Prayut ‘to have the final say’ on Cabinet

[webfact]

Prayut ‘to have the final say’ on Cabinet

By KAS CHANWANPEN 
THE NATION

 

Prayut Chan-o-cha

 

PM says he will personally screen the nominees proposed by coalition partners.

 

JUNTA CHIEF Prayut Chan-o-cha, the sole PM candidate of the pro-military Phalang Pracharat Party, said he would personally screen members proposed by coalition partners for the new Cabinet.

 

Coalition leader Phalang Pracharat is negotiating with the Democrat, Bhumjaithai, Chartthai-pattana, Chart Pattana parties as well as minor parties to form the government amid demands from many for grade-A ministry |portfolios.

 

“I’m waiting for the name lists from the parties and will call a meeting to discuss the matter,” Prayut said. “I have to personally look into this [portfolio allocation].” 

 

Asked if his deputy, General Prawit Wongsuwan, would join the new Cabinet, Prayut said, “Don’t name anybody now. It’s the duty of the new premier.”

 

According to procedure, the selection of a person to the top government job would take place after royal endorsement of the new speakers of the House of Representatives.

 

Unfazed by situation

 

The disarray in Parliament over the past weekend during the election of House speakers made it seem that politics had not changed, Prayut said, adding that he was not disheartened by the uncertainties facing his new government. 

 

The House meetings over the weekend had indicated that his affiliation party, Phalang Pracharat, was having a hard time controlling its potential coalition partners. But Prayut, as the party’s PM nominee, appeared determined and told the press yesterday that if he were to stay, he must force himself to overcome whatever lay ahead.

 

In dealing with different politicians from different parties, if he returns as the new premier, the general said he would rely on law enforcement to handle many situations, adding that national interest should be the top priority.

 

Current developments point to Phalang Pracharat having the upper hand in forming a coalition over Pheu Thai Party, which is the party with the most number of MPs. Phalang Pracharat, however, has been struggling to seal its deal with partners, especially the Democrat Party.

 

Democrat, with only 53 MPs, has already secured the highest position in the legislative branch after its senior leader Chuan Leekpai was elected speaker of the lower house on Saturday. Other Cabinet seats are under negotiation, with some ministries including Agriculture being hotly debated.

 

The Democrat Party has reportedly demanded the Agriculture portfolio, but it is also coveted by influential figures in Phalang Pracharat, making it difficult for the two parties to cut a coalition deal.

 

Democrat spokesperson Rames Rattanachaweng stressed yesterday that the party had yet to agree to join the Phalang Pracharat-led coalition. 

 

Initially, the Democrats had proposed some major principles for the pro-junta party to consider, including the amendment of the charter and policy direction, such as solving the issue of agricultural product prices, he explained. 

 

As negotiations on Cabinet positions were still in progress, Prayut said yesterday the parties would have to discuss the matter further, adding it was up to the next premier to find a solution.

 

Prayut yesterday distanced himself from a Democrat Party proposal to amend the Constitution, saying it was a matter for the next government to decide. He said since the situation has changed, it was possible to amend the legislation.

 

In a related development, the Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights have called on the junta to stop harassing political rivals.

 

The group cited the legal actions against Future Forward leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, who was recently suspended from the lower house for the timing of his holding shares in a media company, as an example. The group said the case was possibly politically motivated. In response, Prayut said yesterday that he had no enemies and that if everyone respected the law, they would not be in trouble.

 

He urged politicians to desist from involving the international community in the internal affairs of the country or to use them as a shield for their personal protection.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30370171

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-05-29

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[Thaiwrath]

4 minutes ago, webfact said:

Prayut said yesterday that he had no enemies and that if everyone respected the law, they would not be in trouble.

And he actually believes that !

<deleted> amazing !

[jerojero]

Praise Buddha! His Holiness Mr PM will personally screen the Cabinet. We are saved! Got any more useless brothers, sons, daughters, nephews, Mr Almighty PM? Line them up at the nepotism trough. Utterly ridiculous he should have so much say in the Democracy of Thailand Kingdom in 2019.

[Creasy]

Of course he will.

[Puchaiyank]

The sum of all democratic fears...he will choose, he will use law enforcement to control dissent, he will amend and legislate as he sees fit...

 

So, how is this government different from the previous after the election circus?

[Odysseus123]

1 minute ago, Puchaiyank said:

The sum of all democratic fears...he will choose, he will use law enforcement to control dissent, he will amend and legislate as he sees fit...

 

So, how is this government different from the previous after the election circus?

Same...same but different!

Led by a wise,pensive and rather jolly PM-what else could you ask for?????????

[Puchaiyank]

55 minutes ago, Thaiwrath said:

And he actually believes that !

<deleted> amazing !

Basically, what he is saying is...if you follow his rules you will not get in trouble...since he makes the rules and uses the military to enforce them...what on earth could be more democratic? 

[mania]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

PM says he will personally screen the nominees proposed by coalition partners.

 

You know...none ever thought the election was anywhere near legal/fair/corruption free but, If he is going down this road why did he even pretend to have an election?

[Puchaiyank]

11 minutes ago, mania said:

 

You know...none ever thought the election was anywhere near legal/fair/corruption free but, If he is going down this road why did he even pretend to have an election?

The world...the country demanded it...and after 5 years of promises...they put on a show for all to see...

 

I suspect the outcome of the "election" was predetermined...

[Fex Bluse]

46 minutes ago, mania said:

 

You know...none ever thought the election was anywhere near legal/fair/corruption free but, If he is going down this road why did he even pretend to have an election?

I suspect he can't avoid it as Thai culture trains people to be perpetual actors and actresses, always on stage, always pretending.

 

Focused on form over function. 

 

As long as it kind of looks like a democracy, most Thais will likely find it acceptable 

 

[sjaak327]

1 hour ago, Thaiwrath said:

And he actually believes that !

<deleted> amazing !

He himself showed to have an utter disrespect for the law. The bloke belongs in jail, not in government house....

[neeray]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

if he returns as the new premier, the general said he would rely on law enforcement to handle many situations

What law enforcement? Those new tanks?

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Prayut said yesterday that he had no enemies and that if everyone respected the law, they would not be in trouble.

Shouldn't respect for the law start at the top? Was law respected in this rigged election, the one with the predetermined outcome?

[Chang_paarp]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

In dealing with different politicians from different parties, if he returns as the new premier, the general said he would rely on law enforcement to handle many situations, adding that national interest should be the top priority.

This is worrying. I foresee more trumped up charges and suspect investigations.

Does Article 44 authority continue into this new phase of "democracy"?

 

Another question. What happens if the balance of power shifts in the legislature?
Say for example one or two parties see the error of their way and decide that the then current administration is not following the promises and policies they promised and decide to back the opposition giving them a majority and for arguments sake over 352 seats?
In the previous version of the parliamentary this caused a change of sides who were the government and resulted in a change of PM, as happened when Newin and his acolytes moved from the Thaksin camp to the Democrat camp giving them power and making Abissit PM. In this case with an externally appointed PM would he be removed as part of this process with a motion of no confidence?

[geoffbezoz]

And if Prayut gets one sniff that any of the proposed candidates has shown any inclination for honesty or concern for the rural poor, they will be discounted.

[smedly]

what election ?

 

what has changed ?

 

appointed senate ?

 

 

excluding this sentence the above was 44

 

 

[Prairieboy]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

uncertainties facing his new government.

A bit gutsy!  Does he know something we don't?

 

[Prairieboy]

2 hours ago, Odysseus123 said:

Same...same but different!

Led by a wise,pensive and rather jolly PM-what else could you ask for?????????

Don't forget 'happy'.  His entire family and all his relatives will be employed so Uncle Tu will no longer have to support them!

 

Edited May 28, 2019 by Prairieboy

[Oziex1]

And the next headline. 

"Prawit Defends PM, family and friends are qualified for the role."

[Prairieboy]

2 hours ago, Puchaiyank said:

they put on a show for all to see...

A true Bollywood production!

[Lungstib]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

he would rely on law enforcement to handle many situations

Not proper law enforcement for the protection of the people but all those new laws for the protection of government. Sedition for dissent and protest and computer crimes for spreading the truth. Very handy to have a new set of laws to allow you to lock people away and yet say, "we are only applying the law".

[mikebell]

Why bother to vet cabinet candidates, they have to do what he says, or else.

[ChrisY1]

Any alternative party member that gets a ministry or high position with these crooks, will really need to be on their guard...Prayuth will simply remove them without a thought and replace with his people.

But the suckers for the trough see only roses and wealth!

Edited May 29, 2019 by ChrisY1

[Ozman52]

13 minutes ago, ChrisY1 said:

Any alternative party member that gets a ministry or high position with these crooks, will really need to be on their guard...Prayuth will simply remove them without a thought and replace with his people.

But the suckers for the trough see only roses and wealth!

You really don't understand how a coalition works. Given your scenario, what stops the minor party from withdrawing?

[Eric Loh]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Prayut ‘to have the final say’ on Cabinet

Old habit die hard. First sign of trouble for his coalition. 

[JAG]

2 hours ago, Chang_paarp said:

Another question. What happens if the balance of power shifts in the legislature?
Say for example one or two parties see the error of their way and decide that the then current administration is not following the promises and policies they promised and decide to back the opposition giving them a majority and for arguments sake over 352 seats?

A coup -to protect the nation of course!

 

Then a National Council for something or other will be established to take care of things, an interim constitution, with no doubt it's own "article 44" to allow rule by decree, and lots of committees to consider reforms. A clean out of various opposition politicians, banning of parties and political activity. Plenty of attitude adjustment, a few unfortunate sudden blood disorders, and possibly the odd unfortunate hanging himself with his socks whilst the CCTV is not working.

 

A new constitution to be drafted, and then, 5 years or so down the line a glorious flowering of new (Thai style) democracy.

 

Always supposing that the wheels don't fall off society before that...

 

It all sounds rather familiar.

Edited May 29, 2019 by JAG

[bluesofa]

19 minutes ago, Ozman52 said:

You really don't understand how a coalition works. Given your scenario, what stops the minor party from withdrawing?

The threat of a 'punch in the mouth'?

[Lenny Jones]

The final nail in the coffin of Thailand's democracy

[gk10002000]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

According to procedure,

Siiiiigh.

[Artisi]

4 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

And he actually believes that !

<deleted> amazing !

That's what he said, so he must believe it, just like he believes in Santa, tooth fairy, and the Easter bunny. 

[Artisi]

4 hours ago, Puchaiyank said:

The sum of all democratic fears...he will choose, he will use law enforcement to control dissent, he will amend and legislate as he sees fit...

 

So, how is this government different from the previous after the election circus?

It's different due to the fact the previous governments weren't privileged to have Prayut as the guiding light.