The Constitutional Court is preparing to host the Asian Association of Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions (AACC) conference, believing that Thailand will benefit. It acknowledges that foreign Constitutional Court judges are facing political pressure similar to Thailand. It plans to use this forum to share suffering, give advice, and encourage each other.
Mr. Nakarin Mektrairat, President of the Constitutional Court, and Mr. Noppadol Theppitak, Judge of the Constitutional Court, announced that the Constitutional Court will host the 6th Asian Association of Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions (AACC) Conference on 17-21 September 2024 under the main theme “Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions in Strengthening Constitutional Justice for Sustainable Society,” which will see Presidents of Constitutional Courts from more than 10 countries visit Thailand.
Mr. Noppadol Teppitak, a judge of the Constitutional Court, said that the meeting was a meeting of the Association of C
onstitutional Courts in many countries, which has 21 member countries, reflecting that there are constitutional courts all over the world, which is necessary and the court is like a reflection of democracy. The Constitutional Court maintains a balance between the executive and legislative institutions to prevent the executive or legislative branches from enacting laws that infringe on the rights of the people. The court will check whether the laws issued are in conflict with the constitution or the principle of the law.
In addition, this meeting is important because being the chairman is not easy. Thailand being elected as the chairman means that the whole world sees the importance of the members. And the chairman plays an important role in setting the meeting topic in the desired direction. The topic of this meeting is about “The Constitutional Court and equivalent institutions in strengthening constitutional justice for a sustainable society”.
‘We are not looking to solve problems day by day. We are looki
ng at how to make the Constitutional Court uphold this principle, maintain democracy, and protect the rights and freedoms of the people sustainably, preventing them from being changed or overthrown by authoritarianism, which Thailand has changed its constitution many times,’ said Mr. Noppadol.
Mr. Noppadol also hopes to issue a declaration or objective for the meeting because it will allow the world to move forward in the desired direction, which will require the approval of member countries.
Mr. Noppadol also mentioned the advantages of Thailand hosting the AACC meeting, saying that as Thailand’s chairman, it has the right to set the meeting topics, which it will not choose topics that will cause disadvantage or problems. Every country that is the chairman will also think about setting the topics. When Thailand joins, it may bind the office. If it is positively cultivated, it is good, but if it is negatively binding, it is not good. It may not join. When an agreement is made, Thailand must accept and accep
t the results. Therefore, being the chairman also has the right as the chairman to make a final decision. Therefore, when Thailand is the organizer, it is easy to control. In addition, the Constitutional Courts in the country face the same pressure from the political sector. Therefore, this forum will be a place to give advice, relieve suffering, and provide moral support to each other. However, it must be based on the principle that the judiciary must be neutral, independent, protect the interests of the people, uphold human rights, and adhere strictly to the rule of law and the rule of law.
Mr. Nakarin added that the judges have a duty to make decisions according to the constitution and admitted that the courts are under pressure and have often complained to the judges about this issue. He believes that judges in other countries may have experienced the same thing.
As for the meeting, there will be important cases to consider. Constitutional Court judges from other countries are interested. Are there any
concerns? Mr. Nakarin said there is nothing to worry about. It is a consideration process according to the schedule that was informed. There is a request sent to the parties to see. The evidence is examined. If the judges think they are ready, they will decide the case. There is nothing to worry about because it is following the normal process.
Source: Thai News Agency
