Charter court finalises probe witnesses

Charter court finalises probe witnesses

Complainants against govt bid take stand today

Fifteen people will take the stand when the Constitution Court holds its two-day inquiry beginning today into the legality of the government-sponsored charter amendment bid.

A group of people calling themselves the People’s Liberation Army for Democracy gather in front of the Constitution Court to show their support for the judges inside who will today launch a two-day inquiry into the legality of the government’s attempt to amend the charter. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD

The charter court has finalised the lists of people who will appear in court _ seven from the complainants and eight from the defence, said Constitution Court spokesman Somrit Chaiwong yesterday.

The complainants' team will take the stand today. It comprises complainants Dej-udom Krairit and Surapol Nitikraipoj and five witnesses Somjet Boonthanom, Wanthongchai Chamnankij, Virat Kallayasiri, Warin Thiamcharas and Boworn Yasinthon.

The defence team will appear tomorrow. Summoned are parliament president Somsak Kiartsuranont or his representative Wattana Sengpairoh, Woravat Au-apinyakul, Yongyuth Wichaidit, Samart Kaewmeechai, Chumpol Silpa-archa, Paradorn Prissanananthakul, a representative of Pokin Polakul and Udomdej Rattanasathian.

The court will hear testimony from witnesses before adjourning to decide whether the bill to amend Section 291 of the charter to make way for the establishment of a constitution drafting assembly contravenes Section 68 of the charter which protects the country's constitutional monarchy.

About 200 former communists yesterday morning converged in front of the Constitution Court to show moral support for the judiciary in a campaign to "protect the monarchy" .

Calling themselves the People's Liberation Army for Democracy, the group began to gather in front of the court on Chaeng Watthana Road at 5am.

They had joined the armed struggle of the Communist Party of Thailand and later defected to the authorities under a government programme to become "participants in the development of the Thai nation".

Thongdee Namsaengkhot, coordinator of the group, said they wanted to protect the monarchy and show support for the judges, who were performing their duty in the name of His Majesty the King.

Members of the group were afraid some people with ulterior motives against the judges might turn out to obstruct them doing their duty.

"We want the judges to act with full independence to uphold justice, to be an institution which can be relied on by the people," Mr Thongdee said.

The group would respect the court's ruling, no matter what it is and continue to rally at the court until tomorrow.

Pol Col Pong Sangmurin, Thung Song Hong police chief, said police had been sent to ensure law and order in the area around the court.

He said one company of riot control police would be deployed at the court today and tomorrow.

In the afternoon about 20 red shirts led by Sombat Boonngamanong yesterday held a brief protest against the charter court.

Mr Sombat showed the court a "red card" to express his disapproval.

Democrat legal specialist Ramet Rattanachaweng yesterday urged the government to make sure that the charter court's authority is respected.

He said a certain group of people had been campaigning to pressure the court and undermine its credibility.

He voiced suspicions about the red shirts' claim that they would not show up to pressure the court.

"Would they be 'fake' red shirts if they happened to turn up?" he said.

The red shirts have announced they will gather to monitor the court inquiry at Imperial Lat Phrao department store.

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