Prime Minister, business leaders oppose strategy to countdown the clock on the Senate’s power

[webfact]

Prime Minister Prayut Chan Ocha this week described the strategy being advocated by some on the democratic side of the political divide of waiting out the 10 months until May 2024 to elect Thailand’s 30th Prime Minister, when the voting power of the upper house or Senate expires under Section 272 of the Constitution as ‘inappropriate’ for the country. He said he did not want to extend his period in office as caretaker PM.

The strategy was first mooted publicly by former United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) leader Jatuporn Prompan as the best course of action as opinion polls strongly suggest that the public is behind the original eight party coalition of democratic parties which will be broken up if Pheu Thai proceeds to opt for forming a government while jettisoning its initial commitments to democratic principles and ideals under the Memorandum of Understanding towards a ‘Government of Hope’ which it signed up for with the Move Forward Party and others on the 22nd May 2023. It will be seen by the electorate as a betrayal.

Thai Prime Minister, Prayut Chan Ocha, on Tuesday, said the strategy of counting down the clock to May 2024 being proposed by elements of the democratic eight-party coalition was an ‘inappropriate’ one for the kingdom currently facing political deadlock. On Saturday last, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul also warned against such an approach saying that a government with limited powers for such a duration would not be beneficial for the economy, the people or investor confidence.

 

At Government House on Tuesday, Thai Prime Minister, General Prayut Chan Ocha was asked about speculation that has been doing the rounds and is now openly pushed by key members of the eight-party democratic coalition, that the pact should opt-out of the current political tussle between itself and the Upper House or Senate as well as outgoing government parties after the failure to elect Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat in the July 13th vote of Parliament and the subsequent vote on July 19th which this week has led to a suspension of the process after the matter was referred to the Constitutional Court by the Office of the Ombudsman, by counting down the clock until May 2024.

 

by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor

 

Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2023/07/27/prayut-opposes-10-month-wait-for-pm-election-countdown-power-senate-section-272/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2023-07-28

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

[flyingtlger]

27 minutes ago, webfact said:

Prime Minister Prayut Chan Ocha this week described the strategy being advocated by some on the democratic side of the political divide of waiting out the 10 months until May 2024 to elect Thailand’s 30th Prime Minister

Of course Prayut wants to wait 10 more monthes....he has nothing to lose.

[ukrules]

I hope they wait it out and then see what happens when there's no senators.

[JayClay]

1 hour ago, flyingtlger said:

Of course Prayut wants to wait 10 more monthes

That's exactly the opposite of what the article says...

[stoner]

2 hours ago, JayClay said:

That's exactly the opposite of what the article says...

precisely. 

[ChrisY1]

Waiting until 2024 to elect the government would be a disaster for Thailand and the military now realize this, after probably not thinking this could/would be a possibility. Of course, this is obviously, an outcome of their senate obstructions.

 

 

 

[RichardColeman]

Sorry but that photo looks like the PM is trying out one of those Chinese covid rectal tests

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

that the public is behind the original eight party coalition of democratic parties which will be broken up if Pheu Thai proceeds to opt for forming a government while jettisoning its initial commitments to democratic principles and ideals under the Memorandum of Understanding towards a ‘Government of Hope’ which it signed up for with the Move Forward Party and others on the 22nd May 2023. It will be seen by the electorate as a betrayal.

Who will do nothing when it's taken away from them.

 

[Gottfrid]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

He said he did not want to extend his period in office as caretaker PM.

That´s easy! Just resign.

[bradiston]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Prime Minister Prayut Chan Ocha this week described the strategy being advocated by some on the democratic side of the political divide of waiting out the 10 months until May 2024 to elect Thailand’s 30th Prime Minister, when the voting power of the upper house or Senate expires under Section 272 of the Constitution as ‘inappropriate’ for the country. He said he did not want to extend his period in office as caretaker PM.

The strategy was first mooted publicly by former United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) leader Jatuporn Prompan as the best course of action as opinion polls strongly suggest that the public is behind the original eight party coalition of democratic parties which will be broken up if Pheu Thai proceeds to opt for forming a government while jettisoning its initial commitments to democratic principles and ideals under the Memorandum of Understanding towards a ‘Government of Hope’ which it signed up for with the Move Forward Party and others on the 22nd May 2023. It will be seen by the electorate as a betrayal.

Thai Prime Minister, Prayut Chan Ocha, on Tuesday, said the strategy of counting down the clock to May 2024 being proposed by elements of the democratic eight-party coalition was an ‘inappropriate’ one for the kingdom currently facing political deadlock. On Saturday last, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul also warned against such an approach saying that a government with limited powers for such a duration would not be beneficial for the economy, the people or investor confidence.

 

At Government House on Tuesday, Thai Prime Minister, General Prayut Chan Ocha was asked about speculation that has been doing the rounds and is now openly pushed by key members of the eight-party democratic coalition, that the pact should opt-out of the current political tussle between itself and the Upper House or Senate as well as outgoing government parties after the failure to elect Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat in the July 13th vote of Parliament and the subsequent vote on July 19th which this week has led to a suspension of the process after the matter was referred to the Constitutional Court by the Office of the Ombudsman, by counting down the clock until May 2024.

 

by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor

 

Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2023/07/27/prayut-opposes-10-month-wait-for-pm-election-countdown-power-senate-section-272/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2023-07-28

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

The linked article is well worth reading IMHO.

[bradiston]

1 hour ago, RichardColeman said:

Sorry but that photo looks like the PM is trying out one of those Chinese covid rectal tests

Deepfake? Like his head's been inserted? I won't say where.

[newnative]

     The delay is entirely caused by the Senators.  So, if you are, supposedly, so opposed to the delay, get the Senators to vote with the will of the voters, rather than delaying opposition.

[bradiston]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Prime Minister Prayut Chan Ocha this week described the strategy being advocated by some on the democratic side of the political divide of waiting out the 10 months until May 2024 to elect Thailand’s 30th Prime Minister, when the voting power of the upper house or Senate expires under Section 272 of the Constitution as ‘inappropriate’ for the country. He said he did not want to extend his period in office as caretaker PM.

The strategy was first mooted publicly by former United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) leader Jatuporn Prompan as the best course of action as opinion polls strongly suggest that the public is behind the original eight party coalition of democratic parties which will be broken up if Pheu Thai proceeds to opt for forming a government while jettisoning its initial commitments to democratic principles and ideals under the Memorandum of Understanding towards a ‘Government of Hope’ which it signed up for with the Move Forward Party and others on the 22nd May 2023. It will be seen by the electorate as a betrayal.

Thai Prime Minister, Prayut Chan Ocha, on Tuesday, said the strategy of counting down the clock to May 2024 being proposed by elements of the democratic eight-party coalition was an ‘inappropriate’ one for the kingdom currently facing political deadlock. On Saturday last, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul also warned against such an approach saying that a government with limited powers for such a duration would not be beneficial for the economy, the people or investor confidence.

 

At Government House on Tuesday, Thai Prime Minister, General Prayut Chan Ocha was asked about speculation that has been doing the rounds and is now openly pushed by key members of the eight-party democratic coalition, that the pact should opt-out of the current political tussle between itself and the Upper House or Senate as well as outgoing government parties after the failure to elect Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat in the July 13th vote of Parliament and the subsequent vote on July 19th which this week has led to a suspension of the process after the matter was referred to the Constitutional Court by the Office of the Ombudsman, by counting down the clock until May 2024.

 

by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor

 

Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2023/07/27/prayut-opposes-10-month-wait-for-pm-election-countdown-power-senate-section-272/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2023-07-28

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

Has anybody put it to him that he is entirely responsible for the situation, with his creation of the generally loathed Senate? What's he got to say now? It's all backfired, and he's the one to hold accountable. Fess up, Prayuth, you really screwed up. It's really made a mess of any new parliament, based on the vote. Or any other, come to that. What a disaster.

[SoilSpoil]

3 minutes ago, bradiston said:

Has anybody put it to him that he is entirely responsible for the situation, with his creation of the generally loathed Senate? What's he got to say now? It's all backfired, and he's the one to hold accountable. Fess up, Prayuth, you really screwed up. It's really made a mess of any new parliament, based on the vote. Or any other, come to that. What a disaster.

He didn't mess up, he got exactly what was intended. An extra lock on the door, so to speak.

[phetphet]

Well there's a surprise.

 

Isn't it also  "inappropriate for the country" to have a government that the majority voted for disenfranchised?

[bradiston]

19 minutes ago, SoilSpoil said:

He didn't mess up, he got exactly what was intended. An extra lock on the door, so to speak.

Ask him now. This delay could cost billions. And has made Thailand a laughing stock.

[stevenl]

So the establishment opposes a reduction of its powers. What a surprise.

[tjo o tjim]

Simple solution: reduce the size of the senate by 25 seats every month a PM is not selected.

[bradiston]

33 minutes ago, bradiston said:

Ask him now. This delay could cost billions. And has made Thailand a laughing stock.

It's not fit for purpose. In practice it doesn't work. It's supposed to be non partisan. So how is it many Senators an come out with statements like "I won't vote for any candidate associated with MFP"? They should be admonished by the Senate president. Any repeat offense and they're kicked out.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senate_of_Thailand

[keysersoze276]

On 7/28/2023 at 4:03 AM, ukrules said:

I hope they wait it out and then see what happens when there's no senators.

I am not condoning death, just saying there would be more effective ways than to wait it out. 

[jacko45k]

19 hours ago, newnative said:

     The delay is entirely caused by the Senators.  So, if you are, supposedly, so opposed to the delay, get the Senators to vote with the will of the voters, rather than delaying opposition.

The senators are likely to vote per the will of those that appointed them, and may well extend that appointment.