2006 Thai Political Party Dissolution Charges - Implications For Thai Politics

Implications For Thai Politics

The historical ruling by the Constitutional Tribunal will be likely to set standards of conduct and behaviors for Thai politicians in the years to come. The ruling is also likely to have huge repercussions on Thai politics in several aspects. First, the court ruling suggests that serious violations of election law committed by any party's executive committee member are deemed wrongdoings committed on behalf of the political party itself.

Second, the ruling raises controversy as to whether violations of election law can be construed as criminal actions. The legal system in Thailand, and in other legally similar countries, stipulate that criminal actions must not be subjected to any punitive act that is enacted and enforced after the offenses have been committed.

Third, the judiciary emerged strong as one of the three sovereign powers in Thai political landscape, counterbalancing the traditionally powerful executive and legislative branches.

Fourth, leaders of several factions that were later split from the disbanded TRT were barred from politics for five years, including TRT's party leader Chaturon Chaisang, former Thaksin's close aide and hopeful premiere candidate Somkid Jatusripitak, Macchima faction leader Somsak Thepsuthin, and Suwat Liptapanlop. It is uncertain how the absence of these high-profile politicians will influence the outcome of the elections to be held by the end of 2007.

Fifth, soon after the ruling became public, Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the leader of the Council for Democratic Reform, announced publicly that selective amnesty to the punished politicians was being considered. Sonthi stressed that the amnesty aimed to bring the country back to reconciliation. The possible amnesty will add to the heated public debate. Thailand will be once again put under challenge as to which direction the country is heading.