webfact Posted December 3, 2020 Share Posted December 3, 2020 Charter court accused of overlooking questioned raised by Pheu Thai in Prayut’s Army residence case By THE NATION Prasert Jantararuangtong Prasert Jantararuangtong, secretary-general of opposition Pheu Thai Party, told the press on Wednesday that his party has done its best by suing the premier for continuing to live in an Army residence after retiring as Army chief in September 2014. The Constitutional Court, however, ruled unanimously on Wednesday that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has not violated the charter by staying on in his Army residence and can remain in office. Prayut was accused of violating Articles 184 and 186 of the Constitution that forbid a minister from “receiving any special money or benefit from a government agency, state agency or state enterprise apart from that given by the government agency, state agency or state enterprise to other persons in the ordinary course of business”. In his court testimony, Prayut argued that his security team had advised him to continue living in the Army residence for his safety. Hence, he said, the lawsuit should be dismissed. Moreover, the court was told that as a former Army chief, Prayut deserves the honour and security the residence provides. The residence is within the First Infantry Battalion of Royal Guards compound on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road. Prasert said the court’s verdict was not in line with the facts his party had put forward, especially the question why this prime minister requires extra security when former premiers had lived in their official residence without requiring any special protection. He said he was also concerned about verdicts in similar cases in the future, adding that Pheu Thai will also look into the so-called Army reforms claimed to have been put in place by former commander in chief General Apirat Kongsompong. In the evening, Prasert was invited to join a talk show on Thairath TV anchored by Jomquan Lopetch to discuss the verdict, as well as the PM conflict of interest. In the show, the secretary-general pointed out that Prayut would have been found guilty if the court focused on the Constitution instead of Army regulations. He said Prayut currently holds a political post rather than one in the military, which means he should come under the purview of the Constitution, not Army regulations. However, Paiboon Nititawan from the ruling Palang Pracharath Party, who presented the other side in the show, insisted that Prayut had every right to stay on in the Army residence because he was once a soldier. Thai social media, meanwhile, was full of comments slamming the verdict and Thailand’s judiciary for finding Prayut “not guilty” even though he had blatantly violated the country’s supreme law. Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30399024 -- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-12-03 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Flying Saucage Posted December 3, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 3, 2020 14 minutes ago, webfact said: However, Paiboon Nititawan from the ruling Palang Pracharath Party, who presented the other side in the show, insisted that Prayut had every right to stay on in the Army residence because he was once a soldier. Sums up the political situation Thailand in 2020 very well. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Thaiwrath Posted December 3, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 3, 2020 (edited) 18 minutes ago, webfact said: However, Paiboon Nititawan from the ruling Palang Pracharath Party, who presented the other side in the show, insisted that Prayut had every right to stay on in the Army residence because he was once a soldier. A soldier who illegally overthrew an elected government (treason) to get into power, and he gets the right to stay in an army residence ! Edited December 3, 2020 by Thaiwrath 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomazbodner Posted December 3, 2020 Share Posted December 3, 2020 19 minutes ago, Thaiwrath said: A soldier who illegally overthrew an elected government (treason) to get into power, and he gets the right to stay in an army residence ! He was the head of the army. What's bizarre about that? Treason is also judged by the current laws and constitution. You know, that thing that majority voted in favour of, whether they knew what's in it or (more likely) couldn't be more ignorant about it. Returning to the 1997 constitution that Phuea Thai wishes for would require majority of voters to favour it in a new referendum. Only if that succeeds and constitution changes, they could charge Prayuth with treason. Right now, the protesters are in situation where they could be in significant trouble with the law, given the current constitution. At about the same scale as what you're pushing for Prayuth to be charged with. 1 2 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post DirtyHarry55 Posted December 3, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 3, 2020 Quote Prayut was accused of violating Articles 184 and 186 of the Constitution that forbid a minister from “receiving any special money or benefit from a government agency, state agency or state enterprise apart from that given by the government agency, state agency or state enterprise to other persons in the ordinary course of business”. So do Army Regulation supersede the Constitution? 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post colinneil Posted December 3, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 3, 2020 It is just farcical that he is allowed to stay in an army residence, when he is no longer in the army. Yet again Thailand and Thai laws are made to look ridiculous, it is supposed to have a constitution, but is being overlooked just to get Prayut off, sad, sad day for Thailand, but hey he and his bunch dont care about the constitution, or the people of this country, just duck and dive, and twist things to suit their own ends. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Misterwhisper Posted December 3, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 3, 2020 41 minutes ago, webfact said: Prayut had every right to stay on in the Army residence because he was once a soldier. Oh, really, Mr. Paiboon? So... does that right also extend to the rest of Thailand's armed forces members? Should they ALL be entitled to continue occupying military housing after they retire from the armed forces -- because they "were once soldiers"? And how about that whole army of government bureaucrats? Can they also continue staying in government-owned housing after their retirement -- and entirely for free? Because that is EXACTLY what you are implying with your strange reasoning, Mr. Paiboon. 7 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post JonnyF Posted December 3, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 3, 2020 12 minutes ago, Misterwhisper said: Oh, really, Mr. Paiboon? So... does that right also extend to the rest of Thailand's armed forces members? Should they ALL be entitled to continue occupying military housing after they retire from the armed forces -- because they "were once soldiers"? And how about that whole army of government bureaucrats? Can they also continue staying in government-owned housing after their retirement -- and entirely for free? Because that is EXACTLY what you are implying with your strange reasoning, Mr. Paiboon. I have a feeling this 'special' rule only applies to the 'good people'. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post yellowboat Posted December 3, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 3, 2020 1 hour ago, webfact said: Thai social media, meanwhile, was full of comments slamming the verdict and Thailand’s judiciary for finding Prayut “not guilty” even though he had blatantly violated the country’s supreme law. The supreme law is not for a supreme person. It is for those less supreme. A multi tier legal system must be on the check list of those under 30 years old. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Donutz Posted December 3, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 3, 2020 1 hour ago, webfact said: In the show, the secretary-general pointed out that Prayut would have been found guilty if the court focused on the Constitution instead of Army regulations. The Constitutional Court does not concern itself with matters related to the constitution. That became clear when said court decided not to rule on premier Prayuth and his ministers not making the oath of loyalty to uphold the constitution as dictated by the constitution. So of course the court had to put army rules and regulations as the most important factor on this case. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingstonkid Posted December 3, 2020 Share Posted December 3, 2020 This is going to get more interesting Question I was a soldier can I get military housing? I am willing to teach English to the kids in the community. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Donutz Posted December 3, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 3, 2020 21 minutes ago, kingstonkid said: This is going to get more interesting Question I was a soldier can I get military housing? I am willing to teach English to the kids in the community. Army regulations state that ex militairy personnel must vacate their army housing within 180 days. However personnel who has served the army and nation exceptionally well are exempt and can stay as long as they wish as a reward. Prayuth can do no wrong, he is a true blessing for the country and thus everything is perfectly okay... 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misterwhisper Posted December 3, 2020 Share Posted December 3, 2020 What an interesting spin on things. I "once was a pub patron". Does that mean I now have the right to move in and live there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smutcakes Posted December 3, 2020 Share Posted December 3, 2020 If my understanding is correct, the CC ruled that because something was permitted by Army Regulations, despite it being against the Constitution, it was in fact legal- so the Army regulations take precedent over the Constitution. Rhetorically could the Army then just make any old regulations, like they can skim 50% off every budget, or they dont need to abide by the Constitution and they would in fact be permitted to do so? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotchilli Posted December 3, 2020 Share Posted December 3, 2020 3 hours ago, webfact said: Prasert Jantararuangtong, secretary-general of opposition Pheu Thai Party, told the press on Wednesday that his party has done its best by suing the premier for continuing to live in an Army residence after retiring as Army chief in September 2014. Government/military/constitution Prayut rules them all. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Tracy Posted December 3, 2020 Share Posted December 3, 2020 Disappointed, but saved 10 baht.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lavender19 Posted December 3, 2020 Share Posted December 3, 2020 He probably needs extra protection because he is hated by many Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveCW Posted December 3, 2020 Share Posted December 3, 2020 So will Thailand now see a situation were all military residencies will be inhabited by ex-soldiers who will never move out once retired? That being the case, the army will have to build a lot more new homes or they have nowhere to house currently serving soldiers - I guess the precedence has been set.???? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soikhaonoiken Posted December 3, 2020 Share Posted December 3, 2020 No surprise here,.... Next... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodga Posted December 3, 2020 Share Posted December 3, 2020 14 hours ago, webfact said: In his court testimony, Prayut argued that his security team had advised him to continue living in the Army residence for his safety. Hence, he said, the lawsuit should be dismissed. Cant be true as he's loved by the entire nation of gullibles , surely ......surely? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodga Posted December 3, 2020 Share Posted December 3, 2020 5 hours ago, DaveCW said: build a lot more new homes I once saw a home of an enlisted man's army accommodation, it was pretty damn grim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammieuk1 Posted December 3, 2020 Share Posted December 3, 2020 They probably won't overlook how unusually wealthy they have become ???? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post rkidlad Posted December 3, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 3, 2020 17 hours ago, webfact said: In the show, the secretary-general pointed out that Prayut would have been found guilty if the court focused on the Constitution instead of Army regulations Exactly. The CC previously decided not to rule on Prayut’s oath omission because they said it didn’t come under their jurisdiction. Now they’re passing the buck again by having their rules superseded by the army’s. The laws and the constitution don’t apply to the junta. This isn’t a democracy in any sense of the word. The 1% in power here are absolutely repugnant and shameless. It’s now becoming more and more obvious that the protestors are in the right and doing their civic duty. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andycoops Posted December 4, 2020 Share Posted December 4, 2020 With this bunch of corrupt Muppets the consitituion is just a ream of words with no meaning and everything Army is the last word, as you would expect in a dictatorship. Unless of course the constitution fits their purpose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artisi Posted December 4, 2020 Share Posted December 4, 2020 (edited) 18 hours ago, DirtyHarry55 said: So do Army Regulation supersede the Constitution? Currently the Army regs. supersede all and everything at the whim of napolean and his cohorts - get used to it as it's here to stay for the immediate future. "Don't you know who I am?" Edited December 4, 2020 by Artisi 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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