Ministers told not to skip House meetings
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Parliament President Charoen Jankomol has asked that all Cabinet members - in particular Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra - attend House meetings and answer MPs' queries.

Charoen, who is from the premier's Pheu Thai Party, said he had talked to party leader Charupong Ruangsuwan, who would raise the issue at a party meeting on Tuesday.

"Under the democratic system, it is the duty of the Legislative Branch to examine the work of the Administrative Branch. I ask only that [the Cabinet members] come to answer the queries on Thursdays.

I have asked the government while dealing with pressure from political parties, especially when they mobilise the public for support, not to schedule anything on that day except receiving foreign guests, trips abroad or having an audience [with HM the King]."

He said there were no regulations to force the Cabinet members to heed the request, but said they should realise the roles of all parties in the democratic system of checks-and-balances.

-- The Nation 2013-03-16

He said there were no regulations to force the Cabinet members to heed the request, but said they should realise the roles of all parties in the democratic system of checks-and-balances.

.

What a staggeringly amazing concept.

Will Pheu Thai Party's Cabinet Minsters pay heed to Pheu Thai Party's Deputy House Speaker?

.

Edited March 16, 201313 yr by Buchholz

What an indictment to the cabinet members and especially the real PM Yingluck when they have to be asked to do their basic duty by one of their own party members.

Well at least someone in that party has got the right idea. I would imagine the foreign trip loophole will be used a lot though. Still, we'll have to wait and see.

What an indictment to the cabinet members and especially the real PM Yingluck when they have to be asked to do their basic duty by one of their own party members.

Good idea

I can see where we might have a difference of opinion on the meaning of the word real.

Male/Female/Clone. Will the real PM step forward.

True democracy?

Idle beggars

One must ask if Madam Prime Minister ( Yingluck on a string) is to be allowed to actually attend Parliament, will she be allowed to both actually attend and speak without consulting the puppet master in Dubai.

Also has Madam Prime Minister along with her drivers been issued with up to date set of road maps and a functioning G.P.R.S. system so as they are actually able to locate the Parliament building ?

Attend routine, scheduled government meetings which are hopefully beneficial to good governance!!?? Why that's work and so inconvenient...and it don't usually result in any pictures for the media...not sure I want to do that.

About time somebody reminded our presidential-style PM that she is a MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT. Attendance figures are not published, but IMHO the number of times she has been forced to appear (by no confidence motions) exceeds her voluntary appearances.

Edited March 16, 201313 yr by OzMick

He said there were no regulations to force the Cabinet members to heed the request, but said they should realise the roles of all parties in the democratic system of checks-and-balances.

The ministers paid their dues under the table to avoid answering critical questions. Of course they don't have to come. They can just pay taxpayers money and avoid the conflicts...

Simply put, they got the vote, were put in to look after Thailand's interest but to all including the PM that is just too much to ask they attend meetings when there are so many more important things to do like figure out how to scam the coffers, go shopping or attend useless international meetings taking siblings or giks. But of course to the poor uneducated and the brainwashed, they can do no wrong. Is it not mandatory to attend Parliament meetings and if not why not? Corporate Minutes would at least dictate apologies et al.

During question an answer period, I hope skype is working on their smart phones

That way they can be told by some guy in bubuy what the answer is

Having to be told to do your job when you are elected by the public is a vary sad

indictment of the PTP "you were elected to do this job, can you please show up" lol

IMHO the party list system is to blame for much of this debacle. When MPs don't have to front an electorate to justify their attendance record and parliamentary performance, and a myriad of question as to their morals and ethics, you get the quality of MPs now seen at the top of most parties - dross.

Why should the PM of Thailand get an electorate free ride not extended to the President of the US, or the PMs of UK, Canada, Australia? Because they are rich enough to buy votes?

I would have replied sooner, but I've been cleaning coffee from my pc screen.

One must ask if Madam Prime Minister ( Yingluck on a string) is to be allowed to actually attend Parliament, will she be allowed to both actually attend and speak without consulting the puppet master in Dubai.

Also has Madam Prime Minister along with her drivers been issued with up to date set of road maps and a functioning G.P.R.S. system so as they are actually able to locate the Parliament building ?

Experience tells us that they also need headlights for night driving.

Simply put, they got the vote, were put in to look after Thailand's interest but to all including the PM that is just too much to ask they attend meetings when there are so many more important things to do like figure out how to scam the coffers, go shopping or attend useless international meetings taking siblings or giks. But of course to the poor uneducated and the brainwashed, they can do no wrong. Is it not mandatory to attend Parliament meetings and if not why not? Corporate Minutes would at least dictate apologies et al.

Not to be picky but you over looked Photo Ops.

I would have replied sooner, but I've been cleaning coffee from my pc screen.

That is not a problem for me.

I carefully choose what to read.

That way I don't get touch Pepsi Max on it.

One must ask if Madam Prime Minister ( Yingluck on a string) is to be allowed to actually attend Parliament, will she be allowed to both actually attend and speak without consulting the puppet master in Dubai.

Also has Madam Prime Minister along with her drivers been issued with up to date set of road maps and a functioning G.P.R.S. system so as they are actually able to locate the Parliament building ?

That's low. You know perfectly well that since last PM Yingluck joined a session in parliament Parliament House hasn't moved (yet)

What an indictment to the cabinet members and especially the real PM Yingluck when they have to be asked to do their basic duty by one of their own party members.

Actually, to be fair to Yingluck here, prime ministers have to be absent a lot while frying bigger fish - like meeting with the heads of state and government from other countries. She may take orders from her brother on the overarching issues, but she is the (Burberry) boots on the ground when it comes to PM duties.

What an indictment to the cabinet members and especially the real PM Yingluck when they have to be asked to do their basic duty by one of their own party members.

Actually, to be fair to Yingluck here, prime ministers have to be absent a lot while frying bigger fish - like meeting with the heads of state and government from other countries. She may take orders from her brother on the overarching issues, but she is the (Burberry) boots on the ground when it comes to PM duties.

And that is perfectly acceptable as meetings like this have to be arranged in advance. It would then be the responsibility of one of the PMs PPS to inform the leader of the house when and why the PM for example, would not be available.

edited for really bad spelling

Edited March 16, 201313 yr by billd766

"Attend Parliament? In these shoes? I don't think so."

She's the PM, why should she have to attend meetings? Surely she can just send one of her servants to listen in and report back?

Edited March 16, 201313 yr by Judo Chop

I think y'all are missing the point - except Buchholz.

Thaksin's party, just like before, tends to regard parliament as an inconvenience to ruling the country - enacting most of the important stuff by decree (favoured dictator's method).

Actually having cabinet members present in the parliament to answer questions is maybe a little too democratic for PTP.

This is aimed at all of them, not just Yingluck.

What an indictment to the cabinet members and especially the real PM Yingluck when they have to be asked to do their basic duty by one of their own party members.

Actually, to be fair to Yingluck here, prime ministers have to be absent a lot while frying bigger fish - like meeting with the heads of state and government from other countries. She may take orders from her brother on the

overarching issues, but she is the (Burberry) boots on the ground when

it comes to PM duties.

PMs of other countries (with much more arduous duties) manage to attend parliament, ask and answer questions, explain policy. Do you know

of ANY PM with a lower attendance record?

Looks to me Puss in (Burberry) Boots is actually a Cheshire Cat, all smile and no substance.

Edited March 16, 201313 yr by OzMick

What an indictment to the cabinet members and especially the real PM Yingluck when they have to be asked to do their basic duty by one of their own party members.

Actually, to be fair to Yingluck here, prime ministers have to be absent a lot while frying bigger fish - like meeting with the heads of state and government from other countries. She may take orders from her brother on the overarching issues, but she is the (Burberry) boots on the ground when it comes to PM duties.

PMs of other countries (with much more arduous duties) manage to attend parliament, ask and answer questions, explain policy. Do you know of ANY PM with a lower attendance record?

Wrong question. It should be "Is there any country where a PM stays away from parliament and is defended with ardour by foreigners who don't have a say in the matter". IMHO of course

BTW can we skype into House meetings

Charoen will soon get a call from the real PM.

ps 1st page full, and no defenders have turned up yet.

Edited March 16, 201313 yr by Mosha

He said there were no regulations to force the Cabinet members to heed the request, but said they should realise the roles of all parties in the democratic system of checks-and-balances.

.

What a staggeringly amazing concept.

Will Pheu Thai Party's Cabinet Minsters pay heed to Pheu Thai Party's Deputy House Speaker?

.

and they are all probably too busy Skyping to Dubai

Wrong question. It should be "Is there any country where a PM stays away from parliament and is defended with ardour by foreigners who don't have a say in the matter". IMHO of course

Agree it is a puzzle uncle, although with regards the defended with ardour comment, i don't think we should make any judgments about how these people smell.

Wrong question. It should be "Is there any country where a PM stays away from parliament and is defended with ardour by foreigners who don't have a say in the matter". IMHO of course

Agree it is a puzzle uncle, although with regards the defended with ardour comment, i don't think we should make any judgments about how these people smell.

Please bear in mind that it is getting ardour and ardour to defend anything done by these guys in power.

Charoen will soon get a call from the real PM.

ps 1st page full, and no defenders have turned up yet.

Actually this were instructions from the real PM, when he skyped in a couple days ago, threatening to cut MPs allowances if they didn't do as told.