The People’s Party, born from the ashes of the dissolved Move Forward Party, has voiced its opposition to the Constitutional Court’s ruling to remove Srettha Thavisin as PM. They were, last week, dissolved as a party and then 10 of the executive, plus leader-at-the-time Pita Limjaoenrat, banned from politics for 10 years.
Addressing the media following the court’s ruling, party-list for the new People’s Party, MP Parit Wacharasindhu, says they have concerns over the ruling, which saw the outgoing PM removed from office over “a breach of ethics”.
This related to Srettha’s decision to appoint ex-convict Phichit Chuenban to the PM’s Office.
Parit says that while the People’s Party supports the idea that politicians must have good ethics and integrity, the term “ethical” can be widely interpreted, and even misinterpreted if the situation arises.
“Unless it’s a clear case of corruption or an illegal act, the people who decide what constitutes a breach of ethics.”
“If an act of ethical misconduct is not clear-cut corruption, or an irregularity which is already covered by the law, a political ethical issue should be judged by the people.”
Parit went on to say that his party disagrees with the constitution in its current form, saying it grants power to bodies such as the Constitutional Court to define ethics as they see fit.
He added that in some cases, these bodies are being used by some political figures to eliminate their opponents or to remove someone from office, as has happened with the outgoing PM.
Parit says the constitution needs to be rewritten and the powers awarded to bodies such as the Constitutional Court must be reviewed as a matter of priority.
SOURCE: Thai PBS World
