Thai Deputy PM blasts court for accepting complaint against amendment bill

[webfact]

Deputy PM blasts court for accepting complaint against amendment bill
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Phongthep Thepkanjana yesterday reprimanded the Constitutional Court for deciding to accept complaints from an appointed senator and a Democrat MP over the proposed amendment on the qualification of senators.

"Parliament doesn't interfere with the deliberation of the court and so the court should know the limits of its power too. Courts are not above other organisations, and they have neither the expertise nor the authority to enact laws," he said.

Despite the charter court's refusal to issue an injunction against the third reading of the amendment bill tomorrow, Phongthep said the democratic system meant that the separation of powers among the three branches - executive, legislative and judiciary - must be respected.

Whether the third reading will go ahead was up to Parliament.

As to the possibility that the third reading could lead to some legal problems if there were an unfavourable ruling by the court later, Phongthep said Parliament had the prerogative to hold the third reading. It was absolutely legal and no move by any organisation could forbid it from taking place.

Although some MPs belonging to the ruling Pheu Thai Party were reportedly reluctant to vote, Phongthep said it was up to Parliament to sort things out.

Govt urged to reconsider plan

Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, spokesman for the opposition Democrat Party, urged the government to reconsider its plan to push for the third reading tomorrow, warning that it could lead to the early demise of the Yingluck Shinawatra administration.

Appointed Senator Kamnoon Sidhisamarn said the prime minister should not forward the charter amendment to His Majesty the King for endorsement if it passed third reading tomorrow. She should wait for the court's ruling on the amendment's constitutionality.

This is the best solution and will prevent Yingluck from finding herself in a difficult position, he said.

-- The Nation 2013-09-27

[Thait Spot]

The Constitution is for sure permitted to rule on following the constitution. That's what it's there for.

These PTP boys would disown the referee, the Thai Football Association and FIFA if they were playing. No understanding of rules and authority.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[NongKhaiKid]

Isn't this the typical PTP attitude, courts are only legal and relevant when they are doing what we want ?

[worgeordie]

Things must not be going to plan,courts stopping them just

pushing what ever they want through Parliament,without the

courts it will just turn in to a Dictatorship with no checks and

balances.

regards Worgeordie

[jaidam]

Its high time for the PTP bigwigs to go on a fact finding jolly to North Korea to see for themselves what a successive dictatorship looks like in reality. When they return they will be able to make an educated decision on whether riding roughshod over the judicial system is beneficial to the nation. Although given their past deeds, the likely result of such a trip wouldn't be respect for checks and balances but rather they would build huge statues of Thaksin everywhere.

[moe666]

If they went to North Korea more than likely they would embrace that system completely, while saying we can do it better.

[Baerboxer]

Unfortunately nobody seems to have explained to PTP that managing to get enough numbers in parliament to out vote the opposition doesn't mean you can actually do anything that you want to. The constitution and laws are there to prevent exactly that - a government misbehaving or trying to change laws to benefit itself and avoid accountability.

PTP continue to try to behave like dictators and then claim to be the champions of democracy. They have the cheek of old Nick himself!

[WhizBang]

Things must not be going to plan,courts stopping them just

pushing what ever they want through Parliament,without the

courts it will just turn in to a Dictatorship with no checks and

balances.

I believe that is the plan.

[GeorgeO]

As usual, the PTP demonstrates its utter contempt for the legal system of this country, unless of course it happens to be working in the government's favour....!

[Bakseeda]

Unfortunately nobody seems to have explained to PTP that managing to get enough numbers in parliament to out vote the opposition doesn't mean you can actually do anything that you want to. The constitution and laws are there to prevent exactly that - a government misbehaving or trying to change laws to benefit itself and avoid accountability.

PTP continue to try to behave like dictators and then claim to be the champions of democracy. They have the cheek of old Nick himself!

Don't you think our man in Dubai IS Old Nick himself....

[Neilly]

BANGKOK: -- DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Phongthep Thepkanjana yesterday reprimanded the Constitutional Court for deciding to accept complaints from an appointed senator and a Democrat MP over the proposed amendment on the qualification of senators.

[chainarong]

I would recommend Phongthep take a good look at himself, the reason why the constitutional court is there, is for the likes of him , courts are there to give a unbiased opinion , as a member of parliament he is not a law unto himself , he represents the people of Thailand and as such should conduct himself in the manner becoming a servant of the people.

[siampolee]

BANGKOK: -- DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Phongthep Thepkanjana yesterday reprimanded the Constitutional Court for deciding to accept complaints from an appointed senator and a Democrat MP over the proposed amendment on the qualification of senators.

in case this Thaksin stooge is not aware of it this is a fine display of democracy (something that Thaksin abhors as do his brown nosing acolytes) in action.

Yes of course Phongthep Thepkanjana would reprimand the court they are treated with the same contempt that the people of Thailand are treated by the P.T.P. puppet government politicians also of course the reprimand process is no doubt of part of the job description given by Thaksin to those who receive his monthly stipend.

Good to see these abhorrent politicians meeting these barriers on the road that they are trying to construct in their aims to destroy what passes for democracy here in Thailand.

Long may these diversions last.

[Bluespunk]

"Parliament doesn't interfere with the deliberation of the court and so the court should know the limits of its power too. Courts are not above other organisations, and they have neither the expertise nor the authority to enact laws," he said."

Hmm, well parliament may not interfere in courts but PT and their red stormtroopers do. In addition the court is not making laws here, they are judging upon whether PT have broken the current laws. They are in fact carrying out their legal duties. Maybe PT could learn from this.

Edited September 27, 2013 by Bluespunk

[tingtongteesood]

Phongthep Thepkanjana seems to be delusional. The courts ARE the law and what they say goes regardless of whether you or Yingluck or the criminal in Dubai like it or not. NOBVODY should be above the law. Sadly those with money in Thailand are, but nobody should be....

[Bagwan]

Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, spokesman for the opposition Democrat Party, urged the government to reconsider its plan to push for the third reading tomorrow, warning that it could lead to the early demise of the Yingluck Shinawatra administration.

<deleted>??????????????? Does this clown know which side of the political divide he represents?

[Thai at Heart]

Phongthep Thepkanjana seems to be delusional. The courts ARE the law and what they say goes regardless of whether you or Yingluck or the criminal in Dubai like it or not. NOBVODY should be above the law. Sadly those with money in Thailand are, but nobody should be....

Of course, it's bizarre that there even needs to be a complaint. If someone changes the constitution, shouldn't the constitution court be involved just to make sure it's alerted correctly?

[siampolee]

Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, spokesman for the opposition Democrat Party, urged the government to reconsider its plan to push for the third reading tomorrow, warning that it could lead to the early demise of the Yingluck Shinawatra administration.

<deleted>??????????????? Does this clown know which side of the political divide he represents?

A valid point, however one needs to consider, public opinion, the military option and there is also no doubt a third or possibly a fourth option which could influence the matter.

Thus the comments made could well concern those external influences as well as the political influence.

[iancnx]

The Constitution is for sure permitted to rule on following the constitution. That's what it's there for.

These PTP boys would disown the referee, the Thai Football Association and FIFA if they were playing. No understanding of rules and authority.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I stupidly thought it must be a very badly translated article..... Surely MPs must have a minimum of education in order to represent the people....... Evidently not.