Thin Thai to fight for survival in court

Violation blamed on technical error

Mongkol Bangprapa

The Thin Thai party plans to defend itself before the Constitutional Court and hopes to avoid an order for its dissolution.

The one-MP party claims a technical error for its failure to hand in an annual report on its political activities to the Election Commission at the end of March.

The commission has asked the court to dissolve Thin Thai and 15 other parties which fell foul of the election law.

If disbanded, Thin Thai leader Bhichit Rattakul would be barred from holding an executive position in any political party for five years.

Assawin Apaiwongse, Thin Thai secretary-general, said yesterday the party had no intention to ignore the election law.

A report on political activities had been submitted to the Election Commission, but it was included in the annual assembly report.

After learning that the document should be submitted separately, the party re-submitted it to the poll agency.

"We are waiting for a chance to explain all this before the Constitutional Court," Mr Assawin said.

Jira Boonpotjanasunhtorn, a commissioner, said the poll agency had acted within the scope of the law.

"I don't want to see any political party dissolved, but I have to do my job," he said, adding that the agency had sent a warning to Thin Thai.

Boonterm Chantarawong, the party's sole MP, has 60 days to switch to another party if the Constitutional Court decides against Thin Thai.

Purachai Piemsomboon, Thai Rak Thai secretary-general, said his party would consider an application for membership from Mr Boonterm if he made one, but he had not yet made an approach.

All dissolved parties are required to declare their assets to the poll agency and the Auditor-General's Office for examination.

Anuchit Prasartthong, director of the Political Parties Development Fund, said those parties were required to return money given to them, to the Fund. Other assets would be donated to charities of their choice, he said.

Among the parties facing dissolution are Solidarity and Thai Maharat.