Thaksin Accused Of Dictatorship

[george]

Critics air warning sirens over govt target of 400 House seats

Plan to bring about dictatorship, they say

BANGKOK: The country will be run by a parliamentary dictatorship if the Thai Rak Thai party achieves its goal of controlling more than 400 of the 500 House seats, critics have warned.

Opposition chief whip Jurin Laksanavisit said two articles of the constitution concerning scrutiny of the government for corruption would be rendered obsolete by such a vast parliamentary majority.

Any impeachment motions lodged with the parliamentary president must be signed by no fewer than 125 MPs.

``If the government had 400 MPs, we would not be able to look after the interests of the public, or balance the government's power,'' Mr Jurin said.

A minimum of 350 seats would allow the government to amend the charter without considering the views of the opposition and senate, he said.

Thammasat University law lecturer Somkid Lertpaithoon said the entire checks-and-balances system would collapse if the government gained absolute control of the lower house.

Mr Somkid said the opposition was already incapable of censuring the prime minister because it controlled less than the 200 seats required by the constitution.

No-confidence debates against cabinet ministers would also be impossible if the government had more than 400 MPs.

``With 401 MPs, the government would become a parliamentary dictator,'' Mr Somkid said.

Thammasat University law dean Surapol Nitikraipoj said the constitution separated the House's legislative branch from the executive branch to ensure the government did not enjoy sole authority.

A government with absolute House majority was ``absolutely beyond expectations'' when the constitution was drafted, said Mr Surapol, a former charter writer.

``That causes problems for the use of constitutional mechanisms designed with multi-party governments in mind,'' he said.

However, Thai Rak Thai spokesman Suranand Vejjajiva argued the charter did not control the growth of political parties, or limit the number of House seats each party may control.

Mr Suranand said Thai Rak Thai could not be blamed if voters elected 400 of its MPs. ``The right to judge belongs to the electorate. We cannot stop them from choosing the party they like most,'' he said.

Mr Suranand denied the balance of power would be affected, saying the opposition and independent monitoring bodies would still exist.

In addition, ministers could be impeached on the presentation of a petition comprising 50,000 signatures, he said.

Mr Suranand said if Thai Rak Thai amended the constitution, it would not alter basic principles.

If voters disagreed with any amendments, they could decide not to vote for the party in subsequent general elections, he said. He denied Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra intended to weaken parliament.

Government whip Pakit Pattanakul said talks had been held on a proposed charter amendment that would reduce the number of MPs needed to back a censure motion against the prime minister from the current 200.

``That is an expression of fear,'' he said. Mr Pakit said the public would decide for themselves if they wanted the government to control 400 House seats.

--The Post 2004-01-02