Bangkok: Senator Nantana Nantvaropas has initiated legal action against media outlets and citizens, alleging that they have been misled and silenced within the parliament, which has hindered their ability to contest the establishment of an independent organization. In response to this development, Lawyer Aun is preparing to submit a request to halt the selection process and initiate an ethics investigation against the senator who accused Nantana.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Nantana, a senator, issued a statement opposing the appointment of independent organizations within the Senate following recent protests during a meeting to approve nominees for Constitutional Court judges. She emphasized the significance of the positions under consideration, which include Constitutional Court judges and Election Commission members. Ms. Nantana highlighted that 138 senators have been accused by the 26th subcommittee of the Election Commission (EC), which has referred the case to the main EC for legal action. Despite their presumed innocence, the situation presents a conflict of interest. The senator had previously called for the involved senators to abstain from voting on the nominations, but the debate was halted due to protests and a ruling by the meeting chairman, which she argues deprived the public of important information.
Ms. Nantana expressed her frustration with the parliamentary process, claiming it obstructed open debate and transparency. She stressed the ethical concerns surrounding the involvement of senators in selecting members of independent organizations while being implicated in a conflict of interest. The approval process for these positions is scheduled for August and December, while the EC’s resolution of the senators’ case could take up to eight months, potentially influencing the composition of these organizations. Ms. Nantana questioned the fairness of the justice process in light of these developments and urged public awareness of the ongoing situation.
In a related move, Mr. Phatthapong Suphaksorn, also known as Lawyer Aun Buriram, announced plans to submit a letter to the chairman of the selection committee and all members, urging them to halt the selection process. He expressed his hope that the current Senate’s selection of Constitutional Court judges would be the last. Mr. Phatthapong intends to present this request to the Supreme Court office to prevent further appointments under the current circumstances.
Moreover, Mr. Phatthapong plans to initiate an ethics investigation against the senators who protested and criticized Ms. Nantana, accusing her of having obsessive-compulsive disorder. He believes this behavior warrants examination by the Senate Ethics Committee, asserting that the conduct of the involved senators is inappropriate.