Opposition MPs push for Prayut's disqualification as Cabinet member

By The Nation

 

 

Chuan Leekpai, in his capacity as House of Representatives speaker, on Friday forwarded a petition to Constitutional Court calling for the disqualification of PM General Prayut Chan-o-cha as Cabinet member.

 

The petition, signed by 101 MPs, was handed to Chuan by opposition Pheu Thai Party member Chonlanan Srikieo. 

 

The petition points out that Prayut does not qualify as Cabinet member according to the charter as he is already a state official. Prayut is apparently being considered for the post of defence minister as the incumbent, Prawit Wongsuwan, has voiced plans to step down due to failing health. 

 

Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) said it had received a similar petition earlier against Prayut taking over as PM, but chose not to forward it to the Constitutional Court, saying it had already approved the nomination by Phalang Pracharat Party and that his status was valid according to the charter and related laws. 

 

However, the opposition MPs said the EC’s verdict was unclear and wanted this matter to also be forwarded to the Constitutional Court for further consideration.

 

Source: http://www.nationthailand.com/news/30372410

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand  2019-07-05

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a farce

11 minutes ago, AGareth2 said:

a farce

Agree, but given the antics of the junta not surprised the opposition are taking this action and I'm sure they will do it again and often, aiming to at least destabilize the 'gov't', maybe even cause the coalition to collapse. Not surprised.

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

The petition points out that Prayut does not qualify as Cabinet member according to the charter as he is already a state official. 

Oh for goodness sake...grow up. 

I second the motion!

Oohrah.

I think the Ayes have it,and the motion is passed.Whooooo Hoooooo! 

21 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

Oh for goodness sake...grow up. 

Yeah I agree, the EC, the constitutional court and the current government all need to grow up. The level of cheating they did in relation to this election is unprecedented. The current 19 party coalition didn't really have a majority, it was handed to them by the EC, by awarding 11 micro parties all a seat, and surprisingly they all joined Prayuth, as if it was planned,.. Well of course it was planned. 

 

Remember the coalition is just pointing out that Prayuth isn't honoring the constitution. Well, of course he didn't five years ago, but one would think he at least would honor the one he himself created, but alas even that is apparently one bridge too far. 

 

Surprised about your remark, at least the coalition is trying to follow the rules of democracy....

Just now, sjaak327 said:

Yeah I agree, the EC, the constitutional court and the current government all need to grow up. The level of cheating they did in relation to this election is unprecedented. The current 19 party coalition didn't really have a majority, it was handed to them by the EC, by awarding 11 micro parties all a seat, and surprisingly they all joined Prayuth, as if it was planned,.. Well of course it was planned. 

 

Remember the coalition is just pointing out that Prayuth isn't honoring the constitution. Well, of course he didn't five years ago, but one would think he at least would honor the one he himself created, but alas even that is apparently one bridge too far. 

 

Surprised about your remark, at least the coalition is trying to follow the rules of democracy....

You’re surprised that I want the opposition to get on with monitoring the govts actions on social welfare, economic policy, the state of care for elderly, education, health services, setting thugs on political opponents and a whole host of other issues concerning the governance of Thailand, rather than p*****g into the wind over how many positions Prayut holds. 

 

That does surprise me.  

2 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

You’re surprised that I want the opposition to get on with monitoring the govts actions on social welfare, economic policy, the state of care for elderly, education, health services, setting thugs on political opponents and a whole host of other issues concerning the governance of Thailand, rather than p*****g into the wind over how many positions Prayut holds. 

 

That does surprise me.  

What government actions? They haven’t been officially formed yet and they still hold 44. If ever there was a time to scrutinize qualifications, it’s now. 

prayuth will give this post to anybody from PPP or the coalition, thus making them more happy and making coalition stronger.

 

the more positions he holds the less time for each to care for.

9 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

You’re surprised that I want the opposition to get on with monitoring the govts actions on social welfare, economic policy, the state of care for elderly, education, health services, setting thugs on political opponents and a whole host of other issues concerning the governance of Thailand, rather than p*****g into the wind over how many positions Prayut holds. 

 

That does surprise me.  

If it is unconstitutional I see no reason why they cannot complain. Luckily there is an opposition now, and they will justifiably oppose him in any way they can. No more article 44, no more rubber stamp NLA. I give him two months. 

 

Of course let's not forget how the valid complaint about the appointment of senators went, the MP's who are all elected, apparently have no right to even question the fact that the PM appointed all 250 senators virtually single handedly. Democracy my ass. 

Edited July 5, 20197 yr by sjaak327

Is it time for the next election yet????

1 hour ago, FarFlungFalang said:

I second the motion!

What motion do you second? It could be the OP or it could be the post by Bluespunk (Oh for goodness sake...grow up). Without a quote, it is difficult to tell what motion you "second".

20 minutes ago, sammieuk1 said:

Is it time for the next election yet????

Stock up on popcorn and beer. Either another election or some other "event" may quite possibly be just around the corner.

 

Every circus has an end. Some quicker than others.

1 hour ago, Bluespunk said:

You’re surprised that I want the opposition to get on with monitoring the govts actions on social welfare, economic policy, the state of care for elderly, education, health services, setting thugs on political opponents and a whole host of other issues concerning the governance of Thailand, rather than p*****g into the wind over how many positions Prayut holds. 

 

That does surprise me.  

This question has already been answered by the authorities.

It is a completely ridiculous answer, but it has been given.

 

Though Prayuth travels the world representing Thailand and meeting heads of state, the state ombudsman today ruled that the prime minister is, in fact, not a government official. The Ombudsman Office’s unanimous ruling therefore meant the pro-junta Phalang Pracharat Party did not violate regulations by nominating Prayuth to be its candidate.

 

It is actually a very clever tactic by the opposition to continue to keep the media spotlight on the way the Junta does not believe any rules (or laws) apply to themselves, it highlights the utter contempt Prayuth and his merry men hold the Thai people in. Not a vote winning performance by anyones measure. Read the article in the link below, interviews with former PDRC supporters just 2 years after the coup and see the reasons they give for their change of tune - now add 3 more years of military rule and an epically incompetently rigged election to the equation......

 

The opposition are hitting the exact right notes to hasten the demise of the shambles currently attempting to govern Thailand and with its demise lies the quickest route to the solutions to the other issues you raise.

 

https://prachatai.com/english/node/6178

1 hour ago, rkidlad said:

What government actions? They haven’t been officially formed yet and they still hold 44. If ever there was a time to scrutinize qualifications, it’s now. 

I’d focus on actions such as the recent assault on the opposition activist. 

 

But support p*****g into the wind if you wish...

1 hour ago, sjaak327 said:

If it is unconstitutional I see no reason why they cannot complain. Luckily there is an opposition now, and they will justifiably oppose him in any way they can. No more article 44, no more rubber stamp NLA. I give him two months. 

 

Of course let's not forget how the valid complaint about the appointment of senators went, the MP's who are all elected, apparently have no right to even question the fact that the PM appointed all 250 senators virtually single handedly. Democracy my ass. 

I disagree on what matters and this complaint about prayut is farcical. 

2 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

I’d focus on actions such as the recent assault on the opposition activist. 

 

But support p*****g into the wind if you wish...

Yeap, can’t chew gum and walk at the same time, right? 

4 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

I disagree on what matters and this complaint about prayut is farcical. 

Farcical how exactly?

6 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

I disagree on what matters and this complaint about prayut is farcical. 

? So you think Prayuth is allowed to violate the constitution ? I think you've been in Thailand too long, I understand, the disregard shown for the constitution, coup after coup might make one not care anymore, but in the grand scheme of things, it does actually matter. He could always stage another coup of course.....

Edited July 5, 20197 yr by sjaak327

Just now, rkidlad said:

Farcical how exactly?

The constant bickering over who has what role in the governing grouping. 

 

Focus us on their actions not the make up of their cabinet. 

4 minutes ago, sjaak327 said:

? So you think Prayuth is allowed to violate the constitution ? I think you've been in Thailand too long, I understand, the disregard shown for the constitution, coup after coup might make one not care anymore, but in the grand scheme of things, it does actually matter. He could always stage another coup of course.....

I don’t care how many roles prayut has, true. 

 

Focus on his govts policy decisions and actions. 

 

Also, how long I have been in Thailand has absolutely nothing to do with this. 

Edited July 5, 20197 yr by Bluespunk

1 minute ago, Bluespunk said:

The constant bickering over who has what role in the governing grouping. 

 

Focus us on their actions not the make up of their cabinet. 

But... the constitution (they themselves created) is very strict on who can be in what position. The opposition is merely taking them to the task. 

 

But this is Thailand, where one party nominates a member of the royal family and get abolished, and another party nominates a dictator and criminal and get away with it. Bad guys versus good guys or more of that nonsense. 

1 minute ago, Bluespunk said:

The constant bickering over who has what role in the governing grouping. 

 

Focus us on their actions not the make up of their cabinet. 

Again, how can we focus on their actions when they’re not officially in power? They have 44. 

 

Now is the time to be focusing on and scrutinizing their picks. 

1 minute ago, Bluespunk said:

I don’t care how many roles prayut has, true. 

 

Focus on his govts policy decisions and actions. 

Me neither, but if one of those roles  is unconstitutional, I do care. 

 

Reminds me of Samak, he was impeached because he appeared in a cooking show, which according to the constitutional court constituted a conflict of interest. Yet the current PM was able to fully appoint the senate, and have all 250 vote for him as the new PM, but somehow that didn't constitute a conflict of interest. 

 

It is downright funny the utter <deleted> that is happening here. 

1 minute ago, sjaak327 said:

But... the constitution (they themselves created) is very strict on who can be in what position. The opposition is merely taking them to the task. 

 

But this is Thailand, where one party nominates a member of the royal family and get abolished, and another party nominates a dictator and criminal and get away with it. Bad guys versus good guys or more of that nonsense. 

I think we’ve established how I feel about this non event. 

4 minutes ago, rkidlad said:

Again, how can we focus on their actions when they’re not officially in power? They have 44. 

 

Now is the time to be focusing on and scrutinizing their picks. 

Won’t make any difference and won’t work. Focus on scrutinising their policies and splitting the fractious coalition they have built. 

Edited July 5, 20197 yr by Bluespunk

Just now, Bluespunk said:

Won’t make any difference and won’t work. Focus on scrutinising their policies and splitting the fractious coalition they have built. 

They don't need to do that, they will do that all by themselves, two months tops. Actually I am still not convinced they actually will start. 

 

I agree it won't work, Prayuth has the constitutional court in his back pocket. 

1 minute ago, Bluespunk said:

Won’t make any difference and won’t work. Focus on scrutinising their policies and splitting the fractious coalition they have built. 

Right, so why focus on the activist who was beaten? 

 

And scrutinizing Prayut’s qualifications IS trying to split their ‘fractious coalition’.