ID :
151361
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 14:13
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http://m.oananews.org//node/151361
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Thailand's Deputy PM Suthep confident in Democrat Party dissolution case; no contingency plan prepared
BANGKOK, Nov 27 -- The ruling Democrat Party, Thailand’s oldest political party, has not established any other political party as a fall back if it is dissolved by a Constitution Court ruling next Monday over charges of misusing a Bt29 million political campaign fund that was allocated by the Election Commission (EC), said the party’s secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban, also a deputy prime minister, on Saturday.
Mr Suthep denied rumours that the Democrat Party had set up a political party named ‘Thai Khem Keng’ (Thai Strength) Party in case that his party is dissolved by a Constitution Court verdict to be handed out next Monday. The case involves charges of misusing election campaign funds granted by the EC ahead of the April 2005 election by failing to declare the purchase of campaign signs that were smaller and cheaper than those requested.
Regarding the Constitution Court allowing Judge Jaroon Intajan to withdraw from the panel deciding the dissolution case, Mr Suthep said he still had no idea whether the withdrawal would have any effect on the upcoming decision, as his party was confident of evidence given to the court and the testimony of witnesses in the party dissolution case.
Earlier, another judge had withdrawn from the panel, leaving the panel with six judges to date.
Mr Suthep said members of his Democrat Party are confident that the party will win the case and that he has not ordered anyone from the Democrats to register a new political party.
On worries expressed by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, also leader of the Democrat Party, that some activist groups might hold a rally in front of the Court next Monday to pressure the judges or cause disturbances, Mr Suthep said he had received no reports thus far on a rally, but if there is one, the demonstrators should hold it in a peaceful manner.
Police will man the court premises and soldiers could be used as reinforcement if a request is made, Mr Suthep said.
Senior leaders, including Mr Abhisit could be banned from politics for five years if the party is found guilty. Mr Abhisit was a deputy leader of the party at that time.
Former Democrat Party leader Banyat Bantadtan, who was the leader then, said he believed Judge Jaroon withdrew from the panel because he had earlier filed legal actions against several people and these cases are still pending in court. He said although there are six judges left on the panel, the party dissolution case would not be affected.
The Democrat Party is also facing another lawsuit involving a donation of Bt258 million from a private firm.
The joint working group of the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) and the EC earlier 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 request the Constitution Court rule on the case. (MCOT online news)
Mr Suthep denied rumours that the Democrat Party had set up a political party named ‘Thai Khem Keng’ (Thai Strength) Party in case that his party is dissolved by a Constitution Court verdict to be handed out next Monday. The case involves charges of misusing election campaign funds granted by the EC ahead of the April 2005 election by failing to declare the purchase of campaign signs that were smaller and cheaper than those requested.
Regarding the Constitution Court allowing Judge Jaroon Intajan to withdraw from the panel deciding the dissolution case, Mr Suthep said he still had no idea whether the withdrawal would have any effect on the upcoming decision, as his party was confident of evidence given to the court and the testimony of witnesses in the party dissolution case.
Earlier, another judge had withdrawn from the panel, leaving the panel with six judges to date.
Mr Suthep said members of his Democrat Party are confident that the party will win the case and that he has not ordered anyone from the Democrats to register a new political party.
On worries expressed by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, also leader of the Democrat Party, that some activist groups might hold a rally in front of the Court next Monday to pressure the judges or cause disturbances, Mr Suthep said he had received no reports thus far on a rally, but if there is one, the demonstrators should hold it in a peaceful manner.
Police will man the court premises and soldiers could be used as reinforcement if a request is made, Mr Suthep said.
Senior leaders, including Mr Abhisit could be banned from politics for five years if the party is found guilty. Mr Abhisit was a deputy leader of the party at that time.
Former Democrat Party leader Banyat Bantadtan, who was the leader then, said he believed Judge Jaroon withdrew from the panel because he had earlier filed legal actions against several people and these cases are still pending in court. He said although there are six judges left on the panel, the party dissolution case would not be affected.
The Democrat Party is also facing another lawsuit involving a donation of Bt258 million from a private firm.
The joint working group of the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) and the EC earlier 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 request the Constitution Court rule on the case. (MCOT online news)
