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Suraphon Nitikraipoj's Stance: 2 Coups, Puea Chart Ideology

Suraphon Nitikraipoj's Stance: 2 Coups, Puea Chart Ideology

Matichon•Politics•10d ago

Reader Briefing

Political analyst Suraphon Nitikraipoj's past controversial stances on coups and constitutional amendments are under scrutiny as he joins the Puea Chart Party.

  • •Former university rector Suraphon Nitikraipoj is facing criticism for his past political involvement, including actions during past coups and constitutional amendment attempts.
  • •Nitikraipoj denies seeking a prime minister under Article 7 or supporting the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) protests.
  • •He has joined the Puea Chart Party as a strategic advisor and was reportedly a candidate for Bangkok Governor.
  • •His past legal arguments regarding constitutional amendments and his role in the 2012 amendment attempt are being highlighted.
  • •The Puea Chart Party is defending Nitikraipoj, emphasizing his current stance and commitment to the party's vision.

Overview

  • •Suraphon Nitikraipoj became a strategic advisor to the Puea Chart Party, a move met with political debate.
  • •Suraphon Nitikraipoj stated he never requested a prime minister under Article 7 or joined the PDRC whistles.
  • •Nitikraipoj was a candidate for Bangkok Governor of the Puea Chart Party, but ultimately decided not to run.
  • •In 2006, Nitikraipoj proposed that Prime Minister Thaksin submit a request to abdicate and propose a new Prime Minister to manage elections.
  • •The 19 September 2006 coup followed a period of political deadlock and strategic planning, involving Sonthi Limthongkul's media activities.
  • •Suraphon Nitikraipoj served as Rector of Thammasat University during the 2006 coup and subsequent political turmoil.
  • •Suraphon Nitikraipoj testified against the dissolution case of the Move Forward Party, providing legal opinions.
  • •Suraphon Nitikraipoj believes constitutional amendments must first undergo a referendum, as ruled by the Constitutional Court on July 13, 2012.
  • •The Constitutional Court's ruling on July 13, 2012, mandated a referendum for any amendment that repeals the entire constitution.
  • •The 22 May 2014 coup occurred following the invalidation of the February 2, 2014 election and the removal of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Suraphon Nitikraipoj
"If the constitution is to be amended, a referendum must be held first."
หากจะแก้ไขรัฐธรรมนูญ ก็ต้องทำประชามติเสียก่อน

Key Entities

Person

Suraphon Nitikraipoj(สุรพล นิติไกรพจน์)ℹ️
Former university rector and current strategic advisor to the Puea Chart Party, whose past political stances are under scrutiny.
Sonthi Limthongkul(สนธิ ลิ้มทองกุล)ℹ️
A key figure involved in the political movements leading up to the 2006 coup, through his media activities.

Organization

Puea Chart Party(พรรคประชาชน)ℹ️
Political party that has appointed Suraphon Nitikraipoj as a strategic advisor and was defending him against criticism.
PDRC(กปปส.)ℹ️
People's Democratic Reform Committee, a protest group whose activities Suraphon Nitikraipoj denies supporting.
Thaksin Government(รัฐบาลทักษิณ)ℹ️
The government led by Thaksin Shinawatra, during which political crises and elections occurred.
Democrat Party(พรรคประชาธิปัตย์)ℹ️
The opposition party that announced a boycott of the 2006 election, a move discussed in the context of political negotiations.
People's Alliance for Democracy(พันธมิตรประชาชนเพื่อประชาธิปไตย)ℹ️
A political movement that grew from media activities leading into the 2006 coup period.
Thammasat University(มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์)ℹ️
The university where Suraphon Nitikraipoj served as rector during the period of the 2006 coup.
NPOK(นปก.)
An anti-coup group that emerged after the 2006 coup, a precursor to larger political movements.
UDD(นปช.)ℹ️
United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, a pro-Thaksin political movement that evolved from earlier groups.
Red Shirts(คนเสื้อแดง)ℹ️
Supporters of the pro-Thaksin movement, who sought to use Thammasat University facilities for rallies.
Pheu Thai Party(เพื่อไทย)ℹ️
The political party in government in 2012 that pushed for constitutional amendments.
Yingluck Government(รัฐบาลยิ่งลักษณ์)ℹ️
The government led by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, which attempted to amend the constitution in 2012.
Constituent Assembly(สสร.)
A Constituent Assembly, the establishment of which was proposed to amend the 2007 Constitution entirely.
Constitutional Court(ศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ)ℹ️
The court that made rulings on constitutional challenges, including the amendment attempts in 2012.
Bhumjaithai Party(พรรคภูมิใจไทย)ℹ️
A political party that was in government during a previous administration, questioned in relation to coalition-building strategies.
Move Forward Party(พรรคก้าวไกล)ℹ️
A political party facing a dissolution case, for which Suraphon Nitikraipoj provided legal testimony.

Law

Article 7(มาตรา 7)
A legal provision, part of past Thai constitutions, related to the appointment of a prime minister, which Suraphon Nitikraipoj denies requesting.
2007 Constitution(รัฐธรรมนูญ 2007)ℹ️
The constitution enacted as a result of the 2006 coup, which later became the subject of amendment attempts.
Article 291(มาตรา 291)
Article 291 of the 2007 Constitution, which provided the legal basis for amending it, and became a focal point of legal disputes.

Position

Governor of Bangkok(ผู้ว่าฯ กทม.)
The position Suraphon Nitikraipoj was considered as a candidate for by the Puea Chart Party.

Timeline

2012(ปี 2012)
The year in which efforts to amend the 2007 constitution were a major political issue.
July 13, 2012(13 ก.ค. 2012)
The date the Constitutional Court issued a ruling regarding the amendment of the entire 2007 Constitution.
May 22, 2014(22 พ.ค. 2014)ℹ️
The date of another military coup in Thailand.

Policy

Reconciliation by Amnesty(นิรโทษกรรมสุดซอย)
A controversial amnesty proposal that was part of the amendment efforts, leading to further political escalation.

Ideology

Blue Regime(ระบอบสีน้ำเงิน)
A term used by the Puea Chart Party to describe a political system they oppose, suggesting a need to gain support from differing viewpoints.