"The independence of Thailand?s judiciary was on display Tuesday when the Thai Constitutional Court unanimously ordered the People Power Party to disband due to vote-buying. Dozens of the PPP?s executive members, including Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, were also found guilty of personal involvement and banned from politics for five years. Despite great pressure from pro-government supporters who surrounded the courthouse, the judges remained independent of the ruling party. The ruling by the court has generally been accepted by the disputing parties and the people of Thailand. Mr. Somchai himself acknowledged the court?s verdict, saying he was now "an ordinary citizen". This respect for the court?s decision is only possible because of the independent, objective, and impartial nature of Thailand?s judiciary..."