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Protests Erupt in Bangkok After Thai Court Ruling Clears PM of Ethics Charges
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December 2, 2020
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Dec 2, 20200:49Now PlayingLeaders of Thailand pro-democracy protest movement slammed a court ruling on Wednesday that cleared Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha of breaching ethics clauses in the country's constitution, allowing him to stay on in his job.
"When, for the survival of one person, you create a new standard by destroying the principle of the law, then the judicial institution must be reformed," one of the movement's main leaders, Arnon Nampha, told a rally.
He spoke on a stage designed to look like a courtroom, just after one of the protesters smashed up a 'spirit house', symbolising the destruction of the court. The Thai word for "spirit house" is the same as for "court".
The ruling by the Constitutional Court came after a complaint brought by the Pheu Thai party, the largest opposition group in Parliament, that Prayuth had broken the law by continuing to live in his military residence after he retired as army commander in September 2014.
The complaint alleged that he broke constitutional articles barring government ministers from receiving special benefits from state agencies or enterprises because that would amount to a conflict of interest.
If a minister is found guilty of violating ethical standards, the official is to be disqualified and forced to step down.
The nine-judge panel agreed with an army explanation that retired senior officers such as Prayuth are allowed to stay in army housing in recognition of their service.
Another protest leader, Parit Chiwarak, said that there was a debate over whether the law in Thailand had double standards or many standards. The court's decision, he told the rally, had settled the question.
"From the actions of the Constitutional Court today, it proves there is no standard," he said to cheers.
The ruling comes as Prayuth has been dealing with a persistent student-led pro-democracy movement that has been holding frequent well-attended rallies demanding that he and his government step down, charging that they came to power illegitimately.
They are also demanding a new constitution and reform of the country's powerful monarchy to make it more transparent and accountable.
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