webfact Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 Prayut casts doubt on parties’ role in poll date By WASAMON AUDJARINT, KAS CHANWANPEN THE NATION QUESTIONS RAISED ABOUT PARTICIPATION AND PM’S DEMAND THAT PLATFORMS CARRY ON JUNTA WORK THE government may need to go it alone in choosing the election date if political parties failed to “cooperate” and take part in a meeting to be held in June, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday. In June, political party representatives are expected to meet the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and its appointed constitutional drafters and legislators to discuss holding the next election. Also in the same month, all four organic laws essential for the election are to be announced in the Royal Gazette, paving the way for the country’s first general election in over four years after the May 2014 coup. “We’ll have to find a conclusion as much as possible. Whichever party wishes to come is welcome,” Prayut said during his weekly press briefing at Government House. “We have to hold the election eventually. Without cooperation, we will have to set the date on our own. How hard would that be?” he said. Political parties would also be expected to explain how they would continue work initiated by his junta government, Prayut added. “They can’t have nothing in hand and get elected just like that,” he said. While parties would not be expected to elaborate on their policies in front of the junta, Prayut said they should be able to “answer how problems can be solved”. “They can reveal their policy platforms afterwards. I don’t expect to hear them,” he said. “Political parties’ policies can’t make changes to the country because they benefit just certain groups of people. Hasn’t it been carried on in that way? The rice-pledging scheme, for instance. Who was it made for? Have they ever been responsible for the burden on the national budget?” he asked rhetorically. The premier was apparently referring to the rice-pledging scheme carried out by fugitive former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s government. Last year, Yingluck was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment in a court case that stemmed from the project. Some of her Cabinet members and businesspeople involved in the project are facing lengthy jail terms and hefty fines. Democrat Party key member Ongart Klampaiboon said the party might have to see an official invitation before deciding whether to join the discussion. “The Democrat Party is more than willing to help contribute if the discussion will yield something for the country,” he said in reference to Prayut’s comments. “However, I’m not sure what this discussion will be about, because the topic keeps changing.” The veteran politician also noted that scheduling the election date was normally the responsibility of the government and the Election Commission (EC). He said he was not sure what role political parties would play in that matter, as they had never previously had any involvement. Pheu Thai Party politician Korkaew Pikulthong said yesterday that his party saw no need to join a discussion with the government regarding the election date. “Determining the election date is the job of the EC and government,” said the former MP. “This government has failed to keep its promise [about the next election]. We’ll have to keep following up this issue,” he added. Korkaew also said it was not the government’s business to discuss with political parties about their policy platforms. They had the freedom to formulate policies to satisfy voters and get elected, he added. Prayut yesterday reiterated the so-called political road map was still valid despite the increasing possibility that the last two organic laws required for an election would be submitted to the Constitutional Court for review. While the two laws have already been approved, a court decision on whether they violate the charter would mean that the legislative process could take longer and result in an even longer delay before the election. Concerns “It can happen by legal procedure. We have the court. Otherwise the court would have no work to do,” Prayut said. He also insisted that the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) should take care of the task. “They haven’t sent them back to [the government]. Don’t throw it to us,” he added. Meanwhile, chief constitution drafter Meechai Ruchupan yesterday said he would not formally recommend to the prime minister that he seek a Constitutional Court ruling on the contentious MP election bill, despite concerns that its constitutionality issue may hamper the next election. Some observers, including lawmakers, pointed to certain provisions deemed to be in conflict with the Constitution and they warned that the issue could fail the political road map and lead to an indefinite delay in the election. The election bill allows people with special needs to be assisted by polling-booth officials in casting their votes. For many, this goes against the Constitution, which requires ballots to be cast in secret. Meechai, chairman of the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC), said yesterday it would not be a problem as long as such unusual voting did not happen in too many constituencies, and nobody raised the issue at the Constitutional Court. However, Jade Donavanik, a law expert and advisor to the CDC, told The Nation that the legislation should be based on a broader interpretation, meaning it should not leave anything to chance. He said the bill should be scrutinised by the Constitutional Court for the best clarity possible. Members of the NLA, meanwhile, have insisted on not taking the bill to the court. In their view, it should not be a problem. Also, hey did not want a judicial review to put off the election further. Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30341360 -- © Copyright The Nation 2018-03-21 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Samui Bodoh Posted March 20, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 20, 2018 5 minutes ago, webfact said: Political parties would also be expected to explain how they would continue work initiated by his junta government, Prayut added. “They can’t have nothing in hand and get elected just like that,” he said. Er... Ahem... Oh...Er... What policies did you present before the coup that you said wouldn't happen? Just askin'... 9 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Odysseus123 Posted March 20, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 20, 2018 40 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said: Er... Ahem... Oh...Er... What policies did you present before the coup that you said wouldn't happen? Just askin'... List of candidates for the forthcoming (ahem) election 1.General Prayuth 2,Brigadier Prayuth 3.Colonel Prayuth 4.Major Prayuth 5.Captain Prayuth. 6.Lieutenant Prayuth (the other ranks are just plebs.) I hope that the above list clarifies and corrects any perceived anomalies in such a splendidly democratic political system. 2 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mok199 Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 he is wearing a nice suit...looks almost professional...almost 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Thailand Posted March 20, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 20, 2018 There is no doubt the next pm will look and sound and act just like the one that graces our screens every Friday. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post JOC Posted March 20, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 20, 2018 1 hour ago, webfact said: THE government may need to go it alone in choosing the election date if political parties failed to “cooperate” and take part in a meeting to be held in June, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday Bye bye election..... Lord have mercy...The political parties have to approved by a military junta before free and fair elections can take place... The head-dinosaur makes North Korea look like a democracy... 10 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post JOC Posted March 20, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 20, 2018 1 hour ago, webfact said: “We have to hold the election eventually. Without cooperation, we will have to set the date on our own. How hard would that be?” he said. The key word is eventually...... "How hard would that be" Have to admire his sense of humor...so far he has given us 4 dates and postponed them all... 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Eligius Posted March 20, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 20, 2018 I don't know about you, but I am heartily sick and tired of this utter, intelligence-insulting circus. 'I might have to decide the date of the Election myself. You can only have policies that we, the junta, like ...' blah, blah, blah. Do people still - maybe out there on Uranus? - believe that there are going to be proper, free and fair elections in this country? Of course there are not going to be. Many of us having being saying this from early on. The junta, in one form or another, are here to stay. So Thais: the ball is in your court. What are you going to do about it? 7 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jonclark Posted March 21, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 21, 2018 I 12 minutes ago, Eligius said: So Thais: the ball is in your court. What are you going to do about it? ...they will probably try to sell it for a vastly inflated price to the nearest unsuspecting tourist? 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post YetAnother Posted March 21, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 21, 2018 2 hours ago, webfact said: THE government may need to go it alone in choosing the election date if political parties failed to “cooperate” clearly his version of 'cooperate' is for all political parties to self-dissolve 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Samui Bodoh Posted March 21, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 21, 2018 2 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said: Er... Ahem... Oh...Er... What policies did you present before the coup that you said wouldn't happen? Just askin'... Ah! Steven100! Once again you have given me the "confused" emoji for my post, as you so often do. My humble apologies, but I seem unable to "dumb down" my posts to a level where you understand them! I will keep trying, but perhaps you might do a little work at your end as well? There is only so far 'down' that I can go. Have a nice day. 5 2 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeneeds Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 2 hours ago, webfact said: He said the bill should be scrutinised by the Constitutional Court for the best clarity possible. Muddy the waters a bit more shall we! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Cadbury Posted March 21, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 21, 2018 (edited) 3 hours ago, webfact said: Political parties would also be expected to explain how they would continue work initiated by his junta government. I suppose he is referring to the Prayut Master Plan the ..... “20-Year National Strategy”. I understand that it is already locked into the Constitution and he wants to make sure it stays there and all his personal hard work is not thrown in the rubbish bin by some new blow-in prime minister devoid of the outstanding qualities that he posseses. Major General Werachon Sukondhapatipak said some time back the Prayut Master Plan is "legally binding" and any future administration has to formulate it's policies based on said Plan. Presumably that should be taken as a threat and the tanks will roll if they don't. Edited March 21, 2018 by Cadbury 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Get Real Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 (edited) 3 hours ago, webfact said: THE government may need to go it alone in choosing the election date Sounds like business as usual to me. Nothing new at all. Edited March 21, 2018 by Get Real 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jimbo in Thailand Posted March 21, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 21, 2018 3 hours ago, mok199 said: he is wearing a nice suit...looks almost professional...almost Yeah, I guess his usual Kim Jong-un wannabe suit is at the dry cleaners. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chama Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 12 hours ago, Thailand said: There is no doubt the next pm will look and sound and act just like the one that graces our screens every Friday. Seems like there sure are a lot of actions being taken to ensure that you are correct. Not so sure that fits a Democratic model of government but you are exactly correct. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookieqw Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 he must dream about that rice pledging scheme 555 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcomer71 Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 He won't leave the power, and won't let Thais choose. This isn't going to end well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SABloke Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 16 hours ago, webfact said: “They can’t have nothing in hand and get elected just like that,” he said. 16 hours ago, webfact said: “They can reveal their policy platforms afterwards. I don’t expect to hear them,” he said. The man is delusional. One can only hope that the puppet masters realise this fact, before he turns on them. His position is almost fully secure. This might turn out to be the most successful coup in Thai history - the last one that is as Prime Muppet for Life takes the helm. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denim Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 (edited) ' They can't have nothing in hand and get elected just like that ' If they had guns their in hands like him they wouldn't need to be elected is what he means. Edited March 21, 2018 by Denim 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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