TRT Attempts To Convene Lower House By May 1

[lukamar]

the PM is a bloody murder, but not for the tax thing, read some facts of the past (war against drugs, muslim minorities........)

I was in Thailand during the Drug war.

[h90]

the PM is a bloody murder, but not for the tax thing, read some facts of the past (war against drugs, muslim minorities........)

I was in Thailand during the Drug war.

than you should know it! Its enough to stay in jail in every normal country....

[cclub75]

Section 98 & ??? (I don't remember the other section) of the constitution, this has nothing to do with a quorum. A quorum of the house is stipulated in Section 155 At a sitting of the House of Representatives or the Senate, the presence of not less than one-half of the total number of the existing members of each House is required to constitute a quorum. The house has to sit prior and has enough members to form a quorum.

Well obviously, the Electoral Commission does not agree...

Your forget that the Constitution has been amended or Thailand has had in the past some ruling from the Constitutional Court regarding this matter.

If the House cannot be filled after the third round, the EC will ask the Cabinet's Secretariat and the Secretariat of the House of Representatives to seek the Constitution Court's advice, he said.

this morning, in the BBK post.

[Plus]

The current 20% law has been shown to be unworkable by the actions of the opposition.

Since MPs supposed to represent the majority of population, the rule seems to be working fine - if more than 80% of voters didn't show up or voted against a candidate, he doesn't deserve an MP seat. What's wrong with it? Who is he going to represent in the parliament? Certainly not his constiuency.

If more than 80% of population in some area reject the political system, boycott the elections, or vote against it - there's a serious problem with the system, not the people.

[h90]

The current 20% law has been shown to be unworkable by the actions of the opposition.

Since MPs supposed to represent the majority of population, the rule seems to be working fine - if more than 80% of voters didn't show up or voted against a candidate, he doesn't deserve an MP seat. What's wrong with it? Who is he going to represent in the parliament? Certainly not his constiuency.

If more than 80% of population in some area reject the political system, boycott the elections, or vote against it - there's a serious problem with the system, not the people.

yeah thats the problem in democracies, that the people not always do what their leaders want.

Truely a problem with the people. Forget about the election, change the constitution so that TRT keep beeing the ruling party for the next 1000 years and all problems are fixed.

[jdinasia]

Section 98 & ??? (I don't remember the other section) of the constitution, this has nothing to do with a quorum. A quorum of the house is stipulated in Section 155 At a sitting of the House of Representatives or the Senate, the presence of not less than one-half of the total number of the existing members of each House is required to constitute a quorum. The house has to sit prior and has enough members to form a quorum.

Well obviously, the Electoral Commission does not agree...

Your forget that the Constitution has been amended or Thailand has had in the past some ruling from the Constitutional Court regarding this matter.

If the House cannot be filled after the third round, the EC will ask the Cabinet's Secretariat and the Secretariat of the House of Representatives to seek the Constitution Court's advice, he said.

this morning, in the BBK post.

alas ... the new parlaiment would be sadly unconstitutional if seated that way because it did not open in time .... these elections were a farce ... have been shown as a farce ... but still they try!

[cclub75]

alas ... the new parlaiment would be sadly unconstitutional if seated that way because it did not open in time .... these elections were a farce ... have been shown as a farce ... but still they try!

Just to complete....

Decree to convene House, seek Court ruling

The Cabinet Tuesday decided to issue a Royal decree to convene a new House of Representatives and ask the Constitution Court to rule whether the Lower House can be convened with less than 500 seats, a source said.

Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya, acting on behalf of the caretaker premier, said the Royal decree to convene the House, which does not specify a date, would be submitted to the Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary.

He said this was "usual practice" since every government would have to submit a royal decree two weeks in advance.

Government Spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee said the Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary would notify the Cabinet if the Royal decree was approved.

"This does not mean that the House can be convened. Everything depends on the situation, whether there is a quorum of 500 seats as required by the Constitution,'' Surapong said.

So the mass is told...

[Plus]

From Bangkok Post breaking news

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...ws.php?id=92833

King says courts can intervene

His Majesty the King, in a rare address via the TV Pool, has asked the country's top two courts to help solve a political deadlock.

"Do not abandon democracy," he said.

He said judges of Thailand's Supreme, and Administrative courts should help to resolve the situation.

His Majesty addressed the judges of the two courts involved in the political system in direct words, telling judges of the Constitution and Administrative Courts:

"It is also your job to help democracy survive," he said. "It is necessary for all of you to study how your involvement can help to resolve the deadlock of the moment, and solve the problem. If you cannot do it (solve the problem), then it should be you who resign, not the government."

His Majesty said that Article 7 of the constitution does not empower him to unilaterally appoint a prime minister.

The king said he was concerned that a "prolonged political crisis" could shake the country.

Before His Majesty spoke, the government said it had drafted a Royal Decree that the (Lower) House of Representatives should convene, although it may run short of its statutory full quorum of 500 Members of Parliament.

The decree was undated because of uncertainty of the number of MPs. A third round of elections will be held on Saturday, two days before the House is constitutionally mandated to meet.

Acting Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya said the decree was approved by Cabinet Tuesday afternoon,

Pol Gen Chidchai said he considered such preparations a routine task of the overnment. He said it is yet too early to tell whether or not the issue will be forwarded to the Constitutional Court for a ruling.

The constitution stipulates two separate events:

- The House must meet within 30 days of a general election, which was help on April 2, and,

- All 500 MPs must attend the session.

As of today, only one of those conditions can be met. The outgoing government, under a caretaker premier, has indicated it would try to convene the Lower House even if few than 500 MPs are known.

That might require the courts to step in to the crisis, as the king indicated.

The Nation had a shorter article:

http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/r...newsid=30002505

King says Article 7 not mention royally-appointed PM

His Majesty the King Tuesday said Article 7 of the Constitution did not empower him to make any decision.

In his speech to newly-appointed Administrative Court judges, His Majesty said Article 7 does not empower the King to make a unilateral decision to appoint a prime minister. If the King made a decision, he would overstep his duty and it would be undemocratic.

"Don't abandon democracy," His Majesty said.

His speech was broadcast on TV pool Tuesday night.

According to Bangkok Post the ball is in courts' court now. Ideally, I think they should nulify the elections and call new ones ASAP, and opposition should join in.

If they allow the House without 500 MPs, that means some constituencies don't have any representation at all, and half of those 500 having lost to "no vote", the situation will only worsen.

[h90]

According to Bangkok Post the ball is in courts' court now. Ideally, I think they should nulify the elections and call new ones ASAP, and opposition should join in.

If they allow the House without 500 MPs, that means some constituencies don't have any representation at all, and half of those 500 having lost to "no vote", the situation will only worsen.

not easy! what to do? If the courts nulify the election, what than?

TRT make a new one?

Thats not a smart option, because the other not agree.

an new gouverment and at least a few month a necessary, who can lead that gouverment?

too many questions.....

[cclub75]

too many questions.....

Indeed. The situation was already complicated. Now it's becoming inextricable.

The King ruled out a PM. But it also said that "one candidate this is not democracy".

One blow to opposition, one blow TRT.

So new elections (agaaaaaaaaaaain) are the only solution.

[Plus]

Oppositon parties boycotted the snap-elections because they viewed it as Thaksin's whitewash. That reason is gone now.

If new elections are callled we'll have a working House and the Government in about three months tops, and Constitution reform will go ahead then.

If the King appointed an interim PM that would solve the question of who will lead the country until new elections are completed, but now, obviously, it's not an option anymore. I guess the care-taker government should continue for now.

Another idea is instead of nullifying the last elections is to convene the House and dissolve it on the spot. That means new elections again, which I think are unavoidable in any case as the current elections procuced the worst possible scenario - an incomplete House without any shred of credibility.

And yet another, the most righteous but also the most headache inducing option - seriously take party bribing allegations and dissolve TRT altogether. God knows how they can have elections without hundreds of TRT MPs, but the allegations are of the most severe kind, too.

Edited April 25, 2006 by Plus

[cmcarrent]

From Bangkok Post breaking news

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...ws.php?id=92833

King says courts can intervene

His Majesty the King, in a rare address via the TV Pool, has asked the country's top two courts to help solve a political deadlock.

"Do not abandon democracy," he said.

He said judges of Thailand's Supreme, and Administrative courts should help to resolve the situation.

His Majesty addressed the judges of the two courts involved in the political system in direct words, telling judges of the Constitution and Administrative Courts:

"It is also your job to help democracy survive," he said. "It is necessary for all of you to study how your involvement can help to resolve the deadlock of the moment, and solve the problem. If you cannot do it (solve the problem), then it should be you who resign, not the government."

His Majesty said that Article 7 of the constitution does not empower him to unilaterally appoint a prime minister.

The king said he was concerned that a "prolonged political crisis" could shake the country.

Before His Majesty spoke, the government said it had drafted a Royal Decree that the (Lower) House of Representatives should convene, although it may run short of its statutory full quorum of 500 Members of Parliament.

The decree was undated because of uncertainty of the number of MPs. A third round of elections will be held on Saturday, two days before the House is constitutionally mandated to meet.

Acting Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya said the decree was approved by Cabinet Tuesday afternoon,

Pol Gen Chidchai said he considered such preparations a routine task of the overnment. He said it is yet too early to tell whether or not the issue will be forwarded to the Constitutional Court for a ruling.

The constitution stipulates two separate events:

- The House must meet within 30 days of a general election, which was help on April 2, and,

- All 500 MPs must attend the session.

As of today, only one of those conditions can be met. The outgoing government, under a caretaker premier, has indicated it would try to convene the Lower House even if few than 500 MPs are known.

That might require the courts to step in to the crisis, as the king indicated.

The Nation had a shorter article:

http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/r...newsid=30002505

King says Article 7 not mention royally-appointed PM

His Majesty the King Tuesday said Article 7 of the Constitution did not empower him to make any decision.

In his speech to newly-appointed Administrative Court judges, His Majesty said Article 7 does not empower the King to make a unilateral decision to appoint a prime minister. If the King made a decision, he would overstep his duty and it would be undemocratic.

"Don't abandon democracy," His Majesty said.

His speech was broadcast on TV pool Tuesday night.

According to Bangkok Post the ball is in courts' court now. Ideally, I think they should nulify the elections and call new ones ASAP, and opposition should join in.

If they allow the House without 500 MPs, that means some constituencies don't have any representation at all, and half of those 500 having lost to "no vote", the situation will only worsen.

H.M. The King's speech said a lot more than what was posted above.

A few points H.M. The King speified:

1) A one-party running election isn't democracy.

2) To convene parliament without the required 500 seats would be un-democracy.

3) "Guu Chart" which was/is the PAD slogan which means "Fight for a good cause for the country" suppose to meant to fight to save the country as like saving a sinking ship, but the ship had already sank, was what H.M. The King said.

4) Article "7" in law doesn't stated that H.M. The King have the right to appoint a prime minister. By doing so would be un-democracy.

Sad to see H.M. The King at his age having to make an appearance on the TV Pool to "Plead" (Yes..."Plead" was the word he used") all parties involved to work out a solution together.

Sigh...

[cmcarrent]

Just a couple of hours after H.M. The King's speech on the TV...Now...The PAD Rally in Samui...Sonthi had already made a speech taken lines inbetween out of H.M. The King's speech for his own agenda...

Sigh...

[Maestro]

The Lower House is still short of its full 500 seats as it is required to open its first meeting 30 days after the April 2 general elections.

Source: Bangkok Post - 22 April 2006

If there is any sign of hope left, it is the probable inability of Thai Rak Thai to have a full House of 500 members, even with the election re-runs in southern provinces today.

If Thai Rak Thai candidates again fail to muster 20 per cent of the total ballots today, there will be more rounds of voting together the exploration of shady ways to somehow force open the House whether or not it has the quorum of 500 members required by the Constitution.

Source: The Nation - Editorial Opinion - Sun, April 23, 2006

The Cabinet Tuesday decided to...ask the Constitution Court to rule whether the Lower House can be convened with less than 500 seats...

... Everything depends on the situation, whether there is a quorum of 500 seats as required by the Constitution

The Lower House is still short of its full 500 seats as it is required to open its first meeting 30 days after the April 2 general elections.

The ruling party felt Mr Suchon, as caretaker parliament president, was the right person to approach the court.

His help is needed to quell fears the EC will not be able to complete the by-elections within the deadline to install all 500 MPs.

Source: Bangkok Post - 22 April 2006

I wonder if some journalists have a problem with the word “quorum”.

Section 155. At a sitting of the House of Representatives or the Senate, the presence of not less than one-half of the total number of the existing members of each House is required to constitute a quorum

Source: Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand

And can somebody else who has read the Constitution please tell me where it says that all 500 seats must be filled and all representatives must be alive and kicking – whether present in the House or not – on the day of the first sitting of the House of Representatives after an election? I may be missing something, for all I know.

Section 98. The House of Representatives consists of five hundred members, one hundred of whom are from the election on a party-list basis under section 99 and four hundred of whom are from the election on a constituency basis under section 102.

In the case where the office of a member of the House of Representatives becomes vacant for any reason and an election of a member of the House of Representatives has not been held to fill the vacancy, the House of Representatives shall consist of the existing members of the House.

Source: Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand

Section 159. The National Assembly shall, within thirty days as from the date of the election of members of the House of Representatives, be summoned for the first sitting...

Section 161. The King convokes the National Assembly...

Source: Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand

The Cabinet Tuesday decided to issue a Royal decree to convene a new House of Representatives...

Actually, the Cabinet merely submits a petition for a decree, the King issues (signs) it. So, in the end it will be the constitutional prerogative of the King to decide whether the National Assembly shall be convened on the proposed date.

--------------

Maestro

Edit: I wrote this post before reading the breaking news about the King's speech on TV.

Edited April 25, 2006 by maestro

[jdinasia]

maestro ... see your quote ... 3rd from the bottom to answer where it says you need 500 ... until you have the first 500 you cannot convene because it doesn't exist

quorum (yes likely miused in this instance) is how many people of a group must be present to conduct business ....

however in a democracy ... you cannot have people (constituencies) that do not have an elected official ... particularly one that has not been elected by the people at least at first.. to do anything else makes your government totally non-responsive to entire groups of people

Edited April 25, 2006 by jdinasia

[Maestro]

maestro ... see your quote ... 3rd from the bottom to answer where it says you need 500 ... until you have the first 500 you cannot convene because it doesn't exist

I read the term “existing members of the House” differently.

Scenario 1: 500 members are elected. Three die. Now, the House of Representatives consists of 497 members, until new elections in the three constituencies have been held.

Scenario 2: General elections are held. In 24 constituencies no candidate gets the required minimum of 20% of valid votes. Repeat elections confirm candidates in 17 of these constituencies, but in the remaining 7 constituencies, new elections must again be held and this cannot be completed before the National Assembly is convened within 30 days from the general election, as required by the Constitution. For its first sitting, therefore, the House of Representatives consists of 493 members.

Another solution could be to consider “the date of election” in section 159 of the Constitution as the last date of all repeat elections to complete the election in all constituencies.

But now, it's for the courts to decide, and this is just as well. Wise words, those were: if the courts do not decide, then the judges should resign, not parliament.

--------------

Maestro

Edited April 25, 2006 by maestro

[lukamar]

I read the term “existing members of the House” differently.

I read it as you do but we will find out how the courts read it soon enough. They have been told to fix the situation and convening parliament would have the least effects on the constitution.

King's Speech Link

[jdinasia]

Maestro ... there exists a way to fill vacated seats ... however there is no way extant to fill seats that are not elected. After the Parlaiment is seated you can do anything with the quoroms req'd ... but seating parlaiment would require all 500 to be elected. (even if one dies before parlaiment was convened at least the people were GOING to be represented ... and they will be as soon as the seat is filled ... but until someone IS elected ... well you just don't know if those people will EVER be represented

[slimdog]

One solution would be to say that providing an elected individual has not been stripped of office,( or is dead) then that elected individual REMAINS the elected representative until such time as a newly elected individual is confirmed.

Being the duly elected representative of a district carries with it responsibilities.. If he/she is not willing to shoulder those responsibilities then they have no right to seek election in the first place, or ever again.

[Jai Dee]

EC certifies result for 26 constitutencies, but undecided whether to have House consider a list of 99 or 100 party-list MPs

The Election Commission has certified the election result for a further 26 constituencies. Meanwhile it is presently undecided whether to have the House consider a list of 99 or 100 party-list MPs.

EC Secretary-General Aekkachai Warunprapha (เอกชัย วารุณประภา) revealed after yesterday's (April 25) meeting of the EC to certify election results from the 2nd round of MP election held on April 23, saying that results from 26 constituencies have been validated whereas application for candidacy for the 13 remaining constituencies would start today (April 26).

As for MPs in the party-list system, Pol. Maj. Gen. Aekkachai said the EC had talked on this issue but there are still differing opinions on the matter. The entity will today make another evaluation on the party-list issue, which stemmed from the resignation of Md. Premsak Phiayura (เปรมศักดิ์ เพียยุระ).

The EC chief also spoke of the People's Alliance for Democracy's submission of a letter asking his organization to inspect Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin Shinawatra whether he infringed election law, regarding his handout of money in the vocational students event (งานอาชีวะสร้างชาติ) recently held at Muang Thong Thani. He said the EC's sub-committee for inspection had already reached a verdict on this matter but this cannot yet be disclosed.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 26 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

His Majesty the King pushes the judicial sector to address the negative outcome of the April 2 general election

His Majesty the King has called on Supreme Court judges to work with counterparts from other courts in finding a democratic solution that will break the current political impasse before the country collapses.

Speaking to a number of Supreme Court judges led by Supreme Court President Charnchai Likhitjittha (ชาญชัย ลิขิตจิตถะ) during a swearing-in ceremony prior to the assumption of their posts, His Majesty the King said judges have the right to say and decide what should be done to ensure democratic principles in the country. His Majesty described the on-going elections being contested in most constituencies by single party candidates as non-democratic. With an incomplete parliament, the democracy could not be fulfilled.

His Majesty urged those judges not to wait for a royally-granted prime minister as that was not a democratic solution. He said many had cited Article 7 of the Constitution in asking him to appoint an interim prime minister while the fact is that Article 7 does not entrust the king to do whatever he likes. He insisted that after being enthroned, he has never ordered or done anything without proper supporting provisions from the constitution. But that to ask the king to pick an interim prime minister is not constitutional and sound slipshod.

His Majesty urged judges from various courts to jointly look into the situation, considered as the most critical in the world, before it is too late to save the country.

On the same day, His Majesty also granted an audience to members of the Administrative Court who came to take an oath of allegiance before taking up their posts. His Majesty urged them to work with the Supreme Court in addressing the negative outcome of the April 2nd general election. He called on them to air their objection when constitutional interpretations are not correct, saying it is also their role to suggest what is improper.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 26 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

Before anyone makes comment on the latest developments, please be reminded of the following... from ThaiVisa rules:

Discussion of topics concerning the King or other current or deceased members of the Thai Royal Family is forbidden.

Thanks for your understanding.

[sriracha john]

I apologize for beginning my earlier thread... Two things,

1. I wasn't completely clear that even entirely-positive posts regarding His Majesty The King are disallowed. I understand the rationale and won't ever repeat the error.

2. I was actually overcome with emotion and stand in amazement at His brillance.

I'm sorry for the action, but not the underlying feelings.

Edited April 26, 2006 by sriracha john

[Plus]

The Constitutional question of how many MPs should be there to convene the first session has been discussed before, including that Article 98:

Section 98. The House of Representatives consists of five hundred members, one hundred of whom are from the election on a party-list basis under section 99 and four hundred of whom are from the election on a constituency basis under section 102.

I don't know how else you can read it, but it says the House consist of 500 members, not 497. That also means that 497 members do not make the House, only 500.

In case an elected member dies, or is disqualified by EC (happened to dozens of people accused of electoral fraud), the second paragraph applies:

In the case where the office of a member of the House of Representatives becomes vacant for any reason and an election of a member of the House of Representatives has not been held to fill the vacancy, the House of Representatives shall consist of the existing members of the House.

Note the key words "becomes vacant". The post must be filled first, before becoming vacant, i.e. you have to have 500 elected members first.

There are other articles dealing with the first session, but until you have the House, it can't obviously have any sessions.

[Jai Dee]

King: It's a mess

His Majesty the King speaks to Administrative Court judges yesterday at Klai Kangwol Palace in Hua Hin. He rejected calls for royal intervention in the political crisis.

In his most direct and critically timed political message, HM questions legitimacy of April 2 poll, but rules out exercising his power under Article 7

In his strongest political message, His Majesty the King yesterday told the Administrative Court and the Supreme Court to explore all legal solutions to get the country out of the current "political mess", saying that an election that produced a one-party Parlia-ment is undemocratic.

The King criticised the Constitution Court for failing to accept complaints about the polls, and ruled out the possibility of a royally appointed prime minister.

"You have the right to say what's appropriate or not," His Majesty told the Administrative Court judges during a Royal audience at Klai Kangwol Palace in Prachuap Khiri Khan. "(i) did not say the government is not good. But as far as I'm concerned, a one-party election is not normal. The one-candidate [situation] is undemocratic. This is about administration. Do your best. You, not the government, have to resign if you cannot do the best of your duty."

The King urged the Adminis-trative Court judges to work with the Supreme Court and the Constitution Court to find solutions to resolve the impending political impasse.

His remarks came as the deadline for the new, controversially elected House of Representatives to convene its first session draws extremely near. It remains to be seen if the government, which is said to be planning to submit a royal decree to convene the House, will proceed with the plan.

The Constitution requires the House to convene its first session within 30 days of the April 2 general election.

Opposition MPs earlier petitioned the Administrative Court to invalidate the election, alleging that the caretaker government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawa-tra had scheduled the election only 37 days after the House dissolution to give an advantage to candidates from Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai Party. The court rejected the complaints, saying it had no authority to rule on such a matter.

"Without the House of Representatives, there won't be democracy. We have many types of courts and councils, every one of them have to work in unity and find solutions," the King told the judges.

His Majesty rejected calls to intervene by exercising Article 7 of the Constitution to name a royally appointed prime minister as demanded in the past few months by the People's Alliance for Democracy, opposition parties and some academics.

"Article 7 does not empower the King to make a unilateral decision. It talks about constitutional monarchy but does not give the King power to do anything he wants. If the King made a decision, he would overstep his duty and it would be undemocratic."

His Majesty the King referred to his appointment of Prime Minister Sanya Dharmasakti in 1973, saying that his action was democratic because there was still a House of Representatives, House speaker and deputy House speaker to function under the Constitution at the time.

"Installing a royally appointed prime minister means appointing the prime minister without any rule. At that time there were rules. Professor Sanya was royally appointed as prime minister and his appointment was then legally countersigned by a deputy House speaker. Go review history."

His Majesty later spoke to Supreme Court judges, emphasising the importance of democracy and that they should work with the Administrative Court to find a solution to the current constitutional crisis since there are now less than 500 MPs.

"Now I have suffered a great deal because whatever happened there will always be calls for a royally appointed prime minister. It is not democratic. Go back and read Article 7. This is a wrong citation of Article 7. The article only has two lines; that is, whatever not stated by the Constitution, then should follow the traditional practices. But asking for the royally appointed prime minister is undemocratic. It is irrational, it is a mess.

"People have hope in courts, especially the Supreme Court. Other courts also see that the Supreme Court is honest, rational and knowledgeable because you study law. If the country does not follow the rule of law, it will not survive."

Source: The Nation - 26 April 2006

[ColPyat]

His Majesty rejected calls to intervene by exercising Article 7 of the Constitution to name a royally appointed prime minister as demanded in the past few months by the People's Alliance for Democracy, opposition parties and some academics.

"Article 7 does not empower the King to make a unilateral decision. It talks about constitutional monarchy but does not give the King power to do anything he wants. If the King made a decision, he would overstep his duty and it would be undemocratic."

No further comment necessary.

[thedude]

this from AFP.

Thai king refuses to appoint new PM

BANGKOK : Thailand's widely respected king Tuesday rejected the opposition's calls to appoint a new prime minister to end the country's long-running political crisis while branding recent elections undemocratic.

In his first public remarks on the issue, King Bhumibol Adulyadej rebuffed opposition calls that he intervene after mass protests forced Thaksin Shinawatra to announce he would not take the top post in a new government.

But he also said that recent elections were undemocratic after an opposition boycott left Thaksin's party largely unopposed in many districts.

"Having only a single candidate from one party running in an election is not internationally accepted. It's not correct and it's not democracy," the influential monarch said in rare televised remarks.

The broadcast of the king's remarks was a recording of his address to a group of senior judges at his palace earlier Tuesday.

He said the courts, and not the king, should deliberate to find a way to ensure parliament can open, despite concerns that all 500 seats may not be filled.

"The country cannot go forward if we do not comply with the law. If parliament lacks a quorum of 500 and cannot convene, you will have to study this point. You cannot ask the king to be the decisionmaker," he said.

"It would lead to more chaos if there is no parliament and then we could not proceed with democratic rule," he added.

Both opposition politicians and leaders of the anti-Thaksin protests have called for the king to name a new prime minister.

But he said the constitution "does not allow the king to do whatever he wants".

"I have always done everything in line with the constitution. So there can be no royally appointed prime minister," he said.

"When a crisis happens, you cannot shift the responsibility to the king. The king does not have that duty," he said.

"I have ruled under many constitutions and worked many decades, and now people ask me to act according to my own discretion," he said. "I cannot do it."

He also urged the judges from the Supreme Administrative Court to quickly take up their deliberations and find a solution.

"It should be done immediately," he said.

Thailand's king is the world's longest-reigning monarch and celebrates his 60th year on the throne in June. Although he has few legal powers, he wields enormous influence over Thai society.

He met with Thaksin just hours before the prime minister announced he was stepping aside on April 4, even though his party had won snap polls two days earlier.

Thailand fell into political turmoil after Thaksin's family sold its nearly 50 percent stake in Shin Corp, the telecom giant he founded, to Singapore investment company Temasek for 1.9 billion dollars in a tax-free deal. - AFP /dt

[Plus]

It might have been posted earlier, but no one commented on this part, directly related to the topic:

The council [Council of State] had unanimously agreed that there are now the complete number of 100 list MPs as required by the constitution because Thai Rak Thai won the right to have all 100 list MPs in the House.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/26Apr2006_news02.php

Now that's interesting. No one so far had any solution what to do with incomplete party list after Premsak excused himself.

Here's a brilliant and simple move - consider him elected anyway. It still raises a few questions though, most obvious, what went wrong with his resignation? Was it accepted? Did it need to be accepted? By whom?

Council answer is not very convincing:

"Although one of its list candidates, Premsak Piayura, pulled out before the general election, TRT has not erased his name from its list and by law his application cannot be withdrawn after being filed"

Will they pull him out of the temple and drag into parliament?

Edited April 26, 2006 by Plus

[jdinasia]

Actually that is a convincing answer for me ...

who would have ever expected that over 100 party-list folks WOULD be needed? in ANY eventuality except an election as undemocratic as this?

I don't have any issue with the party-list .... just that people will be unrepresented ...

hope the courts do what is right!

[Jai Dee]

TRT Deputy Sopesman disagrees with PAD's standpoint on demanding a royally interim PM

Deputy Spokesperson of the Thai Rak Thai Party, Mr. Jatuporn Prompan (จตุพร พรหมพันธุ์), disagrees with the People’s Alliance for Democracy’s (PAD) persistent to hold a rally in the beginning of May. He said such rally would lack good consciousness.

Mr. Sondhi Limthongkul (สนธิ ลิ้มทองกุล), one of the PAD’s leading members, yesterday affirmed that he and his PAD members will hold a rally on May 2nd to show their standpoint in demanding for a royally-granted Prime Minister in accordance with the article 7 of the constitution.

Mr. Jatupon claimed that Mr. Sondhi and the PAD members should not hold such rally because His Majesty the King has already refused the request to grant an interim premier.

He would like Mr. Sondhi and the PAD members to revise their past actions because the actions were deemed unacceptable among the majority of the Thai people.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 26 April 2006