Court Power

Thailand has seen some amazing justice these days. Hardly amazing regarding the nature of the verdicts. But amazing that the first time since years seemingly untouchable powers are touched. At the same time, after a long wait, the court action against former prime minister Thaksin starts - who has even been barred from leaving the country. The PAD and opposition look like amateurs in comparison.

The hail of deep blows against “lawmakers” (what an ironic term) started with the jailing of three lawyers of Thaksin. Then the Supreme Court banned former house speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat from politics for election fraud, while the Constitution Court ruled that Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama acted unconstitutionally with the signing of the Preah Vihear joint communiqué. Noppadon reacted swiftly. And resigned.

Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsab was already kicked out of office by the Constitution Court … Is Thailand witnessing a “Judicial Revolution,” as Marwaan Macan-Markar of IPS argues. Some even talk of a “Judicial Coup.” Not a good thing? Well, when nobody trusts the politicians anymore, I’m all for a “guided democracy.”

Meanwhile there is new talk of house dissolution or the dissolution of the ruling party, whereas Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej could himself be implicated in the new Japanese bribery scandal dating back to his Bangkok governorship. And, in another astonishing case, the Supreme Court at last issued an arrest warrant for former interior minister Vatana Asavahame.

Why all this sudden court action. To the outsider it looks like a carefully concerted clean-up from the inside. The rule of law is commonly considered the weakest link in Thailand’s political and constitutional system. The more astonishing it would be if those for a long time quietly ridiculed judges start to do what they have to do. Speak justice.

Mountains would have to be moved to clean up the place. But first steps are taken and we can not stop wondering if one day the unthinkable happens. That Thaksin has to be present in court when one of the many expected verdicts is handed down.

We were assured by reliable sources that most cases against Thaksin will be thrown out of court due to the lack of evidence. But hey, those prosecutors were working 24/7 to gather more than circumstantial proofs.

Maybe there’s hope again for Thailand.

If the parasites at the top no longer make the law, but fear the law.

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