Prime Minister Urges Political Parties To Propose Charter Amendments

[sriracha john]

Too late to edit post above, but it should have read:

[Thaksin Shinawatra] [TRT Banned # 1]

[HagenvonTronje]

Too late to edit post above, but it should have read:

[Thaksin Shinawatra] [TRT Banned # 1]

it's never too late to refrain from editing text and keep it in it original form. an easy task. that should be standard. otherwise your are just producing digital garbage and content nobody can trust.

for later use it would be also helpful if you would provide the ddirect link, such link is can be still valid after a year or so, but the source maybe not discovered via a search engine. if the source can not be verified it's digital garbage too.

[sriracha john]

The rite, a combination of animism, voodoo and Buddhism, was performed by the abbot of Wat Umong and eight other monks, as well as a pro-Thaksin trance medium. It was presided over by General Chaisit Shinawatra, Thaksin's cousin and former supreme commander of the armed forces.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra salutes from atop a tank during military exercises in Sattahip. Thaksin's cousin and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, General Chaisit Shinawatra, stands behind him.

April 2, 2005

Chaiyasit says Thanskin not behind golf party of former Thai Rak Thai, PPP executives

Chaiyasit Shinawatra, a former Army Chief, Tuesday denied that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra [TRT Banned # 1] was behind the gathering of former Thai Rak Thai Party and People Power Party executives at the Alpine Golf Course on Monday.

Chaiyasit, a cousin of Thaksin, said the former executives simply gathered for a round of golf.

He said he was invited because he likes to play golf.

The gathering did not discuss charter amendments and political amnesty, he claimed.

-- The Nation 2009-05-12

[sriracha john]

Time frame for review in question

House Speaker Chai Chidchob has indicated the time frame set for the studying of amendments to the constitution by a parliamentary panel will have to be extended.

Chai yesterday said the panel made up of Senators and MPs from the government and opposition camps was unlikely to finish its review of the constitution in 45 days.

The tight schedule meant the committee could only come up with broad guidelines on political reform or a proposal to set up another panel to continue studying the amendments, Chai said.

-- Bangkok Post 2009-05-12

[hammered]

Time frame for review in question

House Speaker Chai Chidchob has indicated the time frame set for the studying of amendments to the constitution by a parliamentary panel will have to be extended.

Chai yesterday said the panel made up of Senators and MPs from the government and opposition camps was unlikely to finish its review of the constitution in 45 days.

The tight schedule meant the committee could only come up with broad guidelines on political reform or a proposal to set up another panel to continue studying the amendments, Chai said.

-- Bangkok Post 2009-05-12

Getting it right is far more important than some arbitary time frame. It shouldnt be an open ended affair though. UI would think those on the committee could come up with a more reasonable time frame and in form the public. After all public hearings would seem to be something that should be part of the process assuming anyone cares about the public. There has never been real public invovlement in Thai constitutions in the past. Even 1997 consulted only some "people's groups" rather than people and 2007 even though having a referendum held only a few small gatherings before this. Mind you I amy be somewhat egalitarian there as talking to most ordinary people they dont give a @#$% about constitutions.

[sriracha john]

Not your average game of golf

Former executives of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai and Palang Prachachon parties made a rare "show of force" at a friendly golf tournament on Monday at the Alpine Golf course in Klong Luang district of Pathum Thani province.

Those present for the “no politics, just a friendly game of golf” day out included former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat [PPP Banned # 5], Wan Muhamad Nor Matha [TRT Banned #14], Sompong Amornvivat [PPP Banned # 6], Pongthep Thepkanchana [TRT Banned # 10], Suthin Klangsaeng [PPP Banned # 28], Chamlong Krutkhunthod [TRT Banned # 32] , Payap Shinawatra [Unbanned Brother], Vichit Plangsrisakul [TRT Banned # 46], Prachuab Chaiyasarn [TRT Banned # 37], Sukhavich Rangsitphol [TRT Banned # 47], Varathep Rattanakorn [TRT Banned # 44], and Sanoh Thienthong [TRT Non-Banned # 1], Leader of the Pracharaj Party.

Many of these politicians have kept a low profile since they were barred from active politics for five years after their parties were dissolved by the Constitution Court on electoral fraud charges.

Opinion Continued:

-- Bangkok Post 2009-05-12

[Plus]

As it stands now, the amendments have no chance of passing through a referendum as they have absolutley nothing to offer to the people.

Personally I think party dissolutions should be avoided, perhaps banning executives and replacing the board would be a better option, but I don't see any urgency in this whatsoever.

[sriracha john]

Puea Thai Party MP Wittaya Buranasiri

Wittaya: the setting of sub-committee should be preceded by hearing of committee members’ suggestions

BANGKOK, 12 May 2009 (NNT) - A member of the reconciliation committee for political reform and charter amendment Wittaya Buranasiri suggested that committee members from each party make their problem-solving suggestions before the working sub-committee could be formed.

Wittaya who was also a Puea Thai Party MP made such suggestion after the report that the reconciliation committee chairman Direk Thuengfang would set up three new working panels.

He said Puea Thai Party had not yet appointed its representatives to sit in the sub-committee.

He added the Party would not nominate Pracharaj Party Leader Sonoh Thienthong as Chairman of any sub-panels because he was already the Chief Advisor of the main committee who could give advice to every panel.

Meanwhile, Mr. Worawaj Au-apinyakul, a member of the committee investigating the political riot, said he had prepared the committee’s operational framework to present to the chairman Somsak Boonthong in their first meeting today, but refused to elaborate on the proposal.

-- NNT 2009-05-12

======================================================================

Democrat : Constitution amendment needs to be opened for public participation

BANGKOK, 12 May 2009 (NNT) – The Democrat Party’s Advisory Council Deputy Chairperson, Banyat Bantadtan, asserted today that the Constitution amendment has to be opened for public participation as much as possible.

Mr. Banyat responded to the statement of Sanoh Tientong, Pracharat Party Leader, who viewed that the Democrat Party was not willing to amend the amnesty law section of the Constitution for fear of having more opponents in the political arena that, such a statement was Sanoh’s personal view.

Mr. Banyat also added that all should wait for the verdicts of the ad-hoc conciliation committee specifically set up for political reform and the Constitution amendment study purposes first.

Another sub-committee had been expected to be set up in order to provide more participation and involvement of the general public in the Constitution amendment.

Mr. Banyat also stated that it was crucially important to open for public participation in the amendment with the least involvement from the political sector. He also added that if the ongoing conflicts could not be solved, then a referendum would be needed.

-- NNT 2009-05-12

Edited May 12, 2009 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Former executives of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai and Palang Prachachon parties made a rare "show of force" at a friendly golf tournament on Monday at the Alpine Golf course in Klong Luang district of Pathum Thani province.

Those present for the “no politics, just a friendly game of golf” day out included

Pongthep Thepkanchana [TRT Banned # 10]

Pongthep Thepkanchana (right), Spokesperson to ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra

Pongthep supports amnesty for all demonstrators, Thaksin

BANGKOK, 12 May 2009 (NNT) – Pongthep Thepkanchana, the Spokesperson to ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra voiced support for the amnesty to pardon all groups of demonstrators, as well as for his boss, to ease the rifts in the society, citing that the previous judicial system was extra-ordinary.

Yesterday, during a golf tournament of former Thai Rak Thai (TRT) Party and People Power Party (PPP) executives, Pongthep told the media that it was unnecessary to pardon just 111 former executives of now defunct Thai Rak Thai Party and other 109 executives from the recent dissolution order of many parties including the PPP.

He said that these would not yield any benefit.

However, Pongthep said that he would support such actions if they were for the majority and could restore peace to the society. He added that he used to mention that the 2007 Constitution had created so many problems to the society; therefore, it should be amended in order to return the sovereignty back to people as well as to correct the effects of the coup d’état.

Asked about the sincerity of the Democrat Party to amend the constitution, he declined to make comment, saying that the differences in political opinion could lead to allegations.

Nevertheless, Pongthep added that amnesty for culprits during demonstrations regardless of shirt color would be beneficial as it could ease the conflicts. He said the seizure of both international airports and the Government House were all subject to criminal charges.

Pongthep said that he had not phoned to his boss during this time.

He said he would like the society to consider that the allegations Thaksin faced were all processed by the different procedures of judicial system after the coup d’état.

He said the Thai society should consider if this kind of action could happen this way or wait until the usual system was restored back to normal.

The Spokesperson commented that usually amnesty would also pardon criminal culprits; therefore, he would not like everyone to view that this amnesty would be for Thaksin alone.

He said the punishment for Ratchada land case of his boss of two years imprisonment was far less serious than that of those seizing international airports and the Government House.

-- NNT 2009-05-12

Edited May 12, 2009 by sriracha john

[HagenvonTronje]

...

Chaiyasit says Thanskin not behind golf party of former Thai Rak Thai, PPP executives

...

-- The Nation 2009-05-12

did The Nation really spelled Thaksin as Thanskin in the headline, or is that Thanskin figure a complete other person? or is that just a mistake of your procedure do edit and alter the 'news' before you copypasta them here into the forum?

what have this do with this this thread anyway. quoting yourself with unreliable information, pics without source, from another thread, double post them here, for what? thread flodding, disturbing the ongoing discussion?

Edited May 12, 2009 by HagenvonTronje

[sriracha john]

Pracharaj Party Leader Sanoh Thienthong in front of a banned 111 TRT + 37 PPP banner

General Chaiyasit Shinawatra (left) and Pracharaj Party Leader Sanoh Thienthong (center)

Pracharaj Party Leader Joins Thaksin's Golf Match

The Leader of Pracharaj Party, who serves as an adviser to the parliamentary committee on political reconciliation and reform, joined a group of pro-Thaksin politicians and other big names in a friendly golf outing on Monday. Afterward he dismissed suggestions that he proposed an amnesty bill to benefit the exiled former prime minister.

Pracharaj Party Leader Sanoh Thienthong, who serves as an Adviser to the Parliamentary committee on political reconciliation and reform, joined former executives from the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai and People Power parties in a friendly game of golf at Alpine Golf Club on Monday.

Also in attendance were MPs from the opposition Pheu Thai Party as well as former Army Chief General Chaisit Shinawatra, who is also a cousin of exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, Thaksin's brother-in-law.

The winner was awarded a trophy sponsored by Thaksin himself.

Afterward, Sanoh denied proposing an amnesty bill for banned politicians to help Thaksin.

General Chaiyasit went even further, claiming the golf outing was entirely non-political and described it as just a game among friends.

Meanwhile, Somchai expressed his gratitude to the participants and did not refer to politics at all during his speech at the end of the day.

-- Tan Network 2009-05-12

[sriracha john]

Panels appointed for charter rewrite

The Parliamentary Committee on Reconciliation, Political Reform, and Constitution Amendment yesterday appointed panels to guide proceedings during its 45-day sitting.

After a three-hour meeting, the committee agreed not to let any outsider join the panels. It delegated 36 of its 40 members to three panels tasked to find and study guidelines for political reconciliation, political reform, and charter amendment and proposed changes in related laws.

The first panel has 12 members, including Democrat MPs Chinnaworn Boonyakiat and Pusadee Tamtai, Pheu Thai Party MPs Santi Prompat, Prakiat Nasimma, and Peeraphan Palusuk, as well as Senator Tuang Anthachai.

The second panel has 11 members, including Democrat MPs Nipit Intarasombat and Chuti Krairiksh, NIDA Rector Sombat Tamrongtanyawong, former charter writer Kanin Boonsuwan, Thammasat University Rector Surapol Nitikraipot, and academic Anusorn Thamjai.

The charter amendment panel has the most members - 13 - including former Senator Chirmsak Pinthong, as an expert, Bhum Jai Thai Party MP Supachai Phosu, Chart Thai Pattana Party MP Akapol Sorasuchart, Democrat MPs Niphon Wisityuttasart, Chamni Sakdiset, and Thawil Praison, Pheu Thai Party MP Somsak Kiatsuranont, as well as Senator Lertrat Ratanavanich.

Each panel will have two weeks to complete its work and report to the 40-member committee every Tuesday.

During the discussion whether to let outsiders join the committee's work, former Senator Chirmsak Pinthong and Akapol Sorasuchart questioned the process of selecting other members and said it could make the work more complicated.

The committee agreed last week on its 45-day time frame.

-- The Nation 2009-05-13

Edited May 12, 2009 by sriracha john

[Plus]

a friendly game of golf at Alpine Golf Club on Monday

Snoh built this golf course on a land donated to a temple by a dying woman. I somehow don't think she meant to give it away to charity so that coutry's richest people can enjoy their golf.

I also don't think that those TRT champions of poor feel any discomfort about it. They do it for the "people".

[hammered]

A quick round of golf for the privileged and eliter banned gang and a seemingly befuddled Pongthep who says he supports an amnesty, but doesnt support it, and doesnt think it wil achieve anything but still will support it but thinks forgiving all the reds and yellows who committed crimes is a better idea. Truly amazing

Some wine they must have has there. Dinosaur Snoh still at his games. Until people like him are out of poltics nothing will ever get better in Thailand

[sriracha john]

A quick round of golf for the privileged and eliter banned gang and a seemingly befuddled Pongthep who says he supports an amnesty, but doesnt support it, and doesnt think it wil achieve anything but still will support it but thinks forgiving all the reds and yellows who committed crimes is a better idea. Truly amazing

Some wine they must have has there. Dinosaur Snoh still at his games. Until people like him are out of poltics nothing will ever get better in Thailand

It certainly is difficult to get a handle on just what Pongthep is spouting....

Edited May 14, 2009 by sriracha john

[Ricardo]

Chaiyasit says Thanskin not behind golf party of former Thai Rak Thai, PPP executives

Chaiyasit Shinawatra, a former Army Chief, Tuesday denied that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra [TRT Banned # 1] was behind the gathering of former Thai Rak Thai Party and People Power Party executives at the Alpine Golf Course on Monday.

The winner was awarded a trophy sponsored by Thaksin himself.

The usual flim-flam, 'Oh no he isn't' and 'Oh yes he is' connected with the event , can't they agree on even something as unimportant as this ?

[sriracha john]

111 of banned Thai Rak Thai Party executives and 37 banned People Power Party executives will compete in a game of golf to vie for a trophy from ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra plus a golf ball and a necktie with his signature.

No word on who won Thaksin's balls.

[sriracha john]

Sub-panel on Charter Rewrite Discusses 1997 Constitution's Election Model

The Parliament’s sub-panel on constitutional amendments has suggested a return to the election model stipulated in the now-defunct 1997 Constitution.

The sub-panel on constitutional amendments selected Senator Lerdrat Rattanawanit as its chairman, while Democrat Thawin Praison and the Pheu Thai's Somsak Kietsuranont were appointed his deputies.

At its meeting yesterday, the panel discussed broad areas to be considered for charter amendments, and resolved that the election of MPs should be held using the model outlined in the now-defunct 1997 Constitution. That charter stipulated that each constituency elects one MP.

The sub-panel is expected to discuss the issue of electoral fraud and the dissolution of political parties at its meeting this morning.

Panel member Jermsak Pinthong advised the panel to move carefully in seeking to rewrite the Constitution. He noted that the current political conflict had emerged prior to the promulgation of the current Constitution, and said some amendments could possibly worsen the conflict instead of helping to resolve it.

Meanwhile, Senator Prapsert Chidpong has been named chairman of the sub-panel on political reform. Krit Arthitkaew will serve as his deputy and Anusorn Thammajai was appointed secretary.

At its meeting yesterday, the panel on political reform agreed that political uncertainty had dampened efforts to resolve the country's economic and social problems, and suggested that constitutional amendments would only provide a short-term solution to the crisis. The panel suggested that all sides of the political divide seek long-term solutions to the conflict.

Anusorn suggested that to save the state budget, the public should be surveyed on issues of political reform instead of holding a national referendum. The panel will reconvene today.

Meanwhile, the sub-panel on national reconciliation selected Tuang Anthachai as its chairman at its meeting yesterday. Members of the panel offered varying views on the real cause of the current political polarization. Several members blamed both the 1997 and 2006 charters, while others pointed to the behaviour of politicians and people in power as the real cause.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, meanwhile, said the lack of members from outside Parliament on the panels did not mean the public had been excluded from the reform and reconciliation process. He said people from outside the Parliament have taken seats on the assembly committee.

-- Tan Network 2009-05-14

[sriracha john]

Signs of conflict on key panels

Doubts have risen over what the parliamentary committee on reconciliation, political reform, and changes to the constitution may achieve as signs of conflict emerge from within the panel.

Former Senator Chirmsak Pinthong, a member of the committee, said he was worried about a possible plot to push for a charter amendment favouring politicians, without participation of the people.

He said he suspected a plan to change the law so former premier Thaksin Shinawatra's assets would not be seized, despite his alleged crimes.

Chirmsak said he would go to a few more panel meetings, but would quit if dragged into a plot to change the charter.

The parliamentary committee had its first meeting last week. It has 40 members - MPs, Senators, and experts - nominated by political parties and the Senate. It has three panels, each charged with finding guidelines for reconciliation, political reform, and charter amendment.

In another row, Democrat Spokesman Buranaj Smutharaks questioned Pracharaj Party Leader Sanoh Thienthong, the committee's adviser, on whether he had joined the panel to find ways to boost his own objectives.

The attack followed Sanoh's charge the Democrats were insincere in joining the parliamentary committee. Sanoh has frequently proposed a national government with all parties having MPs in the House.

Sanoh said later he only suggested what suited the situation. He would not quit just because of the Democrats' remarks about him.

"I am not an over-sensitive person. A mountain is a mountain. Even if it is [excreted] on, it is still a mountain," he said.

In a separate development, the parliamentary sub-panel in charge of charter changes agreed yesterday to propose changes to laws - to drop the dissolution of parties and the revoking of executives' voting rights if an executive member of a party commits electoral fraud.

Most of the panel members agreed that only politicians who buy votes or violate election laws should serve the penalty. It will put the idea to the parliamentary committee on national reconciliation, political reform, and charter amendment on Tuesday.

According to Articles 237 and 68 of the 2007 Constitution, a party can be dissolved and party executives' voting rights revoked if an executive member is convicted of electoral fraud.

During the meeting, Chart Thai Pattana Party MP Akapol Sorasuchart said wrongdoers must face the highest penalty while innocent people should not be punished.

However, Democrat MP Nipon Wisityuthasart said he would allow the changes if they brought reconciliation. But he thought the law should remain to prevent vote-buying.

All the key people of a party should face the penalty, he said. Nevertheless, politicians now avoid penalties by getting others in executive positions while the real power-holders are masterminds behind the scenes.

Leading Democrat MP Chumpon Kanchana yesterday distributed a media release, saying the party was not satisfied with eight of its representatives joining the parliamentary committee. The eight were supposed to gather information from committee meetings, and report to the party's MP meeting for resolutions. But some of the group had put forward personal ideas not approved by the party, he said.

The party would meet with the eight MPs on Monday and give them guidelines for their expected role on the committee, he said.

On Wednesday, Bhum Jai Thai Party MP Supachai Phosu told a charter amendment panel the Democrats should find agreement on each issue related to charter amendment and share the resolution in the panel's meetings, as other parties had done.

-- The Nation 2009-05-15

[sriracha john]

Golf-mad Thaksin Shinawatra is hoping to score a political hole-in-one with his former allies.

Thaksin tests his old 'club' ties

A friendly golf tournament featuring banned executives of two disbanded political parties was no simple social event. Golf-mad Thaksin Shinawatra is hoping to score a political hole-in-one with his former allies. The objective of the tournament, held at the Alpine Golf Club in Pathum Thani on Monday, was to check the number of politicians who remain loyal to Thaksin Shinawatra.

Among those who played in the competition, headed by another former premier, Somchai Wongsawat, Thaksin's brother-in-law, were some of the 111 former Thai Rak Thai Party executives and 37 People Power Party executives banned from politics for five years. They all received a golf ball and a necktie with Thaksin's signature.

Puea Thai Party-list MP Surachai Baojanya, the organiser, denied the event had anything to do with politics. He said they came together for fun because parliament had almost ended its session. But this is difficult to believe. Some former executives of the two disbanded parties and a number of Puea Thai Party MPs are believed to have thrown their support behind other parties, particularly Bhum Jai Thai.

-- Bangkok Post 2009-05-15

[sriracha john]

Puea Thai Party MP Somkid Balthaisong

Testy MPs tussle in House over quorum

A scuffle broke out between opposition and coalition MPs in parliament yesterday following a heated debate over a quorum check. The pushing and shoving came close to degenerating into fisticuffs between Puea Thai Party MP Somkid Balthaisong and two Democrats, Pramual Empia and Apichart Supapaeng, before they were separated by fellow MPs.

Somkid sought permission from House Speaker Chai Chidchob to check how many government MPs had inserted their cards into the parliament's voting machines as he believed there was a lack of a quorum. Somkid claimed some MPs had inserted the cards of MPs who were not in the chamber.

Mr Chai ordered Somkid not to walk to the coalition seats, but he continued. Democrat MP for Chonburi Pramual Empia responded by shouting abuse at him. Mr Pramual challenged Somkid to move closer to him before the two men were kept apart by fellow MPs.

Continued:

-- Bangkok Post 2009-05-15

Edited May 14, 2009 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Democrat escapes poll fraud charge

The Supreme Court's Election Case Division has dropped poll fraud charges filed by the Election Commission against a Democrat MP for Yasothon, citing conflicting witness testimony. Niratthakarn Srilarp, who won a seat in Constituency 1 in the December 2007 election, was yellow-carded by the EC. She was accused of giving money to voters through canvassers.

The Court yesterday overturned the EC ruling and rejected the EC's request for the court to order a fresh election for the constituency. The Court said the EC's witnesses gave conflicting testimony and their evidence did not carry enough weight.

In another case, the court yesterday upheld an EC red card disqualifying Puea Thai Party MP for Sakon Nakhon Pongsak Boonson. The court also ordered a by-election in the province's Constituency 3 where the red card was issued. Pongsak was a member of the People Power Party at the time of the offence.

Continued:

-- Bangkok Post 2009-05-15

Edited May 14, 2009 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Sub-panel split on party dissolution

The parliamentary subcommittee studying amendments to the constitution has divided into two camps over the provision dealing with the dissolution of political parties.

The sub-panel was set up by the main parliamentary committee working on a rewrite of the constitution. Gen Lertrat Rattanwanit, who heads the subcommittee, said it was split down the middle and members were unable to resolve their differences.

Members comprising Democrat MPs and former charter writers felt Article 237, which provides for parties to be dissolved and their executives banned, should be kept. Members representing the Puea Thai, Bhumjaithai, Chart Thai Pattana and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana parties were pressing for changes to the provision.

-- Bangkok Post 2009-05-15

[sriracha john]

Puea Thai Party MP Somkid Balthaisong

House Session Disrupted by Embarrassing Brawl of MPs

The joint House session today was disrupted when government and opposition MPs began fighting after a heated verbal exchange. The incident has disappointed the public, which want Parliament to find ways to bring about national reconciliation.

At the beginning of the morning session, House Speaker Chai Chidchob argued with opposition MPs about whether several motions could be submitted simultaneously. Chai insisted that they could and dared those who disagreed with him to petition the Constitution Court for a verdict.

Afterward, Chai ordered that a quorum be taken. During the count, opposition Pheu Thai Party MP Somkid Balthaisong of Nong Khai stood to petition Chai, accusing government MPs of falsely claiming the presence of other government MPs.

This led Democrat MP Pramuan Aimpear of Chonburi to speak rudely toward Somkid. As an argument ensued between Pramuan and Somkit, another Democrat MP Apichat Supapang walked towards Somkid, trying to punch and kick him.

Apichat and Somkit continued to scuffle as other MPs tried to separate them, eventually succeeding.

After the brawl ended, Speaker Chai then asked all members to identify themselves again with their MP identification cards. However, Pheu Thai MP Somkid continued to taunt the two Democrat MPs, daring them to come out and settle the matter.

Afterward, Pheu Thai MP Somkid held a press briefing condemning what he said were improper acts of the Democrat MPs. He acknowledged that he exchanged rude words with the Democrat MPs, but said there was no fight because they were separated by other MPs.

In the press briefing, Pheu Thai MP Sunai Chulapongsatorn said the Democrat MPs in question had acted improperly in several instances. He called on the House Speaker to press senior Democrats to bring their MPs in line.

Meanwhile, Democrat MPs Buranaj Smutharaks and Pramuan insisted that the Democrats did not start the fight.

They accused Somkid of taunting and provoking Democrat MPs during the session and claimed that they smelled alcohol on Somkid's breath.

They also asked Parliament to conduct an investigation into the incident.

-- Tan Network 2009-05-14

[sriracha john]

Member of Constitutional Amendment Subcommittee may resign

BANGKOK, 14 May 2009 (NNT) - Member of the Committee for Reconciliation, and Political Reform and Senior Senate-selected member of the Subcommittee for Constitutional Amendment, Mr. Chermsak Pinthong, revealed that he was weary from a recent subcommittee meeting on May 13, as he felt that the constitution was being rewritten to suit the needs of politicians, with no public involvement.

Mr. Chermsak viewed that amending of articles 237 and 309 was something he felt strongly against.

The amendments would allow former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to be immune from all criminal charges as well as the return of his assets.

Mr. Chermsak said that he was attempting to work to the full expectations of the Senate which appointed him to the Constitutional Amendment Subcommittee, but was concerned that the subcommittee would not produce any beneficial results due to political influence.

The Senior Senate-select member of the Subcommitee for Constitutional Amendment said that he would attend 2 to 3 more meetings, and if he felt that meetings were not producing any beneficial results, he would resign from the subcommittee.

-- NNT 2009-05-14

[sriracha john]

Sub-committees on Reconciliation Prepare to Submit Proposals

The two sub-committees on reconciliation are preparing to submit results of their meetings yesterday to the main committee next week, especially on the amendment of Article 237 of the Constitution, which concerns the dissolution of political parties.

Following a meeting of the sub-committee on constitutional amendments yesterday, two proposals will be submitted next Tuesday concerning Article 237 of the Constitution.

The first proposal states that the article should remain as it is, since removing it will not foster reconciliation. Therefore, it should be enforced in order to prevent electoral fraud.

The second proposal is to remove certain parts of the article and punish only those who committed wrongdoings. However, opinions from other sub-committees still need to be considered.

Next week, a discussion will be held on Article 190 concerning treaties with foreign countries, Article 265 concerning MPs holding political positions and Article 266 concerning MPs and their roles in government procedures.

The sub-committee on national reconciliation has prepared the conclusions of its meeting. The panel resolved that every side should stop making accusations, which would help improve the political situation. The government and opposition should also avoid all forms of disagreement, and there should be a process of negotiation and talks to reach consensus on political issues.

Concerning Article 237 of the Constitution, most members of the sub-committee agreed that someone must be held responsible if party executives committed illegal acts during an election. However, they opposed dissolving political parties as a penalty.

-- Tan Network 2009-05-15

[sriracha john]

Senators' jobs 'threatened'

Members of the political-reconciliation panel yesterday rejected reports that appointed Senators had been lobbied to vote for certain changes to the Constitution in return for their continuing in the upper House for another three years.

Lertrat Rattanawanit dismissed this as impossible since there had not been any conclusion about any changes to the Constitution.

Appointed Senator Ruangkrai Leekijwattana earlier charged that members of the Reconciliation Committee for Political Reform and Constitution Amendment had lobbied appointed Senators to vote for several alterations to the charter such as an amnesty for banned politicians, party dissolution, the election systems for MPs, and whether Senators should be elected or appointed, in return for which the Senators would be given the chance to continue in their posts for three more years.

Lertrat said he believed it was just a misunderstanding and members of the Committee had integrity and neutrality and did not work under the influence of any group.

"It is natural that there should be misunderstandings, because the committee members have differing opinions,'' he said.

Direk Tungfang, Chairman of the Reconciliation Committee for Political Reform and Constitution Amendment, also dismissed the report, saying it was just a coffee-shop joke.

"I talked to every one, and no one had heard about it, and it certainly surprised me, since we have not decided on any changes to the Charter,'' he said.

Democrat Party Chief Advisor Chuan Leekpai said he believed there was substance to the report, but he did not know who was behind the move.

Chuan also defended his party against allegations that it had not committed to constitutional amendment, saying it was firmly committed, as Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had announced.

Lertrat said he had received a charter-amendment draft from the Democrat Party including relating to articles 190, 265, 266, and 237, which treats party dissolution. The Party recommended that if Article 237 was to be changed, the drafters should increase penalties for vote-buying, he said.

Lertrat said the panel would this week discuss whether Senators should be appointed or elected. He said that after the panel hammered out what changes it wanted to the Constitution, the people would decide by referendum whether they would allow any change.

Meanwhile, Senate Speaker Prasobsuk Boondet expressed confidence that the move to amend the Charter would not be blocked because he believed it was a way to resolve political conflict. "If any party tries to block the move, it means it refuses to take one step back to bring about reconciliation,'' he said.

He dismissed a report that Chirmsak Pinthong, a member of the Charter-amendment panel, had threatened to quit following internal disagreements.

-- The Nation 2009-05-17

[sriracha john]

Red shirts rally in front of Parliament

Red-shirt people rally in front of Parliament Monday morning, demanding that their version of charter draft be taken up for deliberation.

Eight companies of police from the Metropolitan Police Bureau were deployed to keep security. They put up metal barricades in front of the Parliament.

Commando police and water trucks are also positioned inside the compound of Parliament.

-- The Nation 2009-05-18

[sriracha john]

Red-Shirts Stage Rally in front of Parliament

The red-shirts are gathering in front of Parliament this morning, demanding that their version of the draft charter be taken up for deliberation.

A number of red-shirts are rallying in front of Parliament this morning, while their representatives presented their demands to Chai Chidchob, the House Speaker.

They want a version of a draft charter created under the leadership of Weng Tojirakarn, a red-shirt leader, to be taken up for deliberation.

Meanwhile, eight companies of police from the Metropolitan Police Bureau commanded by Police General Worapong Chewpreecha were deployed to provide security.

They also put up metal barricades in front of Parliament in order to prevent the red-shirts from entering.

Commando police and water trucks are also positioned inside the Parliament compound.

-- Tan Network 2009-05-18

Edited May 18, 2009 by sriracha john

[Plus]

Someone should tell them that there's constitition reform process going inside already and red representatives in parliament clearly do not want any people input.