Meechai warns NCPO over political role

[snoop1130]

Meechai warns NCPO over political role

By The Naton

 

Meechai Ruchupan

 

The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) would risk breaking the law if it officially supports a particular political party, Meechai Ruchupan, head of the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) and a member of the NCPO, warned on Thursday.

 

The caution came after NCPO chief General Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday asked the public six questions concerning elections and future politics. In one question, the junta head asked whether the NCPO had the right to support a particular political party.

 

The new organic law governing political parties forbids outsiders from being involved in the administration of a political party. 

 

Meechai, as the chief charter writer and a veteran legal expert, said it was a basic political right for individuals to support parties, but they could not do so in the name of a political institution such as the NCPO. 

 

“Supporting a party is a right. It’s a preference, We can donate money. But we cannot intervene, using our power and force people to choose [a particular party],” Meechai said, adding that such behaviour would necessarily constitute unfairness in the election contest.

 

However, Meechai said he believed Prayut might have only wanted to know what people thought. 

 

“Although I cannot possibly know what Prayut’s thinking, I’ve learned from talking to him that he does not want to pursue a position [after the election],” Meechai said. “And I don’t think he posed the questions because he wants to stay on in power. Even if he wants to stay, he didn’t need to do that.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30331257

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-11-9

[AGareth2]

S44

everything is possible

[anon537687643]

All the promises by the pm and his NCPO are falling apart and in any “normal “ country which previously had an elected government there would be huge outcry and demand for action but in Thailand? Nah...shrug of the shoulders and a passive acceptance

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

 

[NanLaew]

26 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

“Although I cannot possibly know what Prayut’s thinking, I’ve learned from talking to him that he does not want to pursue a position [after the election],” ...

Yes, he doesn't want to "pursue" it because he reckons he's already entitled to it.

[wakeupplease]

Lets hope in 10 years time these silly old men with old ideas ain't with us anymore.

[Cadbury]

This is all a nonsense!

Prayut Chan-o-cha intends to be around to fulfil his 20 year plans. Those plans might never be fulfilled but he will enjoy the 20 year ride on the gravy train along with his army mates. All aboard family and friends!

[webfact]

Political role for the NCPO could break law: Meechai

By KHANITTHA THEPPHAJORN, 
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN 
THE NATION 

 

 

JUNTA LEADERS SAY PM’S QUESTIONS MEANT TO SOLICIT PUBLIC’S OPINIONS

THE National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) would risk breaking the law if it officially supports a particular political party, Meechai Ruchupan, head of the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) and a member of the NCPO, warned yesterday. 

 

The caution came after NCPO chief General Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday asked the public six questions concerning elections and future politics. In one question, the junta head asked whether the NCPO had the right to support a particular political party.

 

The new organic law governing political parties forbids outsiders from being involved in the administration of a political party. 

 

Meechai, as the chief charter writer and a veteran legal expert, said it was a basic political right for individuals to support parties, but they could not do so in the name of a political institution such as the NCPO. 

 

“Supporting a party is a right. It’s a preference, We can donate money. But we cannot intervene, using our power and force people to choose [a particular party],” Meechai said, adding that such behaviour would necessarily constitute unfairness in the election contest.

 

However, Meechai said he believed Prayut might have only wanted to know what people thought. 

 

“Although I cannot possibly know what Prayut’s thinking, I’ve learned from talking to him that he does not want to pursue a position [after the election],” Meechai said. “And I don’t think he posed the questions because he wants to stay on in power. Even if he wants to stay, he didn’t need to do that.” 

 

Meechai added that people naturally were concerned with the progress of their work, but regardless of that concern they were obligated to withdraw when “it was time to stop working”.

 

Politicians and academics have said Prayut’s latest questions are dangerous, in a move that indicated the NCPO’s intention to retain power and legitimises undemocratic rule. 

 

However, government officials brushed aside the accusation, saying the six questions were only a means to understand people’s thinking. 

 

Wissanu Krea-ngam

 

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said Prayut might have only wanted to hear people’s views of politics. 

In the past, the stage to voice complaints had been dominated by “political stars”, he added.

 

“If you don’t think the questions made any sense, then it’s okay. But we want you to voice your opinions. Otherwise, there will be only a handful of [political] celebrities that get to express their thoughts.”

 

Regarding the observation that the NCPO’s advocacy of a political party might constitute a violation of the law, Wissanu said the NCPO had not really taken any action yet. 

 

Support could come in many forms and the NCPO had some leeway in that context, he added. 

 

However, he said, if it was wrong, “then so be it”, suggesting that the NCPO would accept the consequences.General

 

Prawit Wongsuwan

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan said he believed that Prayut only wanted to communicate with the public. 

 

Prawit said he had watched the news on television and saw that people liked the idea of the questions.

 

“Some of you may think that the questions are suggestive. But that is all in your head,” he said. “I assure you that the NCPO is not trying to build political currency or anything like that.”

 

Six months ago, Prayut posed four similar questions concerning elections, politics and politicians’ behaviour after being pressured to call for an election.

 

The matter was taken seriously as a national event with people encouraged to answer the questions via various means provided by the government, including at Damrongdhamma complaint centres under the Interior Ministry.

 

Centre staff on Wednesday told The Nation that approximately 1.1 million people had responded to the four questions raised at the end of May. 

 

All the answers were processed and passed on to government officials, staff said. 

However, it is unclear how the government considered the answers, as no conclusions have been issued and the campaign is still ongoing with feedback still solicited.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30331258

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-11-10

 

[tracker1]

Depends who's law !

 

[brucec64]

"However, he said, if it was wrong, “then so be it”, suggesting that the NCPO would accept the consequences"

 

And what consequences would that be? With S44 and a full amnesty, there are no consequences for any actions, including the rampant corruption and nepotism under junta rule.

 

Of course the NCPO will have a political role. Any election will be as rigged as the constitution "referendum".

[Bob12345]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

THE National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) would risk breaking the law if it officially supports a particular political party, Meechai Ruchupan, head of the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) and a member of the NCPO, warned yesterday. 

Well, once Prayut decides to set up the political party he will just have to instruct Meechai to rewrite that law or add a loophole to make it all perfectly legal.

 

The law didnt stop Prayut before, why would it stop him now?

[Samui Bodoh]

Meechai holds the world record for writing constitutions (3). And for writing failed constitutions (2 and counting...).

 

Why would anyone listen to him?

[yellowboat]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

“Although I cannot possibly know what Prayut’s thinking

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said Prayut might have only wanted

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan said he believed that Prayut only wanted

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

However, it is unclear how the government considered the answers, as no conclusions have been issued and the campaign is still ongoing with feedback still solicited.

These guys just spew without knowing anything.  Why doesn't somebody just ask the general what he is up to instead guessing ?  What this government actually does has been a mystery for three years. 

[Lupatria]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

But that is all in your head

We already know what's in yours.

[YetAnother]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Meechai, as the chief charter writer and a veteran legal expert, said it was a basic political right for individuals to support parties, but they could not do so in the name of a political institution such as the NCPO. 

NCPO is a 'political institution' ? by what definition ?

Edited November 10, 2017 by YetAnother

[YetAnother]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) would risk breaking the law if it officially supports a particular political party, Meechai Ruchupan, head of the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) and a member of the NCPO, warned on Thursday.

so what ?! meechai doesn't have any authority and so what if the NCPO breaks laws, they answer to no-one

[rkidlad]

Why do these people keep on referring to the law? There is no law. There's the NCPO and they make up whatever they want. This is fast becoming a failed state held together simply by the fear and apathy of the majority. That's wobbly to say the least. 

[Bob12345]

2 hours ago, yellowboat said:

 

 

 

These guys just spew without knowing anything.  Why doesn't somebody just ask the general what he is up to instead guessing ?  

Because not only is he a notorious liar, he also has a temper and a history of scolding and insulting reporters.

[Eric Loh]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Meechai warns NCPO over political role

When all is lost, we still have Meechai to straighten up the NCPO and dash their political ambition. LOL.

[Srikcir]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

they could not do so in the name of a political institution such as the NCPO. 

Which Prayut has denied.

But the NCPO is a political institution backed by the most formidable, unopposed political party in the nation for decades - the Thai military.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

if it was wrong, “then so be it”, suggesting that the NCPO would

... simply ignore the law.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

“I assure you that the NCPO is not trying to build political currency

When you have absolute power you don't have to build political currency. 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

he believed that Prayut only wanted to communicate with the public. 

Too bad the public can't return the favor and communicate with the Prayut government in an open and free assembly.

[mercman24]

HELLO  they are the law, like  stopping any other new parties being established.probably bring out that old chestnut of no more than x number of  people can meet, to form a party.

[MaxLee]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Political role for the NCPO could break law: Meechai

Guess what, the ruling regime which must not be named doesn't give a SH******

[Curmudgeon1]

4 hours ago, yellowboat said:

 

 

 

These guys just spew without knowing anything.  Why doesn't somebody just ask the general what he is up to instead guessing ?  What this government actually does has been a mystery for three years. 

Less of a mystery than the previous 2 administrations. 

If you're looking for perfection go back home..... you won't find it here....... or there.

[baboon]

39 minutes ago, Curmudgeon1 said:

Less of a mystery than the previous 2 administrations. 

If you're looking for perfection go back home..... you won't find it here....... or there.

Then by your own 'argument' there would be no point in going home...

[AlQaholic]

What law?? for heaven's sake it's military rule!