With 2 updates: Prostitution and the Constitutional Court judges

In an editorial, the Bangkok Post continues the mainstream media’s somewhat wishy-washy approach to allegations that some judges in the Constitutional Court and corrupt and compromised.

The editorial refers to Judge Jarun Pukditanakul defending his colleagues, saying they were not “prostitutes” who could be bought. Unfortunately, the evidence suggests something else. And here we can go back even before the current Democrat Party-led coalition. To equate them with prostitutes is unfair to the mostly poor women and men who labor in the sex industry.

The judge believes that the release of the video clips “was the work of some ill-intentioned elements bent on destroying the Constitution Court…”. Maybe the judge should consider who is “ill-intentioned.” It seems to PPT that the clips can be seen as whistle-blowing. Whistle blowers usually seek to expose those who are truly “ill-intentioned.” In this case, judges and court officials.

Unsurprisingly, the Bangkok Post agrees with the judge, observing: “There is little doubt the entire video saga is intended to discredit the Constitution Court.” Think again!

But through metaphorically grinding teeth, the editorial adds: “Still, what the clips reveal, particularly the latest one pertaining to the alleged leak of test papers, must be clarified in a thorough and transparent manner so as to clear any lingering doubts in the public mind. A mere denial and explanation from a single judge is not sufficient. People are perplexed and need to know whether there really was a leak of the test papers, and whether certain judges were involved…. The public appears to have been led to believe there might be some truth to this allegation.”

Does the Post really believe that there is no truth? Of course not! The editorial is simply protecting the privileged. In other words, the Post is complicit in corruption and double standards. Many people are not “perplexed” at all. They understand that the double standards in Thai society underpin and bolster not only elite wealth, but the corruption that adds to their enrichment.

Yes, the Post knows the “Constitution Court is facing its worst crisis of confidence, with its judges implicated in scandalous conduct.” However, their recommendation is misguided: “The judges of the Constitution Court have no choice. They must tell the public the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” Who will believe them? Only those who want to believe them. Where is the call for a truly independent investigation? Perhaps the Post realizes that independence is a commodity priced by loyalty and benefit in Abhisit’s Thailand.

Update 1: No one should have expected anything but a whitewash from the Constitutional Court’s own “investigation” of its own alleged corruption and collusion with the ruling Democrat Party. And, as if working under direction, this is what they have managed to quickly decide. The Bangkok Post says: “The Constitution Court panel investigating the release of video clips, some of which allegedly involve its justices, has concluded its inquiry without any recommendations for disciplinary action. Sanit Jora-anan, an adviser to the office of the Constitution Court and head of the panel investigating the video footage, said yesterday the committee had no initial recommendations for disciplinary action against court staff over the matter. No court officials were found to have been involved in filming the clips that appear to feature a closed-door meeting of Constitution Court judges, Mr Sanit said.”

PPT doubts this is the end of it. Such a self-serving outcome won’t even cut the mustard in Abhisit’s warped world of political favoritism and privilege.

Update 2: The Nation has a slightly different account of the “investigation,” saying that the blame for recordings is placed on on sacked court official Pasit Sakdanarong.