New Panel Be Set Up For Thai Charter Changes: NRLC

[webfact]

CHARTER REVIEW

New panel be set up for charter changes: NRLC

THE NATION

The independent National Rule of Law Commission (NRLC), led by Ukrit Mongkolnavin, has issued a statement suggesting that the government appoint a 34-member panel for making changes to the Constitution.

However, some of the people included in NRLC list as prospective members of the panel - particularly those linked to the yellow-shirt movement - turned down the offer yesterday.

The NRLC, set up by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, is arguing against setting up a Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA). Instead, it came up with a list of prospective candidates, including people involved in the 2007 charter as well as the now-suspended 1997 charter.

The other prominent figures on the list include pro-Pheu Thai academics, such as Chusak Sirinil, and well-known journalists such as Khanchai Boonparn of the Matichon Group and Suthichai Yoon, editor-in-chief of the Nation Multimedia Group.

The list also includes supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), such as Parnthep Pourpongpan. However, members of the Democrat Party will not be included.

Legal scholars on the list are Bowornsak Uwanno of King Prajadhipok's Institute, who drafted the suspended people's charter, and Somkid Lertpaitoon of Thammasat University, who drafted the 2007 Constitution.

Other prominent figures from both red and yellow camps include Wissanu Kreangarm, Senator Kamnoon Sitthisamarn, Vorachet Pakeerat of the Nitirat Group, Somkiart Onwimol, Sak Korsaengreang, Suranand Vejjajiva, Pansak Vinyaratn, Parnpree Bahiddhanukara, Pongthep Thepkanchana, Prommin Lertsuridej and Chaturon Chaisang.

The gist of the NRLC road map to amending the charter is to have the panel take charge of the charter draft in lieu of the CDA.

The government should sponsor the charter draft for legislative deliberation, before it undergoes three readings in Parliament. During the second reading, a public hearing should be held for each draft provision.

A referendum vote should be organised after the passage of the charter draft and before enactment.

Kamnoon, who is close to the yellow shirts' PAD, said yesterday that he had never been approached by the NRLC and that as a senator, he was prohibited by the current charter from being appointed to a government job.

"The NRLC has good intentions but in the current situation, an amendment committee is impossible," the senator said. Instead, he said, Yingluck should make a clear decision on the matter, as her government had earlier suggested that a constitution drafting committee be set up but the NRLC did not agree.

Parnthep said the PAD did not support the idea of setting up an amendment committee, adding that judging from the list, the NRLC had mostly chosen people who are close to the government and the red shirts, and that other people were only added for the sake of legitimacy.

Law academic Jade Donavanik, whose name is also on the list, said he would willingly become a member of the amendment panel if asked.

Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday called on the government to try not to influence the constitutional amendment by appointing a specific committee. He said the Parliament should be allowed to decide about the matter.

-- The Nation 2012-01-07

[SICHONSTEVE]

"Yingluck should make a clear decision on the matter"

Ha Ha Ha Ha ha!!!!!!!.

[SomTumTiger]

I have no problem with a charter rewrite - assuming its done transparently, and without the influence of a certain "man from Dubai". Any chance of that? nope

[EvolvingApe]

I have no problem with a charter rewrite - assuming its done transparently, and without the influence of a certain "man from Dubai". Any chance of that? nope

I look forward to seeing how this works out from an academic perspective. My curriculum at university includes a couple of Thai law classes, one of which I am currently enrolled in, and already in this article I can see my understanding in this area has improved greatly. As far as this (or anything else for that matter) being done without the influence of a prominent member of one of Thailands largest political groups...that is obviously impossible. So what you mean above is that you are an elitist (yellow shirt) and are quite happy with the status quo, right? Personally, having accused you of sympathizing with one particular party, it is only fair that I admit to being politically a social democrat, bordering on a straight socialist. An idealistic and not particularly effective system of government, but at least I realize the impracticality of my ideas.

[BigJohnnyBKK]

I don't understand why they're not simply asking for the last legitimate constitution - 1997? - to be restored, and then proceed from there.

If any of the changes imposed by the most recent coup's leaders are actually worth keeping, a case should be made for them publicly and then they can be put up to be ratified in as democratic a manner as possible.

If a specific constitutional change will result in Thaksin being allowed to return and getting off scot-free, that should probably be put to the people separately, and international observers allowed a free hand to monitor the referendum. If it then still actually passes so be it, if not maybe he'll then finally give up. . .

[whybother]

I have no problem with a charter rewrite - assuming its done transparently, and without the influence of a certain "man from Dubai". Any chance of that? nope

I look forward to seeing how this works out from an academic perspective. My curriculum at university includes a couple of Thai law classes, one of which I am currently enrolled in, and already in this article I can see my understanding in this area has improved greatly. As far as this (or anything else for that matter) being done without the influence of a prominent member of one of Thailands largest political groups...that is obviously impossible. So what you mean above is that you are an elitist (yellow shirt) and are quite happy with the status quo, right? Personally, having accused you of sympathizing with one particular party, it is only fair that I admit to being politically a social democrat, bordering on a straight socialist. An idealistic and not particularly effective system of government, but at least I realize the impracticality of my ideas.

How does asking for a transparent process make someone "an elitist (yellow shirt)"?

[gamini]

I have no problem with a charter rewrite - assuming its done transparently, and without the influence of a certain "man from Dubai". Any chance of that? nope

I look forward to seeing how this works out from an academic perspective. My curriculum at university includes a couple of Thai law classes, one of which I am currently enrolled in, and already in this article I can see my understanding in this area has improved greatly. As far as this (or anything else for that matter) being done without the influence of a prominent member of one of Thailands largest political groups...that is obviously impossible. So what you mean above is that you are an elitist (yellow shirt) and are quite happy with the status quo, right? Personally, having accused you of sympathizing with one particular party, it is only fair that I admit to being politically a social democrat, bordering on a straight socialist. An idealistic and not particularly effective system of government, but at least I realize the impracticality of my ideas.

Whats wrong with being an elitist. They usually govern better and are not as corrupt as non elites. Singapore is the worlds most elite government. And has done better than most governments any where.

[phiphidon]

I have no problem with a charter rewrite - assuming its done transparently, and without the influence of a certain "man from Dubai". Any chance of that? nope

I look forward to seeing how this works out from an academic perspective. My curriculum at university includes a couple of Thai law classes, one of which I am currently enrolled in, and already in this article I can see my understanding in this area has improved greatly. As far as this (or anything else for that matter) being done without the influence of a prominent member of one of Thailands largest political groups...that is obviously impossible. So what you mean above is that you are an elitist (yellow shirt) and are quite happy with the status quo, right? Personally, having accused you of sympathizing with one particular party, it is only fair that I admit to being politically a social democrat, bordering on a straight socialist. An idealistic and not particularly effective system of government, but at least I realize the impracticality of my ideas.

How does asking for a transparent process make someone "an elitist (yellow shirt)"?

It was transparently obvious that he was referring to Thaksin being involved as you well know.

[TAWP]

I have no problem with a charter rewrite - assuming its done transparently, and without the influence of a certain "man from Dubai". Any chance of that? nope

I look forward to seeing how this works out from an academic perspective. My curriculum at university includes a couple of Thai law classes, one of which I am currently enrolled in, and already in this article I can see my understanding in this area has improved greatly. As far as this (or anything else for that matter) being done without the influence of a prominent member of one of Thailands largest political groups...that is obviously impossible. So what you mean above is that you are an elitist (yellow shirt) and are quite happy with the status quo, right? Personally, having accused you of sympathizing with one particular party, it is only fair that I admit to being politically a social democrat, bordering on a straight socialist. An idealistic and not particularly effective system of government, but at least I realize the impracticality of my ideas.

I thought social democrats was against the sale of state enterprises and in general was oppose of such ideas as lowered corporate tax etc.

Are you sure you are in favour of PTP and Red Shirts for logical and not emotional reasons?

[whybother]

It was transparently obvious that he was referring to Thaksin being involved as you well know.

I have no problem with a charter rewrite - assuming its done transparently, and without the influence of a certain "man from Dubai". Any chance of that? nope

So what you mean above is that you are an elitist (yellow shirt) and are quite happy with the status quo, right?

So not wanting Thaksin involved makes someone an "elitist (yellow shirt)" and "quite happy with the status quo"?

[OzMick]

I have no problem with a charter rewrite - assuming its done transparently, and without the influence of a certain "man from Dubai". Any chance of that? nope

I look forward to seeing how this works out from an academic perspective. My curriculum at university includes a couple of Thai law classes, one of which I am currently enrolled in, and already in this article I can see my understanding in this area has improved greatly. As far as this (or anything else for that matter) being done without the influence of a prominent member of one of Thailands largest political groups...that is obviously impossible. So what you mean above is that you are an elitist (yellow shirt) and are quite happy with the status quo, right? Personally, having accused you of sympathizing with one particular party, it is only fair that I admit to being politically a social democrat, bordering on a straight socialist. An idealistic and not particularly effective system of government, but at least I realize the impracticality of my ideas.

While you are studying law, you might to tackle the concept of "conflict of interest" which usually leads to affected persons recusing themselves or being alleged to be corrupt. Then again, many Thais don't seem to have a problem with corruption, at least until they are found guilty of it, at which stage they attempt to change the constitution to absolve themselves.

[hellodolly]

I have no problem with a charter rewrite - assuming its done transparently, and without the influence of a certain "man from Dubai". Any chance of that? nope

On the face of it I liked the idea. The problem arose when they became transparent.

Set up a committee of 34 people to rewrite the Constitution and not allow any one from the opisition party to be a part of it.

That is pretty transparent to me.

I am not a big one on scholars but any scholar that would agree to that should maybe check their credentials.