Push For New Charter Gathers Steam

[Lite Beer]

BURNING ISSUE

Push for new charter gathers steam

Kanittha Thepphajorn

As Wednesday's reopening of Parliament draws nearer, so too does the amendment of the Constitution.

The Pheu Thai Party and the red shirts have lately been telling the public that they would push for amendment of the Constitution during the new legislative session, as pledged during the party's election campaign.

Pheu Thai party-list MP Weng Tojirakarn said yesterday that when the proper time comes, the party’s key members would propose changing Article 291 of the Constitution to pave the way for the establishment of a new charter drafting assembly.

The preliminary plan says the assembly members would come from an election to represent each of the 77 provinces, plus 20 other members drawn from among academics who had never worked for the 2006 military junta or worked for any agency or person appointed by the coup-makers. They must also show outstanding achievements related to democracy.

"The criteria for charter framer candidates are not too specific, as we want to be open to public participation. They might be really general, such as a minimum age, and not being insane. We don't want to specify academic knowledge or expertise as we can get that from the 20 academics," Weng said.

It is clear that the 215 academics who joined the National Legislative Assembly in 2006, the 100 academics who were selected by the 1,982 members of the National Assembly to join the Constitution Drafting Assembly, and some academics who helped the work of the Surayud Chulanont government will not be eligible.

Considering what the leader of the charter amendment movement says, it is very likely that the academics belonging to the Nitirat Group, or "red-shirt academics" would be selected.

Weng, however, said a group's political colour association should not be an issue, but the Pheu Thai slogan, "Returning happiness to the Thai people and returning democracy to the people", should be kept in mind.

It is necessary to select "academics with a democratic heart" for the job as it is difficult to believe that the academics who had worked for the Council for National Security or the Surayud government would be fully democratic.

The charter-amendment process starts with the charter drafters asking the people which Constitution they prefer as a model - the 1997 or the 2007 version, Weng said. After that, seven to nine months would be given for them to write the new charter before putting it to a public referendum.

Thida Thawornseth, Weng's wife, who is now acting chairwoman of the red-shirt movement, has said the group would bring back the 1997 Constitution and just throw away the 2007 Constitution.

The husband said there was an agreement in principle, but there were differences in opinion on the details. It cannot be said now whether the 2007 Constitution would be completely revoked and the 1997 charter reinstated in its entirety. It would be up to the people’s decision and the work of the new charter drafters.

Weng said the Constitution must be changed to ensure that supreme power belongs to the people. The 2007 Constitution has some flaws and should be amended. Besides Article 309, which is a provisional chapter approving the coup-makers' acts, according to the current charter, only four votes of the election commissioners are needed to impeach MP Jatuporn Promphan, a red-shirt leader, even though he got the support of 15.7 million voters. This round of charter drafting will be a good chance to change any of the laws issued by coup-makers since 1947, as they were written with the tips of guns, Weng said.

-- The Nation 2011-12-16

[pimay11]

"The criteria for charter framer candidates are not too specific, as we want to be open to public participation. They might be really general, such as a minimum age, and not being insane.

That immediately disqualifies Weng.

[jonclark]

Weng, however, said a group's political colour association should not be an issue, but the Pheu Thai slogan, "Returning happiness to the Thai people and returning democracy to the people" Taksin Thinks PT Does, should be kept in mind.

Glad to see the insanity clause as a criteria was included. I mean you'd have to be insane just for thinking this would lead to reconciliation wouldn't you.

I reckon if PTP does amend the constitution, next time the dems win they should re amend it by reinstating the constitution PTP got rid of, just to piss them off

[Abduljabbar01]

Tired of the immature Thai B.S.

[TAWP]

They must also show outstanding achievements related to democracy.

That excludes the lot of them.

[tominbkk]

The criteria for charter framer candidates are not too specific, as we want to be open to public participation. They might be really general, such as a minimum age, and not being insane.

Edited December 16, 2011 by tominbkk

[rubl]

It is clear that for obvious reasons a number of academics will not be eligible, they need to be open to 'democratic thoughts'. Having 'attendance of red-shirt school' on their resume would be considered a plus. Returning happiness to the Thai people and democracy to the people (who count) should be kept in mind.

Where PAD sometimes says 'some people are not ready', UDD seems to suggest 'too much knowledge is detrimental to happiness'

[h90]

"The criteria for charter framer candidates are not too specific, as we want to be open to public participation. They might be really general, such as a minimum age, and not being insane.

That immediately disqualifies Weng.

Well in his world it might exclude everyone else....

Dr. Weng is driving on the highway. There is a warning in the radio that a crazy guy is driving in the wrong direction on that highway.

Dr. Weng: "ONE??? Hundreds!!"

[TAWP]

When I 'gather steam' I eventually go to the bathroom to let it out. Here they turn it into policy.

[Oberkommando]

next time the dems win

Comedy gold.

[animatic]

It is clear that for obvious reasons a number of academics will not be eligible, they need to be open to 'democratic thoughts'. Having 'attendance of red-shirt school' on their resume would be considered a plus. Returning happiness to the Thai people and democracy to the people (who count) should be kept in mind.

Where PAD sometimes says 'some people are not ready', UDD seems to suggest 'too much knowledge is detrimental to happiness'

Same idea different wording.

Once the chart drafters are handed the '97 constitution they will tear it apart and put something even more favorable to the Liege Lords needs in place. And then announce it is the '97 constitution with 'some minor repairs'. Like removing checks and balances.

Edited December 16, 2011 by animatic

[TAWP]

What should happen is that they should take in propositions for changes of the current constitution, where each change can only affect one limited subset of the constitution per motion handed in. Each change should be motivated and then brought to a vote on the house floor.

Then it is easy to see when the 'less desirable' changes are being put forward and nothing can be sneaked in by piggy-backing on other 'good' changes.

[lungmi]

Changing the constitution needs in democratic countries 66% of the MPs, Senators etc.

In Thailand ?

[airconsult]

"Besides Article 309, which is a provisional chapter approving the coup-makers' acts......."

NOW I understand why..........(Tuesday)

"Asked whether the Nitirat Group's proposal to revoke all legal consequences of the 2006 coup would affect him in any way, Sonthi said, "Like I said, do not talk about the past. The past is the past. "

Gen Sonthi should now try staring intensely, waving his hand and saying.. "I am not the General you are looking for....."

[rubl]

It is clear that for obvious reasons a number of academics will not be eligible, they need to be open to 'democratic thoughts'. Having 'attendance of red-shirt school' on their resume would be considered a plus. Returning happiness to the Thai people and democracy to the people (who count) should be kept in mind.

Where PAD sometimes says 'some people are not ready', UDD seems to suggest 'too much knowledge is detrimental to happiness'

Same idea different wording.

Once the chart drafters are handed the '97 constitution they will tear it apart and put something even more favorable to the Liege Lords needs in place. And then announce it is the '97 constitution with 'some minor repairs'. Like removing checks and balances.

In Utopia checks and balances are not necessary, nor in a Null-A world

[OzMick]

Weng sticks to the PTP philosophy - laws don't matter if you are popular.

Should we point out that 15.7 million voters supported PTP and not necessarily every party list candidate, quite a few of whom including Jatuporn and Weng himself would otherwise be facing serious criminal charges with a high likelihood of being confirmed.

[PingManDan]

OK I have a solution to all this, all the farangs who have differences to what they believe in with political issues, and both opposing political parties themselves, so we have two opposing sides complete, meet at one of Bangkoks football arenas, and have it out once and for all. I mean get out there and kick the living shit out of eachother, and get all this petty BS done with.

[TAWP]

OK I have a solution to all this, all the farangs who have differences to what they believe in with political issues, and both opposing political parties themselves, so we have two opposing sides complete, meet at one of Bangkoks football arenas, and have it out once and for all. I mean get out there and kick the living shit out of eachother, and get all this petty BS done with.

That would surely benefit the Red Shirt apologist side of the three(! not two) groups that would form since they seem to have the most 'professional' thugs even amongst foreigners, see Savage and all other large meat-heads. They might not be smart but they can still fight well.

Would be more interesting to have everyone meet up, do a proper debate and declare losers of anyone that uses violence...

Edited December 17, 2011 by TAWP

[PingManDan]

OK I have a solution to all this, all the farangs who have differences to what they believe in with political issues, and both opposing political parties themselves, so we have two opposing sides complete, meet at one of Bangkoks football arenas, and have it out once and for all. I mean get out there and kick the living shit out of eachother, and get all this petty BS done with.

That would surely benefit the Red Shirt apologist side of the three(! not two) groups that would form since they seem to have the most 'professional' thugs even amongst foreigners, see Savage and all other large meat-heads. They might not be smart but they can still fight well.

Would be more interesting to have everyone meet up, do a proper debate and declare losers of anyone that uses violence...

LOL I think you are dreaming, will never happen , by the way Red Shirts are not thugs, just to clarify your mind by what you hear, and read in the corrupt well paid News Media.

[TAWP]

OK I have a solution to all this, all the farangs who have differences to what they believe in with political issues, and both opposing political parties themselves, so we have two opposing sides complete, meet at one of Bangkoks football arenas, and have it out once and for all. I mean get out there and kick the living shit out of eachother, and get all this petty BS done with.

That would surely benefit the Red Shirt apologist side of the three(! not two) groups that would form since they seem to have the most 'professional' thugs even amongst foreigners, see Savage and all other large meat-heads. They might not be smart but they can still fight well.

Would be more interesting to have everyone meet up, do a proper debate and declare losers of anyone that uses violence...

LOL I think you are dreaming, will never happen , by the way Red Shirts are not thugs, just to clarify your mind by what you hear, and read in the corrupt well paid News Media.

I wasn't in this post referring to Red Shirts, but Red Shirts aligned foreigners, as his post was in regards to foreigners. And Savage and the likes that walked the streets during the last major clashes would prove you wrong.

[tlansford]

seems like the 97 constitution with term limits is a reasonable start...

Edited December 17, 2011 by tlansford

[TAWP]

seems like the 97 constitution with term limits is a reasonable start... 

For whom and why?