Thailand Court Upholds Ban on Disabled Judges
By Kay Schriner (kays@uark.edu)
Dashing the hopes of two disabled lawyers to become judges in Thailand's judiciary, the country's constitutional court has ruled that a law prohibiting persons with disabilities from serving as judges does not violate the constitution. Sirimit Boonmul and Boonjuti Klubprasert had applied to become judges in 1999, but their application was denied.
The lawyers had hoped that the court would find the prohibition a violation of the constitution's guarantee against unfair treatment on the basis of disability.
The court's ruling made it quite clear, however, that the judges accept the prohibition. The vote allowing the prohibition to stand was 8-3. Judge Suchinda, a member of the majority, said it was permissible because it ensured that judges were individuals with "optimum potential." The opinion also referred to the "prevalent cultural value" of preference for nondisabled people.
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