BANGKOK, Jan 15 — Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, president of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), set the closing statements for the impeachment case against Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanich and former House speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont for Jan 21 and the impeachment case against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra for Jan 22.
The impeachment rulings on these cases are set to be announced on Jan 23.
Mr Nikom and Mr Somsak were accused of legal violations in past attempts to amend the 2007 Constitution in its parts concerning the composition of the Senate. Ms Yingluck was charged with failing to stop her loss-ridden rice-pledging scheme.
Mr Pornpetch warned NLA members not to make any comment relating to the rulings on the cases before the Jan 23 voting day; otherwise, they could be considered as influencing the cases and violating NLA meeting regulations and laws.
He encouraged NLA members to attend the meeting on Jan 23 because, he said, the cases attracted public attention.
Mr Nikom appeared at the Assembly today to answer questions.
He said that he had not received questions in advance but still hoped he could answer them and receive fair treatment from the NLA.
Assembly Vice President Surachai Liangboonlertchai said that the body had not sent its questions to Mr Nikom beforehand because there was no regulation requiring that. (MCOT online news)
