Court to hear rally organisers today
Play
The Constitution Court will convene today to hear statements from two protest organisers, before deciding whether to launch a judicial review into this Saturday's planned Pitak Siam rally.
Many see the move as a clear sign, however, that the court will not be able to rule for or against the rally in time.
Even if the hearing could be completed within one day, the court would convene its next session next week to decide whether the case merited judicial review, which would by then be a moot point since the rally is scheduled for this weekend.
The Constitution Court yesterday held a closed-door meeting to study three petitions related to the planned rally, and decided to seek additional information in order to reach a decision, said court spokesman Pimol Thampitakpong.
He said Pitak Siam leader Boonlert Kaewprasit and his spokesman Vachara Ritthakani had been summoned to testify. Both have agreed to do so.
Three individuals – former senator Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, Singthong Buachum of the Pheu Thai Party and lawyer Nuengdin Wimuttinant – had separately petitioned the court to consider the constitutionality of the planned rally.
As a basis for judicial review, the petitions cite the Constitution, which empowers the charter court to intervene and foil any attempts to overthrow democratic rule with the King as head of state.
Of the nine judges, seven were present at yesterday’s meeting before reaching a unanimous decision that the petitions were insufficient to rule on the merit of a judicial review.
Boonlert said the rally would go ahead as planned and that he expected a high turnout. He voiced optimism that the judicial process would not impact on the protest.
He said he had “secret” measures to deal with the government if it refused to step down as demanded by the Pitak Siam protesters. However, he refused to elaborate on the plan.
The Pitak Siam leader said he was working closely with the police in order to ensure peace and safety at the rally site.
Furthermore, “hundreds of thousands of protesters” would remain alert to any attempts by provocateurs to infiltrate the rally, he added.
Boonlert also dismissed the allegation that a certain political party had helped him to mobilise the masses.
