BANGKOK, March 7 (TNA) – Leader of the disbanded Thai
Raksa Chart (TRC) Party insists the party has no “ill intent” after the
Constitutional Court rules to dissolve the 4-month-old party.
The Court’s nine judges announced the ruling on Thursday to
dissolve the TRC party for undermining the constitutional monarchy in a case
submitted by the Election Commission (EC).
Lieutenant Preechapol Pongpanich, now the former TRC party
leader, told reporters outside the courtroom that he thanked all the supports
for the party that just established four months ago.
Along with party executives, most of them are children of
veteran politicians in pro-Thaksin Shinawatra camp, he is now banned from
politics for 10 years as a result of the verdict.
“Although we are banned (from politics) but as Thais we can
still contribute to the country,” he said.
“For me and all party executives have great aspiration for
Thailand; no one have ill intent for the country,” Preechapol spoke with
tearful eyes before leaving without answering any questions.
Supporters gathering outside the court broke down in tears
and consoled party members. 
In the ruling, the court found Thai Raksa Chart Party
breaching the Political Parties Act, undermining the constitutional monarchy
political system by nominating King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s elder sister as its
prime minister candidate in the March 24 general election.
There are 108 party-list candidates and 143 constituency
candidates registered under the defunct party for the upcoming election. They are effectively out of the races because
they are required by law to be a member of a political party at least 90 days
before the Election day.
On February 8The TRC Party proposed Princess Ubolratana as
its candidate for prime minister. The EC
revoked the nomination following a Royal Command from the King issued on the
same day. The Royal Command stated that
although the princess had relinquished her royal status in 1972, she remained an
immediate member of the Royal Family.
The party had argued that the nomination was constitutional
since it had received her permission in writing in advance. (TNA)
