BANGKOK, 25 November 2014 – The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) Whip has resolved to begin deliberating the impeachment case against the former House and Senate Speakers on January 8 and the case against former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra the following day.
Spokesperson of the NLA Whip Jate Siratharanont revealed that a decision has been made to designate January 8, 2015 as the commencement date for the case against former House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont and former Senate Speaker Nikhom Wairatpanich. The case against former premier Yingluck, meanwhile, will kick off on January 9.
Mr Jate stated that the dates have been pushed off as the NLA will be occupied with reviewing a number of draft laws. Moreover, the defendants have proposed additional evidence and witnesses, prompting officials to need more time to consider the matter. Nonetheless, the NLA Whip’s decision on the dates will be put before NLA members for approval during their meeting later this week.
In the meantime, an inquiry committee comprising 21 members will be set up to handle the cases. Five of the committee members will come from the NLA Whip while the other 16 will represent the NLA standing committees. After the opening of the impeachment cases, it is expected that the verdicts will be issued within one month.
