In Media
The Samak government has little room to manoeuvre now, following two key rulings on July 8 that shook its stability. On that day, the Constitution Court ruled 8-1 that the government violated Article 190 of the charter by failing to seek parliamentary approval for the joint communique which Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama signed with Cambodia backing the application to register Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site. This ruling could lead to the impeachment of Prime Minister Samak Sundavavej and his entire cabinet by the Senate.
In the second case, the Supreme Court found Yongyuth Tiyapairat, a deputy leader of the ruling People Power party (PPP), guilty of vote buying in Chiang Rai before last December's general election.
The Election Commission (EC) will now investigate whether the PPP was involved in the electoral fraud and will forward the case to the Constitution Court to decide whether to disband the party.
The first case will also affect the five parties in the coalition government. Because the joint communique was approved by the cabinet, it would be awkward for the government to let Mr Noppadon face the music alone.
Faced with the two court rulings, the prime minister must do something to bolster the government's position.
He may dissolve the lower house of parliament or resign. Or the coalition parties may withdraw their support for PPP.
Whatever action they take will affect ordinary people, who are already suffering from the high cost of living. We hope Mr Samak will act in the best interests of the country.
Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Next
