Senate Vets Chakrapong for Constitution Court Judge Seat

Matichon•Politics•8d ago

Reader Briefing

The Thai Senate has established a 15-member committee to scrutinize Chakrapong Wiwatwanit's qualifications for the Constitutional Court judge position, amid concerns about the selection process.

•The Thai Senate formed a 15-member committee to investigate the background and ethics of Chakrapong Wiwatwanit, nominated for the Constitutional Court.
•Concerns were raised about the committee's composition lacking representatives from relevant human rights and political development committees.
•A past screening committee's split 6-2 vote on Chakrapong's qualifications, with two dissenting votes from the President of the Supreme Court, has fueled debate.
•A Senator suggested increased transparency in the committee's report to allay public doubts regarding the selection process.

Overview

•On May 5, a Senate meeting chaired by Gen. Kriangkrai Srisak convened to consider the establishment of a special committee.
•The Senate established a 15-member ordinary committee to scrutinize the history and ethics of Chakrapong Wiwatwanit.
•Chakrapong Wiwatwanit was nominated to hold the position of Constitutional Court judge.
•Senator Devarit Maneechai expressed regret that the committee lacked representatives from committees on political development and human rights.
•A previous selection committee's outcome was not unanimous, with a 6-2 vote on Chakrapong's qualifications.
•The President of the Supreme Court, Adisak Tantivong, was among the two who found the qualifications inconsistent with the constitution.
•Senator Devarit Maneechai urged the selection committee to consider the substance of the process to clarify public doubts.
•Senator Wootichart Kulyanamit clarified that the selection process for this Constitutional Court judge position began in November 2024 and has taken 1.5 years.

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Key Quotes

Devarit Maneechai

"It is regrettable that the committee selection for the background check lacked representatives from committees on political development, public participation, human rights, liberties, and consumer protection."

การตั้งตัวแทน กมธ.เพื่อให้เป็นกมธ.ตรวจสอบประวัติ ไม่มีตัวแทนของกมธ.การพัฒนาการเมือง การมีส่วนร่วมของประชาชน สิทธิมนุษยชน สิทธิ เสรีภาพ และการคุ้มครองผู้บริโภค วุฒิสภ ถือเป็นความน่าเสียดาย

Wootichart Kulyanamit

"The selection process for constitution court judges this round has been ongoing since November 2024, taking a year and a half."

กระบวนการสรรหาตุลาการศาลรัฐธรรมนูญรอบนี้ทำมาตั้งแต่เดือน พ.ย.2024 หรือใช้เวลาปีครึ่ง

Key Entities

Organization

Senate(วุฒิสภา)ℹ️

The legislative body that established a committee to vet a candidate for the Constitutional Court.

Committee on Political Development, Public Participation, Human Rights, Liberties, and Consumer Protection(กมธ.การพัฒนาการเมือง การมีส่วนร่วมของประชาชน สิทธิมนุษยชน สิทธิ เสรีภาพ และการคุ้มครองผู้บริโภค)

A Senate committee whose representation was noted as missing from the vetting committee.

Senate Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures(วิปวุฒิสภา)

The committee Wootichart Kulyanamit is part of, which oversees Senate procedures.

Person

Chakrapong Wiwatwanit(จักรพงศ์ วิวัฒน์วานิช)

The individual nominated to serve as a judge of the Constitutional Court, whose qualifications are under scrutiny.

Gen. Kriangkrai Srisak(พล.อ.เกรียงไกร ศรีรักษ์)

The First Vice President of the Senate who presided over the meeting to establish the vetting committee.

Kamol Rodklai(นายกมล รอดคล้าย)