ID :
146861
Wed, 10/20/2010 - 19:58
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/146861
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Court: Controversial clip won't affect decision on ruling party dissolution
BANGKOK, Oct 20 - Thailand's Constitution Court on Wednesday reaffirmed its impartiality in considering the ruling Democrat Party dissolution case, saying that a panel has been set up to probe the release of video clips of a Democrat MP allegedly lobbying a court official over the case.
Court secretary-general Chaovana Traimart met the media in a news conference after Constitution Court president Chat Chonlaworn sacked his secretary Pasit Sakdanarong following his appearance with Democrat MP Wiruch Romyen in the released video.
The opposition Puea Thai Party, in distributing the clips to the media on Sunday, accused the duo of jointly attempting to lobby the court over the Democrat Party dissolution case.
Mr Chaovana said the court has set up a panel to probe the case, but refused to disclose the names of the panel, citing its confidentiality.
The mission of the panel is to find the truth. Mr Pasit's absence should not affect the fact-finding process, but how guilty he will be depends on the committee's indictment, according to the court's secretary-general.
"The matter [of the clips] will not affect the proceedings of the case [the possible dissolution of the Democrat party]. Please be assured that the Constitution Court is impartial, independent and able to proceed with its judicial process without pressure on the judges", said Mr Chaovana.
The secretary-general said that initially no legal action will be filed against anyone allegedly involved with the clip scandal until the investigation is complete.
Mr Chaovana added that security measures have been tightened. No communication devices are allowed in meeting rooms of the judges. Even if such equipment is taken inside, they cannot function as the signal is cut off.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, as leader of the ruling party, said Wednesday his party has set up a panel to investigate the case of Mr Wiruch who is a member of the party's legal team and if any inappropriate action is found, further action will be taken against him.
Mr Abhisit said the party's probe panel will be chaired by MP Therdpong Chaiyanant.
The party leader conceded that if the ruling falls against those named in the case, the party must do the right thing and be responsible to the public.
Regarding comments from the National Police Bureau that legal action cannot be taken until a complaint is filed, Mr Abhisit said the court clearly stated that a criminal offence had been carried out and that police should proceed the case immediately.
The court has asked the Election Commission and the Democrats to make their closing statements on Nov 29 in relation to the disposition of the Bt29 million election allocation and then submit them in writing within 30 days after it wraps up the hearing of testimony on Monday.
The date for the ruling has yet been set.
The Democrat Party has also been accused of violating the Constitution by receiving a Bt258-million donation--an amount which exceeds the legal limit, from TPI Polene, one of the country's leading cement manufacturers.
The EC decided to dissolve the Democrat Party, reasoning that the two actions could be considered as acts of concealment which were against the Political Party Act and forwarded the two cases to the Constitution Court for its final verdict.
If the court rules in line with an earlier Election Commission resolution to dissolve the party, over 40 Democrat executives who held office in 2004-2005 -- including Mr Abhisit who at that time was deputy party leader and will be banned from politics for five years. (MCOT online news)
Court secretary-general Chaovana Traimart met the media in a news conference after Constitution Court president Chat Chonlaworn sacked his secretary Pasit Sakdanarong following his appearance with Democrat MP Wiruch Romyen in the released video.
The opposition Puea Thai Party, in distributing the clips to the media on Sunday, accused the duo of jointly attempting to lobby the court over the Democrat Party dissolution case.
Mr Chaovana said the court has set up a panel to probe the case, but refused to disclose the names of the panel, citing its confidentiality.
The mission of the panel is to find the truth. Mr Pasit's absence should not affect the fact-finding process, but how guilty he will be depends on the committee's indictment, according to the court's secretary-general.
"The matter [of the clips] will not affect the proceedings of the case [the possible dissolution of the Democrat party]. Please be assured that the Constitution Court is impartial, independent and able to proceed with its judicial process without pressure on the judges", said Mr Chaovana.
The secretary-general said that initially no legal action will be filed against anyone allegedly involved with the clip scandal until the investigation is complete.
Mr Chaovana added that security measures have been tightened. No communication devices are allowed in meeting rooms of the judges. Even if such equipment is taken inside, they cannot function as the signal is cut off.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, as leader of the ruling party, said Wednesday his party has set up a panel to investigate the case of Mr Wiruch who is a member of the party's legal team and if any inappropriate action is found, further action will be taken against him.
Mr Abhisit said the party's probe panel will be chaired by MP Therdpong Chaiyanant.
The party leader conceded that if the ruling falls against those named in the case, the party must do the right thing and be responsible to the public.
Regarding comments from the National Police Bureau that legal action cannot be taken until a complaint is filed, Mr Abhisit said the court clearly stated that a criminal offence had been carried out and that police should proceed the case immediately.
The court has asked the Election Commission and the Democrats to make their closing statements on Nov 29 in relation to the disposition of the Bt29 million election allocation and then submit them in writing within 30 days after it wraps up the hearing of testimony on Monday.
The date for the ruling has yet been set.
The Democrat Party has also been accused of violating the Constitution by receiving a Bt258-million donation--an amount which exceeds the legal limit, from TPI Polene, one of the country's leading cement manufacturers.
The EC decided to dissolve the Democrat Party, reasoning that the two actions could be considered as acts of concealment which were against the Political Party Act and forwarded the two cases to the Constitution Court for its final verdict.
If the court rules in line with an earlier Election Commission resolution to dissolve the party, over 40 Democrat executives who held office in 2004-2005 -- including Mr Abhisit who at that time was deputy party leader and will be banned from politics for five years. (MCOT online news)
