THE CONSTITUTIONAL Court began a meeting on a case filed against former Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat over holding 00.0035% shares in non-operating ITV channel at 9.30 a.m. this morning (Jan. 24) and will start reading the verdict at 2 p.m., Naewna newspaper said.
The court had ordered Pita to stop performing as MP on July 19 pending a ruling on the Election Commission’s petition over holding the tiny fragment of the non-operating channel.
If found to have applied to run as an MP while holding shares in a media business, even though ITV stopped broadcasting a long time ago, he could lose his MP status.
The court has held many meetings on this case and has also questioned three witnesses.
Reporters at the court, within Ratchaburi Direkrit Building, (Building A), Government Complex, Chaengwattana, said everything was proceeding smoothly with big crowds not having arrived yet.
There was tighter security today than when the court ruled Mr. Saksayam Chidchod guilty of illicitly holding shares in Buri Charoen Construction Co. via a nominee whilst assuming a ministerial seat in a previous government, thus depriving him of the status of a member of cabinet, albeit in retroactive fashion.
Saksayam, brother of de facto Bhumjaithai boss Newin Chidchob, has called it quits with immediate effect as secretary-general of the second largest coalition partner and simultaneously as an MP who had earlier run on party-listed mode in last year’s general election.
Long lines of metal barriers had been placed around the building with a water cannon truck, a fire engine and a pickup truck equipped with several amplifiers parked nearby.
Pita was expected to arrive at the court at 12.45 p.m.
CAPTION:
Only a few protesters showed up near the Constitutional Court building amid tight security today, Jan. 24. 2024. Photos: Naewna
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