An intriguing scene unfolded in the bustling Pathumwan district of Bangkok on August 10, capturing the attention of onlookers and media alike. A board hanging proudly displayed the People’s Party’s eye-popping amount of donations, much to the delight of its organizers. But behind the scenes, the celebration raised a flurry of legal questions, as highlighted by none other than Constitutional Court Judge Udom Sittiwirattham.
Judge Udom, speaking passionately at a seminar about the Constitutional Court’s vital role in protecting people’s rights and freedom, threw a spanner in the works by questioning the legality of the fundraising activities. The People’s Party (PP), which emerged like a phoenix from the ashes of the disbanded Move Forward Party (MFP), had managed to amass at least 17 million baht in donations, setting tongues wagging and causing quite a stir.
The judge’s thought-provoking comments were swiftly shared in a Facebook post by user Tanyatorn Rojmahamongkol, casting a shadow over the PP’s celebratory atmosphere. What was perplexing was this: Could the People’s Party, which hadn’t yet completed its official registration, legally collect donations?
PP, it turns out, was formerly known as the Thin Kakao Chaovilai Party, a name that has yet to be officially relinquished. As tongues clucked and eyebrows raised, concerns were voiced over which entity the donation receipts were being issued under. This scenario added layers of complexity to an already tangled web, as supporters eagerly showered the nascent party with funds.
The judge revealed that the donations were funneling into an old bank account associated with the still-officially-named Thin Kakao Chaovilai Party. This claim required verification, raising more legal conundrums and putting the authorities on high alert.
Reports emerged that the PP had filed the necessary paperwork to be officially renamed with the Election Commission (EC), but the sluggish approval process left everyone in a state of limbo. To legally establish itself, the People’s Party would need to be officially recognized in the Royal Gazette, marking the completion of its registration.
Despite the bureaucratic hurdles, the PP demonstrated a knack for rallying support, registering over 33,000 members and raking in 17 million baht in a mere 24 hours since its enthusiastic launch on August 9. Former MPs of the dissolved MFP had orchestrated a seamless takeover of the Thin Kakao Chaovilai Party, cleverly rebranding it as the People’s Party.
Judge Udom, with a hint of wry humor, remarked that the dissolution of the MFP wasn’t all gloom and doom. “They’ve snagged millions in donations within a couple of days,” he remarked with a twinkle in his eye. “Before, the MFP didn’t command such financial clout. Perhaps they should thank me for the unexpected windfall,” he chuckled.
He urged MFP supporters to ponder their party’s fate, recounting the events of August 7 when the Constitutional Court ordered the MFP’s disbandment for daring to challenge the constitutional monarchy. The court had cited the party’s controversial proposal to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code—the lese majeste law—during their fervent campaign for the May 14, 2023 election. Their relentless efforts to alter the law through various political activities and channels rubbed the authorities the wrong way.
With an air of bemusement, Judge Udom noted the emotional rollercoaster experienced by the party’s supporters. They had lamented the dissolution one day only to leap with joy the next, celebrating the birth of the People’s Party and the subsequent donation deluge.
In response to accusations that the PP may have jumped the legal gun by operating prematurely, the Election Commission’s secretary-general, Sawaeng Boonmee, vowed to scrutinize the situation. He acknowledged that the PP might be using the Thin Kakao Chaovilai Party’s bank account but emphasized they couldn’t legally receive donations in their new name without formal recognition.
As the People’s Party navigates these murky legal waters, all eyes are on the administrative gears turning slowly to ratify their status. Until then, the drama and intrigue surrounding this political saga continue to captivate, leaving everyone on the edge of their seats.
I can’t believe how shady this whole situation is! If the People’s Party isn’t officially registered, how can they legally take donations?
Exactly! This needs to be investigated thoroughly. They’re exploiting loopholes, and it could have serious legal ramifications.
But if they submitted the paperwork, isn’t it more the fault of the slow bureaucracy? Maybe we should be focusing on the inefficiency of the system.
I think Judge Udom is right to question this. These political maneuvers just don’t sit right with me. They should have waited for official recognition.
True, but the system shouldn’t be this convoluted. It almost encourages these kinds of actions.
Honestly, this feels like a witch hunt against the People’s Party. Every emerging party faces the same bureaucratic delays.
But not every party raises 17 million baht in a day! The numbers alone are suspicious.
Money shouldn’t change the focus. It’s about people’s right to support a political movement. Why are we questioning the public’s choice?
Judge Udom’s comments were on point! It’s like a circus with all the drama and the legal mess these guys are dragging everyone into. Can we even trust this party?
Drama aside, it’s refreshing to see people engaged in the political process. The People’s Party shows that people do care about politics.
I’m all for engagement, but not at the cost of legal integrity. They need to play by the rules.
Agreed, Chris. Engagement is important, but it shouldn’t become a loophole exploitation fest.
What happened to MFP might happen to PP if they don’t tread carefully. Political missteps have consequences!
Exactly, Janet. They’re playing a risky game. A name change doesn’t erase their past.
Can we even believe Judge Udom? These judges seem to have their own political agendas. This might be more about personal vendettas than legal issues.
PP has a lot of support, but this just adds fuel to the fire. Shouldn’t any political party be vetted properly before they start collecting funds?
Absolutely, Grower134! Let’s be honest here. If they are legit, they should withstand scrutiny.
What does it say about our government if people feel the need to donate huge amounts to unregistered parties? Clearly, there’s a demand for change.
Great point, Nina. People wouldn’t support them if there wasn’t a problem with the current system.
Just because there’s demand doesn’t mean we shouldn’t follow the law. Reform is needed, but proper channels exist for a reason.
This whole situation just highlights how broken our political system might be. It’s chaotic and lacks clear guidelines.
If the PP is using old accounts to funnel money, that’s a huge red flag. Transparency is key in politics, and they’re failing at it.
Why are we so focused on these technicalities? The real issue is how quickly people want change—they’re not waiting for the slow gears of bureaucracy.
Does anyone else find it ironic that Judge Udom is almost congratulating them on getting donations? Sounds like he has mixed feelings about this.
Mixed feelings or not, legality can’t be a gray area. PP needs to get its act together if it expects the public’s trust.
In the end, what matters is that people feel represented and heard. If they have to take unconventional routes, maybe it’s the system that’s at fault.
No one is saying change isn’t needed. But if we start ignoring legal processes, it could lead to anarchy. Systems must evolve within existing frameworks.