Bangkok: Chuan Leekpai has voiced strong criticism against political interference in the judicial structure of the Constitutional Court, particularly condemning the influence of gratitude debts on court rulings.
According to Thai News Agency, the Democrat Party MP and former Prime Minister, Chuan Leekpai, spoke out during a recent House of Representatives meeting, where he debated the 400 billion baht loan decree. He was among 133 individuals who exercised their rights under Article 173, paragraph one, of the Constitution, to request the Speaker of the House to refer the matter to the Constitutional Court. This was to determine whether the decree aligned with Article 172 of the Constitution concerning national security, public safety, economic stability, or the prevention of public disasters. The Constitutional Court ruled unanimously (9 votes) that the decree related to assisting citizens, farmers, and entrepreneurs complied with Article 172, paragraph one. However, the court ruled (7:2) that the provision related to promoting efficient energy use did not comply with the same article.
Mr. Chuan expressed his respect for the discretion of the nine Constitutional Court judges, emphasizing the court's role as a national cornerstone. He voiced concerns about changes to the constitutional structure that might affect judicial rulings. Highlighting an unusual appointment, he pointed out that the Director-General of the Department of Highways is now a judge, a shift from the traditional reliance on lawyers and administrators. Despite his respect for Judge Sarawut Songsiwilai's capabilities, Mr. Chuan urged the judges to maintain their principles amidst political interference and not to let gratitude debts sway their decisions.
He illustrated his point with a metaphor, suggesting that debts of gratitude should only be repaid at the end of life, such as attending a benefactor's funeral. He emphasized the importance of upholding principles for effective governance, warning against allowing political interference to alter judicial decisions.
Mr. Chuan further criticized the executive branch's past actions, citing an instance where principles were violated, leading to significant consequences. He described a scenario where the executive branch overstepped by executing criminals without judicial oversight, resulting in severe repercussions and numerous casualties. He stressed that adherence to governance principles is essential to avoiding similar issues in the future.