Charter Court Judges Face Pressure

[Lite Beer]

Charter court judges face pressure
The Nation on Sunday April 28, 2013 1:00 am

House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont

BANGKOK: -- Calls for the removal of the Constitutional Court judges are growing on two fronts - an ongoing pressure campaign by the red shirts, and legal proceedings to be launched by MPs and senators.

Pheu Thai Party officials said they are considering submitting a petition next week to try to remove three Constitutional Court judges, depending on whether they continue to ignore lawmakers' calls not to block charter amendments.

Pheu Thai deputy spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said the drafting of an open letter by 312 MPs and senators to the Constitutional Court judges is almost complete and would be sent within the next week. The letter spells out the signatories' refusal to accept the judges' role in reviewing charter changes.

The letter states that the court cannot agree to rule on provisions involving charter amendment because it would interfere in the work of the legislative branch, transgressing the democratic principle of separation of powers.

More than 100 government MPs have put their signatures to an impeachment drive against the three judges who accepted for review petitions involving charter amendment, which could lead to a legal impasse for the amendment drive, Anusorn said.

Deputy government whip Paichit Srivarakarn said the party had instructed its MPs not to testify before the court over the proposed amendment of Article 68 if they are summoned. The move came after some MPs failed to follow the party's directive and asked to give testimony in a personal capacity. "If we are not united and fail to follow the policy in the same direction, there will be damage," he said.

Responding to reports that even House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont would appear before the Constitutional Court to give a statement, Paichit said he believed Somsak would not do so, and would follow the party's policy of not acknowledging the court's power.

Pheu Thai Ubon Ratchatani MP Somkid Chuakong said 20 MPs who gave court testimony and refused to follow the party's resolution not to recognise the court's power would face punishment.

Anusorn also denied former PM Thaksin Shinawatra was involved in organising the recent red-shirt rally outside the court seeking to remove the judges, saying if Thaksin had been behind the move, he would have mobilised hundreds of thousands, not just 200 people.

Court officials filed a police complaint accusing four red-shirt leaders who spearheaded the push to remove judges of contempt of court.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said later, before leaving for Mongolia, that the red shirts had the right to continue, provided they staged a peaceful protest that was within the law.

Democrat party-list MP Ongart Klampaiboon slammed three groups of people, accusing them of sabotaging the country's balance of power by trying to remove Constitutional Court judges whom they believe are in their way and blocking their interests.

-- The Nation 2013-04-28

[Pimay1]

Dam_n the torpedoes full speed ahead

[LuckyLew]

Judges are suppose to be the some of the smartest people in any country

They know the rule of law and they make ans amend other rules of law

But in Thailand you make the wrong decision and red shirt hooligans will

try to force you out .... what a great country .... democracy in action

[dcutman]

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said later, before leaving for
Mongolia, that the red shirts had the right to continue, provided they
staged a peaceful protest that was within the law.

Peaceful protesters, threaten and to "Capture Judges on sight".

Ignoring calls for proper security for the Judges.

This must be Yingluck's new "RED" law.

[NongKhaiKid]

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said later, before leaving for

Mongolia, that the red shirts had the right to continue, provided they

staged a peaceful protest that was within the law.

Peaceful protesters, threaten and to "Capture Judges on sight".

Ignoring calls for proper security for the Judges.

This must be Yingluck's new "RED" law.

I'm afraid the " law " here is whatever the reds deem it to be and will not be challenged by the PM or anyone in PTP. This reminds of of a quote attributed to Saddam when he supposedly said " the law is whatever i write on a piece of paper. "

[reiltin]

Sometimes , judges and jurists must make choices its that simple,the judiciary helps provide checks and balances to counterbalance the effects of mob rule(transient majoritarianism)in times of crisis to preserve the will of the constitution as governments can't always be expected to do so,if the PTs amendments are deemed unconstitutional they must redraft and if the proposals coming from the executive are constitutionally valid what have they to fear....

[moe666]

We want it our way, and no other

[dcutman]

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said later, before leaving for

Mongolia, that the red shirts had the right to continue, provided they

staged a peaceful protest that was within the law.

Peaceful protesters, threaten and to "Capture Judges on sight".

Ignoring calls for proper security for the Judges.

This must be Yingluck's new "RED" law.

I'm afraid the " law " here is whatever the reds deem it to be and will not be challenged by the PM or anyone in PTP. This reminds of of a quote attributed to Saddam when he supposedly said " the law is whatever i write on a piece of paper. "

Excellent comparison Kid. The only difference, we have a puppet to a dictator acting as a front person, with the backing of an unruly RED mob.

[seajae]

when you consider that the ptp has members that are terrorists(red leaders), pimps, drunks, etc is anyone surprised at this. This party would be dissolved in any other country for conspiring with a wanted criminal and taking payments from the same person as well as doing his bidding but here they get away with it and try to have the rule of law removed so they can do what they like, only in Thailand

[h90]

when you consider that the ptp has members that are terrorists(red leaders), pimps, drunks, etc is anyone surprised at this. This party would be dissolved in any other country for conspiring with a wanted criminal and taking payments from the same person as well as doing his bidding but here they get away with it and try to have the rule of law removed so they can do what they like, only in Thailand

Here they were also dissolved twice......

[bigbamboo]

Not so much an assault on two fronts as a pincer movement orchestrated by the man with the plan in Dubai.

[hellodolly]

Why are they trying to impeach them?

Why are they not just trying to dissolve the court all together as they obviously know there actions are unconstitutional and don't care. All they care about is getting there way.

The minute They give Thaksin his amnesty is the minute Thailand becomes a dictatorship in fact.

[Roadman]

Shinwatras Mafia Rule in full swing...terrorise the judiciary out. Thailand will be soon under the same system of family total rule as its neighbors currently are. Somewhere as the neighbours come up with improved governance they will be passingThailand on its way down.

[jbrain]

Calls for the removal of the Constitutional Court judges are growing on two fronts - an ongoing pressure campaign by the red shirts, and legal proceedings to be launched by MPs and senators.

What thet mean with two fronts ? Aren't the red shirts and the government one and the same front ?

[Thait Spot]

The reds and PTP are a disgrace.

All puppets to the Sinful Shins

[tomross46]

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said later, before leaving for

Mongolia, that the red shirts had the right to continue, provided they

staged a peaceful protest that was within the law.

Peaceful protesters, threaten and to "Capture Judges on sight".

Ignoring calls for proper security for the Judges.

This must be Yingluck's new "RED" law.

The red shirts protesting could be taking orders from the red shirt members of the PTP, if so than would it be that members of the PTP are wanting to overthrow the justice system in Thailand?

With the red shirts threatening to kidnap the judges and to do them bodily harm, is against the law. With the ruling party not providing police protection for the judges, it appears that the brown shirts are supporting the red shirts. What will we have next, the violence of the black shirts.

Remember the red shirt supporters of the PTP should not be confused with the red shirt supporters of the CPT. These are two different faction using the same color shirt.

If these two factions are one, than could we determine that Thaksin is supporting the CPT to eliminate democracy in Thailand and set up a communist dictatorship, like in Cambodia.

Edited April 28, 2013 by tomross46

[longway]

(Pheu Thai deputy spokesman) Anusorn also denied former PM Thaksin Shinawatra was involved in organising the recent red-shirt rally outside the court seeking to remove the judges, saying if Thaksin had been behind the move, he would have mobilised hundreds of thousands, not just 200 people.

Pretty much admitting what we all knew but red shirts spent alot of time denying. The last 2 times hundreds and thousands were mobilised, it was all about Thaksin.

[OzMick]

Rumour has it that Thailand is considering a space exploration program as this planet runs out of countries for the PM to visit.

[h90]

Why are they trying to impeach them?

Why are they not just trying to dissolve the court all together as they obviously know there actions are unconstitutional and don't care. All they care about is getting there way.

The minute They give Thaksin his amnesty is the minute Thailand becomes a dictatorship in fact.

That or just beat the judges to dead (in a spontaneous uprising of the masses, that could not be stopped by the police forces), like they tried with Abhisits car driver? Or found a red court and sentence them to dead for treason (or counterrevolutionary activities) There are a lot examples from other countries were "reds" did things like that.

Thailand is already 75 % dictatorship, only the courts are in the way and the military needs time (every reshuffle will soften it more).

[hellodolly]

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said later, before leaving for

Mongolia, that the red shirts had the right to continue, provided they

staged a peaceful protest that was within the law.

Peaceful protesters, threaten and to "Capture Judges on sight".

Ignoring calls for proper security for the Judges.

This must be Yingluck's new "RED" law.

The red shirts protesting could be taking orders from the red shirt members of the PTP, if so than would it be that members of the PTP are wanting to overthrow the justice system in Thailand?

With the red shirts threatening to kidnap the judges and to do them bodily harm, is against the law. With the ruling party not providing police protection for the judges, it appears that the brown shirts are supporting the red shirts. What will we have next, the violence of the black shirts.

Remember the red shirt supporters of the PTP should not be confused with the red shirt supporters of the CPT. These are two different faction using the same color shirt.

If these two factions are one, than could we determine that Thaksin is supporting the CPT to eliminate democracy in Thailand and set up a communist dictatorship, like in Cambodia.

You got it and he will be the dictator.

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

Just bring on the coup already before these ass clowns sewer the whole country and possibly take down the whole Asian economy like they did in 97.

[khunken]

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said later, before leaving for

Mongolia, that the red shirts had the right to continue, provided they

staged a peaceful protest that was within the law.

Peaceful protesters, threaten and to "Capture Judges on sight".

Ignoring calls for proper security for the Judges.

This must be Yingluck's new "RED" law.

The red shirts protesting could be taking orders from the red shirt members of the PTP, if so than would it be that members of the PTP are wanting to overthrow the justice system in Thailand?

With the red shirts threatening to kidnap the judges and to do them bodily harm, is against the law. With the ruling party not providing police protection for the judges, it appears that the brown shirts are supporting the red shirts. What will we have next, the violence of the black shirts.

Remember the red shirt supporters of the PTP should not be confused with the red shirt supporters of the CPT. These are two different faction using the same color shirt.

If these two factions are one, than could we determine that Thaksin is supporting the CPT to eliminate democracy in Thailand and set up a communist dictatorship, like in Cambodia.

I'm sorry but this is extremely OTT

Try and stop thinking about reds under the beds for a start. Cambodia is not a communist dictatorship. It is a virtual dictatorship, ruled by one man not a party. It is more capitalistic than many other countries, so much that crony capitalism is a more accurate description.

Thaksin has the same aim & there's nothing communistic about him. Yes, there is a red shirt faction with some communistic aims but it would be a great mistake to regard them all as communists. Many of the grass roots are just brainwashed farmers, vendors, taxi drivers, police & self-styled intellectuals who want a bigger slice of the pie than they have. Nothing wrong with that only for being convinced that Thaksin is going to give it to them. He won't because he wants it all for himself & his family. The trickle down crumbs is all they will get.

[bigbamboo]

(Pheu Thai deputy spokesman) Anusorn also denied former PM Thaksin Shinawatra was involved in organising the recent red-shirt rally outside the court seeking to remove the judges, saying if Thaksin had been behind the move, he would have mobilised hundreds of thousands, not just 200 people.

Pretty much admitting what we all knew but red shirts spent alot of time denying. The last 2 times hundreds and thousands were mobilised, it was all about Thaksin.

Actually I seem to remember when he organised that junket in Burma for his hundreds and thousands of supporters the number who actually looked like showing up was in fact nearer to 200.

[jbrain]

Rumour has it that Thailand is considering a space exploration program as this planet runs out of countries for the PM to visit.

You can't blame her for travelling so much, after all bank accounts have to be opened, 2.2 trillion Baht is not a small amount to sluice out of Thailand undiscovered.

Edited April 28, 2013 by jbrain

[smutcakes]

Judges are suppose to be the some of the smartest people in any country

They know the rule of law and they make ans amend other rules of law

But in Thailand you make the wrong decision and red shirt hooligans will

try to force you out .... what a great country .... democracy in action

Or they are caught on mic being anything but smart and morally perfect and its brushed under the carpet.

[scorecard]

Judges are suppose to be the some of the smartest people in any country

They know the rule of law and they make ans amend other rules of law

But in Thailand you make the wrong decision and red shirt hooligans will

try to force you out .... what a great country .... democracy in action

Or they are caught on mic being anything but smart and morally perfect and its brushed under the carpet.

And you of course deliberately forget to mention that there have been many court decisions of 'benefit' to the paymaster / cronies / reds etc., which were dubious. The initial case against the paymaster the most dubious of all. The laughable close to home massive tax avoidance case another example. Case well proven, conviction recorded, plaintiff bailed, appeals and then case dismissed on a minor silly technicality which leaves lawyers etc., scratching their heads.

[whybother]

It's nice (as the other paper is reporting) that Yingluck is backing the red shirts protests and threats to the judges.

[waza]

It's nice (as the other paper is reporting) that Yingluck is backing the red shirts protests and threats to the judges.

Yingluck and the redshirts are all backing Thaksin the criminal

[smutcakes]

http://www.youtube.com/embed/Li0no7O9zmE

Judges are suppose to be the some of the smartest people in any country

They know the rule of law and they make ans amend other rules of law

But in Thailand you make the wrong decision and red shirt hooligans will

try to force you out .... what a great country .... democracy in action

Or they are caught on mic being anything but smart and morally perfect and its brushed under the carpet.

And you of course deliberately forget to mention that there have been many court decisions of 'benefit' to the paymaster / cronies / reds etc., which were dubious. The initial case against the paymaster the most dubious of all. The laughable close to home massive tax avoidance case another example. Case well proven, conviction recorded, plaintiff bailed, appeals and then case dismissed on a minor silly technicality which leaves lawyers etc., scratching their heads.

I am not questioning there impartiality, I am making the point that I don't see why everyone is suddenly insinuating that the court is the paragon of virtue who will stop the Shin Clan from taking over Thailand and they are on a crusade to do the right thing. They are as bent as the politicians. And any decision they take will be for their benefit not the countries.

[kirk0233]

http://www.youtube.com/embed/Li0no7O9zmE

Judges are suppose to be the some of the smartest people in any country

They know the rule of law and they make ans amend other rules of law

But in Thailand you make the wrong decision and red shirt hooligans will

try to force you out .... what a great country .... democracy in action

Or they are caught on mic being anything but smart and morally perfect and its brushed under the carpet.

And you of course deliberately forget to mention that there have been many court decisions of 'benefit' to the paymaster / cronies / reds etc., which were dubious. The initial case against the paymaster the most dubious of all. The laughable close to home massive tax avoidance case another example. Case well proven, conviction recorded, plaintiff bailed, appeals and then case dismissed on a minor silly technicality which leaves lawyers etc., scratching their heads.

I am not questioning there impartiality, I am making the point that I don't see why everyone is suddenly insinuating that the court is the paragon of virtue who will stop the Shin Clan from taking over Thailand and they are on a crusade to do the right thing. They are as bent as the politicians. And any decision they take will be for their benefit not the countries.

I agree The court is as corrupt as any other branch of government.