Party accuses PM of malfeasance

Court asked to rule on 12 MPs’ status

A micro opposition party yesterday lodged a petition against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha with the National Anti Corruption Commission (NACC) accusing him of malfeasance over sedition charges brought by the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) against 12 people, including six opposition politicians.

The petition, filed by Nikom Boonwiset, leader of the Palang Puang Chon Chao Thai Party, targeted Gen Prayut in his capacity as Isoc’s director. According to the party, the sedition charges are false and unfounded.

Mr Nikom said the charges undermine the party’s reputation and popularity, so party members agreed it should ask the NACC to launch a probe against Gen Prayut. The party was among those represented at a forum targeted for legal action by the Isoc complaint.

He said the party was considering filing a civil lawsuit against the prime minister demanding compensation for damages. A complaint would also be lodged against Gen Prayut with the Crime Suppression Division (CSD).

The move comes after 4th Army Region commander Lt Gen Pornsak Poonsawat asked Maj Gen Burin Thongpraphai, legal officer of Isoc Region 4 forward command, to lodge a complaint against 12 people who expressed views on the constitution during an opposition charter-change discussion in Pattani on Sept 28.

The forum heard from Kasetsart University social scientist Chalita Banthuwong, who gave her views on changing Section 1 of the constitution, which stipulates that Thailand is one indivisible kingdom.

Also among the 12 were Sompong Amornwiwat, leader of the Pheu Thai Party, Future Forward Party leader, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, and Prachachat Party leader Wan Muhammad Nor Matha.

According to Isoc, the discussion threatened national security and solutions to problems in the southernmost provinces.

Meanwhile, 51 MPs have formally sought a ruling from the Constitutional Court on whether the six opposition politicians at the charter change forum in Pattani were qualified to remain as MPs.

Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn and Sira Jenjaka, both Palang Pracharath Party MPs, submitted the petition to the court via Parliament President Chuan Leekpai yesterday. Mr Sira said the six politicians were not fit to be MPs because they did nothing to stop the forum discussion on Section 1 of the charter. The House standing committee on law, justice and human rights. has called on Maj Gen Burin to explain Isoc’s intentions in filing the charges.