Prayut ‘not responsible’ for possible poll delay: govt

By KAS CHANWANPEN, 
PRAPASRI OSATHANON 
THE NATION 

 

Photo : Voravit Pumpuang

 

MOVES to delay the election were under the jurisdiction of the legislative body and should not affect Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s credibility regarding the poll date, senior government officials have said.
 

The planned election date in November – as promised by Prayut during his visit to Washington last year – is appearing less likely as the bill vetting committee under the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) is set to amend the MPs election bill, putting off its enforcement for 90 days. 

 

The NLA will deliberate the MPs election bill tomorrow and some members have suggested the delay should be 120 days.

 

Prayut yesterday did not mention his previous promise that he would announce the election date midyear and the poll could be expected by November. 

 

Prior to the US visit, Prayut had made several other promises on the end of the so-called “road map” and the election, but he has not succeeded in fulfilling them.

 

Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said he hoped the international community would understand that the possible delay was in the hands of the NLA. 

 

“We have to make it clear that lawmaking is under the legislative body and the prime minister is not a member of that body. He is the chief of the executive branch,” Don told reporters yesterday.

 

Don added that he would explain the process to the international community but could not guarantee that they would understand. 

 

While the NLA is the rubber stamp of the military junta, Prayut said yesterday he would not overrule the authority of legislature.

 

“I have to be the example, showing that we have to have faith in the Parliament,” he said. “I am confident in the NLA and the Constitution Drafting Commission [CDC]. I’ll never transgress in their work.

 

 “Transgression into the system is not good at all. It would make it impossible for people to work,” he said. He also advised people to listen to different opinions and not rely on only a single source. 

 

“There are not many groups of people that keep talking about this issue [the election delay],” he said.

 

The election would take place eventually, but when and how would depend on decisions by involved agencies, he said.

 

“Everything follows the Constitution and the road map,” Prayut said. “We all want the country to be peaceful and move forward smoothly. The delay in the enforcement of the MPs election bill will also follow the Constitution.”

 

Influence denied

 

Critics question whether the bill vetting committee has been influenced by the junta in their move to delay the poll. 

 

Meanwhile, NLA whip spokesman Jate Siratharanon said yesterday the government had not sent any signals to the legislature regarding the controversial amendment. 

 

While debate still persists within the vetting committee, he said he would argue that the 90-day delay was necessary.

 

Considering the ongoing ban on political activities, political parties remain frozen. They could not hold meetings or carry out primary votes to determine election candidates, Jate said. Postponing the enforcement for another 90 days would give political parties time to prepare before the election period, he said. 

 

Chief charter writer Meechai Ruchupan yesterday said the delay did not necessarily mean the election would be delayed, but if it was, it should not be longer than two to three months. 

 

“The calculation is usually based on the assumption that we use up the maximum time. But if the process can go quicker, then the election can take place sooner,” Meechai said.

 

In a related development, political critics and the Election Commission (EC) have suggested it would be easier if the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) lifted the ban and allowed political activities.

 

Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, a NCPO key member, yesterday said the government might have a different view on the matter and questioned whether the EC had the power to tell the government what to do. The organic bills had not been passed yet “so everyone should calm down. We will surely lift the ban,” Prawit said.

 

Asked whether the government would discuss the issue with the NLA as its image was at stake, Prawit said: “The government has not made any change to the road map. We have not done anything. It’s all [in the hands of] the NLA and the CDC. There are more than 200 legislators, we cannot possibly talk to all of them.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30336985

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-01-24

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Prawit said: “The government has not made any change to the road map. We have not done anything. It’s all [in the hands of] the NLA and the CDC. There are more than 200 legislators, we cannot possibly talk to all of them.”

Sure, we all believe you....

Yeap! Just like the watch scandal is in the hands of the NACC. Shirking responsibility when they do something wrong. What great leaders. 

"Prayut  not responsible"  Title  could have been shortened.

The only reason all these amendments "had" to be made, was because Prayuth wouldn't lift the ban on political gatherings which made it impossible for parties to follow the original timeline. Of course he, and only he, is responsible for the delay. 

We know who, almost everybody, passes the buck in Thailand, but where does it stop ?

3 hours ago, webfact said:

“There are not many groups of people that keep talking about this issue [the election delay],” he said.

What a cheeky thing to say.

8 minutes ago, yellowboat said:

We know who, almost everybody, passes the buck in Thailand, but where does it stop ?

What a cheeky thing to say.

Pure arrogance.

 

Sad thing is he believes it. Look at the 'Dunning-Kruger effect' and multiply it by 10 because he's never had anyone call him out to his face. Well, maybe the press slightly, and you can see what he thinks of them. 

Neither is steven 100 whats new

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Prior to the US visit, Prayut had made several other promises on the end of the so-called “road map” and the election, but he has not succeeded in fulfilling them.

....and never will

Supercilious looking <deleted> 

Next thing he will say is is not responsible for the coup and blame it on the man with many watches.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said he hoped the international community would understand that the possible delay was in the hands of the NLA. 

And who appoint the members of the NLA? The hands of the NLA are attached to the hands of the NCPO who appoint all the members. 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

While the NLA is the rubber stamp of the military junta, Prayut said yesterday he would not overrule the authority of legislature.

every day i thank my lucky stars that this guy and his ilk are not my immediate neighbors

Methinks this man speak with forked tongue.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

“There are not many groups of people that keep talking about this issue [the election delay],”

One group of people is the Thai electorate.

Need there be anyone else?

5 hours ago, webfact said:

the Election Commission (EC) have suggested it would be easier if the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) lifted the ban and allowed political activities.

To which Prawit ...

5 hours ago, webfact said:

questioned whether the EC had the power to tell the government what to do.

Prawit sees no difference between the government and the NCPO. And it's true - no one tells NCPO Chief Prayut what to do. So why does Prayut insist there's a difference?

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Don added that he would explain the process to the international community but could not guarantee that they would understand. 

 

If he thought about it for a minute (or less), he might be able to understand why the international community might not understand

 

but no.... it’s easier to convince the electorate that farang no unnerstan thainess.

 

every day i thank my lucky stars that this guy and his ilk are not my immediate neighbors

What exactly is Sec. 44 empowering Prayut to do?
Oh yeah, right: superseed Parliament and Court and any personal responsibility.
Ronald Regan once said: Politicians are like little babies: a big mouth on one end and no responsibility for the other end.

Sent from my SM-N950F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

What credibility ?

On 1/23/2018 at 6:41 PM, SABloke said:

The only reason all these amendments "had" to be made, was because Prayuth wouldn't lift the ban on political gatherings which made it impossible for parties to follow the original timeline. Of course he, and only he, is responsible for the delay. 

Your right of course. Prayuth knows exactly what reactions will take place when he takes an action. He is really hitting his stride in politics. 

Off course not! How can he be responsible for something he don´t have a clue about?