lonelywombat
March 25th, 2006, 11:48
General news >> Saturday March 25, 2006 0600GMT
Abhisit: PM should see King, quit
Invoke article 7, but 'safeguard charter'
The Democrat party last night called on caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to appeal for royal intervention to break the political deadlock, in a stand which it said would safeguard the constitution.
Party sources stressed this was different from the People's Alliance for Democracy's appeal for His Majesty the King to appoint a new prime minister.
''This is not the same as PAD's proposal that asks for a royally-bestowed government, regardless of Mr Thaksin. The party disagrees with PAD and wants things to proceed in line with the constitution,'' said a party source.
In a position statement, the party said Mr Thaksin and his caretaker cabinet could seek an audience with the King, and then resign so that the King could appoint a new government under article 7 of the constitution.
The proposal would maintain the integrity of the constitution and end a political crisis that might lead to violent confrontations, it said.
The party also suggested the new government allow for an open and transparent investigation into allegations against Mr Thaksin, and that it address problems involving the Election Commission to ensure fair elections.
The interim government should also lay down guidelines for the political reform process that would be led by a non-partisan individual and open to public participation.
Abhisit Vejjajiva
During a rally at Sanam Luang, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the April 2 poll is not the answer as it appears designed to serve Mr Thaksin's interest.
''I think deep down Mr Thaksin knows the poll is not the solution (for a political stalemate),'' he said.
Amid claims that the government had meddled with the Election Commission's database, no one could tell if ''pre-marked ballots'' may be stuffed in boxes sitting at polling stations.
The elements supporting or protesting against Mr Thaksin shared a common respect for the King who represented the light at the end of the tunnel. ''I'm speaking to Mr Thaksin as a fellow Thai and subject of the King. Mr Thaksin and his cabinet should seek an audience with the King to help heal the wounds in society,'' Mr Abhisit said.
While the former opposition party's stance was echoed by some academics who believed that constitutional mechanisms had not reached an impasse, privy councillors reportedly do not see eye to eye with PAD either.
A source in the government said the idea of a royally-bestowed government was considered by the privy councillors who attended an audience with the King at Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin on Thursday. According to the source, the privy councillors concluded that any actions must be in line with the charter's will and that the situation did not warrant invocation of article 7.
The privy council was gravely concerned about the political tension, but took heart from the fact that the military had maintained neutrality.
Vorajet Phakheerat, a law lecturer at Thammasat University, said he disagreed with PAD's appeal, saying the situation was not that critical.
''We're trying to involve the monarch in politics, but it's still not time. If we appeal for a new prime minister, aren't we asking the monarch to take sides? This is an important issue,'' he said.
Mr Vorajet called on the parties concerned to follow constitutional mechanisms and suggested the snap election be postponed.
A group of scholars and activists in the North questioned the virtue of article 7, which they said was only an instrument for removing the prime minister from power, allowing the so-called Thaksin regime to remain intact.
Somkiat Tangnamo, of Midnight University, said he believed the time was not yet ripe for the use of that article as the public was still able to exercise its rights to freedom of expression. The best way out was to make changes through political reform, with public participation.
Chatchaval Thongdeelert, director of the Chiang Mai-based Social Innovation College, said the situation had not reached an impasse and it was inappropriate to disturb His Majesty.
A pro-democracy group yesterday laid a wreath and tied a black cloth around the Democracy Monument in protest against PAD's appeal. Led by Passakorn Atthasit, 20 people known as the relatives of people who died in the October 1973 uprising marched from the October 14, 1973 Monument at Kok Wua intersection to the Democracy Monument.
''We don't care if Mr Thaksin remains in the post. All we care is that the prime minister is elected. Asking for a royally-bestowed prime minister is akin to ripping the charter apart,'' he said.
PAD leader Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, however, said the PAD believed it was time to appeal for a royally-bestowed government.
''They (the academics) say the time isn't right, so I'd like to know when it is. Or is the right time when the country falls apart?''
Abhisit: PM should see King, quit
Invoke article 7, but 'safeguard charter'
The Democrat party last night called on caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to appeal for royal intervention to break the political deadlock, in a stand which it said would safeguard the constitution.
Party sources stressed this was different from the People's Alliance for Democracy's appeal for His Majesty the King to appoint a new prime minister.
''This is not the same as PAD's proposal that asks for a royally-bestowed government, regardless of Mr Thaksin. The party disagrees with PAD and wants things to proceed in line with the constitution,'' said a party source.
In a position statement, the party said Mr Thaksin and his caretaker cabinet could seek an audience with the King, and then resign so that the King could appoint a new government under article 7 of the constitution.
The proposal would maintain the integrity of the constitution and end a political crisis that might lead to violent confrontations, it said.
The party also suggested the new government allow for an open and transparent investigation into allegations against Mr Thaksin, and that it address problems involving the Election Commission to ensure fair elections.
The interim government should also lay down guidelines for the political reform process that would be led by a non-partisan individual and open to public participation.
Abhisit Vejjajiva
During a rally at Sanam Luang, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the April 2 poll is not the answer as it appears designed to serve Mr Thaksin's interest.
''I think deep down Mr Thaksin knows the poll is not the solution (for a political stalemate),'' he said.
Amid claims that the government had meddled with the Election Commission's database, no one could tell if ''pre-marked ballots'' may be stuffed in boxes sitting at polling stations.
The elements supporting or protesting against Mr Thaksin shared a common respect for the King who represented the light at the end of the tunnel. ''I'm speaking to Mr Thaksin as a fellow Thai and subject of the King. Mr Thaksin and his cabinet should seek an audience with the King to help heal the wounds in society,'' Mr Abhisit said.
While the former opposition party's stance was echoed by some academics who believed that constitutional mechanisms had not reached an impasse, privy councillors reportedly do not see eye to eye with PAD either.
A source in the government said the idea of a royally-bestowed government was considered by the privy councillors who attended an audience with the King at Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin on Thursday. According to the source, the privy councillors concluded that any actions must be in line with the charter's will and that the situation did not warrant invocation of article 7.
The privy council was gravely concerned about the political tension, but took heart from the fact that the military had maintained neutrality.
Vorajet Phakheerat, a law lecturer at Thammasat University, said he disagreed with PAD's appeal, saying the situation was not that critical.
''We're trying to involve the monarch in politics, but it's still not time. If we appeal for a new prime minister, aren't we asking the monarch to take sides? This is an important issue,'' he said.
Mr Vorajet called on the parties concerned to follow constitutional mechanisms and suggested the snap election be postponed.
A group of scholars and activists in the North questioned the virtue of article 7, which they said was only an instrument for removing the prime minister from power, allowing the so-called Thaksin regime to remain intact.
Somkiat Tangnamo, of Midnight University, said he believed the time was not yet ripe for the use of that article as the public was still able to exercise its rights to freedom of expression. The best way out was to make changes through political reform, with public participation.
Chatchaval Thongdeelert, director of the Chiang Mai-based Social Innovation College, said the situation had not reached an impasse and it was inappropriate to disturb His Majesty.
A pro-democracy group yesterday laid a wreath and tied a black cloth around the Democracy Monument in protest against PAD's appeal. Led by Passakorn Atthasit, 20 people known as the relatives of people who died in the October 1973 uprising marched from the October 14, 1973 Monument at Kok Wua intersection to the Democracy Monument.
''We don't care if Mr Thaksin remains in the post. All we care is that the prime minister is elected. Asking for a royally-bestowed prime minister is akin to ripping the charter apart,'' he said.
PAD leader Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, however, said the PAD believed it was time to appeal for a royally-bestowed government.
''They (the academics) say the time isn't right, so I'd like to know when it is. Or is the right time when the country falls apart?''