Thai Court To Hear Rally Organisers Today: Pitak Siam

[webfact]

Court to hear rally organisers today

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Court will convene today to hear statements from two protest organisers, before deciding whether to launch a judicial review into this Saturday's planned Pitak Siam rally.

Many see the move as a clear sign, however, that the court will not be able to rule for or against the rally in time.

Even if the hearing could be completed within one day, the court would convene its next session next week to decide whether the case merited judicial review, which would by then be a moot point since the rally is scheduled for this weekend.

The Constitution Court yesterday held a closed-door meeting to study three petitions related to the planned rally, and decided to seek additional information in order to reach a decision, said court spokesman Pimol Thampitakpong.

He said Pitak Siam leader Boonlert Kaewprasit and his spokesman Vachara Ritthakani had been summoned to testify. Both have agreed to do so.

Three individuals - former senator Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, Singthong Buachum of the Pheu Thai Party and lawyer Nuengdin Wimuttinant - had separately petitioned the court to consider the constitutionality of the planned rally.

As a basis for judicial review, the petitions cite the Constitution, which empowers the charter court to intervene and foil any attempts to overthrow democratic rule with the King as head of state.

Of the nine judges, seven were present at yesterday's meeting before reaching a unanimous decision that the petitions were insufficient to rule on the merit of a judicial review.

Boonlert said the rally would go ahead as planned and that he expected a high turnout. He voiced optimism that the judicial process would not impact on the protest.

He said he had "secret" measures to deal with the government if it refused to step down as demanded by the Pitak Siam protesters. However, he refused to elaborate on the plan.

The Pitak Siam leader said he was working closely with the police in order to ensure peace and safety at the rally site.

Furthermore, "hundreds of thousands of protesters" would remain alert to any attempts by provocateurs to infiltrate the rally, he added.

Boonlert also dismissed the allegation that a certain political party had helped him to mobilise the masses.

-- The Nation 2012-11- 22

[waza]

Many see the move as a clear sign, however, that the court will not be able to rule for or against the rally in time.

A waste of time really, just a display of desperation by the government

[Moruya]

Secret measures.......

Maybe there's an old law that can be dusted off that says it's not constitutional for an unelected sister to run the country puppeteered by a fugitive scoundrel in Dubai

[thaicbr]

Is that one of those sound crowd control weapons on the back of that pickup?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Range_Acoustic_Device

[ratcatcher]

Is that one of those sound crowd control weapons on the back of that pickup?

http://en.wikipedia....Acoustic_Device

No, it's a loudspeaker disguised as a " crowd control weapon" that will broadcast mor lam to the attendees at the rally, thus hoping they will disperse or break out dancing..

[DocN]

What's the use? K' Boonlert already said, he didn't mean it that way, when he said the word "coup" or when he proposed to freeze Thailand for 3 to 5 years and have the Military or appointed "un- corrupt" politicians lead the country. He also didn't mean "1.000.000" or to shut up, if they didn't turn up!

Must have been someone else...mai pen rai...move on, there is nothing to see!

[EarthAlien]

"Many see the move as a clear sign, however, that the court will not be able to rule for or against the rally in time."

Why weren't these types of court powers exercised when the red shirts were planning a mass rally in April 2010?

[khunken]

"Many see the move as a clear sign, however, that the court will not be able to rule for or against the rally in time."

Why weren't these types of court powers exercised when the red shirts were planning a mass rally in April 2010?

Probably because it wouldn't have made a difference. You need the police to enforce the law & they clearly had no intention to enforce it with the red shirts.

[webfact]

Constitution Court rejected to block anti-govt rally Pitak Siam group as there is no solid proof of plan to oust govt /The Nation

[ridkun]

Constitution Court rejected to block anti-govt rally Pitak Siam group as there is no solid proof of plan to oust govt /The Nation

Agree with the ruling. There is no proof and it's also beyond my imagination that how the demonstration will be able to unconstitutionally take the government down.

[h90]

Constitution Court rejected to block anti-govt rally Pitak Siam group as there is no solid proof of plan to oust govt /The Nation

Agree with the ruling. There is no proof and it's also beyond my imagination that how the demonstration will be able to unconstitutionally take the government down.

Well imagination:

Raid the parliament and let the premier sign that she steps back.

Raid the parliament and the TV stations and declare yourself dictator.

I think it is improbable that they plan something like that, but it could be possible.

Remember when the red shirts tried to kill Abhisit in his car....also a way.

[theajarn]

Hoo-boy. History doesn't repeat itself. It just rhymes. Now who said that again??

[ridkun]

Constitution Court rejected to block anti-govt rally Pitak Siam group as there is no solid proof of plan to oust govt /The Nation

Agree with the ruling. There is no proof and it's also beyond my imagination that how the demonstration will be able to unconstitutionally take the government down.

Well imagination:

Raid the parliament and let the premier sign that she steps back.

Raid the parliament and the TV stations and declare yourself dictator.

I think it is improbable that they plan something like that, but it could be possible.

Remember when the red shirts tried to kill Abhisit in his car....also a way.

In my imagination there are not enough protesters to do so. Say If they come twice as much of last time and can take over the country only by that amount so I would blame government for its own impotence instead.

[DavidSSaville]

I am an American! Be very careful with anyone or any organization whom chooses to use the term Democracy to further any end!!

Corruption free Democracy is not!! Take a good look at American finances and understand their fiat currency. Look now at how the Red shirts through the exiled leader sought to control the countries finances through debt! The Chinese want to build the high speed railway. Burma/Myanmar has cancelled many Chinese projects!

It is the Thai's who will destroy Thailand through corruption in the name of Democracy and no other way; if it ever happens!

I certainly hope that it never does!!

[DocN]

Constitution Court rejected to block anti-govt rally Pitak Siam group as there is no solid proof of plan to oust govt /The Nation

...as if in this country there is ever any plan...

[cdnvic]

Some off topic posts removed.