Former Pheu Thai MPs facing impeachment over the attempt to amend the 2013 charter yesterday called on the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) to allow them to defend themselves against the allegations before the chamber. The former MPs, led by ex-legislators Samart Kaewmeechai and Witthaya Buranasiri, lodged a petition with NLA vice-president Peerasak Porjit.
The assembly is scheduled to hear opening statements from the accused and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on July 15-16.
The former Pheu Thai MPs are among a total of 248 ex-MPs accused of misconduct in connection with the 2013 charter amendment attempt to make the Senate fully elected. More than 200 are from the Pheu Thai Party. Under the impeachment motion, the ex-MPs are accused of abusing their power and violating the constitution in their attempt to amend the 2007 charter regarding the Senate's composition. The motion follows a 2014 Constitutional Court ruling that the amendment attempt had violated Section 68 of the 2007 charter, which prohibits attempts to overthrow the monarchy and unconstitutional efforts to seize power. In March this year, 38 former senators survived a similar impeachment motion, which did not get the required votes of 132 in the NLA to support their retroactive removal from office. Former Senate speaker Nikom Wairatpanij and former House speaker Somsak Kiatsuranon were also spared by the assembly. Acting Pheu Thai leader Wirot Pao-in yesterday insisted the former legislators were performing their job and he called on the NLA to consider the impeachment motion in a sincere manner. He noted that because the former senators survived the motion, so should the ex-MPs.
A source in the Pheu Thai Party said yesterday the party will make sure the accused do not stray off topic and avoid any remarks that could annoy the NLA members when addressing the chamber. The party