BANGKOK, July 2 – The chief spokesperson of Thailand’s Constitution Court on Monday rejected allegations that the court’s decision on the legality of the charter amendment bill may be predetermined.
The denial of any interference in the case came as the court’s justices prepare to hear witness testimony from both opponents and supporters of the government’s constitution amendment attempt. The court is scheduled to discuss whether the charter amendment bill breaches Section 68 of the Constitution.
Court chief spokesperson Pimol Thammapithakpong said today is the last day that the court allows both plaintiffs and defendants to submit their written statements to the court. If witnesses are unable to give testimony by today, the judges will meet Wednesday to consider whether to extend the timeframe or not and proceed with considering existing evidence.
The spokesperson said four persons confirmed they would testify as witnesses for the defense, including former House Speaker Phokin Polakul, House Sec-Gen Pithoon Poomhirun, Interior Minister/Pheu Thai Party leader Yongyuth Vichaidit and Pheu Thai Party secretary-general Jarupong Ruangsuwan.
For the plaintiff, 16 witnesses will testify, most being former members of the Constitution Drafting Assembly and senators, as well as opposition Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, former prime minister.
Mr Pimol added Anand Panyarachun, also a former prime minister and former president of the 1998 Constitution Drafting Assembly, has not yet withdrawn from the plaintiff’s witness list.
The court spokesman denied that the ruling had been written in advance as alleged, while the court has not yet set the date for the verdict, and this Thursday and Friday will only be the witness hearing.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said she believes the judges will rule on the case fairly and based on facts concerning the legality of the draft constitution amendment as petitioned by a group of Senators and Democrat MPs.
Ms Yingluck reaffirmed that the government’s move to amend the charter is a part of its policy already delivered to Parliament.
The prime minister urged all parties to express their differing views within the legal limits as Thailand not only faces internal problems but international concerns as well, such as European debt crisis, in which she said cooperation of all Thais is needed to move the country forward.
