Senatorial Election Planned For April 19th

[Jai Dee]

1,303 people nationwide have so far applied to run in the senatorial election

The Election Commission has concluded the tally of applicants to the senatorial election, over the first 2 days of the application period, at 1,303 individuals.

The EC reported that people from many fields applied over the first 2 days. 401 applicants were from the northeastern region, 343 were from the central region and Bangkok, 120 applied in the eastern region, 220 filed for candidacy in the south, and 219 people applied in the north.

The application period will continue until March 28th. The EC has stated that in Bangkok, it would still use the senior citizens' club at Lumphini (ลุมพินี) Park as the venue for filing application tomorrow.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 March 2006

[Jai Dee]

Originally posted by Sriracha John:

Grab-bag of talent registers for April 19 Senate poll

Judging from candidates who registered yesterday, the new Senate after the April 19 election is likely to be filled with proxies of political parties, retired government officials with political backing, political and social activists, academics and members of non-governmental organisations.

The Senate candidacy registration began yesterday and continues until Tuesday.

Since candidates running for the Senate are limited by the election law to only distributing documents to introduce themselves, and are not allowed to campaign for votes like candidates running for the Lower House, those who enjoy the same support base as major political parties stand a higher chance of getting elected.

Moreover, some had canvassed for votes long before the candidacy registration.

Clear examples of nominees of political parties can be found in Nakhon Ratchasima province.

They include Lt-Gen Poonpirom, wife of Thai Rak Thai deputy leader Suwat Liptapanlop; Mrs Ranongrak, wife of Thai Rak Thai executive Pairote Suwanchawee; Mr Boonlert, younger brother of former Thai Rak Thai MP Chamlong Krutkhunthod; Mrs Napaporn, wife of former senator Pichet Pattanachote; and Ms Linda, daughter-in-law of Suchinda Cherdchai or Jeh Kiew, owner of the country's largest bus building firm.

Running in nearby Buri Ram province are Mr Chai, veteran politician and father of caretaker Prime Minister's Office Minister Newin Chidchob; Mrs Patcharee, wife of former Thai Rak Thai MP Sophon Phetsawang; Mr Rungroj, younger brother of former Thai Rak Thai MP Songsak Thongsri; Mr Wanrop, younger brother of caretaker Defence Minister Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayudhaya; and Mr Kamol, younger brother of former senator Karun Sai-ngarm.

In Chiang Rai, Mrs Salakjit, wife of caretaker Natural Resources and Environment Minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat, is contesting the election despite the fact that she was recently sentenced by the provincial court to four years' imprisonment.

In the South, leading candidates also have strong ties with the Democrat party, including Mrs Huwaidiya, younger sister of former Democrat MP Surin Pitsuwan, and Treepol Johjit, a former Democrat MP for Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Retired government officials running in the polls include former Lampang governors Peera Manathat and Chalermpol Pateepvanich; former Chiang Rai governors Samroeng Boonyopakorn and Worakiat Somsoi; Pol Lt-Gen Laemthong Yan-ubol, former Region 3 Police chief; Pol Lt-Gen Pichit Khuantechakupt, former Region 7 Police chief; and Pol Gen Sunthorn Saikhwan, former deputy national police chief.

''Most of these retired officials canvassed for votes while still in government service. Some governors had even used the so-call CEO budget for winning a support base in advance,'' a source said.

Some candidates are political heavyweights like Samak Sundaravej, a former Bangkok governor , and Uthai Pimchaichon, former parliament president, both running in Bangkok.

Also standing are social activists and academics like Klanarong Chanthik, former secretary-general of the National Counter Corruption Commission; and Dej-udom Krairit, secretary-general of the Lawyers Council of Thailand.

- BP

[sriracha john]

Wheee.... new thread.... new thread!! Thanks Jai Dee....

Just to add the corresponding smiley's:

In Chiang Rai, Mrs Salakjit, wife of caretaker Natural Resources and Environment Minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat, is contesting the election despite the fact that she was recently sentenced by the provincial court to four years' imprisonment.

Some candidates are political heavyweights like Samak Sundaravej , a former Bangkok governor , and Uthai Pimchaichon, former parliament president, both running in Bangkok.

Edited March 27, 2006 by sriracha john

[Jai Dee]

Luminaries register to to run for Senate on last day

Some of the most-well known people in the country yesterday flocked to register as candidates for Senate on the last day they could file to run in the April 19 poll.

Of the 27 people who registered yesterday at Lumpini Hall, renown social figures included Klanarong Chantik, former secretary-general of the National Counter Corruption Commission, Chuvit Komolpisit, former Chart Thai MP, and Rosana Tositrakul, a leader of the People’s Alliance for Democracy and the graft-fighting network Thirty NGOs Alliance for Anti-Corruption.

“I have come to register on the last day because I just recovered from eye surgery,” Klanarong said but refused to explain why he decided to run.

Chuvit, however, explained his decision by saying it would give him a better chance to work for the country.

“Only truly neutral persons are needed to work in the Senate for the sake of the country. Since, Thai politics now reaches a deadlock, joining the general election for MP may not really contribute to the country,” he said.

Chuvit was the last of 260 people to register to run for one of the 18 seats representing Bangkok.

The Senate, Parliament’s upper chamber, consists of 200 seats. The candidates cannot represent political parties or receive funding from parties.

In the eastern province of Rayong, three more people signed up on the last day, including Pramual Liewpairat, former managing-director of the Thai petrochemical Industry Company (TPI), bringing the total number of candidates to 16.

In the Northeast, Chaiyapoom province registered five more people yesterday, meaning 25 candidates will contest four seats.

Several candidates are relatives of leading politicians or Thai Rak Thai members, including Montree Chaleekrua, brother of former Senate speaker Suchon Chaleekrua.

Former local officials there have all registered to run including former governor Thawat Suvuthikul and several former MPs.

Source: ThaiDay - 28 March 2006

[britmaveric]

Same usual suspects running!

[Jai Dee]

More well-known candidates for senators

More well-known people have applied as candidates to be senators in Bangkok on Tuesday which is the last day of registration. Klanarong Chantik, former secretarygeneral of the National Counter Corruption Commission got number 238.

And Rossana Tositrakul, the activist and chairman of the Federation of Consumers Organisation, was listฌed number 241.

Both had been expected to apply for the Senate poll, which will be held after Songkran break on April 19.

Former Thai Rak Thai member Kantikar Thammakesorn also registered as a Senate candidate yesฌterday.

Chuwit Kamolvisit surprisingly appears at the ballot when he came to the senatorial registration. Chuwit was the last person of the Bangkok seat, and also received number 260.

Chuwit yesterday said he resigned from the Chat Thai party since March 20, however, he has known that he may be was disqualified he was MP before.

However, he said when the Constitution Court disqualified him from being an MP; therefore, he would file a motion to the Supreme Court to give verdict his disqualification.

The senate registration between March 2428, there are 1,477 candidates across the country fighting for the 200 seats.

The Senate election is being held on April 19.

Source: The Nation - 28 Mar 2006

[Kan Win]

More well-known candidates for senators

More well-known people have applied as candidates to be senators in Bangkok on Tuesday which is the last day of registration. Klanarong Chantik, former secretarygeneral of the National Counter Corruption Commission got number 238.

And Rossana Tositrakul, the activist and chairman of the Federation of Consumers Organisation, was listฌed number 241.

Both had been expected to apply for the Senate poll, which will be held after Songkran break on April 19.

Former Thai Rak Thai member Kantikar Thammakesorn also registered as a Senate candidate yesฌterday.

Chuwit Kamolvisit surprisingly appears at the ballot when he came to the senatorial registration. Chuwit was the last person of the Bangkok seat, and also received number 260.

Chuwit yesterday said he resigned from the Chat Thai party since March 20, however, he has known that he may be was disqualified he was MP before.

However, he said when the Constitution Court disqualified him from being an MP; therefore, he would file a motion to the Supreme Court to give verdict his disqualification.

The senate registration between March 24 - 28, there are 1,477 candidates across the country fighting for the 200 seats.

The Senate election is being held on April 19.

Source: The Nation - 28 Mar 2006

[seonai]

Kan you got nothing to say ..... just quote other people's writing??????

[Jai Dee]

1,477 people applied to run for senatorial race

The Election Commission (EC) concluded the number of applicants for senate race from March 24th to 28th.

The EC said that 1,477 people have applied for senate positions. 405 applicants are running for Bangkok and the central region areas, while 137 people are running for eastern region. 238 people applied for senate seats in the south, while 460 people are running for the northeastern region. 237 people are applying for northern region. The province with the highest number of applicants is Bangkok with 260 applicants, while the province with the lowest number of applicants is Prachinburi (ปราจีนบุรี) with three applicants.

In Bangkok, 27 people applied yesterday. The applicants included well-known individuals such as Mr. Klanarong Chantik (กล้านรงค์ จันทิก), Ms. Rossana Tositrakul (รสนา โตสิตระกูล), Mr. Wiroj Tangwanij (วิโรจน์ ตั้งวานิชย์). Before the application period ended at 4.30 P.M., former deputy leader of the Chart Thai Party Chuwit Kamolwisit (ชูวิทย์ กมลวิศิษฏ์) also applied to run in the race, receiving the last number.

Bangkok EC President Sa-nguan Liew-manomol (สงวน ลิ่วมโนมล) said that the inspection of the applicants’ documents will take no longer than a week, adding that the applicants whose names are not announced afterwards will see their rights to run in the election revoked, and they can file complaints to the Supreme Court.

He said that more than 10 applicants will not be allowed to run in the election, as they are still members of political parties and some of them did not vote in the last election.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 March 2006

[seonai]

Hi JaiDee,

s'cuse my ignorance but does this mean the election has been moved to April 19th?

[sriracha john]

Hi JaiDee,

s'cuse my ignorance but does this mean the election has been moved to April 19th?

election voting dates:

April 2 = House of Representatives (MP's) election. Likely with an unknown number of

by-elections afterwards with unspecified dates as of now.

April 19 = Senate election. Last held in 2000 with, I believe, seven rounds of by-elections.

Edited March 29, 2006 by sriracha john

[Jai Dee]

Thanks SJ.

[Jai Dee]

EC disqualifies eight senatorial candidates

Election Commission secretary-general Ekkachai Warunprapha announced Wednesday that the EC had disqualified eight senatorial candidates nationwide.

He said a total of 1,477 people applied to run in the April 19 senatorial election nationwide.

The panel found that five candidates in Bangkok and three other candidates in provinces were not qualified.

Source: The Nation - 6 April 2006

[seonai]

What do Senates do?

[sriracha john]

What do Senates do?

In Thailand's case.... and up until 2 days ago, they did whatever the PM told them to do.

HOWEVER...

to directly answer your inquiry, what they are supposed to do is outlined here in their Constitutional-assigned role:

http://www.senate.go.th/eng/T-E_Senate/E_T_06_3.htm

All their various committees and other information is available on their English-language website here:

http://www.senate.go.th/eng/index_e.html

[Jai Dee]

Supreme Court confirms that Mr. Chuwit has no rights to stand of the Senate.

The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition by Mr. Chuwit Kamolvisit, a business-turned politician, to overturn a ruling by the Election Commission disqualifying him from the senatorial election in Bangkok.

The Supreme Court has justified that Mr. Chuwit, a former massage parlour owner and ex-Chart Thai MP, has left his party-list MP status for less than one year and such a condition disqualifies him for the senatorial election.

Following the court's reading of the verdict, Mr. Chuwit took chains which he brought from home and tied up his hands. Raising his hands up, he announced that his basic political rights and freedom has been chained which prevented him from saying anything.

He indicated however that he was ready to accept and respect the ruling. From now on, he added he would take a political break and a very long vacation.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 11 April 2006

[jdinasia]

i want a political break and a long vacation too!

[Jai Dee]

Former Chart Thai party MP Chuwit Kamolvisit with a chain tied around his wrists, saying his basic political rights have been shackled.

The Supreme Court yesterday threw out his petition seeking to rescind the Election Commission's order banning him from contesting the upcoming Senate poll.

Source: Bangkok Post - 11 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

Time not served: Chuwit Kamolvisit protests at the Supreme Court yesterday after being disqualified from running for the Senate. The court ruled he had failed to meet a requirement that stipulates candidates must not have been a member of a political party for at least one year prior to applying.

Source: The Nation - 11 April 2006

[jdinasia]

I love Chuwit! great drama~

The poster with him and the sledgehammer is a Classic ... I kept one

Edited April 11, 2006 by jdinasia

[Jai Dee]

28,854 people have registered for early voting for senatorial election in Chonburi

As many as 28,854 people have registered for early voting for the senatorial election in Chonburi Province.

Mr. Wijit Thananchayakul (วิจิตร ธนัญชยะกุล), the Director of Election Affairs in Chonburi Province, said that as many as 17 people have applied to run for the Senate as Chonburi senators, although the province only had 4 seats. The candidates come from various background, most being retired civil workers, businessmen, employees and farmers.

April 13th and 14th are designated dates for early voting in the senatorial election that will take place on April 19th. Residents of Chonburi may conduct their early voting in each district, but those with residency elsewhere must vote at the Chalermphrakiart (เฉลิมพระเกียรติ) Pavilion adjacent to the Chonburi City Hall.

28,854 people in total have registered to vote early.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 12 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

Shun stooges, voters told

Don't elect politicians' proxies to the Senate

The People's Network for Elections (P-Net) and an opinion poll centre have appealed to voters to elect decent Senate candidates and shun politicians' proxies, who would only mess up the system of checks and balances. Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, secretary-general of P-Net, yesterday proposed five simple guidelines for the Senate elections next Wednesday, April 19, and advance polling on April 13 and 14.

The candidates who people should give a wide berth to are _ those who share a politician's surname, formerly served a political position, are connected to business controlled by politicians, were promoted to high rank in the civil service with patronage from a politician, or lack any known social contributions.

Voters will do the country a disservice by picking candidates with any of these undesirable attributes, Mr Somchai said. They will also help politicians expand their networks and undermine accountability.

In line with the P-Net's campaign, groups of internet users were campaigning for voters to choose from any of 18 candidates in Bangkok recognised for their unblemished and respectable track records.

The email campaign was attempting to arrange a voting pattern so the ballots would be cast evenly among the desirable candidates to increase the chance of the ''whole batch'' winning.

This was so the 18 candidates do not fight each other for votes, and a particular candidate does not gain more votes than actually needed to secure a seat in the upper house.

The internet-based campaign is expected to help at least 15 of the 18 favoured candidates win a seat, Mr Somchai said.

Sukhum Chaloeysap, director of the Suan Dusit Poll at Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, said his centre would keep doing opinion surveys in the run-up to the elections with the aim of encouraging voters to pick acceptable candidates.

The centre will send its message through its questionnaire, to urge voters to support candidates who are free from the influence of a political party and have a solid background in contributing to society.

The voters are asked to reject the candidates whose relatives ran in the April 2 general election and took that opportunity to campaign for them in advance.

''That is a 2-in-1 campaign, in which a husband ran in the general election and doubled as canvasser for his wife who is running for the Senate,'' Mr Sukhum said.

The 2-in-1 tactic also saw siblings, parents and children holding either House or Senate seats canvassing for other family members running for office.

The Suan Dusit Poll centre was calling on eligible voters to exercise their right in line with the spirit of the constitution. The charter intends that the Senate keep tabs on the executive and legislative branches through forming efficient independent organisations and impeaching corrupt politicians, Mr Sukhum said.

In the previous Senate elections, he said, all political parties learned that in many provinces 20,000 votes were all that was needed to secure a victory.

With this kind of manipulation, a political party could increase the number of its ''MPs in disguise'' working in the upper house because some Senate candidates actually represented a political party, Mr Sukhum said.

For this purpose, Suan Dusit polls would inform voters of the proper roles of senators and raise awareness that they should reject the candidates who had connections with a political party, he said.

The centre's polls will cover not only Bangkok but also major towns in other provinces.

They will be repeated until the eve of the Senate poll.

However, Mr Sukhum said, the centre would not release the results of the polls in compliance with the Election Commission's regulation forbidding opinion polls from influencing the choices of voters.

A total of 1,477 candidates applied to run for the 200-seat Senate, but the EC disqualified 14 of them.

Source: Bangkok Post - Wednesday April 12, 2006

[sushiman]

I love Chuwit! great drama~

The poster with him and the sledgehammer is a Classic ... I kept one

That was great yes, with nice black & white colours and 30 metre long displayed in the whole city. I guess he could go to the movies. Horror movie actor

Does he still run his massage parlours??

but anyhow thanks to him, some green in the city near Nana Station, really a nice relieve this mini-park, compared to the missing green in Bangkok. Small but nice! Thanks Chuwi!

Edited April 12, 2006 by sushiman

[Jai Dee]

Advance voting in Buriram has drawn a historic turnout of over 50,000

Advance voting in the northeastern province of Buriram has drawn more than 50,000 voters.

Director of the provincial election committee Suvit Yatniyom (สุวิทย์ ญาตินิยม) attributed the historic participation to the traditional Songkran Festival which allows people to return to hometowns to visit their parents and relatives. As the advance voting period was coinciding with the festival, voters took the opportunity to exercise their voting rights. Besides, many voters who failed to vote in the election of MPs on April 2nd went to the senatorial election to maintain their political rights.

Mr. Suvit said most of the voters who exercised their rights on the 2-day advance poll cited as reasons their working conditions and locations outside the province. He said however that more than 1,000 voters were denied advance voting because they did not have proper reasons.

According to the director, about 23,000 persons exercised the advance voting rights on the first day and another 30,000 on the last day today.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 14 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

New senators to be paid from poll date

Incoming senators will get a new office in the Chat Pattana Party building and will start earning salaries from April 19, the day of the election, the secretary-general of the upper house said yesterday.

Suvimol Phumisingharaj said there would be an overlap between the old and new Senates as the former remain as caretakers until their successors can start working, which according to law is only after they take the oath of office.

The Finance Ministry has said the outgoing senators will be paid for the full month of April. New senators whose election is endorsed by the Election Commission will receive salaries calculated from the day they were elected.

She said the Senate Secretariat had prepared an introductory programme for the new incumbents. They will also get their own lounge at Parliament and a new office on nearby Sukhothai Road that has been leased for one year from the Chat Pattana Party for Bt2 million a month.

Election Commission secretary-general Ekachai Warunprapha said 682,553 people voted on Thursday, the first day of advance voting in the senatorial poll. Of these, 49,057 cast ballots outside their constituencies while 633,496 voted in their constituencies.

He said ballot boxes would be sealed with many staff signatures and kept safely at police stations. The procedure of moving the boxes could be examined at every step.

Former Senate Speaker Suchon Chaleekrua, who cast his advance ballot yesterday, said the high number of voters showed there was much enthusiasm for the senatorial election. The turnout reflects the fact that the public understands the purpose of political reform, he said.

"The people understand we need the Senate as a check and balance to government. It's possible the [recent] MP election encouraged people to vote, fearing they would lose their rights by not voting last time," Suchon said.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Nakhon Ratchasima Election Commission office yesterday insisted that a fresh Senate election be held in the province because of the number of complaints of cheating during the advance voting.

Paiboon Makwiman said the commission had received at least one telephone report of election cheating every 15 minutes. The allegations include vote-buying, providing food and drink to voters, sponsoring tours and activities for voters, and campaigning alongside MP candidates.

Source: The Nation - 15 April 2006

[Scott]

I am just glad that I get a day off!

[Jai Dee]

Poll shows public's confusion over senators' role

As many as 43.8 per cent of people confuse the role of senators with that of members of Parliament, a survey of 4,682 people in various parts of Thailand by Dusit Poll revealed.

Dusit Poll questioned 1,213 Bangkokians and 3,469 residents of various other provinces and found that 52.8 per cent of respondents believed that there would be vote buying for the senatorial election on Wednesday. The same 52.8 per cent of respondents said the money paid to voters to back a particular candidate ranged from Bt100 to Bt500. Only 12.8 per cent thought there would not be vote buying in the election.

As many as 31.2 per cent of respondents confessed that they had no clue as to the Senate's function, while 59.9 per cent said they already had a candidate in mind for the election.

Meanwhile, Election Commission (EC) member Prinya Nakchudtree said the allegations that as many as 140 senatorial candidates have close ties to the ruling Thai Rak Thai Party might be an underestimation. The EC is looking into the allegation but will need substantial evidence to penalise any such candidate, he said.

He said preparations for the senatorial election have been going well.

Regarding the election for the House of Representatives, Prinya said the EC would hold yet another round of voting if some of the candidates standing uncontested in 38 constituencies do not get the required minimum of 20 per cent of the vote in the second round of voting this Sunday.

Opposition parties, which are boycotting the election, have predicted that some of these candidates may fail again to get the required number of votes. Under electoral law, the EC has until May 1 to hold a third round of voting.

Prinya said he was not certain what exactly the EC would decide, but it would wait until the results of Sunday's voting are out.

Source: The Nation - April 17, 2006

[Jai Dee]

Chart Thai Party demands EC to scrutinize Senatorial Election

The Chart Thai Party has demanded the Election Commission (EC) to scrutinize the upcoming the Senatorial Election as there are complaints on buying votes in many areas.

Chart Thai Party Leader Banharn Silpa_acha (บรรหาร ศิลปอาชา) has expressed his concern over the Senatorial Election on April 19th. He indicated that he has heard reports on vote buying activities in certain areas, including Suphanburi (สุพรรณบุรี) Province.

Mr. Banharn has also suggested that the government should submit all details of the general election to the Constitutional Court for consideration so as to help end the current political problems.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 17 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

Will it be 'all in the family' for the new Senate?

This is not the time to promote family values - especially if you are going to vote in tomorrow's Senate election.

The list of candidates in tomorrow's polls already has cynics labelling Parliament the "Chamber of Husbands and Wives". This is due to the strong political connections of a number of senatorial candidates who are supposed to be neutral and independent.

Many of the some 1,500 candidates running in the Senate poll are believed to have close connections with political parties - especially the Thai Rak Thai Party.

Fifty-five candidates have apparent links with Thai Rak Thai, which, if results of the April 2 general election stand, will enjoy near total domination of the House of Representatives.

These candidates include, for example, caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's sister-in-law Pawruthai, running in Chiang Mai; Natural Resources and Environ-ment Minister Yongyuth Tiya-pairat's wife Salakjit, running in Chiang Rai; and Suwit Wongsri-wong, husband of Thai Rak Thai party-list MP-elect Ladawan Wongsriwong, running in Phayao.

Poonpirom Liptapanlop, wife of Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop, is a candidate for Nakhon Ratchasima; Chai Chid-chob, father of PM's Office Minister Newin Chidchob, is running in Buri Ram; and Patcharee Phetsawang, wife of Thai Rak Thai MP-elect Sopon Phetsawang.

Ten other candidates have close relationships with former opposition parties including Suphan Buri's Prasit Pothasuthon, the older brother of Prapat Pothasuthon (Chat Thai), and in Krabi, Somkiet Engchuan, the younger brother of Arkom Engchuan (Democrat). Running in Sa Kaew is Wittaya Thienthong, younger brother of Snoh Thienthong (who split from Thai Rak Thai).

Earlier, former Nakhon Ratcha-sima senator Kraisak Chonhavan said he believed about 140 candidates who have close connections with the Thai Rak Thai Party would win in the Senate election.

Former Bangkok senator Sak Korsaengreung suggested voters in tomorrow's election should not cast their ballots for three kinds of candidates: those who uphold Thak-sin's regime, those involved in corruption scandals and those who are oppressive. Instead, Sak said voters should elect a candidate who is free from conflict of interests, honest and courageous enough to fight corruption.

The new Senate elected tomorrow should be dissolved as soon as the new Constitution is activated, to start over with the all-new Parliament, former Bangkok senator Jon Ungphakorn said yesterday.

Meanwhile, former election commissioner Gothom Arya said the new Senate would not be free from political interference and block votes.

Joining a seminar at Tham-masat University, he said candidates for the Senate election would make a "family" Senate closely related to political parties and MPs, while some senator candidates might have used the MP political voter base to acquire votes.

He said the people should realise the importance of the minority in Parliament and vote for them to help balance the power of the majority. The total number of MPs in Parliament is 500, while the Senate totals 200.

He said a return to an appointed Senate would be backtracking. Although the first elected Senate had problems with conflicts of interest and block voting in appointing people to sit on independent organisations, they did do a good job of scrutinising laws, Gothom said.

"The best way to solve the problems of the Senate is to encourage people to assert their rights and make a move when they see something unethical. Thailand has had enough lessons in this," Gothom said.

Jon said voters who opposed the Thai Rak Thai Party might be fooled as candidates may have hidden their loyalty to a political party.

Jon proposed a provisional clause to dissolve the new Senate after the constitutional amendments and political reforms are finished, to start afresh for both the Upper House and the House of Representatives. It would also prove the sincerity of the senators elected tomorrow, he said.

However, they should be allowed to run as candidates for the next Senate, he said.

He said people should participate in political reform and that instead of Parliament, 80 per cent of the people must approve the constitutional amendments before the new Constitution is active.

The minimum requirement should be 80 per cent as the Thai Rak Thai Party alone might only be able muster 50-per-cent approval for its version of reform, he said.

Mass media should take a major role in educating people to know and realise their rights, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each section of the Constitution.

People should not choose senatorial candidates who see the position as a way to improve their social status, or as a way to make profit for their families. Instead, voters should choose people who wanted to contribute to society, he said.

Source: The Nation - 18 April 2006

[Thaipwriter]

Ok, so we get a day off work...can we still buy a beer?