All parties urged to accept court ruling on Democrat Party dissolution case

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BANGKOK, Nov 30 - Thailand's National Security Council (NSC) chief on Tuesday conceded that not all groups of people felt that the Constitution Court ruling to dismiss the Democrat Party dissolution case was acceptable, but urged all parties to accept the court decision and observe the rule of law.

NSC Secretary-General Tawin Pleansri made his remarks following criticism of a so-called double standard regarding the sitting government and its political opponents after the court on Monday dismissed the nearly one year old dissolution case against Thailand's oldest political party over its alleged misuse of Bt29 million ($960,000) in political campaign funding, saying the filing complaint process lodged by the Election Commission (EC) was unlawful.

Mr Tawin said few groups of people rejected the Monday court ruling and that there is no report of possible protest against the matter.

"The case has two sides. No matter the result is, if the court ruling is satisfying [to them], people say it's fair. When they are not satisfied with the ruling, they say it's unfair," said Mr Tawin. "If it is so, the story will never end."

Asked whether he's worried about underground movements, the NSC chief said the country has had problems during the past three years and that he believes both the Red Shirt "United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) and the yellow-clad People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) do not want the situation to be like that again.

Mr Tawin added there is a possibility that a state of emergency may be lifted before the New Year depending on the assessment of the situation, which has been regularly conducted. He re-emphasised that there is no reason to maintain imposition of the security law if the situation is orderly.

The Emergency Decree remains in effect in Bangkok and its three adjacent provinces of Nonthaburi, Samut Prakarn and Pathum Thani.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Tuesday reaffirmed that no double standard practice has been applied to the Democrat dissolution case.

Mr Suthep, who is also the Democrat MP for Surat Thani, asserted that the Constitution Court dismissed the party dissolution case because the process of filing the complaint by the EC was unlawful.

"Accusations of double standards is simply a matter of satisfaction and dissatisfaction over the case of a person." said Mr Suthep. "I consider such an accusation on the Thai government as destroying the country's system [of governance]. The Thai government and courts have no double standards."

The deputy premier added he is confident that the court's consideration process is correct and independent.

Following rumours of a possible House dissolution to end the country's political conflict, Ongart Klampaiboon, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office and the Democrat MP for Bangkok, on Tuesday said there is no sign leading to the dissolution of Parliament.

Mr Ongart said he believes the government can still do its job as there is one year left in its administrative term.

"The prime minister has always stated that he is ready to dissolve Parliament anytime, but it depends on the circumstances and I can't foresee the situation", said the minister. "There must be sufficient cause and other elements when the House is dissolved." (MCOT online news)