particularly red coloured banner.

Edited July 14, 2012 by theajarn

[brianP]

Over the years of visiting and finally living in Thailand , I have had a very neutral transparent front row seat to the politics. The red vs. yellow camps. And at first i presumed it was the country folks vs. the city folks. But now it appears to me the country folks taint country ,but a lot of special interest and well paid self servers who give a rats ass for Thailand's welfare. The Chinese money connection is a well lubed gear that grinds down common sense!

[ratcatcher]

The court chickened out after there names and addresses were printed in the paper. unfortunately, Thailand is better with a military dictatorship. i have been in and out of Thailand since 1970. i can spend about 6 months here before i have to go back to civilization!!!!

I am curious as to what you refer to as "civilization"? Just where do you think it is?

[Reasonableman]

Be careful how you answer that or the next thing you know everyone will be following you, then suddenly its not civilisation any more.

Edited July 14, 2012 by Reasonableman

[peebee]

Considering the serious consequences that could have arisen from this court case, I thought that the decision was a good one and perhaps very 'Thai'. Both parties are able to claim a victory (of sorts), there has not been any street protests or violence, and both sides now need to sit down and have a think about what to do next. This should allow emotions to settle down a bit. Whether this will alter the end result is of course unknown but we might have a better process that causes less problems.

[MILT]

The part that was and will probably never be clear to me nor the next person nor ANYBODY in Thailand is how this was seen as a "threat to the Monarchy" in the first place. They just don't lay it out in black & white do they?

Probably because it was never a threat in the first place!!

The monarchy will always be protected... not by laws that favour politicians and are thrown out of the window at every passing of government... but by the people. If the monarchy is ever threatened, the true citizens of this country will come forth -- not those cowards that are easily bribed and who hide under a particularly red coloured banner.

It was not a direct threat to the Monarchy as that would be bad mmmkay. The threat that no one can see is that there was/ is a hidden attempt to undermine the rule of law which are the checks and balances that seemingly control politicians. Thaskin was ousted because he dissolved the parts of Government that controls the rule of law and the parliament and thus became the acting PM and the rest is history.