By Thai Newsroom Reporters
THE SUPREME COURT is scheduled for April 24 to consider whether a lese majeste lawsuit filed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission against 10 People’s MPs and 34 former MPs will be formally accepted for a future ruling by court, thus prompting the current lawmaker-turned-suspects to immediately stop performing at parliament, the anti-graft agency’s secretary-general Surapong Intharathaworn confirmed today (April 16).
If the lese majeste lawsuit was eventually accepted by the Supreme Court on April 24, those People’s MPs would probably be ordered by court to immediately stop doing their legislative duties pending the future court ruling on the historic case and if finally found guilty of “severely breaching the politician’s code of ethics” by becoming proponents for legislation to amend the draconian law also known as Section 112 of the Criminal Code, they could possibly be banned from engaging in political activity at all levels for life whilst their reformist party could possibly be dissolved.
The 10 People’s MPs facing the probability of being suspended from work at parliament include party leader Nattapong Ruengpanyawut, deputy party leader Sirikanya Tansakun, Rangsiman Rome, Pakornwut Udompipatsakun and Wayo Asavarungruang, among others. The 34 ex-MPs being charged in the same lawsuit include Pita Limjaroenrat, ex-leader of the court-dissolved Move Forward, and ex-People’s MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, among others.
Meanwhile, the NACC secretary-general said whether former transport minister/former Bhumjaithai secretary-general Saksayam Chidchob could probably be named a member of cabinet under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will primarily depend on the Election Commission after he had been earlier deposed of ministerial status at the order of the Constitutional Court pertaining to his having been charged of concealing his assets and managing to have nominees hold shares allegedly on his behalf in Buri Charoen Construction Co., known a business firm owned by his Buriram-based family.
Saksayam is brother of de facto Bhumjaithai boss Newin Chidchob who has allegedly surreptitiously steered the ultra-conservative party as core of the current coalition government.
CAPTIONS:
Pita Limjaroenrat, ex-leader of the court-dissolved Move Forward Party, with members of both the dissolved camp and People’s Party. Above photo – Amarin TV, Front Page – Thai Rath
Insert – Former transport minister/former Bhumjaithai secretary-general Saksayam Chidchob. Photo – PPTVHD36
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