Prayut urged to join PM debates, but EC yet to rule on legality 

By KAS CHANWANPEN 
THE NATION

 

FILE photo

 

AMID UNCERTAINTY over premier General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s participation in prime ministerial debates, a political scientist yesterday urged the junta leader as well as all PM candidates to take part in the exercise in order to help voters decide. 

 

The government and the party with which Prayut is affiliated, Phalang Pracharat, yesterday remained unsure whether it would be appropriate or even lawful for Prayut, who is also the head of the ruling junta and government, to participate in the debates as part of the election campaign. 

 

Political scientist Attasit Pankaew, however, urged the PM to bite the bullet so that voters could get information necessary for them to make up their minds.

 

Attasit said that in the upcoming election on March 24, voters will be casting one ballot to make three choices – the constituency candidate, the party and the PM candidate. Hence, it was important that they be as well informed as possible about relevant issues, he said. 

 

The government and Phalang Pracharat Party right now are reluctant to let Prayut take part in the anticipated debates, arguing that as the PM, the general was a state servant and the law demanded that that they remained non-partisan in politics. 

 

Attasit, however, saw no harm in this, arguing: “So long as the debates focus on the vision of the leader and not politics, everything should be fine.”

Phalang Pracharat has already sent a query to the Election Commission (EC) about whether Prayut can take part in the debates.

 

EC to look into PM’s participation

 

EC president Ittiporn Boonpracong said yesterday the commission had yet to receive the query. He suggested that all prime ministerial candidates could participate on the debate stage provided by the commission.

 

Regarding other activities, such as debates hosted by television programmes or speeches at election rallies, the EC president said the agency would look into the matter and give a clarification later.

 

Meanwhile, Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam, who is in charge of the government’s legal affairs, yesterday admitted that Prayut’s status in government might pose some dilemmas.

 

“The law states that public servants must be politically neutral. This means they cannot tilt towards any party,” Wissanu said. “So, if [Prayut] joins the debate and focuses only on his policies, it should be acceptable.”

 

Referring to the government’s populist scheme, which had the same keyword as the party Phalang Pracharat, Wissanu said Prayut could mention “Pracharat” but naming the party could be dangerous. This is despite Prayut being the party’s sole PM candidate. However, Wissanu expected all issues to be resolved once the EC makes a ruling on whether Prayut could take part in the debates. Political debates are being held by many television channels as the country counts down to the March 24 election. 

 

Prime ministerial candidates as well as politicians are often seen on TV shows, projecting their vision for the country. Prayut, however, has been missing from the scene. Known to be quick-tempered and seen as lacking public-speaking skills, the junta leader has frequently been challenged by other contenders to join one of the sessions.

 

Democrat deputy leader Ongart Klampaiboon and Pro-Shinawatra party Pheu Chart’s core leader Jatuporn Phromphan, for instance, have called on Prayut to join the debates.

 

Both took a dig at Prayut, saying the junta chief had enjoyed monologues for the past five years and now the time had come for him to join a dialogue with other politicians.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30364748

 

 -- © Copyright The Nation 2019-02-26

2 minutes ago, webfact said:

Political scientist Attasit Pankaew, however, urged the PM to bite the bullet so that voters could get information necessary for them to make up their minds.

 

The exact reason why he doesn't want to take part !

59 minutes ago, webfact said:

 

The government and Phalang Pracharat Party right now are reluctant to let Prayut take part in the anticipated debates, arguing that as the PM, the general was a state servant and the law demanded that that they remained non-partisan in politics. 

 

In most democracies the leader of the government joins in these debates and demonstrates why they think they are better than the opposition. They are not afraid of a robust debate on the issues that are pertinent to the electorate. Debate can include criticism of another person's point of view, which can be backed with logic. It require some intellectual and emotional rigour to demonstrate why the candidate is the right person the undertake the stress of leading the country.

 

Then again, in most democracies the government goes into "caretaker mode" once the election is called as a matter of integrity.

So he has his mates in the EC to declare him a non starter in any debate. 

Didn't some big shot in EC just boast in news recently that there are no laws barring him from taking part in a debate and now it's suddenly a question mark again? Sheesh... I'd love to see that lil mr dictator get schooled.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

a political scientist yesterday urged the junta leader as well as all PM candidates to take part in the exercise in order to help voters decide. 

We all know that Thais, generally (not all but most I've ever known)

• cannot handle conflict or situations where they might lose face
• usually have not been trained or educated to debate without resorting to violent or aggressive behavior
• usually cannot reason in a logical way without being drawn to emotion or feelings

It will be VERY INTERESTING to see how terrible they are at this

 

Edited February 25, 20197 yr by Fex Bluse

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Hence, it was important that they be as well informed as possible about relevant issues, he said. 

last thing the junta wants

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Prayut urged to join PM debates, but EC yet to rule on legality

Phew! That was close. A bolt hole may have been found for the PM to prevent the self-embarrassment and stage fright of having to participate in a debate. 

He has always been an inarticulate solo performer; the stage spotlight must always be on him and not someone else. His insecurity will not allow him to perform with another person who would more than likely upstage him to a point where he would lose his composure. His waspish and sometimes spiteful manner might also reflect badly on him with his audience. 

Maybe he will decide to participate if he is allowed to have a loaded pistol in plain view on his rostrum plus a stun gun around his hip.

This whole "democratic" election process is turning into a joke. And what happens if the military doesn't approve of the winning candidate?

Other candidates do have a genuine reason not to debate Prayut - he has article 44 (this tells you all you need to know about this election). Prayut has no reason not to debate. Well, other than he can't answer any form of difficult questions without getting angry, let alone debate them. 

is it legal have this junta leader as a party PM candidate !?

 

Will be very convenient for buck banana if EC say he can't do chat debate, I would pay money see him on live tv debate lol .

The guy is a prize plonker, if he wins this election it says a lot for state of thai education system ????

The EC will rule on the legality of Prayut joining the debate on the 25th of March.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Prayut urged to join PM debates, but EC yet to rule on legality 

He should take part in the debates, and when the EC rules that it's unlawful, well, then arrest him.

Simply amazing that he can run for a party, campaign for a party, appear on campaign party posters, have free airtime on all tv channels yet suddenly the EC is not sure whether he can join a debate.....

29 minutes ago, nickstav said:

This whole "democratic" election process is turning into a joke. And what happens if the military doesn't approve of the winning candidate?

What happens if the military doesn't approve of the winning candidate? 

Thailand's Army Chief Apirat Kongsompong is waiting and ready to step in and bring on another coup. He has admitted he is "very close" to junta leader Prayut Chan-o-cha so it is reasonable to expect that if his mate the PM does not win democratically he will arrange things so he remains in the big chair illegitimately, just as he is now. He has denied he would do that which means in military double speak it is on the cards.

https://www.news18.com/news/world/thailand-army-chief-apirat-kongsompong-dismisses-coup-talk-ahead-of-next-months-election-2038303.html

4 hours ago, Chang_paarp said:

in most democracies the government goes into "caretaker mode" once the election is called as a matter of integrity.

That may be true of parliamentary systems but not of presidential systems used by republics.

In the latter there is no diminishment of Executive Power during an election.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Prayut urged to join PM debates

Who Prayut might allow himself to debate:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/asia/100428914/thailands-pm-brings-out-cardboard-cutout-telling-reporters-to-quiz-it-not-him

I do not want to participate. My whole career, people have done exactly as I have said. Now, the pesky media, and many people are asking me to do this debate. I like to argue. I do not know how to fight. But, I do not like to be asked to discuss specifics. I just want to run the country as my own franchise, and be left alone. Do not annoy me. I am not very nice when I get annoyed. 

5 hours ago, Denim said:

Maybe he will decide to participate if he is allowed to have a loaded pistol in plain view on his rostrum plus a stun gun around his hip.

And don't forget his blanket amnesty, plus art.44 at his disposal anytime needed, which will prevent his fragile ego being scrutinised (upset/angry) by any these pesky underlings!

Let's start with Thanathorn vs Prayut..

Edited February 26, 20197 yr by Grossman