Thailand Set to Elect New Senate Amidst Constitutional Revamp

[snoop1130]

 

As the curtain falls on Thailand's current Senate class, numbering 250 senators, the Southeast Asian nation prepares to usher in a new era of electoral reconfiguration. The revised constitutional rules aim to typically reposition the Senate's role, thus abolishing their reach in the selection of the country's prime minister. This significant constitutional alteration comes after a period that witnessed the senators log in over 1,579 hours in deliberations over five years, passed an assortment of legislative resolutions but displayed noticeable restraint towards constitutional amendments, greenlighting a solitary proposal out of twenty that came their way.

 

The outgoing class of senators left an indelible mark on Thailand's political fabric. They were instrumental in conferring their support to former Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha in 2019 and later to Srettha Thavisin in 2022. Their voting patterns were characteristic of their conservative disposition, particularly noticeable in their preference to oppose changes to the contentious lese majeste law. A chunk of senators argued that this refusal was intrinsically tied to the nation's high regard for its royal traditions.

 

Beyond their legislative mandate, the outgoing Senate was actively involved in governmental oversight, posing 588 separate queries to the government. However, a significant number of these queries fell on deaf ears, receiving no response. This Senate bloc also played a pivotal role in designating officials for seven independent agencies, spotlighting the necessity of wide-ranging Senate approval for each nominee.

 

With the upcoming Senate elections on the horizon, the race has begun with candidates starting their registration processes. The polls, organised in a three-step process—district, provincial, and national—will determine the 200 senators that will comprise different professional groups. Observers see these forthcoming elections as a fundamental stride towards fortifying Thailand's democratic fabric, hinting at a more engaged approach to the nation's governance.

 

File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Microsoft Bing

 

-- 2024-05-13

 

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[Pouatchee]

4 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

However, a significant number of these queries fell on deaf ears, receiving no response.

 

right... until it is time to re-elect probated taxsin once again

[connda]

I wonder how much money they will promise the commoner voters if they vote for them.

"Vote for me and my party!!!  20K per adult vote if you elect us into office!!!" 

Oh!  We've seen this rodeo before. 

[Tropicalevo]

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

after a period that witnessed the senators log in over 1,579 hours in deliberations over five years

They were not deliberating.

They were haggling over the percentages.

[Denim]

Ah....here comes the house speaker 

 

' Make way at the trough , make way at the trough '

[scottiejohn]

38 minutes ago, Denim said:

Ah....here comes the house speaker 

 

' Make way at the trough , make way at the trough '

IOW Put your large brown envelopes intended for me in the trough!

Edited May 13 by scottiejohn

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

They were instrumental in conferring their support to former Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha in 2019

Hand picked by the man himself to protect his term in office

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

 

With the upcoming Senate elections on the horizon,

Selections

[tubber]

14 hours ago, connda said:

I wonder how much money they will promise the commoner voters if they vote for them.

"Vote for me and my party!!!  20K per adult vote if you elect us into office!!!" 

Oh!  We've seen this rodeo before. 

I don't believe the commoner voters can vote for them. Only the other candidates that have registered?

[RobU]

25 minutes ago, tubber said:

I don't believe the commoner voters can vote for them. Only the other candidates that have registered?

I agree, this system is very similar to the old UK feudal system. They can only register if they satisfy specific criteria such as wealth and influence which depends on maintaining the status quo 

Edited May 14 by RobU

[herfiehandbag]

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Observers see these forthcoming elections as a fundamental stride towards fortifying Thailand's democratic fabric, hinting at a more engaged approach to the nation's governance.

Meanwhile on planet earth, observers, Thai and foreign, recognise a stitch up by those born to rule when they see one!

[dinsdale]

Thailand is not electing a new senate. Looking at the headline you would think it's a national election. It's not but it should be. A select few are being selected. Of course 50 of Prayuts lackeys remain.

[newbee2022]

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

 

As the curtain falls on Thailand's current Senate class, numbering 250 senators, the Southeast Asian nation prepares to usher in a new era of electoral reconfiguration. The revised constitutional rules aim to typically reposition the Senate's role, thus abolishing their reach in the selection of the country's prime minister. This significant constitutional alteration comes after a period that witnessed the senators log in over 1,579 hours in deliberations over five years, passed an assortment of legislative resolutions but displayed noticeable restraint towards constitutional amendments, greenlighting a solitary proposal out of twenty that came their way.

 

The outgoing class of senators left an indelible mark on Thailand's political fabric. They were instrumental in conferring their support to former Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha in 2019 and later to Srettha Thavisin in 2022. Their voting patterns were characteristic of their conservative disposition, particularly noticeable in their preference to oppose changes to the contentious lese majeste law. A chunk of senators argued that this refusal was intrinsically tied to the nation's high regard for its royal traditions.

 

Beyond their legislative mandate, the outgoing Senate was actively involved in governmental oversight, posing 588 separate queries to the government. However, a significant number of these queries fell on deaf ears, receiving no response. This Senate bloc also played a pivotal role in designating officials for seven independent agencies, spotlighting the necessity of wide-ranging Senate approval for each nominee.

 

With the upcoming Senate elections on the horizon, the race has begun with candidates starting their registration processes. The polls, organised in a three-step process—district, provincial, and national—will determine the 200 senators that will comprise different professional groups. Observers see these forthcoming elections as a fundamental stride towards fortifying Thailand's democratic fabric, hinting at a more engaged approach to the nation's governance.

 

File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Microsoft Bing

 

-- 2024-05-13

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Those who got a seat already will do everything to keep it. And those who want to sit next in the senate would do everything to get it.

So it will be a competition in bribery, fake information , cheating and lying. Where's the change?🙏

[mfd101]

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Observers see these forthcoming elections as a fundamental stride towards fortifying Thailand's democratic fabric,

Bullsht.

[OneMoreFarang]

I read a couple of articles about the new senate. But until now I didn't read who made up these utterly stupid rules. The candidates are not allowed to inform the public who they are. Only senate candidates vote for senate candidates, etc. Who made these rules?

 

To me it looks like whoever made the rules didn't want that anybody is informed what is going on, and they surely didn't want that the senate represents the people. Who made the rules and how is it possible that nobody complained loud enough?

 

TiT. Just worse than normal. And that means a lot. 

 

[Srikcir]

17 hours ago, connda said:

I wonder how much money they will promise the commoner voters if they vote for them.

"common voters" have no vote. Any monetary negotiations will occur during a "de-selection" process that replaces public voting.

[mfd101]

20 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I read a couple of articles about the new senate. But until now I didn't read who made up these utterly stupid rules. The candidates are not allowed to inform the public who they are. Only senate candidates vote for senate candidates, etc. Who made these rules?

 

To me it looks like whoever made the rules didn't want that anybody is informed what is going on, and they surely didn't want that the senate represents the people. Who made the rules and how is it possible that nobody complained loud enough?

 

TiT. Just worse than normal. And that means a lot. 

 

The post-dictator rules for change are the ruling class's rules for no-change.

[Srikcir]

19 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Who made these rules?

The 2019 Constitution written by the junta government under NCPO Chief Gen. Prayut. Included are 50 senatorial positions not subject to change. Unless the Constitution can be amended with majority of current senators to provide for direct public voting, the Thavisin government cannot alter the manner of replacement of 200 junta-appointed senators, ie., by public elections. 

[OneMoreFarang]

2 hours ago, Srikcir said:

The 2019 Constitution written by the junta government under NCPO Chief Gen. Prayut. Included are 50 senatorial positions not subject to change. Unless the Constitution can be amended with majority of current senators to provide for direct public voting, the Thavisin government cannot alter the manner of replacement of 200 junta-appointed senators, ie., by public elections. 

Thanks, does that mean the military made 10 years or so ago the rules how the senators will be elected now?

Maybe that is the case, I don't know, and I would like to know. 

[mfd101]

45 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

does that mean the military made 10 years or so ago the rules how the senators will be elected now?

In short, yes.

[newbee2022]

8 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I read a couple of articles about the new senate. But until now I didn't read who made up these utterly stupid rules. The candidates are not allowed to inform the public who they are. Only senate candidates vote for senate candidates, etc. Who made these rules?

 

To me it looks like whoever made the rules didn't want that anybody is informed what is going on, and they surely didn't want that the senate represents the people. Who made the rules and how is it possible that nobody complained loud enough?

 

TiT. Just worse than normal. And that means a lot. 

 

Well, you know why nobody is complaining.

Do you want to end up in jail ?😳