Status of legislator Sira in peril after new petition

The Constitutional Court has accepted a fresh petition from the opposition Seri Ruam Thai Party seeking a ruling on the status of Palang Pracharath Party Bangkok MP Sira Jenjaka as an MP.

Seri Ruam Thai leader, Pol Gen Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, said on Friday parliament president Chuan Leekpai had informed him in writing on Thursday that he had forwarded the petition to the court.

The petition also asked the court to order Mr Sira to be suspended from MP duties pending the court’s ruling.

The petition cited a past offence committed by Mr Sira as grounds for seeking the ruling. He had been convicted of fraud by the Pathumwan District Court in 1995.

The court sentenced Mr Sira to eight months in jail, but halved the term due to his confession.

According to the petition, Mr Sira’s status as an MP was being challenged as Section 98 (10) of the constitution prohibits…