Constitution needs fixing to decentralise power, boost democracy, say politicians

By WASAMON AUDJARINT 
THE NATION

 

 

REPRESENTATIVES from three political parties yesterday agreed that the 2017 Constitution should be amended to not only decentralise power to people but also to enable “genuine democracy” in Thailand, while a fourth politician said the country is stuck with the new charter for now.

 

“The biggest problem is that this Constitution is not democratic, from its origin to its contents,” Future Forward Party’s co-founder Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit said at a forum.

 

“There is also little hope to actually fix this charter in the future.”

 

Written by the junta, the 2017 charter has been criticised for not adequately endorsing people’s rights and for introducing mechanisms that will very likely weaken the bargaining power of politicians while empowering the military faction in parliament.

The charter also requires that any amendment must gain approval from the Senate, which will be selected by the junta, thus making it harder to change.

 

The charter was approved in a 2016 referendum amid criticism that the campaign was too tightly controlled, turning the vote into a ritual to legitimise the junta-written draft rather than to actually seek input from citizens.

 

Thanathorn said that politicians should gather to publicly critique the controversial charter as parliamentary opposition alone may not be sufficient.

 

“I think that the only way is to increase society’s awareness that this charter should be revoked as it has no connection to people,” he said. “The new charter should also be written to curb the military [from involvement] in politics to prevent any future coup.”

 

Chart Thai Pattana Party’s key man Warawut Silpa-archa and Pheu Thai Party ex-MP Kattiya Sawasdipol hailed the 1997 constitution as a good model for being people-based and endorsing people’s engagement in politics.

 

“I would suggest that the Constitutional Drafting Assembly should be set up again,” Warawut said, referring to the popularly elected group of 1997 charter drafters, that led to the document being nicknamed the “people’s constitution”.

 

Kattiya thought the 1997 charter could even be ressurected. “The flaw in the current charter is that it mobilises a 20-year strategy plan, which I think is too long-term and would not be able to keep up with the fast-changing pace of change,” she said.

 

Democrat Party ex-MP Ratchada Thanadirek suggested that people would have to live with the current charter for now. “However, what we could do is promote decentralisation of power, which will help solve social inequality,” Ratchada said.

 

Speaking at a forum held at Thammasat University’s Tha Prachan campus, the four politicians said that promoting increased equality is crucial to ensuring that living standards are more uniform in rural and urban areas.

 

Decentralising power would also help make social opportunities more accessible to a wider range of people, they said.

 

“In matters of education, for instance, the state has centralised how history has been taught,” Thanathorn said.

 

“And there is little mention of the 1932 ‘Siamese revolution’ or the Thammasat University massacre in 1976. This kind of teaching curbs our right to education.”

 

The government should only facilitate education welfare, such as maintaining free compulsory education, and refrain from meddling in content taught in school, he added.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30345201

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-05-12

6 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Written by the junta, the 2017 charter has been criticised for not adequately endorsing people’s rights and for introducing mechanisms that will very likely weaken the bargaining power of politicians while empowering the military faction in parliament.

The charter also requires that any amendment must gain approval from the Senate, which will be selected by the junta, thus making it harder to change.

of course, that was the intent all along, negatively, give them credit for that; thailand really wasnt't, isn't ready for a full democracy in terms the rest of the world defines; is this the best thailand can do ? a retrograde form of government , it may Be the best it can do

At the time pf the referendum kost people voted "yes" for the constitution because Big P insinuated that if it was rejected, the junta wouldn't step down. 

 

Well, they didn't step down anyway (And changes were made after the referendum) 

The current constitution is akin to having a poisonous snake around your neck. In order to get it off of you, you'll need to move slowly, carefully, and you'll be unable to accomplish much until the process is finished.

 

Congrats, Prayut! You have essentially ensured that Thailand will make no progress for the next 5-10 years.

 

And in the meantime, Thailand's neighbours will be moving forward...

 

34 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

be able to keep up with the fast-changing pace of change,”

 

Nicely put... 

 

There was never any public debate allowed prior to the referendum. Negative views were quashed by a big green boot !!

The options given to the public, were vote "yes" or you will not get an election. Well, they voted "yes" and guess what, still no election.

Adding insult to injury, the constitution that was presented for the referendum, has since been changed to suit the Junta even more..

They just have no shame....

A constitution created by the military to keep an unelected bunch of people in power for at least another 25 years is not a document to be cherished and honored. Being fabricated in this fashion it doesn't even fit the definition of what a constitution should be. It will ultimately have to be replaced.

22 minutes ago, Lungstib said:

A constitution created by the military to keep an unelected bunch of people in power for at least another 25 years is not a document to be cherished and honored. Being fabricated in this fashion it doesn't even fit the definition of what a constitution should be. It will ultimately have to be replaced.

Not while "he who must be obeyed" is in power and has his snout well and truly in the trough

Constitution for army.

Toss out, do again.

Not much debate on this item. Nor should there be. The "new" constitution is far from the makings of a true democracy. But just watch ("watch", haha). When the same group win the election, whenever that is, Donald Trump will be the first to offer congratulations (if he is still POTUS). Birds of a feather .......

1 hour ago, SABloke said:

At the time pf the referendum kost people voted "yes" for the constitution because Big P insinuated that if it was rejected, the junta wouldn't step down. 

 

Well, they didn't step down anyway (And changes were made after the referendum) 

To be honest, I think you are a little bit overgenerous towards the public. Looking at the locals round my way, they voted 'Yes' because they were instructed to do so by senior Thais. Despite the fact the referendum conditions stank to high heaven. Despite the fact the junta said at the time they fully intended to amend the constitution later on to suit themselves. Despite the fact they had lied about elections before and it was patently obvious they intended to do so again.

Well you got what you voted for, ladies and gentlemen. No point in moaning about it in the cold light of day.

When the dinosaurs that wrote it disappear the young politicians will rip-it-up and amend it back to something like the 1997 constitution which is by far the best one they have had. That is assuming it lasts that long without another coup when the elite stuffy brigade have a hissy fit about things not being how they want it. Can see that these future politicians at this Thammasat gathering are pretty non-plussed about it all...a good sign.

It was a unpopular charter judging from the 57% turnout and of that only 61% positive votes. Gutsy for the 3 political parties to made the strong stance to re-write the constitution. Brickbats to the Dem for being timid and cagey as they always have and can’t be trusted. Highest accolade goes to CTP Warawut to suggest reverting back to the 1997 people charter. Looks like CTP has not been bought over by Prayut’s overtures. 

There will never be 'Genuine Democracy' in Thailand all the while the Military is involved in Politics !

1 hour ago, trainman34014 said:

There will never be 'Genuine Democracy' in Thailand all the while the Military is involved in Politics !

No democracy when the highest law in the country can be shredded by the military and write a charter for their continued dominance. Only hope is with the people who can prevent a coup like in Turkey. Part of the problem is the urban Bangkokian who welcome every coups for some phony stability and propaganda. If the people can rise up peacefully against military dominance, there is chance for genuine democracy. 

I will keep on saying it is a factory de, the junta is a farce, the election is a farce. So glad to hear some politicians finally speak up in opposition. 

44 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

No democracy when the highest law in the country can be shredded by the military and write a charter for their continued dominance. Only hope is with the people who can prevent a coup like in Turkey. Part of the problem is the urban Bangkokian who welcome every coups for some phony stability and propaganda. If the people can rise up peacefully against military dominance, there is chance for genuine democracy. 

I agree Eric but how would the people rise up peacefully knowing they will be gunned down eventually.   The Military here protects the interests of the Super Rich who are not interested in Democracy....only becoming even more Super Duper Rich and retaining control of the masses, using whatever means required.

2 hours ago, trainman34014 said:

I agree Eric but how would the people rise up peacefully knowing they will be gunned down eventually.   The Military here protects the interests of the Super Rich who are not interested in Democracy....only becoming even more Super Duper Rich and retaining control of the masses, using whatever means required.

Unfortunately that’s how authoritarian government intimidate the people to submission. After 3 occasions whereby the military mowed down their own people, I would have thought the military has outlive their dominance. Somehow the politicians continue to screw themselves and the let down the country. There is no political leader that unite the country against the military. Political parties just pander to their own bases to win the election and subsequently corrupt themselves. Until we see a leader who exhort good values and conduct that all citizens respect, the military will continue to exploit this deficit for their own dominance agenda. Maybe the new generation of politicians are of some hope. 

9 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Democrat Party ex-MP Ratchada Thanadirek suggested that people would have to live with the current charter for now.

And Democrats weigh in lightly once again lest they upset their dependable political partners - the juntas.

The Democrats couldn't live with the 2007 Constitution that made military coups treasonous. But today are quite satisfied with the junta's new constitution.

 

I doubt these people are stupid enough to believe the Constitution was designed to be of benefit to the country.

 

I doubt that pussy-footing around the issue is going to help. I was designed solely to facilitate continued hegemony by those who have no right whatsoever to have hegemony of any kind. And there is no help coming from Thaksin. I doubt he even sees the danger now so close at hand. Phuea Thai similarly useless like a eunuch.

Edited May 12, 20188 yr by KiwiKiwi

5 hours ago, trainman34014 said:

I agree Eric but how would the people rise up peacefully knowing they will be gunned down eventually.   The Military here protects the interests of the Super Rich who are not interested in Democracy....only becoming even more Super Duper Rich and retaining control of the masses, using whatever means required.

 

I agree, Thais do not understand moderation and thinking before acting. Forget peaceful uprising, it won't happen. At the first sign of civil disobedience the men of violence on both sides will be out, wanting to pursue their own agenda.

 

I was recently looking through 4-year old posts, and I came across someone advocating sniper squads to thin out the progenitors of all this coup nonsense. I admit the idea seemed to have merit measured again the results of almost complete inaction by the populace.

 

In my opinion, it is inevitable one day, but then it's easy to forget these people are hopeless - Thainess.

 

Not going to happen - imho.

Edited May 12, 20188 yr by KiwiKiwi

2 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

Unfortunately that’s how authoritarian government intimidate the people to submission. After 3 occasions whereby the military mowed down their own people, I would have thought the military has outlive their dominance. Somehow the politicians continue to screw themselves and the let down the country. There is no political leader that unite the country against the military. Political parties just pander to their own bases to win the election and subsequently corrupt themselves. Until we see a leader who exhort good values and conduct that all citizens respect, the military will continue to exploit this deficit for their own dominance agenda. Maybe the new generation of politicians are of some hope. 

agree totally, politics needs a new direction in Thailand, one that puts the people first and not the politicians and their mates bank accounts, none of the current parties are inclined to do this unfortunately, self wealth is more important to them. If there was a party that was there for the people and not themselves they would do well and garner huge support and they could change this country for the better but too many people simply want whats best for themselves and screw everyone else, seriously doubt we will see any decent leaders or parties  the way it is going , a good party and leader could end the coups.

Edited May 12, 20188 yr by seajae