ID :
16179
Sun, 08/17/2008 - 15:08
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/16179
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Thai PM: Hasn't heard PPP members set up new party
leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), said Sunday he had notheard reports that his party members had set up a new political party in the event the government party, widely perceived as a Thaksin's proxy party, is dissolved by the Constitution Court for electoral fraud in relation to last December's election.
Speaking to journalists on press reports that a number of PPP MPs had already registered a new party named the 'Puea Thai' as a proxy party in case the ruling party is dissolved, Mr. Samak said he knew nothing aboutthe formation of the new party.
PPP members are awaiting a decision by the Election Commission (EC) on whether their party should be disbanded since former deputy leader Yongyuth Tiyapairat was found guilty of poll fraud in the December 23general election.
The EC is expected to submit its findings to the Constitution Court soonfor the final verdict.
Under the 2007 constitution, drafted by a charter writing committee appointed by the 2006 coupmakers, the executive members of a political party ordered dissolved on fraud charges by the Court would be banned from political activities for five years while its members must find a newparty within 60 days.
Referring to reports that 40 PPP members signed a complaint asking him to explain his failure to "protect the dignity" of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Mrs. Pojaman who had ignored a court appearance summons and are now staying in Britain, Mr. Samak said terselythe "matter rests with the party members".
Booted from office in the September 19 bloodless coup, multi-billionaire Thaksin and his wife flew from Beijing to London, bypassing a court datein Bangkok, after attending the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games.
They failed to appear on August 11 at the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions to defend themselves against charges related to the Bangkok land scandal which occurred in 2003 whilehe was in power.
The Court later that day issued arrest warrants for the couple and alsoconfiscated bail totaling Bt13 million (US$389,000).
Regarding a government plan to build a new parliament house, Mr. Samak said a cornerstone laying ceremony for the new structure would beconducted in December.
Construction of the new parliament must be completed within 2011 as the government has already set aside an appropriate budget, he added. (TNA)
Speaking to journalists on press reports that a number of PPP MPs had already registered a new party named the 'Puea Thai' as a proxy party in case the ruling party is dissolved, Mr. Samak said he knew nothing aboutthe formation of the new party.
PPP members are awaiting a decision by the Election Commission (EC) on whether their party should be disbanded since former deputy leader Yongyuth Tiyapairat was found guilty of poll fraud in the December 23general election.
The EC is expected to submit its findings to the Constitution Court soonfor the final verdict.
Under the 2007 constitution, drafted by a charter writing committee appointed by the 2006 coupmakers, the executive members of a political party ordered dissolved on fraud charges by the Court would be banned from political activities for five years while its members must find a newparty within 60 days.
Referring to reports that 40 PPP members signed a complaint asking him to explain his failure to "protect the dignity" of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Mrs. Pojaman who had ignored a court appearance summons and are now staying in Britain, Mr. Samak said terselythe "matter rests with the party members".
Booted from office in the September 19 bloodless coup, multi-billionaire Thaksin and his wife flew from Beijing to London, bypassing a court datein Bangkok, after attending the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games.
They failed to appear on August 11 at the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions to defend themselves against charges related to the Bangkok land scandal which occurred in 2003 whilehe was in power.
The Court later that day issued arrest warrants for the couple and alsoconfiscated bail totaling Bt13 million (US$389,000).
Regarding a government plan to build a new parliament house, Mr. Samak said a cornerstone laying ceremony for the new structure would beconducted in December.
Construction of the new parliament must be completed within 2011 as the government has already set aside an appropriate budget, he added. (TNA)
