Voting on impeachment cases may be moved forward

BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly may bring forward the schedule for voting on the impeachment cases against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, former Senate and House speakers, Mr Nikhom Wairachpanich and Mr Somsak Kiatsuranont to January 22-23, said Dr Jate Sirathranont, the NLA whip, on Tuesday.

The NLA, at its meeting on Tuesday, decided to shortlist the number of assemblymen who will question Mr Nikhom and Mr Somsak to nine. Also, nine other assemblymen have been shortlisted to questionMsYingluck.

NLA president Pornpetch Wichitcholachai, meanwhile, said that the NLA would have to discuss whether to allow four former cabinet ministers and four lawyers of Ms Yingluck to take the floor in defence of the former prime minister.

He explained that according to the regulations only one person from each side would be allowed to deliver the statements to the NLA. But the NLA may allow 2-3 more if requested, he said.

As to the lawyers’ request for live broadcast of the debate on Ms Yingluck’s case, Mr Pornpetch said that there has not been such a case before and he would have to consult the assembly first.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/voting-impeachment-cases-may-moved-forward

-- Thai PBS 2015-01-06

I still don't understand how one impeaches someone who is no longer an office-holder. Lay criminal charges, fine. But impeachment ... I don't get it.