Thaksin Returns As Pm

[sriracha john]

Soooo.... did the EC comply with the rules and submit their recommendation with the report to OAG? We don't know because Wasana continues to be evasive and won't say. So now, we'll have to wait and see if they followed the regulations or have merrily continued along the way with their obstructive ways...

EC returns TRT case to OAG prosecutors

Election Commission Chairman Wasana Permlarp announced yesterday that he will send the highly controversial case involving allegations of Thai Rak Thai election fraud back to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) in what is fast becoming a political game of ping-pong.

However, Wasana continued to evade questions about whether he would make a formal recommendation to the OAG advising that caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party be dissolved.

Furthermore, the Election Commission (EC), whose investigative sub-committee found TRT guilty of election fraud, hinted that the case is likely to be a long, drawn-out affair.

After meeting for several hours at EC headquarters, Wasana announced that he will return the TRT case back to the OAG today – even though it returned the case to the EC on Tuesday.

Senior OAG members have severely criticized the EC for not doing its job and for refusing to submit a recommendation with its report, without which they said the OAG can do nothing.

As the registrar of political parties, Wasana submitted the full report of an EC investigative panel headed by Nam Yimyam, a former Supreme Court vice president, that found TRT guilty of hiring small parties to contest the April 2 general election, to the OAG two weeks’ ago.

But unlike the EC panel report, Wasana failed to state whether the TRT party is guilty or not under the Political Parties Act.

“Wasana will send the case back to the OAG and include a secret letter with it,” Ekachai Warunprapha, the EC’s secretary-general, told ThaiDay yesterday.

“If Wasana did not say anything then I cannot disclose the details of the case either,” he said.

“The OAG wanted the EC to determine [if the TRT] is guilty under Article 66 of the Political Parties Act. It will need to make its own assessment of the matter,” Ekachai said. “If there is enough evidence and a recommendation by Wasana, then the OAG can submit the case to the Constitutional Court. However, a joint-committee between the EC and the OAG may also be formed to deliberate on the matter as well,” he added.

- TD

[sriracha john]

A slightly more hopeful article, however it points out other shortcomings of the EC report that may lead to other delays... *sigh*

EC to give grounds for Nam report

Wasana: Will send it back to OAG today

Election Commission chairman Wasana Permlarp says he will provide a covering recommendation for the Nam report, which concluded Thai Rak Thai bankrolled small parties to run in the general election, and return it to the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) today. Pol Gen Wasana did not reveal if his recommendation would be in accordance with the report by former supreme court judge Nam Yimyaem, which the EC initially sent to the AOG without a covering recommendation. That report recommends legal action against TRT.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/22Jun2006_news08.php

[sriracha john]

Despite facing mounting social and legal pressure for their resignation, the three remaining commissioners have fuelled charges they were biased in favour of Thai Rak Thai by refusing to endorse the sub-committee's report.

They initially gave the report to the OAG only after they were threatened with serious criminal charges for alleged malfeasance and negligence of duty.

"We have told the commissioners unequivocally what they need to do," said OAG spokesman Attaphol Yaisawang. "Now we can only wait and see. If the report is sent back to us [unchanged] it will tell us a lot about the EC. We are hoping for the best, though."

The head of the fact-finding committee, former Supreme Court vice president Nam Yimyaem, yesterday insisted his panel saw a solid case, and Thai Rak Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra should be called upon to testify and defend himself and his party.

"We have done our job, and we agree with the OAG that the report requires the EC's final opinion before being sent to the Constitution Court," Nam said.

The OAG has ruled out the EC's call for a joint investigation to endorse the Nam committee report. It is legally questionable whether the OAG can forward the case to the Constitution Court without a clear-cut opinion from the EC, which is still refusing to question Thaksin.

Without Thaksin's testimony, any case before the Constitution Court could be regarded as incomplete, legal experts said.

- The Nation

[Jai Dee]

ELECTION FRAUD

EC faces critical test of loyalties

Attorney-General demands 'sensitive' recommendation, but may be stymied if none is made

Controversy and legal troubles battering the lame-duck Election Commission could multiply today should it fail to state clearly whether there are grounds to suggest the Thai Rak Thai Party has committed major electoral fraud.

Prosecutors have demanded the EC's clear-cut opinion on whether the Thai Rak Thai case should go to the Constitution Court. The EC has submitted to the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) a report from a fact-finding committee that concluded there was strong evidence to suggest the party hired small parties to provide "fake" competition in the April 2 general election.

Having sent the fact-finding committee's report back to the EC because there was no final recommendation, the OAG today expects to receive a clear-cut case that could be forwarded to the Constitution Court without much fuss. But the OAG's optimism was hampered yesterday by rumours that the EC would return the subcommittee report unchanged, thus putting the ball back on the prosecutors' court.

Despite facing mounting social and legal pressure for their resignation, the three remaining commissioners have fuelled charges they were biased in favour of Thai Rak Thai by refusing to endorse the sub-committee's report.

They initially gave the report to the OAG only after they were threatened with serious criminal charges for alleged malfeasance and negligence of duty.

"We have told the commissioners unequivocally what they need to do," said OAG spokesman Attaphol Yaisawang. "Now we can only wait and see. If the report is sent back to us [unchanged] it will tell us a lot about the EC. We are hoping for the best, though."

The head of the fact-finding committee, former Supreme Court vice president Nam Yimyaem, yesterday insisted his panel saw a solid case, and Thai Rak Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra should be called upon to testify and defend himself and his party.

"We have done our job, and we agree with the OAG that the report requires the EC's final opinion before being sent to the Constitution Court," Nam said.

The OAG has ruled out the EC's call for a joint investigation to endorse the Nam committee report. It is legally questionable whether the OAG can forward the case to the Constitution Court without a clear-cut opinion from the EC, which is still refusing to question Thaksin.

Without Thaksin's testimony, any case before the Constitution Court could be regarded as incomplete, legal experts said.

The alleged offence, in which some key Thaksin deputies in Thai Rak Thai have been implicated, carries the drastic penalty of party dissolution and could end the caretaker prime minister's hopes of returning to power.

Deputy Attorney-General Chaikasem Nitisiri admitted the OAG might not be able to proceed if the EC does not present a complete case.

"Without the EC's final opinion it will be difficult for us to go ahead, but I don't want to speculate on anything at the moment," he said.

The commissioners have been embroiled in legal trouble themselves, facing a number of lawsuits and legal petitions because of a perceived bias towards Thai Rak Thai. The Constitution is to decide today whether to accept a petition by 35 senators who want the three commissioners disqualified from their jobs.

Returning an untouched Nam committee report to the OAG could spell more trouble for the commissioners, whose steadfast refusal to resign has created a major deadlock amid attempts to return a sense of normalcy to Thai politics.

But if the EC returns the Nam committee report complete with its final opinion for the OAG, the prosecutors could submit the case to the Constitution Court as early as next Wednesday.

Source: The Nation - 22 June 2006

[Jai Dee]

The interim senate calls a meeting on June 26

The interim senate will meet on June 26 to consider three urgent issues, including the appointment of a panel to run background checks on candidates for seats on the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC).

The royal decree calling for the opening of parliament’s extraordinary session on June 26 has already been issued.

Interim senate speaker Suchon Chaleekrua (สุชน ชาลีเครือ) said aside from the NCCC matter, the Senate will consider the nomination of Supreme Administrative Court judges as judges in the court of justice and also the nomination of members of the Judicial Commission.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 June 2006

[Old Man River]

EC returns TRT case to OAG prosecutors

Furthermore, the Election Commission (EC), whose investigative sub-committee found TRT guilty of election fraud, hinted that the case is likely to be a long, drawn-out affair.

- TD

Seiously, is anybody surprised by this?

[Jai Dee]

DPM Visanu admits to resign from his post

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-Ngam (วิษณุ เครืองาม) has admitted that he will definitely resign from his post but would like to complete his assigned works first.

According to Mr. Wissanu, he had a discussion with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on the issue of his resignation in the future. He said there were no objections from Dr. Thaksin. However, he has yet to determine the date of his as he would like to clear up all his works.

He disclosed that he has no idea of joining any political party following his resignation, citing that he is not disheartened during his 15 years of work with seven Prime Ministers at the Government House.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 June 2006

[John K]

As page 52 was full of hope, page 53 seems full of delays.

This unfinished work that they must get done, Is it like the tunnel under the jail wall?

By the way, Where is Thaksin? last I heard he was out of the country for 2 day. That was about a week ago.

[sriracha john]

EC returns TRT case to OAG prosecutors

Furthermore, the Election Commission (EC), whose investigative sub-committee found TRT guilty of election fraud, hinted that the case is likely to be a long, drawn-out affair.

- TD

Seriously, is anybody surprised by this?

of all the members who have more than 5 posts in this 789-post, 53-page thread:

Poster Surprised

ColPyat

lukamar

ando

thedude

Poster Not Surprised

sriracha john

Plus

hammered

penzman

jdinasia

Jai Dee

Siripon

chownah

ovenman

stumonster

Old Man River

Poster Unsure

john Krukowski

tettyan

Martin

slimdog

bkkjosh

Edited June 22, 2006 by sriracha john

[Netfan]

don't have 5 posts, but i'm not surprised in the least

[John K]

Not quite unsure SJ but amused. Last year I asked several Thai ladies what they thought of Thai men as compared to men from other countries. The most common description they came up with about Thai men was “creative.” So as all of the creative delays unfold, I must say it is a bit amusing.

[ColPyat]

of all the members who have more than 5 posts in this 789-post, 53-page thread:

Poster Surprised

ColPyat

Why should this be a surprise? Every party in Thailand is guilty of election fraud.

Or should i be surprised that the EC found TRT guilty? Or that this is going to be a long drawn out affair?

Sorry, not really surprised. So far it all is meaningless posturing and technicalities that in the west could be seen as events of importance, but here in Thailand they might, or might not have any relevance to a final outcome. And that - i dare not to predict.

Edited June 22, 2006 by ColPyat

[John K]

The interim senate calls a meeting on June 26

The interim senate will meet on June 26 to consider three urgent issues, including the appointment of a panel to run background checks on candidates for seats on the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC).

The royal decree calling for the opening of parliament’s extraordinary session on June 26 has already been issued.

Interim senate speaker Suchon Chaleekrua (สุชน ชาลีเครือ) said aside from the NCCC matter, the Senate will consider the nomination of Supreme Administrative Court judges as judges in the court of justice and also the nomination of members of the Judicial Commission.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 June 2006

I am not sure of the meaning ‘Royal Decree.’

Does this mean the King has asked for this?

[tettyan]

I'm not terribly surprised by this at all, at least considering the way the EC has been behaving over the past month. That said, let the EC return the report as is, and then let the OAG follow through on its threat to charge the EC with malfeasance and negligence of duty. Right now, that may be our best chance for settling this mess

It's long past time for the EC to fall on their swords. But he|| will freeze over before they do, cause these guys has proven themselves to be a possy of pussies rather than noble samurai.

[John K]

By RUNGRAWEE C. PINYORAT, Associated Press

BANGKOK, Thailand - The prime minister's political party violated election law, officials said Thursday in a finding that could lead to its dissolution and end the embattled leader's political career.

The Election Commission concluded that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's Thai Rak Thai party broke the law by hiring small parties to run in April 2 elections to avoid restrictions placed on candidates in single-party races.

"The Election Commission recommended to the attorney general that the Thai Rak Thai party violated Article 66 of the political parties law," said Athapol Yaisavang, a spokesman for the Office of the Attorney General.

According to the law, the Constitutional Court will take up the matter and could rule that the party gained its April victory by "unconstitutional means" and order it dissolved.

Thai Rak Thai has dominated the country's political landscape since 2001. Its demise would bar all party members, including Thaksin, from running in new elections scheduled for October.

Pimuk Simaroj, deputy spokesman of the party, insisted it had done nothing wrong. But he said "any party member found to be involved (in hiring small parties) should be held responsible."

The Democratic Party, which stands to benefit the most from the ruling, said it was too early comment since the Constitutional Court still must weigh in.

In February, Thaksin tried to quell growing street protests accusing him of corruption and abuse of power by dissolving Parliament. He called elections on April 2, which the three main opposition parties boycotted.

Under Thai law, candidates running unopposed must receive at least 20 percent of the eligible vote to win a seat. As a result of the opposition boycott, 38 seats could not be filled in the first round of voting, and 14 remained empty after a second round.

Because not all seats were filled, the country was unable to form a new government.

In late April, King Bhumibol Adujyadej turned to the top courts to help resolve the political deadlock, and the Constitutional Court annulled the inconclusive polls.

Since then, the Election Commission has set Oct. 15 as a tentative date for new elections.

[jdinasia]

Good to see the AP picking the story up ...

[lukamar]

EC returns TRT case to OAG prosecutors

Furthermore, the Election Commission (EC), whose investigative sub-committee found TRT guilty of election fraud, hinted that the case is likely to be a long, drawn-out affair.

- TD

Seriously, is anybody surprised by this?

of all the members who have more than 5 posts in this 789-post, 53-page thread:

Poster Surprised

ColPyat

lukamar

ando

thedude

What would surprise me is if any of the EC members can have a fair hearing or trial, as all the high courts condemned them even before they were charged with anything, guilty or Innocent.

What does not surprise me is that John spent all day counting pro and con posts and then pigeon holed them using his own criteria, sounds just like the EC's MO, that he's so fast to criticize as undemocratic. So lets have a vote, majority does not count for anything, Surprised posters Win by minority, the new Bangkok based democracy, working at last.

[John K]

It seems this news story lacks what the OAG asked for. There is no recommendation as to what to do. Recommending that the TRT broke the law? I think recommending is the wrong word. I think acknowledgment is the word they were searching for. So the OAG still does not have a recommendation of action. Can you say Hot potato? I wonder what (cause & effect) Thaksin gave the EC to make them opt for jail time? It must have been rather serious. Logic tends to dictate the only thing worse than going to jail is dying.

[stumonster]

It's long past time for the EC to fall on their swords. But he|| will freeze over before they do, cause these guys has proven themselves to be a possy of pussies rather than noble samurai.

I was under the impression that their 'boss' , mr 't' ( or the puppetmaster , mrs 't' ) has ordered them to fight to the last breath. Isn't this the tribe who decided that the fact mr 't' had transferred his shares in shin corp to the maid , chauffeur , garden gnome meant that it was not a conflict of interest to legislate sweet deals for the family company.

[John K]

I think Thaksin just got a little closer to having that fight or flight instinct triggered. It sure sounds like he is not pulling strings any more. He appears he has upgraded to rope.

I wonder if Gepetto has any puppets like that in stock?

[John K]

by Anusak Konglang

BANGKOK (AFP) - Thailand's election authority has ruled that the party of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra broke the law, in a decision that could lead to the party's disbandment, officials said.

The Attorney General's Office plans to decide Friday whether to bring the case before the Constitutional Court, which could rule to dissolve the party, attorney general's office spokesman Attapon Yaisawaung told AFP.

"The Election Commission ruled that Thai Rak Thai broke two laws governing political parties. The EC said TRT had acted against democratic rule, and that the party's actions were a threat to national security," Attapon said Thursday.

If the court finds the party guilty, TRT could be disbanded and its founders -- including Thaksin -- barred from politics for five years, he said.

"The party is concerned about the legal action taken by the EC but since the process is already underway, all that TRT can do is cooperate," party spokesman Pimuk Simaroj told AFP.

"We will make available any party members needed to provide additional testimony, including the party leader (Thaksin)," he added.

The charges against TRT stem from claims that it illegally financed small fringe groups to run in the elections, in a bid to circumvent minimum vote requirements after main opposition parties boycotted the vote.

The April 2 vote came after months of protests demanding Thaksin resign over allegations of corruption.

But the polls proved inconclusive after the boycott, forcing Thaksin to take a seven-week leave from office.

He returned to his job last month, after the courts invalidated the election and cleared the way for new polls on October 15.

In their rulings the courts have called on the Election Commission to resign. So far, only one commissioner has stepped down. Another post was already vacant after a commissioner died.

But the three remaining members of the EC have defiantly resisted pressure to step down, saying they needed to stay in office to investigate scores of complaints filed after the polls.

The Attorney General's Office earlier this month also scolded the commission after it initially passed on the case against TRT without making a ruling on the findings of its investigation.

That only fueled claims by Thaksin's opponents that the commission was biased in the premier's favor.

Thursday's ruling posed another major challenge to the billionaire prime minister, who has been accused of using his political office to enrich his business empire.

His administration was rattled earlier in the day by the second high-level resignation this month, when deputy prime minister Wissanu Krea-Ngam announced he would leave his post within a month.

Another of Thaksin's top legal advisers, cabinet secretary Borwornsak Uwanno, resigned on June 6, saying he wanted to become ordained as a Buddhist monk.

Leaders of the protests against Thaksin plan to meet Saturday to map out their strategy ahead of the October 15 vote. They have already threatened to return to the streets if Thaksin runs for prime minister.

The case brought by the Election Commission is only one of scores of legal challenges to the snap polls and to Senate elections also held in April.

Among the others are charges that one of the protest leaders insulted the revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej at a rally -- a serious crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

[John K]

THAKSIN AGAINST THE WALL

Demoralised?

EC endorses fraud accusations | Wissanu set to resign | PM reluctant to quit politics for fear of asset seizure | Pojaman 'keen to leave country'

Thaksin Shinawatra, the caretaker prime minister, is feeling demoralised and has expressed an intention to step down. There are growing signs that Thaksin might eventually quit over the ongoing political crisis, over which he is fast losing control.

Yesterday, during a meeting on the Government Fiscal Management Information System (GFMIS) at Government House, Thaksin let his feelings emerge while talking to his Cabinet colleagues about how the electronic system would boost the efficiency of the government's fiscal management.

"If I were not to return again, I would like to pass on this GFMIS to the new prime minister [for further implementation] because it is a good thing for the country. No matter who is prime minister, I would like the country to make progress," Thaksin said.

"If I were to leave, I would be happy to do so for the peace and reconciliation of the country."

A key member of the Democrat Party was quoted as saying he had overheard that Thaksin was thinking of leaving office for good. But the PM's main concern was that once he is out of power, the new government might seize his assets.

Matichon newspaper also wrote a political commentary along this line yesterday, saying that both Thaksin and his wife Pojamarn were feeling demoralised by the political pressure and wanted "to throw in the towel". The newspaper said Pojamarn would like Thaksin to leave politics and go abroad, and only return to Thailand after the "political situation" has improved for them.

But the dilemma the Shinawatra family faces is that if they were to quit, some of their assets might be seized. During his five years in the top office, the Shinawatra family's wealth, plus that of their relatives, the Damapongs and Wongsawats, rose unusually and dramatically.

The Bt73.3 billion that the Shinawatra and Damapong clans gained from the sale of Shin Corp to Temasek, of Singapore, is still held in local commercial banks and cannot be moved out of the country. Banking authorities have reportedly been instructed to keep a close watch on the bank accounts holding the Bt73.3 billion.

All the other political developments show that Thaksin is retreating in a fully defensive mode. Wissanu Krea-ngam, a deputy prime minister and a top legal expert, is jumping ship. He has become the second senior member of the government after Borwornsak Uwanna, the former secretary-general of the Cabinet, to desert Thaksin. Yesterday Wissanu admitted he had told the Premier he wants to leave office.

Wissanu has not submitted a letter of resignation yet because he still has to look after some important responsibilities.

Thaksin's demoralisation is suspected to have deepened. Two days after the April 2 snap election and an audience with His Majesty the King, Thaksin announced that he would not assume the top job until the new Cabinet was formed and a new prime minister picked. But his "break" was a tactical move and he refused to resign outright because he want to remain in a caretaker capacity. His April 4 announcement came in spite of the fact Thai Rak Thai reportedly won at least 15 million votes in the poll, later nullified by the Constitution Court.

Thaksin appointed Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya to be prime minister, after weeks of rallies and a huge protest vote against him in Bangkok and in the South. More than a month later, however, Thaksin had a supposed change of heart. He went back to work at Government House, saying that the country needed him to look after the economy. And he wanted to ensure that preparations for the 60-year jubilee celebration for His Majesty the King would proceed in order. All the time, he was plotting a comeback.

Yet events have gone against him in recent weeks and Thaksin must feel disheartened by the clouds looming over him and his party. After weeks of stalling and huge controversy, the Election Commission finally advised the Attorney General yesterday that the Thai Rak Thai Party had hired small political parties to run in the April 2 election. If the case reaches the Constitution Court, Thaksin's party could be dissolved, if it is found guilty.

While the EC has set October 15 as the date for the next election, it is so discredited that one Thai Rak Thai member said there was still no certainty on when a new ballot would be held. He said politicians were doing little except waiting for the outcome of court cases to clear the political deadlock.

Suranand Vejjajiva, a caretaker minister in the PM's Office, declined to elaborate on Wissanu's decision to quit, but warned: "Keep a close watch. Don't blink. There are still more to come."

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

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

Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam yesterday announced his decision to leave the government soon, confirming speculation that has circulated since the departure of former Cabinet secretary-general Borwornsak Uwanno early this month.

Wissanu told Government House reporters he had informed his boss, Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, about his decision some time before.

He declined to disclose his reason for leaving, citing political etiquette. "I'm not the type that tells all about what's happened to me," he told reporters.

His cousin, Borwornsak, resigned his post on June 6 to be ordained as a Buddhist monk.

The deputy premier yesterday made an uncharacteristic remark about how the government was dealing with a plan to establish the new Suvarnabhumi Airport and the surrounding area as the country's newest province.

Commenting on the fact that the government failed to conduct any public hearing on the plan, he said: "When we fail to meet the three components of good governance - transparency, participation and legality - suspicions and doubts are inevitable."

Wissanu said he had tried to keep his imminent departure as low-profile as possible in order to prevent any negative impact on the government. He said he had not tendered his resignation letter but that he would do so in less than a month after completing an undisclosed task.

The deputy premier refused to explain the nature of the task in question. He said only that it "is not a big job".

Wissanu said he would not return to politics after leaving the government. He said it was likely that he would return to the academic world and work as a university lecturer.

He said he had never been a member of the ruling Thai Rak Thai Party and will not be even after leaving the Cabinet. He would not join any other political party either, he said.

Wissanu said it was likely that his decision to leave the Cabinet was earlier leaked to the media by someone with knowledge about the matter. But he believed it was not someone close to him.

Meanwhile, Thai Rak Thai spokesman Sita Divari yesterday said Wissanu's decision was news to many party figures. He regarded his decision as a personal matter, adding that he believed the move would not affect the party.

The spokesman said he saw no signs of other Cabinet members about to follow in Wissanu's footsteps.

At yesterday's meeting on public finance management at Government House, which many Cabinet members attended, Wissanu was teased by some colleagues about news of his imminent departure.

In a related development, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said he viewed Wissanu's imminent departure as a signal of attempts by certain Cabinet members to bring about changes with the goal of reducing the political tension.

He called on other government figures and the relevant parties, including the election commissioners, to contribute more to the effort.

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

[John K]

Source

TRT fears grow as Vasana finally relents on report

The Election Commission has finally endorsed charges that the Thai Rak Thai Party committed major election fraud, leaving the ruling party to face the real threat of being disbanded.

Facing mounting legal, political and social pressure, EC chairman Vasana Puemlarp yesterday submitted the EC's opinion on the Thai Rak Thai case to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).

He endorsed an EC fact-finding committee's report that accused the ruling party of violating the Constitution, saying its conduct was causing instability.

OAG spokesman Atthaphol Yaisawang said an OAG committee, led by the department's deputy chief Chaikasem Nithisiri, will meet today at 12.30pm to discuss the case. If the committee reaches a conclusion, it can forward the case to the Constitution Court immediately.

Accused of hiring minor parties to provide "fake" competition at the opposition-boycotted April 2 general election, Thai Rak Thai could be dissolved by the Constitution Court.

The EC tried to keep its verdict secret and the Thai Rak Thai legal team claimed the decision was rushed.

Atthaphol said Vasana, as the political party registrar, had submitted the EC's recommendation to the OAG. In the recommendation, the EC found Thai Rak Thai violated Section 66 (1) and (3) of the Constitution by hiring minor parties to run in April to avoid the rule that unchallenged candidates had to win at least 20 per cent of the vote.

EC secretary-general Ekachai Warunprapa said Vasana had submitted the EC's verdict but would not make the findings public as the legal process was still active.

"It can be revealed only when the Constitution Court finds its ruling," he said.

Ekachai said the EC had carried out its responsibilities legally without bias.

An EC source said the commissioners asked the OAG to keep its findings confidential.

Thai Rak Thai legal adviser Kudeb Saikrachang yesterday accused the EC of rushing its decision, claiming the commission had not summoned the party leader Thaksin Shinawatra to testify.

The EC sub-committee, headed by former Supreme Court deputy president Nam Yimyaem, recommended the EC interrogate the Thai Rak Thai leadership before forwarding the case to the OAG. But the Nam report was sent to the OAG without giving its conclusions and without questioning Thai Rak Thai bosses.

"As the EC are calling us guilty without summoning our leader, it suggests they are not confident about our guilt," Kudeb said, adding the commissioners should be held responsible for any mistakes in the report.

He said the party's legal team would study the verdict and prepare for a legal battle if the Constitution Court takes the case to trial.

Another Thai Rak Thai lawyer Kamol Bandaipetch said the legal act against the party was not based on solid evidence consistent with election law.

Minor party candidates seen in controversial video footage from the Defence Ministry with deputy Thai Rak Thai leader Thamarak Isarangura, all denied any involvement, Kamol said.

He said an entire party should not face ruin just because of one executive's guilt.

The party sent information to the EC but the commissioners bowed to pressure and ignored the party's defence, Kamol said.

However, Thai Rak Thai deputy spokesman Pimuk Simaroj said the party would listen to the OAG's judgement.

Party bosses had not discussed the possibility that the party would be dissolved as there would many legal hurdles to negotiate first.

Thamarak has not resigned and the party members are not worried about the case, he added.

source: The Nation website June 23, 2006

[Netfan]

The deputy premier yesterday made an uncharacteristic remark about how the government was dealing with a plan to establish the new Suvarnabhumi Airport and the surrounding area as the country's newest province.

Commenting on the fact that the government failed to conduct any public hearing on the plan, he said: "When we fail to meet the three components of good governance - transparency, participation and legality - suspicions and doubts are inevitable."

Sounds as if he finally had enough of the bs. Whether it was his conscience or just trying to get out before it really hits the fan, doesnt matter much. If your DPM jumps ship, the end must be near........

[jdinasia]

Source

TRT fears grow as Vasana finally relents on report

The Election Commission has finally endorsed charges that the Thai Rak Thai Party committed major election fraud, leaving the ruling party to face the real threat of being disbanded.

Facing mounting legal, political and social pressure, EC chairman Vasana Puemlarp yesterday submitted the EC's opinion on the Thai Rak Thai case to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).

He endorsed an EC fact-finding committee's report that accused the ruling party of violating the Constitution, saying its conduct was causing instability.

OAG spokesman Atthaphol Yaisawang said an OAG committee, led by the department's deputy chief Chaikasem Nithisiri, will meet today at 12.30pm to discuss the case. If the committee reaches a conclusion, it can forward the case to the Constitution Court immediately.

Accused of hiring minor parties to provide "fake" competition at the opposition-boycotted April 2 general election, Thai Rak Thai could be dissolved by the Constitution Court.

The EC tried to keep its verdict secret and the Thai Rak Thai legal team claimed the decision was rushed.

Atthaphol said Vasana, as the political party registrar, had submitted the EC's recommendation to the OAG. In the recommendation, the EC found Thai Rak Thai violated Section 66 (1) and (3) of the Constitution by hiring minor parties to run in April to avoid the rule that unchallenged candidates had to win at least 20 per cent of the vote.

EC secretary-general Ekachai Warunprapa said Vasana had submitted the EC's verdict but would not make the findings public as the legal process was still active.

"It can be revealed only when the Constitution Court finds its ruling," he said.

Ekachai said the EC had carried out its responsibilities legally without bias.

An EC source said the commissioners asked the OAG to keep its findings confidential.

Thai Rak Thai legal adviser Kudeb Saikrachang yesterday accused the EC of rushing its decision, claiming the commission had not summoned the party leader Thaksin Shinawatra to testify.

The EC sub-committee, headed by former Supreme Court deputy president Nam Yimyaem, recommended the EC interrogate the Thai Rak Thai leadership before forwarding the case to the OAG. But the Nam report was sent to the OAG without giving its conclusions and without questioning Thai Rak Thai bosses.

"As the EC are calling us guilty without summoning our leader, it suggests they are not confident about our guilt," Kudeb said, adding the commissioners should be held responsible for any mistakes in the report.

He said the party's legal team would study the verdict and prepare for a legal battle if the Constitution Court takes the case to trial.

Another Thai Rak Thai lawyer Kamol Bandaipetch said the legal act against the party was not based on solid evidence consistent with election law.

Minor party candidates seen in controversial video footage from the Defence Ministry with deputy Thai Rak Thai leader Thamarak Isarangura, all denied any involvement, Kamol said.

He said an entire party should not face ruin just because of one executive's guilt.

The party sent information to the EC but the commissioners bowed to pressure and ignored the party's defence, Kamol said.

However, Thai Rak Thai deputy spokesman Pimuk Simaroj said the party would listen to the OAG's judgement.

Party bosses had not discussed the possibility that the party would be dissolved as there would many legal hurdles to negotiate first.

Thamarak has not resigned and the party members are not worried about the case, he added.

source: The Nation website June 23, 2006

Could we be seeing a new thread soon? Countdown to Dissolutio? Or Not?

[penzman]

penzman

[John K]

No, I think a sequel thread is premature. I think this thread would make a great history lesson at some point in the future. I think until a new Parliament is seated this thread should continue. All the news post are telling a great story. But perhaps a ‘Where is Thaksin hiding” thread may come up soon.

[Netfan]

[Could we be seeing a new thread soon? Countdown to Dissolutio? Or Not?

Perhaps a pool? A trifecta: Day he resigns again? TRT dissolved? Assests frozen?

[John K]

[Could we be seeing a new thread soon? Countdown to Dissolutio? Or Not?

Perhaps a pool? A trifecta: Day he resigns again? TRT dissolved? Assests frozen?

Ahhh.... do you refer to the prophecy of post #2?

[sriracha john]

DPM Visanu admits to resign from his post

He disclosed that he has no idea

Finally....... a TRT member who is not ashamed to admit the truth.