Red Shirts gather at Royal Plaza waiting ruling
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Constitution Court judges arrived at the Constitution Court office on Friday amid tight security to compile their individual opinions before reading the unified ruling at 2pm.
A panel of eight judges will hand down the verdict. The intended ninth justice, Jaran Pukditanakul, withdrew from the case last Thursday
The eight judges are Court President Wasan Soypisudh, Charoon Intachan, Chalermpon Ake-uru, Nurak Marpraneet, Boonsong Kulbupar, Suphot Khaimuk, Udomsak Nitimontre and Chut Chonlavorn.
The judges will rule whether the bill to amend Article 291 of the Constitution contravenes Section 68.
The opposition claims the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s move to amend Article 291 to set up a drafting assembly is tantamount to an attempt to topple Thailand’s constitutional monarchy.
The judges are expected to take an hour to read the verdict.
To ensure safety and security, three companies of police - about 450 personnel – have been deployed at the Constitution Court office. One additional company from the Metropolitan Police Bureau has set up eight checkpoints on roads around the court.
Police reinforcements are possible depending on the situation, with the national police chief ordering 13 companies to be ready to provide security.
Meanwhile, at the Royal Plaza, Red Shirt supporters are gathering, waiting for the Constitution Court verdict this afternoon before deciding on the next move.
Red Shirt community radio group broadcasters gathered and set up a stage yesterday, voicing their disapproval of the work of the court.
Chinnawat Haboonpad, taxi radio station club chairperson and adviser to Transport Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan, was to address the crowd at noon.
A projection screen was set up for the Red Shirts to monitor the reading of the verdict amid the tight police security in the area.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Thursday counselled all parties to stay calm, asking the public not resort to violence and act within legal limits.
Yingluck will not be in the country but was scheduled to visit Cambodia at the invitation of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to address a high-level US business conference in Siem Reap. She will return to Bangkok Friday night.
