Political parties can nominate Constitutional Court judges: CDC
Kris Bhromsuthi
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Charter drafters formed a consensus yesterday to allow representatives from political parties in government and the opposition, plus the People's Assembly, to sit on the committee to select Constitutional Court judges under the new charter.

The new framework by the charter drafters - part of judicial reforms - is a significant break from the 2007 Constitution, as representatives from Parliament will be allocated seats on the committee to select judges for the highest court.

The newly established "People's Assembly" will also be allowed to nominate representatives to the panel to select Constitutional Court judges.

The Constitutional Court and the judiciary have been subject to criticism for controversial decisions, which critics say have deepened divisions within the country. These date back to the ruling in mid-2001 to acquit Thaksin Shinawatra in an infamous asset concealment case.

The court had then come under attack by Thaksin supporters for its decision to dissolve Thai Rak Thai Party in 2007 and the People's Power Party in 2008.

Some may even argue that the Constitutional Court is partly to blame for the country's deep political divide.

As a result, there had been a genuine feeling that a new framework needed to be set up for the selection of Constitutional Court judges, as part of justice reform.

An article drafted by a CDC member stated that the committee appointing Constitutional Court judges must consist of the following: two members selected by the Supreme Court judges' assembly, with another picked by Administrative Court judges; political parties in government and opposition will be able to choose two members, while two members would be selected each by deans of law faculties at private and public universities; two members would also be selected by deans of political science faculties at private and public universities; and finally, a member would be selected by the soon-to-be established People's Assembly.

Meanwhile, Constitution Drafting Committee chairman Borwornsak Uwanno insisted that the new charter would definitely not include provisions to dissolve political parties or ban party executives on grounds that they have been involved in electoral offences committed by MP candidates.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Political-parties-can-nominate-Constitutional-Cour-30252334.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-21

Totally unfair to Thaksin! His bought and paid for party will only be able to nominate one sycophant while many others will be put forward by erudite (and presumably honest) judges and scholars. But at least he won't have to keep changing the name of his criminal organisation.

Another Assembly!

That brings to four assemblies:

National Legislative Assembly

Citizen's Assembly

National Citizen's Assembly

People's Assembly

And aside from all these assemblies is the proposed National Confederation of Morality responsible for setting standards, ethics and good governance of public figures and state agencies. Then there is the NACC.

Once the Junta has everything is in place for an elected government, the next government won't be able to exercise any changes to how the nation is governed - what a surprise.