No rallies over impeachment, Prayut warns

[webfact]

'NEW MEASURES' AGAINST PROTESTERS
No rallies over impeachment, Prayut warns
The Nation

PM threatens 'new measures' against protesters over Yingluck case

BANGKOK: -- In his toughest warning, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha told political pressure groups yesterday not to break the law by staging rallies over the impeachment case involving former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra for her failure to stop corruption in the rice-pledging scheme.

Prayut said the government had measures in place to deal with political rallies. Martial law - imposed by the National Council for Peace and Order and yet to be lifted - bans gatherings of five people and more.

The PM added that the government would be careful not to restrict people's rights and would find new measures to deal with protests.

Prayut urged the political sector against falling into a "democratic trap" if the country is to move forward.

"We must overcome our social, economic and political issues. The government assumes power to resolve issues so that the country can move forward. We should not walk in circles or get stuck with our old conflicts,'' he said.

The PM was referring to rally threats by leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD or red shirts) if the People's Democratic Reform Committee leader Thaworn Senneam manages to convince the National Legislative Assembly to accept impeachment cases against Yingluck and two top politicians from the previous government.

The NACC has filed impeachment cases with the NLA against former Parliament president Somsak Kiatsuranon and his deputy Nikom Wairatpanich after finding them guilty of violating the 2007 Constitution by pushing for charter changes in relation to composition of the Senate.

Last week, Thaworn threatened to forward the impeachment cases of the two former senior politicians to the Constitutional Court if the NLA chooses not to take action on the issue.

The move came after the Assembly deferred deliberation two weeks ago on whether to accept impeachment cases against Somsak and Nikom, citing legal technicality issues.

The NLA, however, has accepted an impeachment case against Yingluck after Assembly president Pornpetch Wichitcholchai put the case - filed by the NACC on October 14 - on the NLA agenda on November 12.

NLA lawmakers expect impeachment proceedings to take less than 25 days after the first deliberation. Any decision to impeach Yingluck requires three fifths of total votes - or 132 votes.

The NLA will also vote on Thursday on whether to accept impeachment cases against Nikom and Somsak.

Pornpetch vowed that the Assembly would exercise its judgement on the impeachment cases in accordance with the rule of law and not to placate any pressure groups or succumb to any lobbying power.

Pheu Thai Party strikes back over Yingluck impeachment case

Meanwhile, legal advisers for Pheu Thai Party plan to file a complaint with the NLA president to object to his decision that the Assembly should go ahead with impeachment proceedings against Yingluck Shinawatra over alleged corruption in the rice-pledging scheme.

The lawyers, led by Pichit Chuenban, will seek approval from Yingluck to file a complaint over the NLA move to impeach her next Wednesday.

The letter gives seven reasons for their objection:

1. Impeachment could result in Yingluck being deprived of her rights and liberty - basic constitutional rights guaranteed by the charter. They say the move can't be done if the charter does not state that the NLA has authority to do this;

2. The 2014 provisional charter does not state that the NLA has the right to impeach political office holders in accordance with the constitution's organic laws to counter corruption;

3. Chapter 10 of the NLA meeting regulations on impeachment of political office holders in accordance with constitution's organic laws to counter corruption are not in line with the rule of law, democratic principles and general will;

4. The above NLA regulations are seen as violating the country's ruling system of constitutional monarchy and provision 5 of the 2014 provisional charter;

5. The NLA president cannot resort to "discrimination" when it comes to "grounds for offence";

6. The NLA cannot cite laws which do not impose punishment for impeachment;

7. Yingluck is no longer premier, so she is not a political office holder in accordance with article 58 of the constitution's organic law on countering corruption.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/No-rallies-over-impeachment-Prayut-warns-30246912.html


-- The Nation 2014-11-04

[Jingthing]

Prayut urged the political sector against falling into a "democratic trap" if the country is to move forward.

Yeah, those democratic traps are the very worse kinds of traps. Very wise to warn against them!

[Mango Bob]

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Prayut urged the political sector against falling into a "democratic trap" if the country is to move forward.

Yeah, those democratic traps are the very worse kinds of traps. Very wise to warn against them! alt=cowboy.gif>

your right we can't fall for any of the democratic traps here in Thailand.

[ChrisY1]

Maybe they should just shelve the impeachment for 12 months........seems to me rather inane to push ahead now if there is a real threat of unrest.....

[ramrod711]

The lawyers, led by Pichit Chuenban, will seek approval from Yingluck to file a complaint over the NLA move to impeach her next Wednesday.

The letter gives seven reasons for their objection:

1. Impeachment could result in Yingluck being deprived of her rights and liberty - basic constitutional rights guaranteed by the charter. They say the move can't be done if the charter does not state that the NLA has authority to do this;

2. The 2014 provisional charter does not state that the NLA has the right to impeach political office holders in accordance with the constitution's organic laws to counter corruption;

3. Chapter 10 of the NLA meeting regulations on impeachment of political office holders in accordance with constitution's organic laws to counter corruption are not in line with the rule of law, democratic principles and general will;

4. The above NLA regulations are seen as violating the country's ruling system of constitutional monarchy and provision 5 of the 2014 provisional charter;

5. The NLA president cannot resort to "discrimination" when it comes to "grounds for offence";

6. The NLA cannot cite laws which do not impose punishment for impeachment;

7. Yingluck is no longer premier, so she is not a political office holder in accordance with article 58 of the constitution's organic law on countering corruption.

8. Yingluck and family have a LOT of money.

[tbthailand]

The PM added that the government would be careful not to restrict people's rights and would find new measures to deal with protests.

That is classic 'talking out of both sides of the mouth' - kudos to the general.

Prayut urged the political sector against falling into a "democratic trap" if the country is to move forward.

joke, what a joker. Maybe he should try to get a guest spot with John Oliver.

[Boxclever]

But recent polls show that the Junta has 97.5% approval rating, why is he worried?

[whybother]

But recent polls show that the Junta has 97.5% approval rating, why is he worried?

Stop exaggerating. It was only 93.3%.

[RustBucket]

Those seven points will be laughed out in pretty short order. I am already laughing my ass off.

If these are supposed to be lawyers, I would suspend their licenses, they are not fit to practice.

[chainarong]

Nice to see , don't want any one voicing descent, we are all behind you General , err General , shi!!t where did everyone GO.

[Gunna]

Those seven points will be laughed out in pretty short order. I am already laughing my ass off.

If these are supposed to be lawyers, I would suspend their licenses, they are not fit to practice.

Totally agree

Probably told what to write by Mr T

I would have had more respect for him he he had left off points 1-7 and just had Ramrod's previous point #8

ie, Shinawatras have more money than you

[seajae]

hahahaha, I notice her lawyers left out that it is now an offence that will be punished if caught leaving donut boxes full of cash lying around for judges, that really makes their jobs hard, it means that her innocence cannot be bought these days as it used to be. A lot has changed, they cannot just mumble bullsh*t anymore and expect cash to smooth everything over for them.

[JOC]

Dear Prayuth and fellow generals in the "government", but your uniforms back on, no need pretending anymore!!

[pookiki]

In thinking of 'falling into traps', maybe it would be better if some influential people 'shut their traps'. The oxymorons and Orwell speak is very demoralizing. By the way, what do you catch in democracy traps?

Edited November 4, 2014 by pookiki

[robblok]

Wow.. the PTP headmen and YL are going down.. and no protests to safe them. Finally the red rabble cant use intimidation to get what they want. They used bombs and guns on protesters to intimidate them and it got them a coup. Hope they see they don't have the big stick.. the army has.

[rickirs]

NLA's response to the seven objections -

We have Prayuth's approval and he IS THE LAW.

General Prayuth will not be TRAPPED BY DEMOCRACY

[robblok]

NLA's response to the seven objections -

We have Prayuth's approval and he IS THE LAW.

General Prayuth will not be TRAPPED BY DEMOCRACY

No he wont.. just hope that the guys manages to stay in power for a long time. Its kinda nice that all the PTP bosses are not getting paid right now. I wonder how many will start to turn tail once the money runs out.

[MJP]

Please be careful what you're posting.

No more bashing of the you know what. And no, I don't mean the Bishop.

Thank you.

[JOC]

Wow.. the PTP headmen and YL are going down.. and no protests to safe them. Finally the red rabble cant use intimidation to get what they want. They used bombs and guns on protesters to intimidate them and it got them a coup. Hope they see they don't have the big stick.. the army has.

Some people just don't get it!!

The posters here having a go at the general, would had been out in full force, even if the military had overthrown a yellow (elected) government.

This is not about yellow or red, but about basic human rights! One of them being the freedom to rally against whatever you disagree with!!

[robblok]

Wow.. the PTP headmen and YL are going down.. and no protests to safe them. Finally the red rabble cant use intimidation to get what they want. They used bombs and guns on protesters to intimidate them and it got them a coup. Hope they see they don't have the big stick.. the army has.

Some people just don't get it!!

The posters here having a go at the general, would had been out in full force, even if the military had overthrown a yellow (elected) government.

This is not about yellow or red, but about basic human rights! One of them being the freedom to rally against whatever you disagree with!!

In a real democracy id agree.. but the PTP was hiding terrorist and threatening protesters. On stage it even cheered about deaths at Trad (yes High level PTP were there). By doing so they supported terrorism and in my eyes a good reason to depose them. No real government would ever cheer at death and hide terrorists.

Your the one not getting it.. Thailand never was a real democracy.

[atsiii]

Please excuse my apparent ignorance, but how can they impeach someone with regards to allegedly breaking the 2007 Constitution, when they themselves overthrew the government elected under that same 2007 Constitution in a completely unconstitutional military coup? I'm missing something here.

[Eric Loh]

Please excuse my apparent ignorance, but how can they impeach someone with regards to allegedly breaking the 2007 Constitution, when they themselves overthrew the government elected under that same 2007 Constitution in a completely unconstitutional military coup? I'm missing something here.

The simple answer is yes they can. It's a lynch mob and they can do anything they want when they have all the like minded and self serving interest people in all the right places. The '08 land case where retro active laws were used was a fine example.

[Baerboxer]

Maybe they should just shelve the impeachment for 12 months........seems to me rather inane to push ahead now if there is a real threat of unrest.....

Give in to the threats of street thug violence? Are you joking?

PTP/UDD/Shin strategy has always been to threaten and intimidate courts, committees, media and opponents. Allow a bully a victory and they will demand more and more. Chalerm was testing the water with his remarks a week or so ago, Yingluck openly cavorting with her criminal fugitive brother in France, Japan and China.

Leave this bunch of vipers unattended and they will keep pushing the boundaries.

[Baerboxer]

Please excuse my apparent ignorance, but how can they impeach someone with regards to allegedly breaking the 2007 Constitution, when they themselves overthrew the government elected under that same 2007 Constitution in a completely unconstitutional military coup? I'm missing something here.

The simple answer is yes they can. It's a lynch mob and they can do anything they want when they have all the like minded and self serving interest people in all the right places. The '08 land case where retro active laws were used was a fine example.

False argument - as usual.

Any excuse to try and fudge things so that Yinggy and crew can escape any responsibility for their actions, or non actions.

[Baerboxer]

Wow.. the PTP headmen and YL are going down.. and no protests to safe them. Finally the red rabble cant use intimidation to get what they want. They used bombs and guns on protesters to intimidate them and it got them a coup. Hope they see they don't have the big stick.. the army has.

Some people just don't get it!!

The posters here having a go at the general, would had been out in full force, even if the military had overthrown a yellow (elected) government.

This is not about yellow or red, but about basic human rights! One of them being the freedom to rally against whatever you disagree with!!

Freedom to rally - yes.

Freedom to threaten, throw human and animal waste, contaminated blood, throw grenades and bombs and shoot weapons, at any who dare oppose the will of those you follow or are paid by - no.

[Robby nz]

Maybe they should just shelve the impeachment for 12 months........seems to me rather inane to push ahead now if there is a real threat of unrest.....

You are right of course.

If there are any threats to the NLA or court or judge then they should just forget about the law and bow down to that threat.

You ChrisY1 may think running and hiding from a threat is the way to go but I somehow suspect the general has other ideas.

After all giving in to a threat only encourages those who would make threats and tells them threats give them power over those they threaten and over the law.

As for the lawyers 7 reasons not to impeach they could well be weighed up against the countries 700 billion + reasons why the self appointed chair of the rice policy committee should be held responsible for failing to do the job she took upon herself.

[whybother]

Please excuse my apparent ignorance, but how can they impeach someone with regards to allegedly breaking the 2007 Constitution, when they themselves overthrew the government elected under that same 2007 Constitution in a completely unconstitutional military coup? I'm missing something here.

The simple answer is yes they can. It's a lynch mob and they can do anything they want when they have all the like minded and self serving interest people in all the right places. The '08 land case where retro active laws were used was a fine example.

You are thinking of the banning of one of his parties using "retro-active laws". That wasn't the land case.

[Eric Loh]

Please excuse my apparent ignorance, but how can they impeach someone with regards to allegedly breaking the 2007 Constitution, when they themselves overthrew the government elected under that same 2007 Constitution in a completely unconstitutional military coup? I'm missing something here.

The simple answer is yes they can. It's a lynch mob and they can do anything they want when they have all the like minded and self serving interest people in all the right places. The '08 land case where retro active laws were used was a fine example.

You are thinking of the banning of one of his parties using "retro-active laws". That wasn't the land case.

You should know better that the party ban case was in '07 and the infamous land case where retroactively enact laws were used was in '08.

[whybother]

You are thinking of the banning of one of his parties using "retro-active laws". That wasn't the land case.

You should know better that the party ban case was in '07 and the infamous land case where retroactively enact laws were used was in '08.

Yes. In this case, I know better. But to give you the benefit of the doubt, what laws were enacted retro-actively?

I'll give you some help:

In January 2007, Financial Institutions Development Fund complied with an Assets Examination Committee request to file a charge against Thaksin and his wife over their purchase of four 772 million baht plots of land from the FIDF in 2003. The charge was based on alleged violation of Article 100 of the National Counter Corruption Act, which prohibits government officials and their spouses from entering into or having interests in contracts made with state agencies under their authority.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaksin_Shinawatra#Legal_charges

ORGANIC ACT ON COUNTER CORRUPTION, B.E. 2542 (1999) <==== see the year. Now go and read section 100.

http://www.oecd.org/site/adboecdanti-corruptioninitiative/46817329.pdf

It's all about anti-corruption Article 100, stupid!

http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/10/30/opinion/opinion_30087162.php

[indyuk]

Where is the promised political reform going to come from if the reformers continue to allow scallywags to hound another Prime Minister. into political and financial destruction.

The Thai Judiciary continues to be motivated by the same scallywags that generated six months of discontent of 2014.

The whole conspiritus ensemble of scallywags is skilled in the art of the destruction of noteable Thai people.

This destructive force will always be there. As determined a necessity this force will destroy any future prime minister, whether democratically elected or not.