Thai organisations challenge Senate’s prime ministerial authority

[kimamey]

On 7/18/2023 at 4:25 AM, bamnutsak said:

I think quite a few folks recognized this "feature" which Meechai and other crafters added, was meant to keep control. And quite a few pointed out the inherent un-democratic nature of this unelected, appointed (by the NCPO), body.

 

Now we get to see how poor a choice this was. 

 

 

Non-elected Senate a reliable buffer: Meechai

 

A NON-ELECTED Senate, as set out in the draft constitution, could be relied upon because its members would have no connection with political parties, chief charter writer Meechai Ruchupan said Tuesday.

 

“Elected MPs can also be trusted, but sometimes they have to act in accordance with the directions of their party, which might have a particular ambition. This leads to things going wrong,” he said at a press conference on the charter draft’s completion and submission to the Cabinet Tuesday.

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/30282821

 

There's a lot of sense in that, however it relies on the senate being unbiased, and basing it's oversight on facts and ensuring that the government acts in the interests of the Thai public. It also needs to act in the same manner. It would have worked well if they had demonstrated an ethical stance.

I'm not sure they've risen to that challenge unfortunately.