House to consider lifting immunity of 9 red-shirt MPs

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 05, 2011
House to consider lifting immunity of 9 red-shirt MPs

The House of Representatives will tomorrow debate whether to lift legal immunity of nine Pheu Thai MPs, who are red-shirt leaders and wanted under a national-security charge.

The House will consider a request by Tharit Pengdit, the director-general of the Department of Special Investigation, to lift the legal immunity.

Tharit alleged that the nine red-shirt leaders gave a speech during a rally on April 10, which was held to mark the first anniversary of the Kokwua Intersection crackdown, in a way that was seen as violating the Criminal Code and national security. The nine MPs are Weng Tojirakarn, Natthawut Saikua, Jatuporn Promphan, Wiphuthalaeng Pattanaphumthai, Korkaew Pikulthong, Phayup Panket, Wichien Khaokham, Karun Hosakul, and Prasit Chaisisa.

In his request, Tharit said the DSI could not pursue legal action against the nine MPs during the parliamentary session, as they enjoyed legal immunity.

Tharit said that since the nine MPs themselves had declared that they did not want to use the immunity, he would like the House to consider lifting it.