PM ‘open to all suggestions’ on political path

By THE NATION

 

 

PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday that he listened to all suggestions but would not be able to carry out all of them, reacting to a proposal by political heavyweight Somsak Thepsuthin of Matchimathipataya Party to free MPs from parties and make a charter amendment to that effect.

 

“I listen to what people say about politics and think them through. But I would not be able to follow all that they say,” Prayut said.

 

Somsak, a former key figure in the now defunct Thai Rak Thai Party, emerged from obscurity yesterday and held a press conference to express his political views. HE suggested that MPs be freed from the apron strings of their parties, but such a move would require an amendment to the new Constitution.

 

This week, many political heavyweights have come forward to propose amendments to politics-related laws, prompting speculation that they may have something to do with the government’s road map because an amendment, if it were to be carried out, would take some time and delay the election scheduled for next year.

 

Aside from Somsak, the junta-appointed former reformer, Paiboon Nititawan, proposed on Monday that the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) should amend the political party law to require parties to re-register all of their members to “create a fair field for all old and new parties”.

 

While new members would have to pay registration fees to parties as required by the bill, existing members who were signed up before the promulgation of the law in early October could maintain their membership without paying, Paiboon, a founder of the People’s Reform Party, suggested.

The former leader of the now defunct People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), Suthep Thaugsuban, also submitted a letter to the NLA, proposing amendments to the bill. He reasoned that the law should be fixed “in accordance with the country’s situation” and “to bring about fairness and equality for all parties, whether old or new”.

 

Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam said amending the charter was a big issue and deemed impossible. He declined to say whether these proposals suggested that the election could be delayed by the junta. He said he had no knowledge about this and it was hard to predict. Legally speaking, Wissanu said, the charter addresses clearly the path to be followed.

 

Wissanu said an amendment to the political party law is not clear. There are two approaches to this: One is enforcing Article 44 to override it, something that he has not yet been assigned to do by the National Council for Peace and Order. The other way is through the NLA, but this needs one-fifth, or 25 NLA members, to propose the amendment.

 

Chusak Sirinil, who chairs Pheu Thai’s legal team, rejected Somsak’s proposal, saying it would return politics to the old era, arguing that political parties were already in existence and accepted as representatives of the people for pursuing political activities. Chusak said any attempt to amend the charter would be interpreted as an attempt to delay the election and stall the road map, because an amendment is a long process, including a referendum.

 

Chusak also disagreed with the idea to amend the political party law, saying it did not pose a disadvantage to any parties as claimed.

 

Democrat parties deputy leaders Ongart Klampaiboon and Nipit Intrasombat said yesterday the call by Somsak Thepsuthin to amend the charter to allow independent MP candidates and reduce the size of the House to 400 members, could affect other organic laws or even the Constitution.

 

The amendment ultimately could cause an election delay, they said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30334048

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-12-16

22 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

This week, many political heavyweights have come forward to propose amendments to politics-related laws

Heavyweights?

 

Perhaps the Nation needs to define what a political heavyweight is?

 

23 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Somsak, a former key figure in the now defunct Thai Rak Thai Party, emerged from obscurity yesterday...

If he emerged from obscurity yesterday...

 

24 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

the junta-appointed former reformer, Paiboon Nititawan

Heavyweight? A Junta appointment doesn't make someone a heavyweight...

 

25 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

The former leader of the now defunct People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), Suthep Thaugsuban

Suthep? He of the... er... land deals and... er...police stations? He of the...er... rent-a mob? Hmm... didn't he promise to end his involvement in politics? What an honest man...!

 

These are not heavyweights.

These are flunkys.

21 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday that he listened to all suggestions but would not be able to carry out all of them, reacting to a proposal by political heavyweight Somsak Thepsuthin of Matchimathipataya Party to free MPs from parties and make a charter amendment to that effect.

 

22 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Aside from Somsak, the junta-appointed former reformer, Paiboon Nititawan, proposed on Monday that the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) should amend the political party law to require parties to re-register all of their members to “create a fair field for all old and new parties”.

The whole world can now read Prayut like a book, with regard to how he plans next year's election to go. Whilst playing his childish 'might do - might not do' game with his adoring fans, in a couple of poverty-stricken villages that he's thrown money at, it's painfully clear that he intends to head an election contesting - and, in his eyes, election steam-rolling - party and that, whilst he's doing his vomit-inducing chicken dances to win over the villages dames, he shows no signs of lifting the ban preventing other parties from trying to find their feet again.

He says he'll LISTEN, but we as good as know what that means and, as for Paiboon's hope to “create a fair field for all old and new parties”, then again, we as good as know that's the last thing that the cowardly custard, Prayut, would permit.

 

Sadly, if nothing pretty dynamic can be done by AN other and Co., the people of Thailand had better start getting used to the idea that The Chicken's Friday night TV spectaculars are here to stay.

14 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Heavyweights?

 

Perhaps the Nation needs to define what a political heavyweight is?

 

If he emerged from obscurity yesterday...

 

Heavyweight? A Junta appointment doesn't make someone a heavyweight...

 

Suthep? He of the... er... land deals and... er...police stations? He of the...er... rent-a mob? Hmm... didn't he promise to end his involvement in politics? What an honest man...!

 

These are not heavyweights.

These are flunkys.

OK, maybe not heavyweights in your view, but at least they are making the sort of noises that even you have supported, of late . . . no?

8 minutes ago, Ossy said:

OK, maybe not heavyweights in your view, but at least they are making the sort of noises that even you have supported, of late . . . no?

No.

 

They are blowing smoke, trying to give cover to "adjusting" the rules for an election, thus causing a delay.

 

And do you think if there is a delay and the election rules are "adjusted', they will be fairer? 

 

The election laws are already bad enough; having a chance to "reform" them would make things even worse. If they are sincere, then the election laws could be changed by the next government.

 

Edited December 16, 20178 yr by Samui Bodoh

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

because an amendment, if it were to be carried out, would take some time and delay the election scheduled for next year.

There the important information is.

Is it possible that Thailand cannot function as a Democracy or Republic? Too much corruption at all levels, and a history of recurring coups.  Maybe an authoritarian government with a parliament (similar to what Singapore had for many years) is what will work long term here. Don't know the answer, but what they have been trying again and again doesn't seem to be working.

Here's a suggestion for your political path: get out.

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

PM ‘open to all suggestions’ on political path

My suggestion......Try returning happiness to the people.

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday that he listened to all suggestions but would not be able to carry out all of them

Perhaps due to a previous back injury or old age resulting in a loss of flexability

43 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

No.

 

They are blowing smoke, trying to give cover to "adjusting" the rules for an election, thus causing a delay.

 

And do you think if there is a delay and the election rules are "adjusted', they will be fairer? 

 

The election laws are already bad enough; having a chance to "reform" them would make things even worse. If they are sincere, then the election laws could be changed by the next government.

 

Rather pessimistic-sounding, today, SB . . . buuuut, if things in the political set-up, as-is, aren't exactly coming-up-roses or are, as you say, 'already bad enough', is there anything, in your view, any sort of fertiliser that might make the election rose garden a bit prettier, if not exactly level?

1 hour ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Perhaps the Nation needs to define what a political heavyweight is?

Good enough ?

4 minutes ago, Ossy said:

Rather pessimistic-sounding, today, SB . . . buuuut, if things in the political set-up, as-is, aren't exactly coming-up-roses or are, as you say, 'already bad enough', is there anything, in your view, any sort of fertiliser that might make the election rose garden a bit prettier, if not exactly level?

I can only speculate as to the future... but I do love speculating.

 

The 'new' system is designed to ensure that no one can form a majority and thus be effective; the overwhelming likelihood is coalitions, and coalitions tend not to be strong governments.

 

The question is after the votes are counted (whenever that might be), will the democratically elected politicians unite to push out the military? I seriously doubt any sort of grand coalition or Red/Yellow mix, but they can oust the military folk if they choose to do so. The question is whether they will choose to do so or not. 

 

We'll see...

46 minutes ago, Ahab said:

Is it possible that Thailand cannot function as a Democracy or Republic? Too much corruption at all levels, and a history of recurring coups.  Maybe an authoritarian government with a parliament (similar to what Singapore had for many years) is what will work long term here. Don't know the answer, but what they have been trying again and again doesn't seem to be working.

I've very sadly come to the same conclusion. Maybe, if in 5 to 10 years, the 'other parties' aren't happy with Chicken Leg's * efforts and results, they'll at least have had time to talk about regrouping.

 

* After Wednesday's Kalasin village spectacular, that's his name from now on . . . all in favour say 'Ay'.

18 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

I can only speculate as to the future... but I do love speculating.

 

The 'new' system is designed to ensure that no one can form a majority and thus be effective; the overwhelming likelihood is coalitions, and coalitions tend not to be strong governments.

 

The question is after the votes are counted (whenever that might be), will the democratically elected politicians unite to push out the military? I seriously doubt any sort of grand coalition or Red/Yellow mix, but they can oust the military folk if they choose to do so. The question is whether they will choose to do so or not. 

 

We'll see...

 

A coalition is the objective.

 

A coalition of unempowered, ineffective, yes men.

 

Which will certainly not be able to "oust the military".

 

Whose clique will continue to decide policy.

 

 

 

 

Edited December 16, 20178 yr by Enoon

1 hour ago, Ahab said:

Is it possible that Thailand cannot function as a Democracy or Republic? Too much corruption at all levels, and a history of recurring coups.  Maybe an authoritarian government with a parliament (similar to what Singapore had for many years) is what will work long term here. Don't know the answer, but what they have been trying again and again doesn't seem to be working.

Democracy in Thailand? Been struggling for years and always an intervention by those who must be obeyed.

Republic of Thailand?  Unthinkable and beyond discussion.

7 hours ago, rooster59 said:

PM ‘open to all suggestions’ on political path

GET OUT. That's what the people want.

Here's a suggestion - quite a simple one really. How about an old fashioned election?

''Open to all suggestions ''.....that is except for any that make Democratic sense or any that he doesn't want to hear !

8 hours ago, ratcatcher said:

Good enough ?

Nice watch.

10 hours ago, rooster59 said:

 

“I listen to what toads (loyal to the junta) say about politics and think them through."

9 hours ago, ratcatcher said:

Good enough ?

Simply put, he is...

 

The Evil Hobbit

 

Throw the dice big fella; just go for broke. Your getting on, you have your get out of goal free card. If elected than you are at the mercy of the country. If you lost you remain an untouchable.

1 hour ago, PatOngo said:

Nice watch.

What's the time?

Time for a change.

Sir , how long have you been in the position of Unelected  Prime Minister of Thailand and how many Press media releases that Thailand was on the road map to somewhere and now you are open to suggestions , come,  come , what you really need is to study some of the countries that have successfully embedded Democracy in society,  then follow or a combination of several countries, it's a bit rank after all this time asking for suggestions , gives the impression, clearly you haven't a clue.............................

They said democracy wouldn’t work in South America and parts of Eastern Europe. They were wrong. 

 

Forget all this pompous cultural nonsense. We are all human beings. Human beings by nature want a happy and healthy existence. They don’t want to live a life of servitude. 

Edited December 16, 20178 yr by rkidlad

10 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

they can oust the military folk if they choose to do so.

Do remember that the all Senate members will be selected directly and indirectly by the NCPO and six Senate seats are reserved for NCPO members. If Prayut doesn't run for PM, he could become President of the Senate (with Prawit as Vice President of the Senate?). Doubt the Senate will support ousting the military.

 

Senators could even join a minority coalition in the House of Representatives in order to establish a minority government. Furthermore, the Constitutional Court will be empowered to take on the role of ultimate crisis-solver, ie., select an unelected PM?

 

Democratically "ousting" the military may not be an option.

They are open to a whole bunch of not gonna happen.

 

Can't wait for 2018 and the next set of penultimate questions. (Will it be 8 or 9 this time?)

I can not say anymore about the parrot. I are out of words. 

Free the people. Give them.the right to choose who they want. Stop your tricks. Nobody wants you for 1 more year. Your thinking 10 hahaha.

Edited December 18, 20178 yr by Media1

I have a suggestion. Leave. Leave. Leave. Get the hell out of the way of the path toward democracy. Enough. You are no longer wanted, nor are you needed. Get out. Now. Leave. Please. Why are you so desperately clinging to your post? It is so obvious to us. Thirst for power, combined with insatiable greed. 

 

What you are doing now is beyond undignified. Your name will be forever tarnished. Renounce your citizenship. You are not behaving like a good Thai. You are not acting in the interests of your country, nor do you care about your people. Get out. Leave.

 

And you are not open. There is nothing about you that is open, starting with your body language, and ending with your small mind.

Edited December 18, 20178 yr by spidermike007