EC: Panich is still an MP

Panich escorted to Cambodian court by Cambodian police.

Published: 5/01/2011
Bangkok Post

The arrest of Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth by Cambodian authorities does not affect his current status as a member of parliament, Election Commissioner Sodsri Sattayatham said on Wednesday.

Mrs Sodsri said under the constitution an MP stands to lose his parliamentary status if he or she is found guilty by a court of an offence by a civil court, a military court, the Administrative Court or the Constitution Court.

Since Mr Panich has been charged in a Cambodian court, an interpretation would be required to decide whether this falls within Thai law if he is found guilty.

Although the Council of State once ruled that a court in a foreign country could be regarded as a court under Thai law, that ruling was made many years back.

In Mr Panich's case, an interpretation by the Council of State would be required, Mrs Sodsri said.

At this stage, no one had filed complaint seeking a ruling on Mr Panich's status.

She said the complaint may be filed with either the EC or the House of Representatives.