ID :
50058
Wed, 03/11/2009 - 20:48
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http://m.oananews.org//node/50058
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Thai PM unfazed over Opposition's impeachment move
BANGKOK, March 11 (TNA) – Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Wednesday he was unperturbed by the opposition Puea Thai Party's move to impeach him for abuse of power and negligence of duty.
"(It’s) no problem at all,” Mr. Abhisit said. “I'm confident I will be able to defend myself against all the accusations." The premier met with the media Wednesday after chairing an economic ministers' meeting in the morning.
A group of 158 Puea Thai members of parliament signed a letter submitted to the Senate Speaker accusing the prime minister of abuse of power and negligence of duty.
Among reasons provided by the Opposition to impeach the prime minister include his rise to power being ‘undemocratic’, the appointment of Kasit Piromya as foreign minister despite he had regularly joined anti-government protests by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), and proposed legislation on airport safety that could be seen as facilitating the PAD in their legal fight.
Oxford-graduate and Democrat Party leader Abhisit was elected prime minister in a parliamentary vote in December following the Constitution Court ruling on December 2 dissolving the three parties of the previous coalition government led by allies of convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The PAD ended their months-long protests that culminated in the temporary closure of the capital's two airports, stranding over 300,000 travellers, after the court ruling.
The Senate speaker Prasobsuk Boondej said he needed 15 days to verify the signatures of all 158 members of parliament before officially notifying the Senate and forwarding the case to the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) for further action.
The Opposition also announced that it plans to file a censure motion against the Democrat-led coalition government on Thursday. (TNA)
"(It’s) no problem at all,” Mr. Abhisit said. “I'm confident I will be able to defend myself against all the accusations." The premier met with the media Wednesday after chairing an economic ministers' meeting in the morning.
A group of 158 Puea Thai members of parliament signed a letter submitted to the Senate Speaker accusing the prime minister of abuse of power and negligence of duty.
Among reasons provided by the Opposition to impeach the prime minister include his rise to power being ‘undemocratic’, the appointment of Kasit Piromya as foreign minister despite he had regularly joined anti-government protests by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), and proposed legislation on airport safety that could be seen as facilitating the PAD in their legal fight.
Oxford-graduate and Democrat Party leader Abhisit was elected prime minister in a parliamentary vote in December following the Constitution Court ruling on December 2 dissolving the three parties of the previous coalition government led by allies of convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The PAD ended their months-long protests that culminated in the temporary closure of the capital's two airports, stranding over 300,000 travellers, after the court ruling.
The Senate speaker Prasobsuk Boondej said he needed 15 days to verify the signatures of all 158 members of parliament before officially notifying the Senate and forwarding the case to the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) for further action.
The Opposition also announced that it plans to file a censure motion against the Democrat-led coalition government on Thursday. (TNA)
