ABOUT THE LESSON
Constitution Court judge slams charter change
One of the big changes in Thai politics over the past few years is the increasing importance of the country's main courts of law. Judges are taking their jobs extremely seriously and they are dealing with political cases surprisingly quickly. That is probably why there is a push to amend the constitution (or charter) as soon as possible. That could take some of the more important cases involving the current government out of the courts.
Given the importance of the judiciary, what do you think of the comments made by Constitution Court judge Jaran Pukditanakul. Do you think they were appropriate? Watch to see if there is a reaction today from people who think the courts are now too powerful.
Constitution Court judge Jaran Pukditanakul strongly criticised new attempts to amend the charter by the People Power party (PPP).
The former permanent secretary for justice asked whether a criminal should rewrite the Criminal Code, if politicians should be allowed to change the law on electoral fraud and if ill-intentioned people should be allowed to rewrite the charter.
The answers from society will be studied and implemented, he joked.
He spoke out after the PPP last week announced its determination to amend the charter. Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej also said on his weekly national broadcast on Sunday that he would push for constitutional amendments after parliament convenes next month.
Government chief whip Samart Kaeomeechai said Mr Samak had revived the drive to quickly rewrite the charter by himself, a move which surprised members of the government coalition.
Mr Samart said the special House committee formed to study the charter and how to amend it will finish its study next month and other parties such as educational institutes and the civil sector were presenting their views on the problems with the constitution.
Chart Thai spokesman Ekapot Parnyaem said party leader Banharn Silpa-archa supported changes only to the party dissolution-related article 237 because it was very problematic and its origin was not democratic.
The current charter was drawn up by the coup-makers who toppled the Thaksin Shinawatra administration on Sept 19, 2006. Article 237 involves the dissolution of a party when that party's executives are found guilty of violating the election law.
Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Next
