BANGKOK, April 27 (UPI) -- A running conflict between Thailand's ruling Pheu Thai Party and the nation's Constitution Court has led to accusations from both sides, officials said.
As many as 200 protesters, so-called red shirts loyal to the party, have staged rallies outside the court in recent days after judges refused to go along with proposed changes lawmakers in the Pheu Thai Party have ratified, the Bangkok Post said Saturday.
Politicians charge the court is playing politics in retaliation for the actions of deposed Pheu Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra, who many say moved to curtail institutions such as the Constitution Court that served as a check on his power. Thaksin led the country from 2001 until a coup in 2006.
Judges on the court charge Thaksin is behind the protests and filed a criminal complaint against the protesters.
Senators in the Thai Parliament threatened to go ahead with their proposed constitutional changes and ignore the court's declarations, saying it lacks the legitimacy to override legislative action.
One court ruling that enraged leaders was when a Pheu Thai politician who had been elected prime minister was ruled unfit for office because he'd taken money to host a cooking show without disclosing it.
