SPEECH TO LAWYERS
Privy Councillor Tanin Kraivixien and former prime minister Chuan Leekpai have thrown their support behind the 2007 constitution, saying it was written well to enhance the appropriate functions of both branches of power.
Addressing new lawyers from Class 60 of the Institute of Legal Education of the Thai Bar Association in Bangkok yesterday, Mr Tanin praised the present constitution for introducing better mechanisms to punish wrongdoing by legislators.
He cited Article 279 of the charter, which permits the impeachment of those in political positions who violate their code of ethics.
He also stressed the importance of lawyers being free from prejudice.
He then noted that prejudice existed among legislators as they set very light punishments for themselves, such as warnings or condemnations. Legislators did not impose harsher punishments because they were afraid of becoming victims of their own laws, he said.
Prejudice was very dangerous to the public if it resided with executives and administrators, as that could lead to extra-judicial killings and scapegoats, he warned.
Mr Chuan said the present crises in the nation resulted from government that lacked the rule of law.
"Government based on the rule of law can reduce violence and mob rule. The worst crisis cannot be blamed on the constitution. The crisis results from the administrators who do not observe the rule of law," he said.
That was the reason Article 3 of the constitution requires the parliament, the cabinet, courts, constitution-created organisations and state agencies to adhere to the rule of law, said Mr Chuan, the chief adviser to the opposition Democrat party.
He pointed out that courts were the parties that could solve national problems and that people hoped that courts would reach their verdicts without being influenced. Mr Chuan added that violence in the South resulted from a lack of understanding of the rule of law, in addition to history.
Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Next
