Govt to review obsolete laws

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinwatra has urged more than 400 legal experts to review Thailand’s old and obsolete laws, and to suggest ways to improve the Thai legal system and help boost the country’s economic competitiveness.

The legal experts participated in a government-sponsored seminar reviewing the country’s legal system, held at the Government House here yesterday.

Mr. Thaksin urged them to submit their suggested amendments to the government.

There are many old and obsolete laws which have been dubbed “sleeping laws”.

These have never been used for decades, but some authorities might be tempted to use them for their own purposes, Mr. Thaksin said.

That’s why the government has launched the review process, and is seeking independent opinions.

The country’s economic legislation, which directly affects the country’s competitiveness needs to be urgently amended, the Secretary General to the Cabinet, Borwornsak Uwanno, said.

The government wants to be able to assure foreign investors that Thailand’s economy is fair and transparent, he said.

The government is keen to see fewer laws. The laws should also be open and transparent, easy to understand, and fair, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-Ngam said.

The business legal expert, Parana Isara Sena Na Ayuthaya urged the government to amend the laws involving the stock exchange of Thailand (SET) because they were obsolete and inefficient in preventing insider trading and other dirty tricks in the country's capital market.

--TNA 2004-12-10

There are many old and obsolete laws which have been dubbed “sleeping laws”.

These have never been used for decades, but some authorities might be tempted to use them for their own purposes, Mr. Thaksin said.

Pot.Kettle.Black.

Sounds like a good task for the appointees at the Ministry of Inactive Posts.

Of course it would be nice if the statute book (laws) ware in line with the constitution.

Maybe one day that will happen.

I just can't imagine what the Thai authorities would do if they didn't have a bunch of generally unenforced laws on the books that could be dusted off on a moment's notice for the occasional crackdown.

occasional crackdown

I think you meant "Greatly needed" and possibly in "The needs of the National Interest"

Don't people make the law up as they go along here?

^Yes, as long as the laws are on the books *some*where- that means it helps to have as many laws as possible!!

Could start with that old, silly, obsolete law of closing the bars at 1am. Completely outdated and useless...