Fifty-one MPs of the Palang Pracharat party have submitted a motion, through House Speaker Chuan Leekpai, to the Constitutional Court asking it to rule on the parliamentary status of six party leaders in connection with the public forum held recently in Pattani province, during which one of the panellists allegedly advocated amendment of Section 1 of the Constitution, which states that Thailand is one single and indivisible Kingdom.
Party-list MP Chaivuth Thanakhomnusorn, one of the 51 MPs, said today (Wednesday) that they felt the six opposition party leaders should have lost their MP’s status for their support for the proposal.
During the discussion, Kasetsart University lecturer Chalita Bundhuuwong allegedly advocated separatism, by proposing amendment of Section 1 of the charter, to resolve southern unrest.
The six opposition leaders targeted for the charter court’s probe are Pheu Thai party leader Sompong Amornvivat, Future Forward party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, Future Forward secretary-general Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, Prachachart party leader Wan Muhammad Noor Matha, Pheu Chart party leader Songkhram Kitlertpairote and Palang Puangchon party leader Nikhom Boonwiset.
Mr. Chaiuth also accused the six of meddling in the affairs of the southern command of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) with their bid to summon Maj-Gen Burin Thongprappai, a specialist attached the ISOC’s forward command, for questioning over his complaint to the Pattani police accusing 12 politicians and academics of inciting public unrest.
Another Palang Pracharat MP, Mr. Sira Jenjakha, called on the Opposition to stop their attempts to undermine the government, the legislature and the judiciary.
“I warn the people who intend to destroy the country that they will end up like former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who fled the country and lives in exile abroad,” said Sira.
Meanwhile, Palang Puangchon party leader Nikhom Boonwiset lodged a complaint with the Office of National Anti-Corruption Commission today (Wednesday), accusing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha of abuse of authority, in violation of Section 157 of the Criminal Code, when he ordered the southern ISOC forward command to take the legal action against 12 politicians and academics.
