No delay in judgment, says court

Judges will ignore pro-Thaksin causes

Post Reporters

The Constitutional Court will not delay its decision on the hidden assets case against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for one year as demanded by his supporters.

Court president Prasert Nasakul said yesterday judges would strictly follow a constitutional demand for speedy consideration and would not pay attention to the pro-Thaksin campaigns being carried out outside the court.

"Who's doing what is that person's business. Ours is to come out with a ruling as quickly as possible.

"What's going on out there is not our responsibility. We only know what we can do. We never think that we are big, so big that we can shoulder the whole of Thailand," Mr Prasert said.

The hidden assets case wraps up on June 18. The court would allow submission of extra documentary evidence until June 21.

Mr Prasert said the court would then begin considering if Mr Thaksin was wrong. At the same time, the court also would look at evidence to decide whether Prayuth Mahakijsiri, a Thai Rak Thai MP, had intended to falsely declare his assets and whether Khunying Preeya Kasemsan na Ayutthaya was qualified to sit on the National Counter Corruption Commission.

Mr Prasert promised progress in one month. The verdict, he said, would certainly come before his term ends in September.

There were concerns the court might collapse under external pressure mounted by various groups trying to keep the prime minister in power.

Sign-up campaigns seeking an amnesty if Mr Thaksin was found culpable were launched by Veera Musikapong, a political veteran, and Sem Pringpuangkaew, a five-time public health minister.

Wasant Pothipimpanont, owner of Benz Thonglor, unveiled himself as another supporter this week.

Mr Wasant said the court should postpone its decision for one year to give Mr Thaksin, whom he considered a competent leader, more time to work for the country.

He had prepared yellow Buddhist flags and stickers for people to use to show their support for Mr Thaksin on June 18, the day the court hears closing arguments from the graft agency, acting as prosecutor, and the defence.

The prime minister, however, would not be at court to give his closing statement as he was committed to visiting Cambodia.

Mr Prasert said it did not matter if Mr Thaksin did not show up.

Opposition to the pro-Thaksin campaigns, meanwhile, has become vocal. Critics include MPs from within his own party, Thai Rak Thai. Piyanat Watcharaporn, a party list MP, said he would use a black flag to signify his resistance to Mr Wasant's campaign.

Referring to the MP's eyesight problem, Mr Thaksin suggested Mr Piyanat was shortsighted. "That's why he did not know how all these happened."