Yingluck clears the field, but deadlock remains
The Constitutional Court, which removed Yingluck from power as prime minister, may have prevented violent clashes between pro- and anti-government groups, but it has not ended the political deadlock, writes Bangkok Post .
Protest movement PDRC led by action leader Suthep Thaugsuban is disappointed with the verdict. She had hoped the Court would send the entire cabinet home, but the Court has only sent home the nine ministers involved in Thawil's controversial transfer. If the entire cabinet had fallen, the PDRC could have aimed for an interim government and a so-called 'people's council'.
Suthep announced yesterday that the 'final battle' announced for May 14 will be moved to tomorrow. He called on his supporters to gather at 9.09:XNUMX am in Lumpini Park, where the PDRC camps. When there are enough protesters, the rally will be extended to Ratchadamri road and Henri Dunant road.
"This is the only chance we Thais have to stand up and celebrate our free spirit as the true owner of the land." Suthep expects the last remnants of the government to be 'cleaned up' on Tuesday.
A source at the National Anti-Corruption Commission says the commission will decide today whether Yingluck should be prosecuted for absenteeism. Niwatthamrong Bunsongpaisan, who has been appointed acting prime minister by the remaining cabinet, also faces suspension for involvement in the rice mortgage scheme.
Yingluck is accused of negligence by the committee because, as chairman of the National Rice Policy Committee, she would have done nothing against the corruption in the mortgage system and the spiraling costs. It is not clear whether the ruling of the committee will have consequences for the remaining cabinet.
In the meantime, the cabinet is continuing with plans for new elections. It will discuss this with the Electoral Council tomorrow.
Comments
Party leader Abhisit says the verdict could ease political tensions, as the court ruled ahead of mass rallies planned by both camps. The UDD (red shirts) is holding a rally on Saturday in Bangkok, which the PDRC had originally planned for May 14.
Senator Paiboon Nititawan, leader of a group of senators who brought the case to the Court, notes that while the cabinet now has an acting prime minister, the post of prime minister is still vacant. According to this, this opens the possibility of appointing a neutral interim prime minister.
Electoral council chairman Supachai Somcharoen says that Yingluck's departure has no consequences for the new elections. Elections can continue on July 20.
Prime Minister Yingluck again denies having done anything wrong. She believes that she has not violated the constitution, as stated by the Court. 'I worked for 2 years, 9 months and 2 days. Every minute of that I was proud to have served as a popularly elected prime minister.” Yingluck does not want to say whether she will permanently withdraw from politics.
(Source: Website Bangkok Post, May 8, 2014)
For background information, see:
Prime Minister Yingluck and nine ministers must resign
Court will decide Yingluck's fate today
Bangkok Post expects chaotic April month
And yet gains have been made, even if nothing has been done about the impasse. Today's Bangkokpost editorial opines that "the fact that the judiciary is holding top leaders accountable to the law, whether the law is good or bad, is cause for celebration." http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/408643/ruling-must-be-respected
And a few sentences further: “Whether one approves or disapproves of the decisions of the Court, they must be respected, recognized and accepted as binding on the caretaker government, all political parties, government organizations and political groups”. I think we all agree.
The commentary continues: “There are no winners or losers from this decision.”
This last sentence is important. After all, it's not about whether this or that one wins or loses, it's about no one being above the law. It seems that all parties accept this principle. That's the profit. What has been announced for tomorrow as a follow-up to yesterday's events is in response to the verdict, not against the verdict or against the Court itself.
Apparently the editors are holding their breath: 'The country remains seriously divided. Thailand and its people will continue to lose as political stability (….) and uncertainty remain. The situation seems darker than ever.” Reference is made to the plans for tomorrow, Saturday 9 May, of UDD and PDRC. The commentary goes on to say that violence paints the sinister image of a military solution.
The editors believe that support for and respect for the political process is declining. What “should be a reason for all politicians – from all walks of life – to do their job, and that is to find compromises and deal with the problems. All factions say reform is necessary. Sit down and agree on the details so that the rest of the country can move forward,” the comment at the end sighs.
I think that many people can agree with this sigh.
1- Accepting rulings of the highest judicial authority is one of the conditions of a Rule of Law, which in turn is the foundation for a full-fledged democracy.
2- Another foundation is free and universal elections. In principle, these are scheduled for July 20. The remnants of the current caretaker government have to deal with this with the EC, the Electoral Council and other parties.
3- A next not insignificant step towards a full-fledged democracy could be the formation of a Government of National Unity. Just make a broad coalition of all (major) political parties, and listen to all other sections of society. There is plenty to do in TH that justifies the composition of such a cabinet.
For now point 1 seems to hold, point 2 is not certain, and point 3 an illusion? Maybe we should hold our hearts too. Or change profit to: a glimmer of hope?
Hi Dick,
Uhm, does that exist here in Thailand?
“A neutral interim prime minister”
With the emphasis on one word?
LOUISE
The verdict is of course a joke in a country where corruption is rampant! But what can you expect from a court that a few years ago already deposed two prime ministers ( coincidentally also Pheu Thai ) for ridiculous reasons ( one had a cooking club as a hobby which is not allowed ! )
Yinluck Shinawatra may have done a lot wrong - but she was an engaging personality, that
especially during the floods has shown to be a good leader .
@ Jos Dyna Minor correction: On September 9, 2008, Samak Sundaravej was disqualified as Prime Minister for his participation in two episodes of the television cooking show Chim Pai Bon Pai (Tasting and Complaining). He thus violated the constitution, because a minister (president) is not allowed to have side jobs.
It becomes clear again that the BP is wrong again. A great step forward has been made in Thailand. e.g. to remove the name Taksin from politics.
I think it is a political statement and I completely agree with jos dyna (13.57). As long as the elite only has an eye for their own interests, there will be no peace.
Is this ruling binding? Or is there still an appeal. If she appeals, this situation could go on for a very long time. We hope not. We'll keep following it.
@ Christina There is no appeal against the decision of the Constitutional Court. However, charges can be filed against the judges of the Court for abuse of power or dereliction of duty. I seem to recall that this happened when the Court decided to hear the case. But sometimes I get lost in all those legal procedures. Politicians go to court at every turn.
Thanks Dick it and another clears up a little bit. What I wonder is no one who says heads together because that's how tourism is going to be overhauled and a lot of people are dependent on this anyway. But even in the Netherlands they don't understand anything about it, but nothing is done about it. Also something like that mayor Groningen himself resigns is now on redundancy pay or they do not attend meetings but collect the money. If I resign from my boss myself, I won't get anything either. I think I chose the wrong profession.
See the NRC editorial of 8 May 2014 and an article in today's The Economist: http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21601849-long-crisis-thailand-close-brink-without-compromises-both-sides-it-may-well