Pro-Thaksin campaigners warned to stop pressuring the court

Academics insist the country will suffer

Pradit Ruangdit and Supawadee Susanpoolthong

Pressure groups have been told to stop pressing the Constitutional Court into letting Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra off the hook.

Academics and charter writers said pressure tactics would not work and insisted the nation's ability to accomplish political reform was more important than any individual.

Their warning came hot on the heels of a sign-up campaign to save Mr Thaksin and another to seek the ouster of anti-graft commissioners, who found the premier guilty of concealing his wealth.

After closing statements are presented on June 18, the court would take at least a month to consider its ruling.

Former charter writer Kasem Sirisamphan said all moves to save the premier should be stopped since they would have a negative impact and could end up damaging Mr Thaksin.

"There are so many moves now that it is becoming annoying. It is very inappropriate because it has caused social conflicts and also spoiled monitoring procedures and agencies.

"The job of the constitution is to support the monitoring of politicians. The reliability of the National Counter Corruption Commission has been tainted and the Constitutional Court is the next to be pressured," he said.

Mr Thaksin's fear of defeat was reflected in his call to the court to use principles of political science as well as the rule of law in the case, he said.

Surichai Wankaew, a lecturer from Chulalongkorn University's faculty of political science, said pressure tactics could affect the whole political system and have a negative impact on the development of Thai politics.

"The heart of Thai politics now lies in political reform, not in the individual. If the court finds Mr Thaksin guilty, this will not mean a political deadlock. There will be a way out," Mr Surichai said.

Despite having the right and freedom to express their opinions, Thais should not seek to influence personal problems affecting public figures like Mr Thaksin, he said. They must respect the constitution, which supports political reform.

Surapol Nitikraipoj, dean of Thammasat University's faculty of law, said independent organisations like the corruption panel and the court should strive to prove their impartiality and fairness in the face of pressure tactics.

The graft panel showed it was fair and gave the public sound explanations during the false assets declaration cases against former Democrat secretary-general Sanan Kachornprasart and Mr Thaksin.

Thongthong Chantrangsu, dean of Chulalongkorn University's faculty of law and former charter writer, was confident in the court's ability to hand down an impartial and fair judgment.

He said the pressure tactics would have little impact on the court's handling of the case.

"Judges of the Constitutional Court represent both political scientists and lawyers. Considering an issue needs both the rule of law and principles of political science."