Democrats target Thirachai and Kritsana
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The Democrats have targetted two Cabinet members, Finance Minister Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala and PM's Office Kritsana Seehalak, for the impeachment proceedings on suspicion for meddling in the press freedom.
And Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul are being placed on the watch list for impeachment should they refuse to repeal within a week the decision to issue the passport for fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
In a motion sponsored by 145 Democrats and filed Friday, Thirachai and Kritsana are charged for violating the constitutional provisions on freedom of the press by interfering with the board appointment for MCOT, a listed media outlet which the Finance Ministry holds a majority stake.
Kritsana, in her capacity as the minister in charge of staterun medial outlets and Thirachai, who is in charge of his ministry’s equity stakes, worked in concerted efforts to pressure for the departure of the MCOT board, the motion said, adding MCOT board chairman Surapon Nitikraipot stepped down under suspicious circumstances.
The Democrats contend that the forced departure of Surapon had paved the way for the government to exert control over the media outlet, an offence under the charter’s Articles 48, 266 and 268.
Upon acknowledging the impeachment motion, Senate Speaker Teeradej Meepien said he would complete the verification of motion by January 28 before forwarding it to the National Anti Corruption Commission for an inquiry.
Should the NACC find cause to suspect foul play, the Senate will then convene the impeachment trial.
In regard to planned impeachment against Yingluck and Surapong, Democrat MP Wiratana Kalayasiri said he wanted the two to recall the Thaksin’s passport within the oneweek deadline, otherwise they would have to face the consequences.
“Yingluck has one week to reflect on and rectify her lapsed supervision of FM Surapong,” he said.
He said the prime minister could not turn blind to the legal problems faced by Thaksin.
