Thailand's Constitutional Court's verdict: Samak must step down immediately.
Thailand's Court have ruled that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his Cabinet will have to resign with immediate effect as of yesterday afternoon, though the nine judges were noted to be unanimous in this decision.
PM Samak is coerced into stepping down as he was deemed to have broken Thailands's Conflict- of-Interest Law in his hosting of a cook programme on TV for about 7 years before he took office as Prime Minister.
The Court argued that Samak had received payments from the firm for hosting 'Tasting and Complaining and All Set at 6pm', despite Mr. Samak claiming that he had only received payment for providing the required ingredients and transportation fees for the cook show.
"The defendant has violated Article 267 of the constitution, and his position as prime minister has ended," said Chat Chonlaworn, the court's chief justice who headed the nine-judge panel that issued the ruling.
Thailand's Court have ruled that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his Cabinet will have to resign with immediate effect as of yesterday afternoon, though the nine judges were noted to be unanimous in this decision.
PM Samak is coerced into stepping down as he was deemed to have broken Thailands's Conflict- of-Interest Law in his hosting of a cook programme on TV for about 7 years before he took office as Prime Minister.
The Court argued that Samak had received payments from the firm for hosting 'Tasting and Complaining and All Set at 6pm', despite Mr. Samak claiming that he had only received payment for providing the required ingredients and transportation fees for the cook show.
"The defendant has violated Article 267 of the constitution, and his position as prime minister has ended," said Chat Chonlaworn, the court's chief justice who headed the nine-judge panel that issued the ruling.
While 6 of the judges decided that Mr. Samak was an "employee", 3 others labelled him under the "business partner" category.
Meanwhile, this verdict was greeted by enthusiastic cheers and weeping from the PAD protestors.
Though derailed from the Parliament, it may only be a temporary setback for him as his party People's Power Party (PPP) revealed that they would consider renominating Samak for the elections this Friday for the post. Mr. Samak remains mum pertaining to questions on whether he will be accepting his party's decision, fuelling speculation amongst many.
Especially voracious for Mr. Samak to disappear from the political realm are the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protestors who remained outside the government house, ready to pounce on Mr. Samak if he ever steps into the Parliament house again.
On the other hand, the ruling coalition had explicitly stated that they are currently in the midst of considering other potential candidates for the PM seat.
On the other hand, the ruling coalition had explicitly stated that they are currently in the midst of considering other potential candidates for the PM seat.
However, The Court ruled that Mr. Samak's party will continue to remain as caretaker administration until Parliament fills the Prime minister's post.
This implies that the senior deputy prime minister, Somchai Wongsawat, will serve as acting prime minister, who happens to be Mr. Thaksin's brother-in-law.
Seen as a proxy of the once popular Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who got ousted in 2006 due to corruptions charges, PAD is adament in throwing Samak out of the political realm forever. PAD, which comprises of a conglomerate of royalists, urban residents and union activists, were first formed in 2006 to oust Thaksin, with peaceful demonstrations evolving into a military coup.
Mr. Thaksin is now seeking refuge in Britain, and refuses to return to Thailand, claiming that he would receive unfair treatment if he were to return.
Professional Insights:
Ji Ungpakorn, a political science lecturer at Chulalongkorn University, criticized the ruling as being out of proportion and said it aided the protesters.
"I think it is the role of judges to decide what is a serious issue, taking into account the spirit as well as the letter of the law," Ji said. "It is a minor issue being used against the government to attack it and manipulate it."
Ji said he doubted the protest alliance would voluntarily give up its struggle no matter how many of its demands are met. "They want to wreck Thai society to have their 'new order,'" he said.
Suriyasai, the alliance spokesman, told the protesters that the ruling was "proof of our legitimacy in staging the rally against the government."
"We should continue our sacred duty because it's not yet done," he added. "We would like to warn the Parliament to endorse clean and decent individuals for the new Cabinet and to be the prime minister."
Suriyasai listed almost a dozen points supported by the alliance, touching on populist and nationalist themes, including safeguarding Thailand's territory and resources, prosecuting people who insult the monarchy, and halting the privatization of state enterprises. - USA TODAY
Mr. Samak currently faces a defamation suit and 3 possible corruption cases. The Election Comission has recommended that the PPP be dissolved facing vote fraud.
Labels: Thailand's Politics
