Newspapers question court ruling on Thaksin

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, AUG 5. Newspapers in Thailand have raised questions about Friday's Constitutional Court judgment absolving the Prime Minister, Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra, of charges that he incorrectly declared his assets.

``Despite the feeling of euphoria and relief by the majority (on the verdict), a black cloud of uncertainty still hangs over the rule of law under the new Constitution,'' the Bangkok Post said in an editorial. ``This country and its people have fought long and hard through the decades for a better and more transparent political system where the rule of law prevails over and above that of the individual, no matter who that person is,'' it said.

``The case against the Prime Minister is one of the most crucial tests for the Constitutional Court...admittedly, the court is still finding its way, developing its customs and practices which over time would become tradition. But faced with such a landmark decision, it is simply disappointing that the court could only announce a verdict with a figure,'' the Post added.

According to The Nation, there were long-term implications for Thailand's fledgling political reform. ``It seems to be a political rather than a judicial decision...Thaksin's acquittal was based on arguments that sound anything but convincing,'' the paper said. Calling upon the court to expand on the ruling, it wrote: ``If the Court could not provide a stronger explanation for the acquittal, we would consider the ruling a defeat of the country's political reform.''

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