The 112 “fix”

The Bangkok Post reports on the upcoming conclusion to the 112-inspired witch hunt of reformist politicians.

Of course, rubbing out the 44 reformists from the People’s Party is important for the conservatives and royalists if they “fix” the election outcome and form yet another conservative government after the next election, now only about 110 days away if Anutin Charnvirakul sticks to his pledge.

It has been reported that the National Anti-Corruption Commission has dutifully stated that it plans to deliver its verdict on the reformers before the election. An expected finding against them will mean that none of them can stand for election.

Recall that the NACC investigation came after the ludicrous decision by the politicized Constitutional Court early last year that Move Forward’s parliamentary efforts to amend the lese majeste law “was deemed an attempt to undermine the constitutional monarchy.”

Rangsiman. Clipped from the Bangkok Post

Flagging the NACC’s probe, People’s Party MP Rangsiman Rome has correctly insisted that the move to amend the law in parliamentary debate and discussion did not breach any ethical standards.

Rangsiman, who is one of those being investigated, correctly observed “that the amendment proposal was conducted transparently, through proper parliamentary procedures and in accordance with the MPs’ duties…. He also noted that the amendment bill had never been formally placed on the House agenda.”

He also “called on the public to avoid rushing to the conclusion that these former MPs would be found in the wrong, saying the assumption would imply that a proper justice process did not exist.”

PPT is among those who do not see any proper processes when it comes to 112.

He added that he hoped “that both state authorities and the NACC would perform their duties impartially, free from political motivation or bias.”

As much as we hope we are wrong, we see that as a plea that is unlikely to be heeded in royalist Thailand.