Forgot your password?
Thailand Set For Key Constitutional Court Ruling
BBC NEWS, ASIA
November 20, 2013: A Thai court is set to rule on whether government plans to amend the constitution, are legal, a move that could spark political unrest. The ruling Pheu Thai party has proposed constitutional changes to make the Senate fully elected. If the Constitutional Court rules that the amendments are illegal, Pheu Thai could be forced to dissolve.
Political tensions were raised earlier this month when Pheu Thai tried to introduce a controversial amnesty bill. The amnesty bill, which triggered large street protests, was later rejected by the Senate.
The constitutional amendments proposed by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's ruling party would bring the Senate back to its structure before the 2006 coup which ousted former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who is also Ms Yingluck's brother. The coup left Thailand bitterly divided and several years of political turmoil followed.
A new constitution introduced in 2007 made around half the Senate seats appointed positions, rather than directly elected roles. Lawmakers from the ruling Pheu Thai party see the constitution as undemocratic because it was created after the coup. However, Mr Thaksin's opponents see the 2007 constitution as a vital check against his influence, analysts say.
Polarizing figure
Security was tight outside the court on Wednesday, while around 20,000 supporters of Mr Thaksin gathered in the capital in a show of support for the government, AFP news agency reported. Court rulings play an important role in Thailand's politics.
Two former Thaksin-linked Prime Ministers, Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat, were forced from office in 2008 following Constitutional Court rulings. Former leader Thaksin Shinawatra is a deeply polarizing figure in Thai politics. He drew huge support from Thailand's rural poor but strong opposition from other sectors in society.
On November 1, Thailand's lower house passed an amnesty bill that applied to offences committed during the political turmoil after Mr Thaksin was ousted. The government said the legislation was a necessary step towards reconciliation, but critics said it could allow the return of Mr Thaksin, who has been in self-imposed exile since his conviction on corruption charges in 2008. Mr Thaksin argues that the charges are politically motivated. Tens of thousands of protesters marched against the bill, which was rejected by the Senate on 12 November. The government said it would respect the Senate's decision.
