“I won’t return as a political appointee,” he said during an interview. “I was given the chance to work and I was happy. I want others to have that chance,” he said during an interview last week.

Others in the so-called 111 Club of ex-TRT politicians whose bans are about to expire may fight for titles initially, but peace will return as they have to work together to push through the party’s policies, he said.

“I’m out now; circumstances have changed. I’m interested in formulating economic ideas and will be pleased if they put the ideas into practice. Whatever ideas I may have will be passed on to those who want them. If the ideas are unwanted, I’m OK with it. I’m ready to help the government where I can.”

In his behind-the-scenes role in recent years, the 58-year-old spent time accumulating advice from academics and other parties and formulating economic plans for Pheu Thai, which is now led by Thaksin’s younger sister, Prime Minister Yingluck. In the Thaksin era, Prommin served as deputy prime minister in charge of economic affairs and played a key role in TRT’s populist policies.

Prommin recalled some painful experiences during the political ban. After the coup in 2006, he was closely watched while his boss was in exile. As he approaches retirement age, he prefers a quiet life and chooses not to return as a public figure.

To him, the ban was part of the attempt to eradicate Thaksin. Though, even with the coup, the attempt failed and all involved have learned the consequences. Referring to Dusit and Abac polls which said a majority of Thais support the return of the 111 Club’s members to politics, he said the ban served only to briefly disperse some able and popular politicians, against the people’s will.

“It demonstrated that [the banned politicians] can’t be replaced.”

He said that since 1973, Thailand’s politics have evolved in a way that has increased people’s power, in line with technological, economic and social developments. A key turning point was the May bloodbath in 1992, following a coup a year earlier, paving the way for the 1997 Constitution.

“I thought that [the 1991 coup] would be the last…Given the strong criticisms and admissions by the [coup] leader, General Sonthi [Boonyaratglin], the last coup should be the very last. No one should attempt to repeat it,” he said.

He reiterated that TRT came into power under the 1997 Constitution, which stipulated checks-and-balances and supported people’s power. He said it was painful to see power change hands under the barrel of a gun again in 2006.

“Still, I’m not sorry [for joining the Thaksin government], as I was able to use my knowledge to help develop the country.”

He claimed that TRT was the first party to tell the public how to reap democratic returns and how to press for their democratic rights. Meanwhile, externally, under Thaksin, Thailand won greater support from the US, Europe and the Middle East. This has revived since Yingluck came to power and her government has won greater international acceptance than the previous government, he said.

“Corruption has been in Thai society for a long time,” he said, countering criticism that the coup followed widespread corruption in the TRT era. “It depends on how you handle it and how the country is doing, in the big picture.”

While the coup cost Thailand the opportunity to rise further in the global scheme of things following the 2006 coup, Prommin said the negative consequences linger today, as many people remain in jail and many lost their lives in the political conflicts. Reconciliation will happen only when the facts are available, he said, referring to Martin Luther King’s famous saying, “No justice, no peace”.

He said a mechanism is needed to deal with diverse public demands and conflicts, as differences of ideas must be tackled in a peaceful way. Yet, he reiterated that all must accept the majority decision, to show that all, regardless of social status, are equal.

Denying that the Red Shirts have been bought, he split them into four groups – Thaksin’s fans, those against dictatorship, academics, and non-monarchists. They are independent from each other, he said.

“At one time, peace-loving Thais paused under the power of guns. But when they cast votes again, they will vote for their choice. They are denounced as stupid voters, but that’s their right and they are responsible for the negative consequences if they make the wrong decision,” he said.

Throughout the transformation of TRT into the People Power Party and then Pheu Thai, the movement’s base popularity has never been shaken, Prommin said. He attributed this to a deep understanding of people and their problems, which he said were the foundations of TRT’s economic policies.

As a non-politician, he said political parties should compete through policies to win votes in a constructive way. The Democrats’ moves on the cost of living are a good example, he said. Not all parties can compete in terms of populist policies, he said, as this requires a thorough understanding of the public’s demands.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Real-brain-of-Pheu-Thai-to-keep-its-low-profile-30182442.html

The event, held by the Royal Irrigation Department, aims to reveal final results of the EHIA and seek opinions from locals and relevant agencies, Kuesak Thathong, chief of RID’s Environmental Bureau, said.

A battle to sway public opinion has begun with many pro-dam billboards erected in Lat Yao and a conservationist warned not to discuss negative impacts from the dam.

The RID hired an environmental consultant/creative technology company to conduct the EHIA for the dam project. The firm began conducting a study for the assessment in August last year. It is expected to be done by July 25 this year.

The EHIA report says the dam will cover 12,900 rai of Sob Kok mountain in Nakhon Sawan’s Mae Wong district and Khanuworalukburi in Kamphaeng Phet province. Some 12,300 rai of this is in Mae Wong National Park. And the dam will deliver water to 291,900 rai of irrigated areas.

The study found over 12,900 rai of forest will be destroyed. Most of these areas are mixed deciduous forest, dry dipterocarp forest, and bamboo forest. Dam construction will affect the head watershed class 2 and class 3A. Building the dam will also affect the habitat of more than 400 wildlife species – most of them birds.

However, the study proposes five ways to resolve water issues in Mae Wong district and Sakae Krang watershed – a tributary of the Chao Phraya River.

The first solution the study suggests is for related agencies to manage existing irrigation infrastructure and not invest any budget. The second suggests these agencies invest Bt579 million for the construction of small dams along the river.

The third ’solution’ is to build small dams and a reservoir on a farmer’s rice plantation. This would cost about Bt 1.8 billion. The fourth is to build small dams and develop an underground water system. This would cost about Bt600 million to build. The fifth is to build the Mae Wong Dam, at a cost of Bt13 billion.

To date, there are about 164 projects in Sakae Krang watershed to resolve water problems. In Lat Yao district in Nakhon Sawan, there are two projects, including small dams on Klong Khun Rat. Small dams have also been installed at Ban Wang Sam Ran to resolve water problems.

Panudej Kerdmail from the Sueb Nakhasathian Foundation said they would send a person to the hearing. But it had found the EHIA by the company lacked details about the impact from the dam on the number and species of wildlife and flora that will be affected. It also did not mention compensation for locals who will lose land.

A resident from Lat Yao district, who did not want to be named, said she did not have much information about the dam. No officials had explained the pros or cons of the project. She heard via the media that today’s event would give results of the final EHIA study.

“Even if the dam is good for us, it would be better related agencies dredge and maintain the ‘dead’ canals,” she said.

Meanwhile, many billboards voicing backing the dam project were installed in the district prior to today’s public hearing.

Another local person, who leads a conservation group, who did not want to be unnamed, said he would not attend, because had been threatened by a group of armed people, who asked him to not speak about environmental impacts from the dam.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Dirty-tricks-ahead-of-Mae-Wong-Dam-hearing-today-30182443.html

Thai Rak Thai Party’s banned former foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai says the government needs to do a better job of handling challenges such as national reconciliation and violence in the deep South.

But the deputy leader of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party has ruled himself out of being part of these efforts in a political role.

Mr Surakiart is a member of House No.111 _ the group of Thai Rak Thai executives who were prohibited from participating in politics when their party was disbanded following electoral fraud.

The 111 former executives will get the opportunity to return to prominent roles in government once their five-year ban ends on May 30.

Mr Surakiart served a full term as foreign minister under ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

In the second Thaksin cabinet, he served as deputy prime minister until the Sept 19, 2006, coup d’etat that toppled his government.

But almost six years later, the veteran statesman said there was little chance of him returning to politics as part of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, led by Thaksin’s sister Yingluck.

“No one at any level from the government has approached me to take up any position in the Yingluck government, and I am not ready for public service,” Mr Surakiart said. “To be in politics requires desire and willingness. I do not have them.

“I am not ready and am not interested in taking any political position, be it a ministerial one or any other.”

Mr Surakiart said he does not plan to be an “actor”, but that he prefers to be a “political observer”.

He is heavily engaged in the academic world. He speaks frequently in local and overseas forums, lectures at Chulalongkorn University and conducts academic seminars on legal, economic and political issues at Harvard University.

Mr Surakiart is also a legal and business consultant and does charity work, including fund-raising for a children’s hospital to celebrate the 80th birthday anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen.

With this set of commitments, Mr Surakiart feels that he has enough on his plate.

“I really do not want to be a minister again as none of the positions present a challenge for me,” he said.

“Before I was appointed foreign minister, I told reporters that post was the only one in the government that really interested me.”

Still, Mr Surakiart offered political advice to the government, saying he wanted it to work seriously on a process of national reconciliation and creating a single command centre in the far South.

He also advised the government to prepare to cope with a new round of conflict with Cambodia.

Mr Surakiart was an adviser to the Truth for Reconciliation Commission, headed by former attorney-general Kanit na Nakorn, and was asked to talk to leaders of countries suffering from internal conflicts that needed a reconciliation process.

Mr Surakiart said Thailand lacked such a reconciliation process, and recommended that authorities talk to parties in the conflict _ the military, the judiciary, red shirts, yellow shirts and former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva _ to find which aspects of reconciliation they agreed with.

Regarding security problems in the southern border provinces, Mr Surakiart recommended creating a single centre of command.

Speaking about tension on the Thai-Cambodian border, he said the International Court of Justice was likely to rule next year on the ownership of the area around Preah Vihear temple.

Mr Surakiart predicted the border issue will continue to be a thorn in the side of both countries regardless of the outcome of the court verdict.

He said the problem could set back the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’s plans to form an Asean Economic Community in three years.

Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/294318/surakiart-rules-out-taking-up-govt-post

The government also approved short-term measures to curb the cost of living.

Acting government spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said the mobile cabinet meeting approved projects worth 33.11 billion baht to be implemented in eight provinces in the lower Central Plains to support development projects in Dawei. Of these, 60 projects worth about 1 billion baht are ready for immediate implementation.

They include building new roads, constructing an overflow dam on Huai Yang stream in Ratchaburi province and developing an information system for food security and health services in Suphan Buri province.

The cabinet agrees with the proposal of the National Economic and Social Development Board to support Myanmar in developing its deep-sea port and industrial estate in Dawei.

“[Dawei] can be a gateway for trade with the western side of the Asean region and a bridge to link Southeast Asia with other countries in the region. It will increase the GDP of Thailand by 1.9%,” Mr Anusorn said.

The national logistic development committee, headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong, will implement the supporting projects in three stages.

In the first stage, running until 2015, projects will focus on developing the southern zone of the Dawei port.

These will include constructing a four-lane road linking Dawei and the Thai-Myanmar border, a 93 million cubic metre reservoir, a coal-fired power plant, roads at the industrial estate, new residences, new government offices and water, drainage and wastewater treatment systems.

The second stage, lasting from 2013 to 2018, will include the expansion of the area’s drainage system, the widening of the road to Dawei to an eight-lane highway and the construction of a shopping centre in the area.

In the final stage from 2016 to 2020, projects will aim to develop the northern part of the Dawei port. During this phase, railway tracks, electricity lines and gas and oil pipelines will be extended into the area from Thailand.

Meanwhile, deputy government spokesman Pakdeehan Himathongkham said the cabinet has extended reductions in excise tax on diesel for another month.

The measure will cost the government about 9 billion baht but should help curb the cost of living for the general public, Mr Pakdeehan said.

He said the government would continue to consider extending the tax reduction on a monthly basis.

Transport Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan said the Mass Rapid Transit Authority will direct its Bangkok subway concessionaire Bangkok Metro Co Ltd to postpone its planned fare rise for three months from July 3 to Oct 2.

The current fare range of 15-40 baht is now scheduled to be increased to 16-40 baht on Oct 3 this year.

Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/294313/govt-commits-to-massive-investment-in-dawei-port

The project is developing a building on a land plot adjacent to the famous Chinese temple.

To the temple’s management and staunch followers, the project appears set to include a hotel, even though it will be dubbed as a serviced apartment.

“Our activities will start with lighting candles and saying prayers inside the temple,” Pisitchanon Niwattanakul, a member of the Leng Noei Yi Temple’s board, said yesterday.

He said the participants in the campaign would gather at 10.30 am. After the candle-lighting and prayer rituals, they would attend a seminar on Chinese culture and arts, as well as safety in high-rise buildings.

“The march will start around noon,” Pisitchanon said.

The procession will leave Leng Noei Yi Temple via its gate on Charoenkrung Road and move a short distance before re-entering via another gate.

“We will make the activities outside the temple brief because we don’t want to paralyse traffic,” he said.

Some 500 people from local communities and the Don’t Drive Drunk Foundation will definitely join today’s activities, Pisitchanon said.

“We believe some more people who have learnt about our activities from social media will also join in,” he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Opponents-of-Chinatown-temple-to-stage-rally-30182444.html

Red-shirt supporters have expressed dismay over ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s call for them to set aside their anger and frustration over social and legal injustices for the sake of national reconciliation.

Pansak Srithep, father of a 17-year-old boy who was killed on Ratchaprarop Road on May 15, 2010, said Thaksin’s comments showed that he loves himself more than the people.

“Certainly, it’s not fair for our family. But the 91 deaths [in the 2010 unrest] are perhaps a minority compared to hundreds of thousands of supporters who really love Thaksin. So the damaged parties like us have to sacrifice for the Thaksin supporters too,” Mr Pansak said.

Panitan Prueksakasemsuk, a third-year law student at Thammasat University, said Thaksin might feel he could continue to command the support of the mainstream red-shirt movement in making such a call.

He said that while he understood Thaksin’s desire, he felt unhappy with call.

“Thaksin and this government should be doing more to help political detainees receive their basic rights,” he said.

Pornchai Yuanyee, outgoing chairman of the Students Federation of Thailand, said national reconciliation was needed, but it could not be reached under a compromised justice system.

“We need to know first which parties should reconcile,” said Mr Pornchai, a fourth-year student in Chulalongkorn University’s political science faculty.

“If we compromise just to help bring one particular person back home, that should not be the case.

“He [Thaksin] should return home through democratic means.”

Prayuth Chumnasiew, Ubon Ratchathani’s core leader of the People and Academic Movement, said Thaksin was choosing a convenient path.

“People need to analyse the fact that perhaps Thaksin and Pheu Thai and the UDD are not the people to overhaul the present socio-political structure,” said Mr Prayuth, 60. “Economically, these players might be able to respond to the people’s need. But they are not the ones who can change the superstructure of society.”

Meanwhile, liberal red shirt members are proclaiming on social media websites that they would still continue their quest for change, regardless of Thaksin’s call.

Saovalux Phonga, a red shirt lawyer, said Thaksin was self-centred and cruel in making such a request.

“The truth and fact-finding process can actually proceed together with the reconciliation efforts. Why do we have to forget so easily, and so soon?” she said. “The truth must be disclosed to prevent impunity, which remains prevalent in Thai society.”

Sombat Boonngamanong, leader of the Red Sunday Group, wrote on his Twitter page that the red shirts were getting fed up with Thaksin.”The red shirts were fighting for democracy, so Thaksin must stop talking about himself,” he said.

“Thaksin must stop talking about returning home. Instead, he must put himself in a proper place.”

However, Tida Tawornseth, chairwoman of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), said she did not care what people or the political opposition thought about Thaksin’s message.

“Thaksin will never leave the red shirts. Thaksin, the red shirts and the Pheu Thai Party are all close allies,” she said.

She said Thaksin asked the red shirts to reconcile because he wanted the country to move forward so the government would be able to solve problems including the cost of living and other economic issues.

Ms Tida insisted that although the red shirts had close ties to Thaksin, the movement was independent of him.

“The red shirts gathered [at the Ratchaprasong intersection] on Saturday to commemorate those who died in the military crackdown on May 19, 2010. We did not go there because of Thaksin,” she said.

The UDD will continue to call for justice for those who died during the April and May protests two years ago and to support an amendment to the constitution and other laws to ensure all Thais have equal rights, liberty and opportunity.

Thaksin believes that if the national reconciliation process moves forward he would receive justice, and a chance to return to the country, Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Nattawut Saikua said.

Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/294312/red-shirts-affair-with-thaksin-cools

“Thailand would have a much better future if corruption, its biggest threat, is rooted out,” she said.

Yingluck was speaking at a conference to unveil her government’s anti-corruption strategy. More than 600 participants, including Cabinet members, heads of agencies, provincial governors and leading figures from the private sector, turned out in full force.

Over the past 18 years, Thailand has seen no significant improvement on various indices for transparency, Yingluck told the gathering.

Government officials are obliged to uphold the ideals of transparency and good governance, she said, adding that meritocracy should be encouraged so the tradition of accepting bribes to dispense job assignments can be stopped.

The government’s four priorities are to raise anti-corruption awareness, encourage each agency to come up with a work plan on transparency, take a proactive approach to detect graft violation and ensure strict law enforcement on the suppression and punishment of graft offenders, she said.

Public Sector Development Commission secretary-general Thosaporn Sirisumphand said each agency would be given one month to come up with their work plan on transparency. Meanwhile, all public service outlets will have to put up a sign reading “bribes not accepted” in a move to remind officials and members of the public to not condone kickbacks.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Yingluck-launches-anti-corruption-campaign-30182356.html

The house is being dusted down and the cameras set up in their secret locations as TrueVisions prepares for the ninth season of its massively successful 24-hour reality talent-search show “True Academy Fantasia”.

Last year, six million viewers tuned into the weekly concert performances, another 30 million hit the online site and 20 million dedicated “AF” fans sent in their votes, says TrueVisions’ managing director Anat Mekpaiboonwattana.

“This reality show helps Thai youths get over their shyness about expressing themselves and pay attention to the skills they need to learn to be an artist in the future,” Anat says.

Auditions commenced last month in the Northeast with a fantastic turn out in Khon Kaen. Earlier this month, would-be superstars from the South and the North headed to Nakhon Sri Thammarat and Chiang Mai to try their luck.

Youngsters from Bangkok and nearby provinces are auditioning until tomorrow at House on RCA.

The judges will whittle down the candidates to 100, announcing the names on Monday, then pick 24 semi-finalists on May 31.

The 12 finalists will be announced on June 24.

Viewers will see some changes this season. Two new judges have been recruited – director Yuthana “Jaew” Lorpunpaiboon and Anond “Poo” Saisangchan, the frontman for the rock band Blackhead, join last year’s additions Tata Young and Jirasak “Maew” Panpoom as well as regulars Satha “Rak” Sathathip, Orawan “Poom” Yenpoonsuk and choreographer Vanessa “Kru Ped” Kansopon.

“We felt we needed to be more cautious in selecting applicants,” says Chatree “Ohm” Kongsuwan, the music director. “The addition of Pa Jaew as a talent-scouting expert and Poo Blackhead as a rock musician will make the judging panel more powerful. Actually, all the judges, who have different characteristics and skills, help each other in deciding the overall selection of applicants. Maew is a rocker, guitarist, musician and producer, while Poom Orawan can tell after just a couple of notes if an applicant has the potential.

“The recruitment of Tata Young and Maew Jirasak last year was very helpful in selecting applicants who had singing skills. This year, we want to focus more on personality, hence the decision to bring two more judges to the panel. An applicant might have a good voice but zero personality or vice versa. We want to work on developing charm.”

Ohm has worked as music director since Season Four and has taken part in the selection of candidates since Season Six.

“I think that most of the youngsters take time to prepare but stage fright can cripple them during the audition. Of course, most of them come because they’ve been dreaming of being part of the entertainment industry. Their problem, at least at the beginning, is that they don’t yet know what they really want to be. Some of them bounce back from stage fright. This reality show is like a door: they can cross the threshold and find their dream.”

The concept of “True Academy Fantasia” Season 9 is “9 Hai Kern Fun”.

“Dreams are beautiful,” says Nitipong “Dee” Hornak, director of artist management. “But before dreams come true, there is both sweat and tears.”

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/life/A-new-semester-at-AF-30182339.html

Police estimate more than 50,000 people will gather at Ratchaprasong intersection today to mark the second anniversary of the violent political clashes.

Police are beefing up security in the area as members of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship gather, Metropolitan Police Bureau deputy chief Methi Kusolsang said.

Pol Maj Gen Methi said about 1,000 police will be deployed for the gathering. Core red shirt leader Yoswarit “Jeng Dokjik” Chuklom dismissed the police estimate of 50,000 and claimed there would be at least 100,000 people. He said police have sought coordination from both red shirt leaders and vendors in a bid to ensure safety for all.

Four checkpoints will be set up to search for weapons and alcoholic drinks at Chidlom, Pratunam, Chalermpao and Ratchadamri intersections.

Police will work closely with red shirt guards in screening the crowd.

The red shirts’ programme will start about 3pm and end about 2am on Sunday.

“Security deployment will start at 7am [today] while traffic police will move hours before that,” Pol Maj Gen Methi said.

A spokesman from CentralWorld shopping complex – which is located at Ratchaprasong – said the mall will open as usual today.

About 500 security guards have been assigned and bomb detection equipment will be available.

Meanwhile, the Democrat Party and the multi-coloured group yesterday organised activities at two separate locations in remembrance of the violence and tragedy related to the protest.

Deputy party leader Korn Chatikavanij led a group of Democrat MPs to release 500 white balloons and make merits at Wat Pathum Wanaram.

Mr Korn said that the party’s activities were to urge all parties concerned to refrain from violence and instead seek the truth.

He also called on the public not to to point the finger at any person or group for what had happened. Society as a whole should review its role and take responsibility.

“Peace will be restored when society is focused on truth and the justice system,” he said.

“By assigning blame to others, we fail to avoid conflicts.”

Supporters of the multi-coloured group led by Tul Sitthisomwong yesterday staged activities at King Rama VI’s monument in front of Lumpini park to mark the violent incidents in the lead-up to the May crackdown.

They moved to the Silom area where they observed a minute’s silence in respect for Thanyanant Taebthong who died in a grenade attack at the Sala Daeng BTS station on April 22, 2010.

The group then moved to Chulalongkorn Hospital to mark the April 29 invasion and occupation of Chulalongkorn Hospital by some 200 red shirts.

The red shirts raided the hospital on the grounds that it provided shelter to security forces, forcing the evacuation of patients including the Supreme Patriarch and suspension of services.

Dr Tul said the group’s activities were meant to show that the victims of violence were not limited to red shirts.

He urged authorities to speed up their investigation into the 91 deaths related to the violent protests.

Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/294066/50000-reds-to-remember-crackdown

The Pheu Thai Party has accepted a Constitution Court ruling disqualifying list MP and red shirt co-leader Jatuporn Prompan as an MP while expressing reservations about certain legalities and facts.

The Constitution Court yesterday decided on a vote of 7-1 to disqualify Mr Jatuporn as a lawmaker.

Court judge Jaran Pukditanakul did not join the court panel because his wife has been engaged in a legal dispute with Mr Jatuporn.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has not yet shut the door on Mr Jatuporn to take a post in her cabinet despite the court ruling.

She said she would raise the issue with the party’s legal team to consider how the court ruling will affect the party.

“Mr Jatuporn is a capable person,” she said.

Mr Jatuporn was expected to be appointed as a minister in the next cabinet reshuffle.

Pheu Thai deputy spokeswoman Sunisa Lertpakawat made a statement after the Constitution Court decided to strip Mr Jatuporn of his parliamentary status yesterday.

Lt Sunisa said the party respected the verdict, although it disagreed with some of the legalities and facts concerning the case.

She said the party was confident Mr Jatuporn had all the qualifications as an MP considering that the Election Commission certified Mr Jatuporn’s status as a Pheu Thai MP after the July 3, 2010 election, even though the EC later revoked his MP status.

Lt Sunisa said this showed that Pheu Thai had no intention to file an unqualified candidate to run in the poll.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, on the recommendation of the EC, asked the court to decide if Mr Jatuporn had lost his MP status under sections 101(3) and 106(4) of the constitution.

Four out of five commissioners in November last year voted to disqualify Mr Jatuporn and referred the matter to the Constitution Court for a ruling via the House Speaker.

The EC earlier said that since Mr Jatuporn failed to vote in the July 3 general election last year he had lost his Pheu Thai Party membership and should consequently be disqualified as an MP. Mr Jatuporn was elected a list-MP for Pheu Thai in the same election.

Mr Jatuporn faced a complaint that he was not a Pheu Thai Party member when he applied to run in the July 3 poll because he was in jail at the time.

Mr Jatuporn was detained in Bangkok Remand Prison on terrorism charges related to 2010’s red shirt protests.

His request for bail to leave the prison to vote in the July 3 poll was denied by the court.

His incarceration meant he was unable to vote, which rendered him ineligible to take his seat in parliament.

A source at the court said that of the eight judges, only Chat Cholaworn was in the minority.

Mr Chat reportedly judged that when the EC endorsed Mr Jatuporn’s MP status, it no longer had the authority to rule on Mr Jatuporn’s qualifications so Mr Jatuporn should not have lost his MP status.

The source said Mr Chat also said when considering the case, any laws with the status below the constitution cannot be taken into account so the decision to disqualify Mr Jatuporn’s MP status must be in line with the constitution only.

In considering the case, the court yesterday also cited the 2007 organic law on political parties.

After leaving the courtroom, Mr Jatuporn said he accepted the court’s ruling.

He said he had been resigned to his fate since the EC disqualified him and that he “never dreamed of getting justice from the Constitution Court”.

Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/294058/jatuporn-banned-as-mp