Thai King criticizes current political situation

In his strongest political message in modern history, the King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadejlate Tuesday questioned the legitimacy of April 2 general election and ruled out exercising his power under Article 7 of the Constitution of Thailand.

In one of his strongest political messages, the King told the Administrative Court and the Supreme Court to explore all the legal solutions out of the current "political mess", saying that an election that produced a one-party Parliament is undemocratic.

The King criticized the Administrative Court for failing to accept complaints about the polls, and ruled out the possibility of a royally-appointed prime minister.

"You have the right to say what's appropriate or not," he told the Administrative Court's judges. "I not say the government is not good. But as far as I'm concerned, it is impossible. A one-party election is not normal. The one one-candidate situation is undemocratic. This is about administration. Do your best. You are not the government; you have to resign if you cannot do it."
The King urged the Administrative Court's judges to discuss with the Supreme Court and the Constitution Court to find solutions to resolve the impending political impasse. His remark came as the House is due to reconvene on May 1, 30 days after the general election on April 2 as stipulated by the Constitution.

"Without the House of Representatives, there won't be democracy. We have many types of courts and councils, every of them have to work in unity and find solutions," the King told the judges. He also rejected calls to intervene by exercising Article 7 of the Constitution to name a royally-appointed prime minister as echoed in the past few months by the members of the People Alliance of Democracy, opposition parties, and some academics.

"Article 7 does not empower the King to make a unilateral decision. It talks about constitutional monarchy but does not give the King power to do anything he wants. If the King made a decision, he would overstep his duty and it would be undemocratic."

He referred to his appointment of Prime Minister Sanya Dhammasak in 1973 that his action was democratic because there was still Parliament, parliament president and deputy parliament president to function under the Constitution.

"Royally appointed prime minister means appointing the prime minister without any rule. At that time there were rules. Professor Sanya was appointed as Prime Minister with Deputy Parliament in functioned. Go review history." He later spoke to Supreme Court judges, emphasizing the importance of democracy and that they should work with the Administrative Court to find solution for the current constitution crisis. "Now I have suffered a great deal because whatever happened there will always be calls for a royally appointed prime minister.

It is not democratic. Go back and read the Article 7. This is a wrong citation of Article 7. The article only has two lines; that is, whatever not stated by the Constitution, then should follow the traditional practices. But asking for the royally appointed prime minister is undemocratic. It is irrational, it a mess."

Before the King spoke, the government said it had drafted a Royal Decree that the Lower House of Representatives should convene, although it may run short of its statutory full quorum of 500 Members of Parliament.

The decree was undated because of uncertainty of the number of MPs. A third round of elections will be held on Saturday, two days before the House is constitutionally mandated to meet. Acting Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya said the decree was approved by Cabinet Tuesday afternoon. Chidchai said he considered such preparations a routine task of the government. He said it is yet too early to tell whether or not the issue will be forwarded to the Constitutional Court for a ruling.

The constitution of Thailand stipulates two separate events: The House must meet within 30 days from a general election and all 500 MPs must attend the session. As of today, only one of those conditions can be met. The outgoing government, under a caretaker premier, has indicated it would try to convene the Lower House even if few than 500 MPs are known.