Thailand Politics heating up again

Post by **bumper** » April 26, 2013, 6:44 pm

April 26, 2013, 5:26 pm
politics » Charter court files police complaint against four red shirts
Charter court files police complaint against four red shirts
The Nation April 26, 2013 5:25 pm
The Constitutional Court Friday filed a police complaint against the four red shirts who have been leading the rally outside the court complex, accusing them of defamation and inciting unrest.

Panya Udchachon, deputy secretary-general of the Office of the Constitutional Court, filed the complaint at the Crime Suppression Division asking that action be taken against Pongpisit Pongsena, Thanachai Sihin, Mongkol Nongbualamphu and Sornrak Malaithong.

Panya also provided a recording of the rally as evi?dence.

The complaint accused the four of violating Articles 136 of the Penal Code in the speeches they delivered in front of some 200 red-shirt demonstrators. The group has been rallying since Monday to demand that all nine judges step down after the court agreed to review whether amendments to the charter were Constitutional or not.

The complaint also said that the four group leaders referred to the judges' work in a manner that affected their reputation, adding that the accused incited the crowd to hate the court and cause disturbance.

In a related development, Democrat party-list MP Watchara Phetthong said he had written to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra asking her to provide 24-hour protection for the judges. He said the pro?tection was necessary because the protesters threatened to harm the judges and burn down the courts.

Watchara also alleged that red-shirt TV stations and com?munity radio was being used to incite hatred toward the Constitutional Court judges.

Pheu Thai to hold 10 rallies to seek public support
The Nation April 26, 2013 5:23 pm
Pheu Thai Party is planning to hold 10 major rallies at different spots across the Kingdom in a move to seek public support for its bid to amend the Constitution and push through the Amnesty Bill.

Boy there are a lot of cases pending between the Yellow & Red shirts. Wonder where all this will lead the obvious thing is the Amendment to the Constitution, to forgive and forget all. To include they former Thai P.M., that aspect seems to be the real sticking point. Will rule by mob or rule of law win. I sure don't know, could help with the exchange rate.

Anusorn Iam-sa-ard, deputy spokesperson of the party, told the press Friday that the three-month House recess period would be used by the MPs to hold big rallies in different parts of the Kingdom on Saturdays and Sundays to drum up support on the two issues. They will also explain the many political problems facing the government and the country.

Prominent speakers will include Chatuporn Chaisaeng, former deputy leader of now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party; red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan; Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt; and Deputy PM Plodprasop Suraswadi among others.

Apart from the charter amendment and Amnesty Bill, the MPs and ministers will also provide information about the Bt2-trillion infrastructure loan and the Bt350-billion water-management project as well as discuss the conflict between the legislature and the judiciary.

The first rally will be held today at Udon Thani's Muang district followed by another at the Khon Kaen provincial hall tomorrow. Rallies are scheduled for Chiang Rai on June 1, Chiang Mai on June 8 and Rayong on June 15. No dates have been set for the South or Bangkok and its vicinity yet.

Post by **Laan Yaa Mo** » April 26, 2013, 7:08 pm

What is your take on this article?

Post by **bumper** » April 26, 2013, 7:22 pm

That the supposed settlement of Politics in Thailand isn't over as investors thought. In the past the courts might as well have been governing the country. most things ended up there one way or another. This time the Courts seem to be the actual target. As far as how things will work out. I wouldn't even take a guess. I don't really see it being good for the Country, if violence does erupt again. But, that is all up to the Thai's not me.

I will quietly set back and watch as did the last time. If something happens and the SET falls back to 600 hundred again. I will be an investor again just as I was before.

But, we were not attacked last time around and I don't see anything would make me think we would be in cross hairs this time around. But, I won't be going to any rallies.

It is really hard to comment on something like this. Since I'm not a Thai citizen, what I think mean very little. But, watching the process is very interesting to me.

Post by **WBU ALUM** » April 26, 2013, 7:31 pm

Politics is part of every country's culture. There are opposing sides to almost every political issue.

I just hope that the same escalations don't occur as has been occurring the last few times with the Yellow Shirts (at Swampy) and the Red Shirts with all the fires and destruction in communities throughout the country.

Like bumper, there's nothing I care to do about any of it except watch it and evaluate how it affects me -- if at all.

Post by **Laan Yaa Mo** » April 26, 2013, 9:47 pm

If the target is the courts it is most likely owing to the fact that in a previous administration, some of their decisions seemed to be have been skewed in light of what had happened in the previous 70 or so+ odd years.

But, as noted we are but observers and can only hope for a peaceful resolution of political issues.

Post by **bumper** » April 27, 2013, 7:36 am

Things like this could really harm Thailand's image:

Breakingnews >

CHARTER COURT
Reds threaten to capture judges

Published: 27 Apr 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Four red-shirt leaders have defied the charter court's defamation complaint and threatened to capture the nine judges in a citizen's arrest.

The Constitution Court on Friday filed a complaint with the Crime Suppression Division against the red-shirt leaders who have been organising a protest in front of the court.

The court accused the four leaders of defamation and inciting unrest. Representatives of the court yesterday filed the complaint, along with a recording of speeches made during the protest.

The complaint accuses the red-shirt leaders of defaming the court judges, in violation of sections 136 and 198 of the Criminal Code.

The accused are: Pongpisit Kongsena, or Lek Bandon, leader of a red-shirt group called Radio Broadcasters for Democracy; Thanachai Seehin, a radio show host; Mongkol Nongbualamphu; and Sornrak Malaithong. About 200 red shirts have been gathering in front of the Constitution Court.

The protesters on Thursday submitted a 20,000-name petition to the National Anti-Corruption Commission seeking to oust the judges.

The red shirts have been rallying since Monday to demand that all nine judges step down after the court decided to review whether the charter amendment bills being vetted by parliament were constitutional.

Mr Pongpisit yesterday urged "civil disobedience" to reject the court's defamation suit against him and the other three red-shirt leaders.

Mr Pongpisit said the court lacked legitimacy in performing its duties and that they will not acknowledge the charge. He urged red-shirt supporters to "capture" the court's nine judges wherever they see them, an INN News report said.

More than 250 police officers have been deployed at the court. Mr Pongpisit said the judges have attempted to block moves to amend the constitution.

Pheu Thai MP for Chiang Rai Samart Kaewmeechai said yesterday he had now gathered more than 100 signatures of MPs supporting another impeachment campaign against the judges.

The figure is sufficient as the impeachment bid needs only a quarter of members of parliament, he said.

Mr Samart will also submit an open letter to the court next week to denounce its decision to accept for consideration the petition against charter change filed by Senator Somchai Sawaengka

rn.

Post by **bumper** » April 28, 2013, 6:26 pm

This really doesn't look good for the rule of Law. It would seem they love the court when they can use it to their purposes. Not so much when it may rule against them. Different then what most Farrangs have in their home countries. It will be interesting to see how his plays out. I have no idea what it would take to remove a Surpreme Justice in the States. I don't even know if it had ever been done. Seven Justices majority rules. Presidents try to stack the deck in their favor as openings come about. Congress has it's say as well.

To be honest politics really isn't thing. But these kind of things shape a Nation and that is interesting

Smaller

The Nation on Sunday April 28, 2013 1:00 am
House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont

House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont
Calls for the removal of the Constitutional Court judges are growing on two fronts - an ongoing pressure campaign by the red shirts, and legal proceedings to be launched by MPs and senators.
Pheu Thai Party officials said they are considering submitting a petition next week to try to remove three Constitutional Court judges, depending on whether they continue to ignore lawmakers' calls not to block charter amendments.

Pheu Thai deputy spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said the drafting of an open letter by 312 MPs and senators to the Constitutional Court judges is almost complete and would be sent within the next week. The letter spells out the signatories' refusal to accept the judges' role in reviewing charter changes.

The letter states that the court cannot agree to rule on provisions involving charter amendment because it would interfere in the work of the legislative branch, transgressing the democratic principle of separation of powers.

More than 100 government MPs have put their signatures to an impeachment drive against the three judges who accepted for review petitions involving charter amendment, which could lead to a legal impasse for the amendment drive, Anusorn said.

Deputy government whip Paichit Srivarakarn said the party had instructed its MPs not to testify before the court over the proposed amendment of Article 68 if they are summoned. The move came after some MPs failed to follow the party's directive and asked to give testimony in a personal capacity. "If we are not united and fail to follow the policy in the same direction, there will be damage," he said.

Responding to reports that even House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont would appear before the Constitutional Court to give a statement, Paichit said he believed Somsak would not do so, and would follow the party's policy of not acknowledging the court's power.

Pheu Thai Ubon Ratchatani MP Somkid Chuakong said 20 MPs who gave court testimony and refused to follow the party's resolution not to recognise the court's power would face punishment.

Anusorn also denied former PM Thaksin Shinawatra was involved in organising the recent red-shirt rally outside the court seeking to remove the judges, saying if Thaksin had been behind the move, he would have mobilised hundreds of thousands, not just 200 people.

Court officials filed a police complaint accusing four red-shirt leaders who spearheaded the push to remove judges of contempt of court.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said later, before leaving for Mongolia, that the red shirts had the right to continue, provided they staged a peaceful protest that was within the law.

Democrat party-list MP Ongart Klampaiboon slammed three groups of people, accusing them of sabotaging the country's balance of power by trying to remove Constitutional Court judges whom they believe are in their way and blocking their interests.

Post by **tamada** » April 28, 2013, 10:31 pm

bumper wrote:That the supposed settlement of Politics in Thailand isn't over as investors thought. In the past the courts might as well have been governing the country. most things ended up there one way or another. This time the Courts seem to be the actual target. As far as how things will work out. I wouldn't even take a guess. I don't really see it being good for the Country, if violence does erupt again. But, that is all up to the Thai's not me.

I will quietly set back and watch as did the last time. If something happens and the SET falls back to 600 hundred again. I will be an investor again just as I was before.

But, we were not attacked last time around and I don't see anything would make me think we would be in cross hairs this time around. But, I won't be going to any rallies.

It is really hard to comment on something like this. Since I'm not a Thai citizen, what I think mean very little. But, watching the process is very interesting to me.

With regard to the thoughts of investors as a gauge of political stability, the political situation is a relative thing. On one hand there's the extreme acts like airport occupations and setting fire to the SET (among other things) that indicate the heat is seriously on versus the past couple of years of relative stability. But even the extreme acts only cause a momentary suspense while things play out. There's no huge flights of capital or foreign partners pulling out of Thailand. It's a case of just watching and waiting. There may be a huge shindig after the inevitable event happens but unless there's a total collapse of law and order and civil war, I reckon it will be more of the same watching and waiting.

When the excretia does hit the diffuser, I doubt that foreigners in general would be attacked but I wouldn't rule out the odd incident of misguided nationalism (fueled by alcohol and ignorance) maybe causing some isolated injuries or death. However, one must have a realistic contingency plan just in case it does go seriously pear-shaped and in that regard, a quick hop north of Nong Khai with a wedge of c-notes, about 10 baht of gold and an onward ticket would be practical.

Post by **bumper** » April 29, 2013, 8:21 am

Personally I think the only way one could get hurt, is putting themselves in harms way. I.E. go to see a rally. Not our business and better to just check the news.

Who knows if it will go as far as it has in the past. At the moment I think the powers to be are making good money and have desire to see that stop.

The South is pretty good example of a civil war. But, it's not the key as it remains business a usual and doesn't get the press that Something like Boston does, yet there are far more deaths and injuries. If the same kind of thing were happening in Bangkok it would be a game changer.

Post by **bumper** » April 29, 2013, 11:33 am

It's funny a Cab Driver in Bangkok told us about this a month ago. Sounds like all the ingredients may be in the POT.

Breakingnews >
Yellow shirts face court Monday

Published: 29 Apr 2013 at 04.49
Online news:

Dozens of supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) will appear in court Monday to deny charges relating to 2008 rallies that paralysed Bangkok's main airports stranding thousands of tourists, their lawyer said.

Yellow shirt activists protest against a proposed reconciliation debate outside the parliament buidling in Bangkok on June 1, 2012.

Around 100 yellow shirt members face charges including terrorism over a wave of demonstrations against allies of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Puangtip Boonsanong said defendants face a variety of charges including those relating to the seizure of two airports, a blockade of the country's parliament and the storming of Government House.

"They will deny all charges," she said before the court opened on Monday.

Key yellow shirts, including the group's founder Sondhi Limthongkul, face terrorism charges over their alleged role in the airport siege. They are not involved in Monday's court cases.

The airport siege by the PAD was their last major show of force on Bangkok's streets.

Criminal investigations against the nationalist group have been sluggish, prompting resentment and claims of double standards by their rival red shirts, Thaksin allies.

Many red shirt leaders were swiftly locked up on terrorism charges after their street protest in the heart of Bangkok in 2010.

In late November of 2008, the yellow shirts blocked Don Mueang airport on the northern outskirts of Bangkok before moving to occupy Suvarnabhumi airport for a week.

They abandoned the blockade after the Constitution Court dismissed then-prime minister Som

chai Wongsawat, Thaksin's brother-in-law, and allowed formation of a Democrat Party-led coalition.