His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej called on the kingdom's top judges to be prepared for next week's verdict of the Constitution Tribunal on the fate of Thailand's major political parties.
In his address to the Administrative Court judges who were granted an audience at Chitralada Palace on Thursday, HM the King thanked them for presenting him a gown as Administrative Court judge. He said despite the gown, however, he was not empowered to give his view on the political parties.
Whatever the verdict, he said, judges were proned to criticism. He called on the Administrative Court judges to find prevention measures on behalf of all courts when criticism did arise.
"No matter what the judgement is, you will be in trouble. I will also be in trouble but we are not in the position to say if they are right or wrong. If they are wrong, we can only tell ourselves that they are wrong. You should have your own opinions, at least personally," said His Majesty.
Expressing concern on the present fragile situation in the country, His Majesty the King urged the judges to educate people and thanked them for carrying out their duties with honesty for the happiness of the people. He also expressed his strong belief in the judges' determination to work for the survival of the nation.
His Majesty said he believed in the judges' abilities to make positive decisions on behalf of other courts whether the Administrative or the Supreme courts.
The Constitution Tribunal will give its verdict next Wednesday on whether two leading political parties, the Democrat and Thai Rak Thai, would be dissolved for alleged electoral fraud in the April 2, 2006 general election.
Source: MCOT
HM the King: Be prepared for crucial verdict
HM the King: Be prepared for crucial verdict
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Acting national police chief Seripisuth Temiyavej said security measures have been put in place to cope with possible violence on May 29, when individual judges will issue their opinions, and on May 30, when the Constitution Tribunal will issue its formal verdict.
He said police, soldiers and the city administration were joining forces to deal with any incidents during this period.
He urged people to stay at home, as the rulings would be broadcast on radio and television.
Metropolitan police chief Adisorn Nonsee said he did not expect any clashes between opposing sides as the Constitution Court and surrounding area could accommodate only 3,000 to 4,000 people at a time.
He did threaten action against mahouts if they brought their elephants to the city to join the protests, as has been rumoured.
Both the mahouts and their elephants would be arrested, he said.
Bangkok Post.
He said police, soldiers and the city administration were joining forces to deal with any incidents during this period.
He urged people to stay at home, as the rulings would be broadcast on radio and television.
Metropolitan police chief Adisorn Nonsee said he did not expect any clashes between opposing sides as the Constitution Court and surrounding area could accommodate only 3,000 to 4,000 people at a time.
He did threaten action against mahouts if they brought their elephants to the city to join the protests, as has been rumoured.
Both the mahouts and their elephants would be arrested, he said.
Bangkok Post.
I wonder if the Democrat and Thai Rak Thai are dissolved, new political parties are formed. Perhaps the new names could be The Democratic party and the Siam Rak Siam party? Members of the dissolved Democrat party might want to join the new Democratic Party and members of the ex thai rak thai party might want to join the new Siam Rak Siam party or..... may be there is only one party allowed.. The Alliance Republican Moderation Yellow party?
You know, I read all that and I'm not sure. I first thought His Majesty was more or less suggesting neither would be found guilty or banned. Then, with the police chief and the elephant routine, I'm leaning to TRT being banned only?
Everything leaks here, probably this also but the leakees and leakors are not spreading it so far. Let's see what's in the press leading up to next Wednesday.
I think a part of this is that the directors of both TRT and the Democrats will be banned from any and all politics for 5 years if found guilty. Therefore those particular people cannot form a new party. That could be equally as bad for the country with new elections and inexperienced candidates. Pete
Everything leaks here, probably this also but the leakees and leakors are not spreading it so far. Let's see what's in the press leading up to next Wednesday.
I think a part of this is that the directors of both TRT and the Democrats will be banned from any and all politics for 5 years if found guilty. Therefore those particular people cannot form a new party. That could be equally as bad for the country with new elections and inexperienced candidates. Pete
I think there is also a possibility that various leaders and directors get the five year ban, but the two political parties are allowed to remain. That would make sense to me as to actually disolve a major political party in any country is making a complete mockery of the democratic process.
A relevant point is whether any election fraud actually changed the result, because I have a feeling that the rural vote would have given TRT the lead anyway. If that is the case then the individuals responsible should be punished, but the party should be allowed to remain to fairly contest any future election. If it is the peoples choice then so be it: that is the whole point of democracy.
A relevant point is whether any election fraud actually changed the result, because I have a feeling that the rural vote would have given TRT the lead anyway. If that is the case then the individuals responsible should be punished, but the party should be allowed to remain to fairly contest any future election. If it is the peoples choice then so be it: that is the whole point of democracy.
Now this article seems to lean towards nothing being done at all? Pete
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Post-coup Thailand 'not good at all' says King
Thu May 24, 11:58 AM ET
BANGKOK (AFP) - Thailand's influential king on Thursday warned dissolving the two main political parties would damage the country's image, commenting that the post-coup situation was "not good at all."
Speaking at a nationally televised ceremony at Chitralada palace, King Bhumibol Adulyadej addressed Thailand's top judges urged to act fairly.
"You have responsibilities to make the country not sink. You can advise people because you have knowledge. I ask you to solve the current situation which is not good at all," he said.
The rare comments come ahead of Wednesday's Constitutional Court ruling that could result in the dissolution of Thai Rak Thai (TRT), the party created by deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra, and the opposition Democrat Party.
"Whatever the judgement is, it will damage the country," said the 79-year-old king, who is almost universally adored by Thais.
"When the judgement about politics comes, it is very important ... The nation needs political parties," he said.
King Bhumibol has few legal powers but wields enormous influence over his people, who revere him with an almost god-like devotion.
Nine constitutional court judges who were appointed by the junta after a September coup are to rule on vote fraud charges against Thaksin's political party and the Democrat Party on Wednesday.
If found guilty, the parties would be dissolved and the party executives banned from politics for five years, meaning prominent leaders could not run in December polls promised by the junta.
The king's comments came amid growing fears that Wednesday's ruling could set off violence, prompting authorities to warn that the junta would be ready to impose "an emergency decree" if the situation warrants.
Addressing supreme administrative court judges visiting the palace, the king said they should "judge whether the Constitutional Court's (expected) verdict is right or wrong."
"I don't have power to say they (constitutional court judges) are right or wrong. But I have my own judgement which cannot be said. I don't have power. But you have to think whether your judge friends make a right or wrong verdict," he said.
On his 79th birthday in December, the king praised the country's post-coup government as "wise and experienced," but hinted he expected to see a new premier within a year.
The monarch, who with 60 years on the throne is the world's longest-serving monarch, has seen 24 prime ministers, 18 coups and 17 constitutions.
The palace ceremony was part of celebrations marking the king's anniversary.
________________
Post-coup Thailand 'not good at all' says King
Thu May 24, 11:58 AM ET
BANGKOK (AFP) - Thailand's influential king on Thursday warned dissolving the two main political parties would damage the country's image, commenting that the post-coup situation was "not good at all."
Speaking at a nationally televised ceremony at Chitralada palace, King Bhumibol Adulyadej addressed Thailand's top judges urged to act fairly.
"You have responsibilities to make the country not sink. You can advise people because you have knowledge. I ask you to solve the current situation which is not good at all," he said.
The rare comments come ahead of Wednesday's Constitutional Court ruling that could result in the dissolution of Thai Rak Thai (TRT), the party created by deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra, and the opposition Democrat Party.
"Whatever the judgement is, it will damage the country," said the 79-year-old king, who is almost universally adored by Thais.
"When the judgement about politics comes, it is very important ... The nation needs political parties," he said.
King Bhumibol has few legal powers but wields enormous influence over his people, who revere him with an almost god-like devotion.
Nine constitutional court judges who were appointed by the junta after a September coup are to rule on vote fraud charges against Thaksin's political party and the Democrat Party on Wednesday.
If found guilty, the parties would be dissolved and the party executives banned from politics for five years, meaning prominent leaders could not run in December polls promised by the junta.
The king's comments came amid growing fears that Wednesday's ruling could set off violence, prompting authorities to warn that the junta would be ready to impose "an emergency decree" if the situation warrants.
Addressing supreme administrative court judges visiting the palace, the king said they should "judge whether the Constitutional Court's (expected) verdict is right or wrong."
"I don't have power to say they (constitutional court judges) are right or wrong. But I have my own judgement which cannot be said. I don't have power. But you have to think whether your judge friends make a right or wrong verdict," he said.
On his 79th birthday in December, the king praised the country's post-coup government as "wise and experienced," but hinted he expected to see a new premier within a year.
The monarch, who with 60 years on the throne is the world's longest-serving monarch, has seen 24 prime ministers, 18 coups and 17 constitutions.
The palace ceremony was part of celebrations marking the king's anniversary.
I think they're playing right into his hands. Their lack of progress, initiative and action on important issues is changing people's thinking daily. Pete
______________________________
BANGKOK (AFP) - Thailand's army-backed government has blocked ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra's website amid heightened tensions ahead of a court decision on the future of two key political parties, an official said Monday.
The Hi-Thaksin website can no longer be accessed in Thailand due to "security concerns", an information ministry spokesman said while declining to indicate whether the move was related to Wednesday's landmark verdict on the parties.
The Constitutional Tribunal decides Wednesday whether Thai Rak Thai (TRT), the party formed by Thaksin, and the Democrat Party are guilty of a slew of charges of electoral fraud related to annulled elections in April last year.
If found guilty the tribunal has the power to dissolve the parties and ban their executives from politics for five years.
Such a move would significantly alter Thailand's political landscape, analysts say, and there are fears the verdict may spark violence in Bangkok, prompting warnings that the junta could resort to "an emergency decree" if necessary.
Thaksin's lawyer Noppadol Pattama said the government feared his client, who remains in self-imposed exile, could use the website to try and rally support.
"I think the junta is too concerned that the former prime minister will post something related to politics," Noppadol told AFP.
Media rights campaigners have warned of increasing censorship since last year's coup that ousted Thaksin.
Since coming to power, the military has blacked out international news broadcasts, seized a private television station and blocked political websites.
Thailand has blocked some 45,000 websites, the group Freedom Against Censorship Thailand has said.
Most are pornographic, but the government also targets sites critical of the king or supportive of Thaksin.
The English-daily Nation newspaper said Monday the government had blocked 16 pro-Thaksin websites, but the information ministry declined to confirm the report.
Hi-Thaksin currently features information about Thaksin's trip to Russia earlier this month, and sports.
______________________________
BANGKOK (AFP) - Thailand's army-backed government has blocked ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra's website amid heightened tensions ahead of a court decision on the future of two key political parties, an official said Monday.
The Hi-Thaksin website can no longer be accessed in Thailand due to "security concerns", an information ministry spokesman said while declining to indicate whether the move was related to Wednesday's landmark verdict on the parties.
The Constitutional Tribunal decides Wednesday whether Thai Rak Thai (TRT), the party formed by Thaksin, and the Democrat Party are guilty of a slew of charges of electoral fraud related to annulled elections in April last year.
If found guilty the tribunal has the power to dissolve the parties and ban their executives from politics for five years.
Such a move would significantly alter Thailand's political landscape, analysts say, and there are fears the verdict may spark violence in Bangkok, prompting warnings that the junta could resort to "an emergency decree" if necessary.
Thaksin's lawyer Noppadol Pattama said the government feared his client, who remains in self-imposed exile, could use the website to try and rally support.
"I think the junta is too concerned that the former prime minister will post something related to politics," Noppadol told AFP.
Media rights campaigners have warned of increasing censorship since last year's coup that ousted Thaksin.
Since coming to power, the military has blacked out international news broadcasts, seized a private television station and blocked political websites.
Thailand has blocked some 45,000 websites, the group Freedom Against Censorship Thailand has said.
Most are pornographic, but the government also targets sites critical of the king or supportive of Thaksin.
The English-daily Nation newspaper said Monday the government had blocked 16 pro-Thaksin websites, but the information ministry declined to confirm the report.
Hi-Thaksin currently features information about Thaksin's trip to Russia earlier this month, and sports.
This could be relevant, TRT say they have resolved to accept the courts decision without protest.-Steve.
BANGKOK, May 28 (TNA) – In a last-minute appeal for public sympathy, the embattled Thai Rak Thai Party (TRT) has "without grounds" been accused of plotting massive confusion and unrest during Wednesday's expected Constitution Tribunal rulings on electoral rigging charges filed against the former ruling party, acting TRT leader Chaturon Chaisaeng said Monday.
The acting successor to deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra as TRT leader said the party had resolved to accept the outcome of the court verdict and never to protest the possibility that it might lead to dissolution of the party or preventing party executives from seeking re-election, Mr. Chaturon said.
The acting TRT leader reiterated that only a small number of the party's supporters and former MPs would gather, peacefully, to hear court rulings at party headquarters Wednesday (May 30).
Under no circumstances will TRT members resort to or support any violent means or raise a massive crowd to confront others hearing Wednesday's court verdict, Mr. Chaturon said, which many feared might trigger unrest in Bangkok.
Mr. Chaturon obliquely suggested that the appointed government, the coup makers, or the People's Alliance for Democracy (a coalition of anti-Thaksin groups) might be responsible for an alleged plot for hired demonstrators wearing red shirts to protest against the Constitution Tribunal, in the event that the TRT party is found guilty and dissolved or its party executives are punished.
The hired demonstrators might be mistaken for TRT supporters or remnants of the old regime only to smear and further damage the once-ruling party, Mr. Chaturon said.
He said such ''undemocratic'' developments would only worsen the situation, frame the TRT party and "rub salt into the wounds" of a country already damaged by last September's military coup.
If found guilty and banned from seeking re-election, Mr. Chaturon said, his TRT colleagues would help with the party's campaign in the next election by distributing posters or publicising party policies.
The Thaksin stand-in suggested that the Surayud cabinet must be very careful in considering to use emergency rule in the capital to contain possible unrest following the court rulings, otherwise the situation would turn from bad to worse.
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said emergency rule, introduced under Mr. Thaksin in 2005, should be the last resort for the Surayud government to deal with the possible turmoil. "Nobody with a sound mind would endorse (such a move)."
The Democrats also face similar electoral rigging charges which could land similar penalties on the party or its executives.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Aree Wong-araya said he had set up a task force headed by Interior Ministry permanent secretary Phongphayom Wasaphuti to monitor a speculated influx of provincial residents to the capital, especially those headed to demonstrate at the Constitution Court Wednesday.
Provincial governors and other officials have been instructed to keep the ministry's peace-keeping task force promptly informed of such large-scale movements, he added. (TNA)-E008
BANGKOK, May 28 (TNA) – In a last-minute appeal for public sympathy, the embattled Thai Rak Thai Party (TRT) has "without grounds" been accused of plotting massive confusion and unrest during Wednesday's expected Constitution Tribunal rulings on electoral rigging charges filed against the former ruling party, acting TRT leader Chaturon Chaisaeng said Monday.
The acting successor to deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra as TRT leader said the party had resolved to accept the outcome of the court verdict and never to protest the possibility that it might lead to dissolution of the party or preventing party executives from seeking re-election, Mr. Chaturon said.
The acting TRT leader reiterated that only a small number of the party's supporters and former MPs would gather, peacefully, to hear court rulings at party headquarters Wednesday (May 30).
Under no circumstances will TRT members resort to or support any violent means or raise a massive crowd to confront others hearing Wednesday's court verdict, Mr. Chaturon said, which many feared might trigger unrest in Bangkok.
Mr. Chaturon obliquely suggested that the appointed government, the coup makers, or the People's Alliance for Democracy (a coalition of anti-Thaksin groups) might be responsible for an alleged plot for hired demonstrators wearing red shirts to protest against the Constitution Tribunal, in the event that the TRT party is found guilty and dissolved or its party executives are punished.
The hired demonstrators might be mistaken for TRT supporters or remnants of the old regime only to smear and further damage the once-ruling party, Mr. Chaturon said.
He said such ''undemocratic'' developments would only worsen the situation, frame the TRT party and "rub salt into the wounds" of a country already damaged by last September's military coup.
If found guilty and banned from seeking re-election, Mr. Chaturon said, his TRT colleagues would help with the party's campaign in the next election by distributing posters or publicising party policies.
The Thaksin stand-in suggested that the Surayud cabinet must be very careful in considering to use emergency rule in the capital to contain possible unrest following the court rulings, otherwise the situation would turn from bad to worse.
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said emergency rule, introduced under Mr. Thaksin in 2005, should be the last resort for the Surayud government to deal with the possible turmoil. "Nobody with a sound mind would endorse (such a move)."
The Democrats also face similar electoral rigging charges which could land similar penalties on the party or its executives.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Aree Wong-araya said he had set up a task force headed by Interior Ministry permanent secretary Phongphayom Wasaphuti to monitor a speculated influx of provincial residents to the capital, especially those headed to demonstrate at the Constitution Court Wednesday.
Provincial governors and other officials have been instructed to keep the ministry's peace-keeping task force promptly informed of such large-scale movements, he added. (TNA)-E008
Allbeit at a slight tangent, I remember the first year I was here, with the bar, and elections were called on the 24/25th Dec.
Absolutely no beer then - it's the law, rather than a "request" to comply with traditions for other notable dates.
Why Xmas, if the above is correct? Busiest time of year for tourism here. (Then again, stability may just be slightly higher on the agenda than a few tourist Baht over a couple of days).
I'd previously heard that the general election was scheduled for September. If it turns out to be December, then it's another delay of 3 months. The September date was important as the military promised to have elections within a year of the coup.
Tomorrow's going to be interesting.
Absolutely no beer then - it's the law, rather than a "request" to comply with traditions for other notable dates.
Why Xmas, if the above is correct? Busiest time of year for tourism here. (Then again, stability may just be slightly higher on the agenda than a few tourist Baht over a couple of days).
I'd previously heard that the general election was scheduled for September. If it turns out to be December, then it's another delay of 3 months. The September date was important as the military promised to have elections within a year of the coup.
Tomorrow's going to be interesting.
The CNS has been promising elections in December for a long time, although several different dates have been mentioned, so Mrs. G wasn’t dreaming. This is why the idea of banning the two major parties is causing such concern, it could lead to an election being contested by parties incapable of running the country if they were to win.
Hadn't realised that the proposed month had changed.
If the parties are dissolved tomorrow - and I tend to think like you, Steve G, that they won't be - then at least there won't be much chance of any opposition boycotting them, which led to the breakdown of electoral things here last year.
If they are, then who can the Thais vote for?
If the parties are dissolved tomorrow - and I tend to think like you, Steve G, that they won't be - then at least there won't be much chance of any opposition boycotting them, which led to the breakdown of electoral things here last year.
If they are, then who can the Thais vote for?