Lawyer’s Petition Against Thaksin Claims Threats to Constitutional Monarchy
PUBLISHED: 10 Oct 2024 at 15:47
In a significant legal development, the lawyer who initiated the disbandment of the Move Forward Party has filed a comprehensive 5,080-page petition with the Constitutional Court. The petition aims to restrain former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from allegedly influencing the coalition party, Pheu Thai Party, and threatening the constitutional monarchy.
Therayut Suwankesorn’s petition targets Thaksin, along with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, his daughter, accusing him of manipulating government processes for personal benefits. Among various allegations, the petition claims that Thaksin utilized the Ministry of Justice to extend his hospital stay when he was meant to serve time for a previous conviction.
Additionally, it alleges that Thaksin pressured the government to share Thai marine resources with Cambodia, undermining the nation’s territorial integrity amidst an ongoing border dispute.
The accusations extend to claims that Thaksin orchestrated a partnership between Pheu Thai and the People’s Party, which emerged from the Move Forward Party, to advocate for constitution amendments that may jeopardize the monarchy.
Furthermore, the petition points to a supposed meeting held by Thaksin with coalition parties to discuss the successor to former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who was dismissed for an ethics breach on that date.
Mr. Therayut also expressed concerns over Pheu Thai’s exclusion of the Palang Pracharath Party from the coalition, claiming a loss of political integrity due to Thaksin’s influence.
He argues that a recent policy statement delivered in parliament reflects Thaksin’s purported agenda. Given these serious allegations, he urged the court to intervene and prevent Thaksin from using Pheu Thai as a vehicle for consolidating power.
Additionally, Mr. Therayut’s involvement in this high-profile case, which previously led to the Move Forward Party’s dissolution, draws attention to his other notable actions, including the defense of a prominent activist monk involved in the 2014 Bangkok Shutdown protests.
In the wake of this petition, political analysts suggest possible underlying motives tied to the coalition dynamics, with implications of collaboration between Therayut and the Palang Pracharath Party amid ongoing tensions between various political factions.
Lawyer Therayut Suwankesorn raises concerns about Thaksin Shinawatra’s enduring influence over the Pheu Thai Party as a threat to the nation’s governance structure.
