ID :
132263
Sat, 07/10/2010 - 12:47
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/132263
The shortlink copeid
PM admits ruling Democrat Party faces difficulty defend itself in dissolution case
BANGKOK, July 10 -- Admitting that his ruling Democrat Party is encountering difficulties in defending party dissolution case over what two state agencies have termed as an unlawful donation of Bt258 million from a private firm, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Saturday it remains unnecessary for the party to register a party in reserve in case the Democrat Party is dissolved.
Mr Abhisit said he is quite worried over the charges as they are quite detailed.
However, he said it is still not necessary to register a party as a fallback plan in case the Democrat Party, Thailand’s oldest, is ordered dissolved, said Mr Abhisit, who is also leader of the party.
Mr Abhisit said he had not yet read the charges and details. He reasserted that he was not involved in the donation process at that time and, therefore, was not knowledgeable about what happened.
On Friday, the joint working group of the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) and the Election Commission (EC) announced its decision that the Democrat Party should be dissolved for having received an unlawful Bt258 million donation. The working group jointly agreed to advise the EC political parties registrar to officially ask the Constitution Court to rule on the case.
It was expected that the process will be complete by next Tuesday in time for the mandate of the joint EC-OAG committee as it was given 30 days to complete its work.
The case involves money from cement and petrochemical conglomerate TPI Polene, one of Thailand's largest companies. The Democrat Party was charged with receiving Bt258 million contribution from the firm in 2005, allegedly channeled through Messiah Business and Creation Co., an advertising agency.
TPI Polene claimed the money was to pay for advertising. However, the money was allegedly transferred from the agency to people connected to the Democrat Party. The party under then leader Banyat Bantadtan and secretary-general Pradit Phataraprasit was campaigning for the April 2, 2005, general election.
EC found the Democrats violated the Political Party Act by failing to report the funding.
If the Constitution Court rules in line with the EC's resolution to dissolve the party, all executive members including party leader and Mr Abhisit will be barred from politics for five years. (MCOT online news)
Mr Abhisit said he is quite worried over the charges as they are quite detailed.
However, he said it is still not necessary to register a party as a fallback plan in case the Democrat Party, Thailand’s oldest, is ordered dissolved, said Mr Abhisit, who is also leader of the party.
Mr Abhisit said he had not yet read the charges and details. He reasserted that he was not involved in the donation process at that time and, therefore, was not knowledgeable about what happened.
On Friday, the joint working group of the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) and the Election Commission (EC) announced its decision that the Democrat Party should be dissolved for having received an unlawful Bt258 million donation. The working group jointly agreed to advise the EC political parties registrar to officially ask the Constitution Court to rule on the case.
It was expected that the process will be complete by next Tuesday in time for the mandate of the joint EC-OAG committee as it was given 30 days to complete its work.
The case involves money from cement and petrochemical conglomerate TPI Polene, one of Thailand's largest companies. The Democrat Party was charged with receiving Bt258 million contribution from the firm in 2005, allegedly channeled through Messiah Business and Creation Co., an advertising agency.
TPI Polene claimed the money was to pay for advertising. However, the money was allegedly transferred from the agency to people connected to the Democrat Party. The party under then leader Banyat Bantadtan and secretary-general Pradit Phataraprasit was campaigning for the April 2, 2005, general election.
EC found the Democrats violated the Political Party Act by failing to report the funding.
If the Constitution Court rules in line with the EC's resolution to dissolve the party, all executive members including party leader and Mr Abhisit will be barred from politics for five years. (MCOT online news)
