Abhisit questions motive for using Article 44 to override political party law

By The Nation

 

file photo

 

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Tuesday questioned the decision to amend the political party law via the invocation of Article 44 of the pre-2017 interim charter, as revealed by Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam on Monday.

 

The former PM said he wondered what this was all about, as it was the junta that had wished to reform politics and come up with the organic law, but its latest decision would now override it.

 

Abhisit said the impediment to the political party law’s promulgation at this point had not originated from any outside party, but from the junta itself, which had now issued an order that contradicted the recently passed law.

 

He was apparently referring to the National Council for Peace and Order’s ban on political gatherings, which bumps up against the organic law’s requirement that political parties pursue certain activities ahead of the election, including updates of their membership, as well as party meetings.

 

“If you invoke a special power to override the law, you must come up with a clear reason as to why. What you will be doing will prove whether it’s about reform or just personal benefit,” Abhisit said.

 

He also lashed out at Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha in regard to an announcement he made during a recent trip to the Northeast, with the ex-premier saying it would be “no less evil” than any past systems, under which those in power backed certain groups, if Prayut were to do the same.

 

Prayut told villagers in Kalasin that if they wanted to pick a prime minister, they should choose one like him, apparently suggesting that he would not stand in the next general election.

 

Abhisit said the junta tended to slam political parties, branding them as evil-like, therefore he questioned whether the junta would be similarly branded if they did the same as politicians.

 

“I don’t want to see the country stuck in the mud. Reform means change, not just newcomers taking turns on the stage. We need to get out of the evil loop,” Abhisit stressed.

 

The Democrat leader said the junta government should be accountable, and if it could not hold the election as promised, it needed to tell people straight that this was so.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30334337

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-12-20

11 hours ago, webfact said:

“If you invoke a special power to override the law, you must come up with a clear reason as to why. What you will be doing will prove whether it’s about reform or just personal benefit,” Abhisit said.

Ha, you just don't understand good people!

Yea, it's as if it doesn't make any sense. Whether that's intentional, or just a byproduct of having dangerously unqualified people in charge, who knows? Either answer really could be correct.  

 

If whoever is in power isn't serious about corruption, nothing changes. The money just changes hands from one side to the other. The current government have been in this unique position where they can really make a difference on tackling corruption. But they have to get over the first hurdle, and that means not being corrupt themselves. 

 

Corruption is holding this country back. NOTHING will change until it's genuinely addressed. That means Thailand has to take a long look in the mirror and admit it has a huge problem. (Yes, I know other countries have corruption. That doesn't change anything here or make it okay) 

Abhisit is getting nervous. The old deal was that the military would rule and then install him as PM. Looks like he's getting cut out this time around...

Sent from my SM-N950U1 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

Whatever, it certainly looks like big problems ahead for Thailand, the problem with a junta, on past performances ,  you can become a marked man very quickly if you become a thorn in their side ......................................... 

14 hours ago, webfact said:

What you will be doing will prove whether it’s about reform or just personal benefit,”

Nothing because the two are connected?