Thailand talks to ambassadors

By Achara Ashayagachat

The government yesterday assured Bangkok-based diplomats that the ruling made by the Constitution Tribunal to disband the Thai Rak Thai party and ban its 111 executive members from politics for five years was fair.

Permanent secretary for justice Jarun Pukditanakul told some 70 diplomats, including 17 ambassadors, from 39 countries and international organisations that the tribunal was independent and had no hidden agenda, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat.

Mr Tharit said yesterday's briefing was arranged to clarify misperceptions and misrepresentations, especially in the foreign media, that the tribunal was appointed by the Council for Democratic Reform (CDR), now known as the Council for National Security (CNS).

"The investigation into the [April 2, 2006] electoral fraud had been due in the court last July, before the Sept 19, 2006 coup.

"The senior judges therefore consulted and selected a Constitution Tribunal to replace the Constitution Court, which was dissolved after the CDR announcement abolishing the 1997 Constitution," Mr Jarun was quoted by the spokesman as saying.

The ruling by the tribunal was made on May 30.

The few questions from the diplomats included ones on the retroactivity of the law, whether the next election will be acceptable without the participation of Thai Rak Thai, and whether the 111 banned executive members can appeal.

The 111 Thai Rak Thai executive members were stripped of their voting rights and will not be able to sit as executive board members, run in elections or hold political portfolios for the next five years, the diplomats were told.

Mr Jarun argued that without the participation of Thai Rak Thai, there would be a chance for a new generation of politicians from other political parties to contest the next election.

An American diplomat said foreign governments had to respect the ruling which took place under the interim constitution.

"We hope there will be an election as soon as possible and that those who run in the next election represent all parts of society," the diplomat said.