NLA votes to accept impeachment case against former top Thai parliamentarians

BANGKOK, November 6( TNA) - Thailand's National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has decided to accept an impeachment case against former Senate speaker Nikhom Wairatpanich and former House speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont, lodged by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The NLA, at its Thursday's session, made the decision, in a secret ballot, with the majority vote of 87:75 and 15 abstention. The anti-graft panel accused Nikhom and Somsak of abusing their authority and violating the 2007 Constitution in a bid to change the makeup of the Senate. NLA Chairman Pornphet Wichitcholchai later told journalists that the NLA has authority to handle the case, but some NLA members did not agree; so, NLA members had debated the matter extensively before the vote. An NLA whip member, Jet Siratharanont, then told reporters that the NLA has set the opening statement on the case on November 24-25, with a committee to be later formed for interrogations which should take 30-45 days, during which the accused could present additional documents and witnesses. Afterwards, the NLA will vote whether the two former top Thai parliamentarians are to be impeached with a retroactive effect. On November 5, lawyers of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra asked the NLA chair to postpone its consideration on the proposed impeachment against the former female premier concerning her roles in her previous administration's loss-ridden rice-pledging scheme. Lawyers Anek Khamchoom and Norawit Lalaeng filed the request at the Parliament building, as the NLA is scheduled to consider the issue on November 12, also lodged by the NACC, reasoning that Yingluck had not received a document detailing the NACC's investigation and opinions in the case and the law requires such the document to reach Yingluck 15 days before the NLA considers the issue. The lawyers also asked the NLA chairman to prohibit NLA members from making any comment or criticism in public that could affect neutrality in the impeachment case against Yingluck. Accompanying the lawyers, Prompong Nopparit, former spokesman of Yingluck's Pheu Thai Party, insisted they were not making a political movement but were taking an action to protect Yingluck's rights. Meanwhile, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha stressed that there is no need for his government to prepare to deal with any renewed street protest, vowing, however, those staging a street rally now are to be responsible for consequences. General Prayut made the remarks one-day prior to the NLA's secret vote to consider proposed impeachments against the former House and Senate speakers. (TNA)