Coup Rumors Swirl in Bangkok
Thirayuth Boonmi, a prominent Thai social critic stated yesterday the dash by the People Power party (PPP) to amend the constitution will trigger a political emergency which could lead to another armed military takeover of the government. The remarks by the ex-student leader of the Oct 14, 1973 rebellion were rejected by the PPP but in line with the concerns of Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.
The disapproval came as the six-party coalition government prepares to put forward a motion to reword the constitution to parliament next week, after the party leaders hold talks on a cohesive stand.
“If the government still insists on amending the charter to clean up its wrongdoings and save its people from [corruption] cases, that will be the beginning of a second crisis,” Mr Thirayuth said. The first crisis he was alluding to were the rallies in opposition to then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra that were confronted by his followers, and which culminated in the armed coup that forced him to leave office in 2006.
The Thammasat University intellectual said that with the push for a whole new constitution, the country was heading for a split in society between those who support and those who resist the amending the charter. The PPP and its allies have rejected proposals to form a charter writing group to devise a new constitution, even though they were recommended by outsiders and even some politicians who were in the now banned Thai Rak Thai party. The charter revision effort began subsequent to the Election Commission (EC) finding then PPP deputy chief Yongyuth Tiyapairat guilty of vote buying in last year’s general vote.
The poll agency’s pronouncement still needs approval from the Supreme Court. If the court agrees with the EC, the PPP could be banned under Article 237 on the grounds that it conspired with executive members in committing poll fraud. The Matchimathipataya and Chart Thai parties are also facing a disbanding ruling by the EC for similar alleged violations.
Coup Rumors Swirl in Bangkok
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