Pheu Thai dismisses petition alleging monarchy undermining

The Pheu Thai Party dismissed the recent petition against it which accused the party of undermining Thailand’s constitutional monarchy.

Pheu Thai asserted that it can address all raised concerns and emphasising that some claims lack merit.

Chousak Sirinil, the party’s legal adviser, said yesterday, October 11, that the six accusations against Pheu Thai do not have sufficient grounds to be seen as attempts to undermine the constitutional monarchy. He remarked that the petition, filed with the Constitutional Court yesterday by lawyer Teerayut Suwankesorn, misrepresented Pheu Thai’s actions, likening them to those that led to the dissolution of the Move Forward Party (MFP).

“It’s far from the facts, and these are completely different matters.”

Teerayut, who successfully sought the disbandment of the MFP, urged the court to prevent former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra from taking any actions that could undermine the monarchy. The petition alleges that Thaksin used the Ministry of Justice, under the Pheu Thai-led government, to secure an extended stay at the Police General Hospital when he should have been in jail following his conviction for abuse of power last year.

Thaksin allegedly directed Pheu Thai to collaborate with the People’s Party to push for constitutional amendments. The People’s Party is the new incarnation of the MFP, which the Constitutional Court dissolved for undermining the constitutional monarchy. The former premier also reportedly held talks with coalition parties about who would succeed former prime minister Srettha Thavisin after Srettha’s removal from office on August 14.

Chousak reiterated that Thaksin places the highest importance on the institution of the monarchy, noting that Thaksin has previously stressed that Chapters 1 and 2 of the charter must remain untouched. He insisted that the Pheu Thai-led government and the party have not engaged in any activities that undermine the institution.

He clarified that the party’s effort to revise the ethical standards of politicians aims to clearly define those standards, not abolish the code of conduct. Regarding allegations of Thaksin’s interference in selecting the premier, Chousak said Pheu Thai independently chose its leader, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, as its prime ministerial candidate for the House to vote on.

Pending court decision

Chousak mentioned that the court has yet to decide whether to accept the petition for consideration. If the case is accepted, Chousak will lead the legal team to defend the party.

Somkid Chueakong, the prime minister’s deputy secretary-general for political affairs, remarked that Teerayut’s petition will not disrupt the government’s work and stated that the move is driven by political interests.

Former red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan commented yesterday that the petition’s core issue is Thaksin’s extended stay at the Police General Hospital, which is under investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).

Jatuporn expressed his belief that the court would accept the petition for review.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam denied claims that he was involved in a plan to help Thaksin avoid serving time in prison. He responded to questions posed by Sondhi Limthongkul, a former leader of the now-defunct People’s Alliance for Democracy, reported Bangkok Post.