Thailand's House Votes In 2011 Budget Bill

[webfact]

House votes in 2011 Budget Bill

By The Nation

Following a marathon five-day debate, the 2011 Budget Bill got the nod in the House of Representatives yesterday with an overwhelming number of votes.

The Lower House voted 253-178 to pass the government-sponsored bill, with 14 abstentions. Twenty-one MPs did not vote.

While coalition partners showed the strong support that was expected, some opposition MPs from Pracharaj Party were seen voting in favour of the bill. Many of those who abstained came from the opposition Pheu Thai Party and the Puea Pandin Party faction that was recently expelled from the coalition. Many of them are expected to join Bhum Jai Thai or Democrat Party ahead of the general election next year.

In addition, many of those who abstained are Cabinet members who would be violating the Constitution by voting on matters that are in their interest.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva thanked the MPs who voted in support of the bill and promised that the government would spend the funds in a fair and transparent manner as well as in a way that provides the maximum benefit to the people.

The Budget Bill will be forwarded to the Senate, which will vote on whether or not to approve it, House Speaker Chai Chidchob said. He added that the Upper House had 20 days to make a decision, but that it had no authority to amend the bill.

Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej said yesterday that the Upper House would debate on the Budget Bill on September 6. He added that senators who want to take to the floor are handing in their applications, and the exact number of debaters will be determined on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, coalition chief whip Witthaya Kaewparadai said yesterday that too much time had been spent debating the budget bill and that it should have ended the night before if the Opposition had cooperated.

He complained that Opposition whips and MPs repeatedly went off in tangents during the meeting. Witthaya said that despite its House majority, the coalition did not want to always force decisions through.

Opposition chief whip Witthaya Buranasiri said yesterday that once the bill has been passed, his side would monitor the spending of the funds to ensure transparency.

-- The Nation 2010-08-26

[asiawatcher]

The members who abstained or did not vote/attend should be cut loose. As is said here - they only vote for things in their interests - what? Where they can scam funds?

[Buchholz]

I note that 4 of the votes in favor of passing the budget bill came from Pheu Thai Party MP's that the Pheu Thai Party had not gotten around yet to kicking out:

The Nation - August 4, 2010

4 opposition MPs banned

An announcement was posted at the opposition Pheu Thai Party's headquarters yesterday identifying four dissident party MPs banned from taking part in its activities and facing expulsion.

The MPs are Porapol Adireksarn from Saraburi, Jumpot Boonyai from Sakon Nakhon, and party-list MPs Nikom Chaokittisophon and Somboon Wanchaithanawong. The politicians are expected to join other political parties ahead of the next election.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/08/04/politics/4-opposition-MPs-banned-30135183.html

[SomTumTiger]

The members who abstained or did not vote/attend should be cut loose. As is said here - they only vote for things in their interests - what? Where they can scam funds?

The MP's who didn't vote were the cabinet ministers. They didn't vote due to a opposition threat to challenge the vote, due to an ambiguity in the law. Read before you spout off please.

Edited August 26, 2010 by SomTumTiger

[Thai at Heart]

The members who abstained or did not vote/attend should be cut loose. As is said here - they only vote for things in their interests - what? Where they can scam funds?

The MP's who didn't vote were the cabinet ministers. They didn't vote due to a opposition threat to challenge the vote, due to an ambiguity in the law. Read before you spout off please.

Indeed, but why should MP's be sitting in Parliament if they have obvious conflicts of interest?

You are either voting for the country/your constituents or not. If there are declared or proveable conflicts of interest, you shouldn't be sitting in Parliament, or you shouldn't be able to be sued for conflict of interest if you are an MP. By abstaining, one could say they proved that they have conflict of interest. Registering an abstention, doesn't remove the conflict.

You can't have it both ways.

By definition in that case, if Thaksin had abstained from voting on laws regarding the telecoms industry, would that have absolved him from conflict of interest?

Edited August 26, 2010 by Thai at Heart

[whybother]

The members who abstained or did not vote/attend should be cut loose. As is said here - they only vote for things in their interests - what? Where they can scam funds?

The MP's who didn't vote were the cabinet ministers. They didn't vote due to a opposition threat to challenge the vote, due to an ambiguity in the law. Read before you spout off please.

Indeed, but why should MP's be sitting in Parliament if they have obvious conflicts of interest?

You are either voting for the country/your constituents or not. If there are declared or proveable conflicts of interest, you shouldn't be sitting in Parliament, or you shouldn't be able to be sued for conflict of interest if you are an MP. By abstaining, one could say they proved that they have conflict of interest. Registering an abstention, doesn't remove the conflict.

You can't have it both ways.

By definition in that case, if Thaksin had abstained from voting on laws regarding the telecoms industry, would that have absolved him from conflict of interest?

There is an ambiguity in the law relating to cabinet members being able to vote. Nothing to do with conflicts of interest.

[SomTumTiger]

Never let the facts get in the way of a good rant. Good at ya TaH

[Buchholz]

There's some fall out for the Pheu Thai Party MP's who voted along the government's side:

Pheu Thai to retaliate its six rebellious MPs

The Pheu Thai Party has decided not to endorse re-election bids of its six MPs in retaliation for their voting with the coalition to support the Budget Bill, Party Spokesman Prompong Nopparit said on Thursday.

"The party will not allow the six to adopt its banner at the next general election," he said.

Continues:

*edit. In relation to Post # 3, I note that there are more and more Pheu Thai Party MP's abandoning their Party's edict.

Edited August 27, 2010 by Buchholz

[Robby nz]

Read somewhere else that there were 6 PTP MP.s that voted for the budget.

Also that the PTP boss said they would be kicked out.

Looks like more leaves are falling off their tree.

[SomTumTiger]

Read somewhere else that there were 6 PTP MP.s that voted for the budget.

Also that the PTP boss said they would be kicked out.

Looks like more leaves are falling off their tree.

Seems to me that Puea Thai is not the force that people think it is. When the next election is called, I expect mass defections to Newin's camp. The Dem/DevilBJT Alliance continues for the forseeable future. If Abhisit can keep Newin's stealing to a minimum, its probably the best way forward. Sonthi's party won't win more than 10 seats, book it.

[Buchholz]

Seems to me that Puea Thai is not the force that people think it is. When the next election is called, I expect mass defections to Newin's camp. The Dem/DevilBJT Alliance continues for the forseeable future. If Abhisit can keep Newin's stealing to a minimum, its probably the best way forward. Sonthi's party won't win more than 10 seats, book it.

Any predictions for MP seats from the political party Sae Daeng formed, the Khattiyatham Party, and run by the deceased's daughter?

[SomTumTiger]

Seems to me that Puea Thai is not the force that people think it is. When the next election is called, I expect mass defections to Newin's camp. The Dem/DevilBJT Alliance continues for the forseeable future. If Abhisit can keep Newin's stealing to a minimum, its probably the best way forward. Sonthi's party won't win more than 10 seats, book it.

Any predictions for MP seats from the political party Sae Daeng formed, the Khattiyatham Party, and run by the deceased's daughter?

0 - just like hundreds of other "political parties" that exist in Thailand, yet are irrelevant.