Charter-drafter Prasong says lobbying, unrest ahead of Thaksin ruling futile
Fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra and his supporters might try to lobby, pressure or strike deals with the Supreme Court to rule in his favour in the Bt76-billion assets-seizure case, but they will not succeed, political observers say.
Prasong Sunsiri, a drafter of the 2007 Constitution, said yesterday that even if Thaksin attempted to incite unrest and force the political situation to breaking point, he could not coerce judges into deciding for the defendant.
The ex-premier could mobilise his supporters to create turmoil during two periods - from now until judgement day, and after that if his assets are transferred to the state - he said.
The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders is scheduled to deliver its verdict on February 26, almost certainly with defendant Thaksin in absentia.
Nipit Intarasombat, a Democrat Party MP for Phatthalung and the party's chief legal specialist, said Thaksin's drive to tip the outcome to his side would be futile because he believes in the integrity of all nine judges.
He said the judges would not know the court's verdict until they meet on the morning of February 26. Each judge will submit his personal verdict on that day and the majority verdict will be written afterwards. This way the verdict will not be leaked, he said.
He dismissed a comment by Payap, a younger brother of Thaksin, that an adverse ruling would send the country towards catastrophe.
"The country and the system will not be destroyed by one man," he said.
"Whoever believes that if Thaksin's assets are seized, the country will be thrown into civil war, is stupid. Only foolish people allow themselves to be used. I want the red shirts to use their common sense. They should not act like minors who need guidance," he said.
If the court finds Thaksin is unusually rich, the red shirts should not accuse the court of employing double standards because when the Constitution Court ruled that Thaksin was not guilty in his assets-concealment case, Thaksin's supporters praised the judges, he said.
Violence could be triggered on any day leading up to February 26 to pressure judges before the verdict is reached, he said. Once the case is closed, it would be hard to bring about changes.
The red shirts believe they successfully cornered Election Commission chairman Apichart Sukhagganond, who has yet to decide on the dissolution case of the Democrat Party, into making a decision to their liking after Apichart had to be hospitalised for high blood pressure, he said.
Reports that Thaksin had bargained to have only part of his assets taken by the state in return for him not instigating any opposition could come true if the Pheu Thai Party were able to push an amnesty bill through Parliament in three readings in 40 days, Nipit added.
