Dems slam PM on court protest

Dems slam PM on court protest

Reds' threats endanger judges, Ong-art claims

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is under fire for defending the red shirt protest against the Constitutional Court.

Democrat Party list MP Ong-art Klampaiboon said Ms Yingluck was wrong to say the red shirts had the right to protest as long as they do so peacefully.

Before setting off on a visit to Mongolia on Saturday, Ms Yingluck said any protest activity that is in line with the law can proceed.

However, Mr Ong-art insisted the red shirts went too far by threatening to capture the three court judges who decided to review whether the bills to amend the charter, now being vetted by parliament, were constitutional.

The court voted three to two to take up the review sought by Sen Somchai Sawaengkarn.

Protest leaders reportedly urged red shirt supporters to "capture" the court's judges if they were spotted. The court on Friday filed a complaint with Crime Suppression Division police against four of the leaders saying they were defaming the judges and inciting unrest.

Mr Ong-art said the prime minister should have looked at their conduct and examined the red shirts' motive in organising the protest.

The threat to capture the judges is in no way an exercise of one's rights to protest legally or with a democratic spirit, he added. It was a gesture of intimidation which could put the judges in danger and provoke social conflicts.

"The last thing the prime minister should do is condone a misdeed like that," Mr Ong-art said.

Suriyasai Katasila, coordinator of the Green Politics group, yesterday slammed the premier for her failure to keep the Constitutional Court protesters in check.

He said the protesters had resorted to thuggish methods.

He said the Pheu Thai Party, which has the support of the red shirts, appears to adopt a hypocritical stand to the court's rulings.

When the Constitutional Court ruled the 350-billion-baht flood loan decree was constitutional, the Pheu Thai Party was thankful. But when the party is dissatisfied with other decisions by the court, it seeks to purge the judges.

Mr Suriyasai said people should give the judges moral support as the charter court is one of the mechanisms to maintain accountability in the country.

Earlier, Pheu Thai MP for Chiang Rai Samart Kaewmeechai said he had gathered more than 100 signatures of MPs supporting another impeachment campaign against the judges.

The court has intervened in the work of the legislative branch in agreeing to review the constitutionality of the charter amendment bid, he said.

Meanwhile, a group of drafters of the current constitution yesterday expressed their support for the judges.

Members of the so-called 2007 Constitution Drafters Club warned that politicians who encourage or aid people to engage in activities against the law could face legal punishment.

The Seri Thai Facebook page urges supporters of the charter court to meet and express their support for the judges outside the court today.

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