Bangkok Post

Korkaew: Summoned to explain himself

The petition was filed by Democrat MP for Phatthalung Nipit Intarasombat.

Mr Nipit claimed Mr Korkaew had given interviews which could be construed as inciting unrest and had made aggressive and hostile remarks about Constitution Court judges prior to last Friday's ruling on the legality of the charter amendment bill.

Mr Tawee said Mr Korkaew would be summoned to explain his actions.

Afterwards, the judges will hold a meeting to decide whether he violated his bail conditions.

"If the petition is found to have grounds, the judges may decide to issue a warning or withdraw his bail," he said. "If Mr Korkaew does not show up as summoned, the court could go ahead and withdraw his bail."

The decision on Mr Korkaew's bail will be made before Aug 1, when parliament convenes its ordinary session at which point Mr Korkaew will again be protected by parliamentary immunity.

Mr Tawee said the judges will also consider whether other United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship leaders, who had also been freed on bail, had violated their bail conditions.

If the court withdraws his bail and he is sent back to jail before Aug 1, Mr Tawee said Mr Korkaew would be released when parliament reconvenes, as required by Section 131 of the constitution, unless the House speaker allows his detention to continue.

Mr Korkaew said he is not worried about Mr Nipit's petition and he was ready to explain his actions to the court immediately if he is summoned.

Mr Korkaew said his interviews ahead of Friday's court ruling consisted of an analysis of the political situation in response to questions asked by reporters.

He said that in his interview he asked red shirt supporters to not travel to the Constitution Court on Friday.

"If I was being provocative or trying to intimidate the judges, why would I have asked the red shirts to not go to the court? I had no intention to pressure the court," he said.