Court rules charter bill not unconstitutional

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Court rules charter bill not unconstitutional

Published: 13 Jul 2012 at 17.00
Online news: Local News

The Constitution Court on Friday dismissed the petitions filed against the government's charter amendment bill, which claimed it was unconstitutional and an attempt to overthrow the constitutional monarchy and democratic administration.

Seven of the judges on the court bench agreed the plaintiffs had not provided the proof needed to support their contention. There was one dissenting opinion. The ninth judge was earlier excused from the case.

The court also ruled that if the constitution is to be rewritten in its entirety there should be a public referendum because the 2007 Constitution was endorsed by referendum. Alternatively, sections of it can be amended.

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brilliant
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Discussion 31 : 14 Jul 2012 at 07.1831
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ringmaster - "I agree with mphilips D#24. These are just excuses for losers."

Why do red shirts have to put everything in terms of winners and losers? The actual losers were the court judges and the judiciary who had to make a decision with implicit threats of violence against them and will have to make future decisions with the thin veil of threats against them. That's sad that a court can't hear a case without being threatened by red shirts. Very sad. I haven't seen one person that's not a red shirt supporter or one Democrat making excuses. I have seen support for this decision from all corners. It's the red shirts who have been criticizing this court for weeks that are eating their words.
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brilliant
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Discussion 30 : 14 Jul 2012 at 02.3830
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Funny how you couldn't find a red shirt apologist anywhere on the boards the last couple of days because of the embarrassing and threatening remarks continually made by red shirt leaders. Now they're out in force celebrating their "victory" no matter the means - threats of violence, threats of harm to the judges. To red shirts achieving the end justifies any means necessary. How sad.
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skyhawk
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Discussion 29 : 14 Jul 2012 at 02.1329
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I felt relieved to hear the News. 　
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ringmaster
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Discussion 28 : 14 Jul 2012 at 00.5028
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I'm reading some conflicting info that the court only "suggested" that a referendum decide whether the constitution should be amended in the entirety - not "required".

I agree with mphilips D#24. These are just excuses for losers. Abhisit and the Dems probably actually believe them too. But until they accept the real reason is the fact that they are bereft of any ideas and candidates which appeal to the majority of voters then they will continue to decline as a political party. Instead of continually trying to weasel their way to power via the sleazy back door they should use the same amount of effort trying to win the hearts and votes of the people. Only then will they achieve the legitimacy they so desperately desire.
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bula
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Discussion 27 : 14 Jul 2012 at 00.1227
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lancelot #14- wow, what a threat. Bring the other chapters on.
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SteveCM
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Discussion 26 : 14 Jul 2012 at 00.0726
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Events have made many of the comments here redundant. The CC head spokesman has clarified that the court is only "advising" that a referendum be held - not requiring or ordering it. See http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/302352/court-charter-referendum-an-advice
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rockdoc
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Discussion 25 : 13 Jul 2012 at 23.5225
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Socrates would've been proud
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mphilips
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Discussion 24 : 13 Jul 2012 at 23.2324
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I'm all in favour of a referendum to decide whether or not the 2007 constitution should be completely replaced even though it is not required by law or precedent. I just don't think it would do much to help the political situation as we had an election in 2011 which, according to some, Phue Thai only won because they cheated or because 45% of the voters are stupid or, as is stated most often, both. The truth is, no matter how legal or how well supported anything Phue Thai does, the usual crowd will be saying how they cheated or how the people who supported it are stupid or any other excuse 'onest Ab makes up and the only source of information most people read in Thailand reprints it as though it were based on any kind of fact, logic, or truth.
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garabaldi
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Discussion 23 : 13 Jul 2012 at 23.1423
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Another referendum like the last which forbade any opposition to acceptance? Was that democratic? I refused to vote then and I will refuse to vote again!
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bikeme
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Discussion 22 : 13 Jul 2012 at 23.0022
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D20 Johninbkk - The PTP don't want to "amend", they want to throw out the current and write a totally new one ... a big difference.
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Court rules charter bill not unconstitutional | Bangkok Post: news