Push for anti-coup law: Thailand

[webfact]

POLITICS
Push for anti-coup law
Khanittha Thepphajorn
The Nation

Critics say Pheu Thai-inspired bill aims to increase political role in defence ministry

BANGKOK: -- An anti-coup bill is currently under initial consideration of the House Committee on Military Affairs.

If it is placed before Parliament for deliberation and sails through, the government will no longer have to worry about the possibility of a sudden military-led power seizure.

Democrat MP Kowit Tharana, who is deputy chair of the House committee, said he was against the bill because it aimed to reduce the military's authority and give way to political intervention. He said that setting up a subcommittee did not mean the panel has agreed to consider it.

Thailand has seen coups at regular intervals in its history since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932.

The House Committee on Law Modernisation, set up by the House speaker, has already proposed the anti-coup draft law or the Defence Ministry Reorganisation Bill to the House Committee on Military Affairs.

Chaired by Pheu Thai MP General Somchai Wisanuwong, the House committee has now set up a panel to consider the bill.

"The essence of this draft law is about preventing a coup," the secretary of the House speaker, Prasop Busarakham, said yesterday in his capacity as the chair of the Committee on Law Modernisation.

According to the bill, any proposed appointment of general-ranking military officers would need the endorsement of the defence minister and the deputy defence minister. The defence minister will also have a role to play in providing security to the Royal Family.

'Political ploy'

A military legal expert said the bill was meant to merely stop the top brass from opposing the government's amnesty bill if it did get implemented after undergoing the parliamentary process.

"All measures in the Reorganisation Bill will become ineffective when it comes to practise and justification," the high-ranking officer, who asked not to be named, said. He went on to say that the bill would not even have to be considered by the Defence Council, because it is not being initiated by the military or the Defence Ministry. "It's a bill initiated by the House, which has to be promulgated through the parliamentary process. But it's another matter whether the law is justifiable enough to be followed later," the source said.

Speaking about the point in which the Royal Aide-De-Camp Department is authorised to provide security and protection to the monarchy in case of a coup or political violence, the source said this was the military's mandate anyway.

"Adding that condition to the bill is only meant to show the bill was written by a loyal subject ready to protect the monarchy, but the real intent is to block the military from stopping the Pheu Thai government's political ploys," the source said without elaborating.

Prasop, a Pheu Thai member, said the bill would ensure

that political-office holders are more powerful than military leaders.

"If we can prevent coup-makers from reaching the King, coup attempts would fail," he said.

Prasop said if the Defence Ministry Reorganisation Bill sailed through, the defence minister would have the authority to command coup-thwarting operations. "Soldiers can't stay idle when a coup is in the making," Prasop said, "This draft law states clearly that soldiers have the duty to quell a coup."

'Soldiers must respect laws'

Asked whether the armed forces had agreed to embrace the bill, Prasop said all soldiers had to respect laws.

According to him, a group of at least 20 MPs can propose a draft law to Parliament. The House Committee on Military Affairs has 15 members.

"If the House committee agrees with the bill, we shouldn't have problems getting the support of five more MPs," Prasop said.

He believed it would be best to |propose the Defence Ministry Reorganisation Bill via a House committee, as both opposition and government MPs were on the committee.

"If the government proposes the bill, some critics will label it as the government's law," he said. The former MP said he was not worried about the reactions towards the Defence Ministry Reorganisation Act.

"No matter what the reactions are, I am ready to face it. I have to work for the country," Prasop said.

He believed the courts should take action against coup-makers, too, suggesting that the courts should strictly invoke Article 113 of the Criminal Code.

This article prescribes life imprisonment/death sentence for coup-makers.

Asked which organisation or which person would dare to challenge coup-makers, Prasop said the pressure on coup-makers was huge these days.

"Due to the pressure, they will likely lose power within two years. When they lose power, we can lodge a complaint with the court against them," Prasop said.

General Somchai Wissanuwong, the chairman of the House Committee, said the bill had been brought up in last week's meeting and would be discussed further on July 31. Members of the military's Judge Advocate-General's Department will also be present to study the legal aspects. The panel has set up a subcommittee led by Pheu Thai MP retired admiral Suraphol Jaendaeng to study the bill in detail. Somchai said he had no clear understanding of the bill and was not aware of Prasop's motive behind his proposal for the bill.


-- The Nation 2013-07-25

[waza]

Push for anti-coup law

There are already anti-coup laws on the books and "this article prescribes life imprisonment/death sentence for coup-makers."

So why do they need another one:?

Well they don't, this is a thinly disguised attempt to gain political control over military appointments and policy. Remember nepotism rules in a Thaksin government.

Why do they want this?

Because it aims to reduce the military's authority and give way to political intervention, therefore it is meant to stop the top brass from opposing the government's amnesty bill and other nefarious machinations. Prasop, a Pheu Thai member, said the bill would ensure that political-office holders are more powerful than military leaders. The defence minister will also have a role to play in providing security and access to the Royal Family, "If we can prevent coup-makers from reaching the King, coup attempts would fail".

But the most disturbing element of this proposed bill is......"the defence minister would have the authority to command coup-thwarting operations. "Soldiers can't stay idle when a coup is in the making," Prasop said, "This draft law states clearly that soldiers have the duty to quell a coup."

This would in fact turn a coup into a civil war.

[NongKhaiKid]

Anti-coup law so turn out the military to arrest the military and unleash the dogs of war. At least TAT could have tourists flocking to Thailand to see civil unrest first hand.

[Robby nz]

Asked whether the armed forces had agreed to embrace the bill, Prasop said all soldiers had to respect laws.

However it would seem that MP's and cabinet ministers and those wearing red shirts do not.

[bigbamboo]

Is this to be retrospective too?

Edited July 25, 2013 by bigbamboo

[jaltsc]

"If it is placed before Parliament for deliberation and sails through, the government will no longer have to worry about the possibility of a sudden military-led power seizure."

Does the Parliament know what a coup is? They and their laws are being overthrown. They can wave the the anti-coup bill in front of the attackers but it will have little effect against the military weapons pointed at them. Perhaps they haven't taken any notice of what has happened recently in the middle east.

Edited July 25, 2013 by jaltsc

[Somtamnication]

As as is the norm here in Thailand, laws are obeyed and trusted.

[NongKhaiKid]

As as is the norm here in Thailand, laws are obeyed and trusted.

Nice one. Let's be fair though the Thai legal system is easy the understand as laws are for other people to obey

[Soupdragon]

Anti-coup law so turn out the military to arrest the military and unleash the dogs of war. At least TAT could have tourists flocking to Thailand to see civil unrest first hand.

Divide and conquer, a proven tactic.

[OzMick]

Anybody that can stay calm and suggest another anti-coup law, while everybody else is panicking about the coming coup, simply fails to understand the situation.

[ramrod711]

"Adding that condition to the bill is only meant to show the bill was written by a loyal subject ready to protect the monarchy, but the real intent is to block the military from stopping the Pheu Thai government's political ploys," the source said without elaborating.

This is clearly the intent, but in the long run coup makers must be stopped. The people need to see that the PTP are bent on filling their pockets, and are indeed in the pocket of Thaksin. Until the people take responsibility for their votes, they deserve what they get, and yes that includes bankruptcy and the scorn of the rest of the world.

[culicine]

If we had a corrupt-free government and leader who wasn't a despot maybe we wouldn't need coups. Coups are the only mechanism to stop reduce economic failure though sheer greed of the leaders. They simply wipe the slate clean. Until the population become more educated and selective in their leaders, and realise when these leaders are doing to their country, coups will continue to happen.

[up-country_sinclair]

How to instigate a military coup in one easy step:

Step One: Attempt to pass anti-coup legislation.

[rametindallas]

So, all coup d’état in history could have been prevented by a anti-coup law like the one they are proposing. Wow, so simple. Maybe they could design a law to stop murder, thieving, drug abuse, and all sorts of social problems. The only reason we don't live in a paradise is because all the laws before were not written properly. These guys are genius; now wonder Dr. Thaksin chose to govern the People. /sarc

[whybother]

Politicians can't stop coups. Only the people can.

[Thai at Heart]

Well, if all appointees have to be approved by the defence minister in future, that would mean, a coup wouldn't be particularly good for your future career.

Quite a subtle and clever move.

[arthurboy]

The military - and other ne'er do wells - have too much say in what happens in Thailand anyway and is firmly linked to corruption and yet another condo in...name your country.The enforcement of law in Thailand does not apply to those with power and influence.

The point is the military would never allow anything to stand in their way to the trough.

Minister: (waving paper at soldier with gun) Go back to your barracks, the law says you can't do this

Soldier: (points gun and shoots) Bang!

Silence...

Curtain falls.

[ballpoint]

This is the best piece of legislation since the council of rabbits took their vegetarianism law to the wolves, jackals, and other assorted canines, party for ratification.

Edited July 25, 2013 by ballpoint

[Wavefloater]

This is hilarious. It should verify to the rest of the world that Yingy and her criminal brother have gone off the deep end, and the current farcical Thai government is aiming for a dictatorship.

Yingy appoints herself to be the Minister of Defense. Then soon after she introduces a law make a military coup illegal unless it is approved be herself (as the M of D). This happens when there are murmurs of Thai citizens appealing to the military to stop the (country-destroying) nonsense of the current government with a peaceful coup. It's so obvious that anybody with even half a brain should be able to see what is going on here.

Beside, is Yingy that daft that she doesn't even really understand that a military coup basically ousts the government in power regardless of what corrupt laws she tries to push down the people's throats to protect her interests? Perhaps she should ask her fugitive brother in Dubai about the REAL nature of a coup. What an idiot this woman is.

If there is not a huge outcry by the people of Thailand to oust this bibmo and prevent her and big brother creating the Shinawatra Dictatorship, I have no sympathy for them, at all.

Edited July 25, 2013 by Wavefloater

[geovalin]

an anti-coup law is an oxymoron

[harryfrompattaya]

Anybody that can stay calm and suggest another anti-coup law, while everybody else is panicking about the coming coup, simply fails to understand the situation.

I believe Egypt had such a law

[slapout]

The Dubai brain trust is in a damage control mode, The natives are showing signs of being restless as the populist programs seem to have not been what was promised. Bring in brother in law as advisor to 'little gopher' or "step and fitch it" as her understanding of verbal instructions is somewhat limited.

Time for the PM to make another foreign goodwill trip, so the complicated part of brother's goal achievment can be put on the table., by the cronies. Some things are just too far beyond the understanding of those mentally challenged.

[TackyToo]

an anti-coup law is an oxymoron

An anti-crime law comes to mind. That would work wonders too.

[jpeg]

"Adding that condition to the bill is only meant to show the bill was written by a loyal subject ready to protect the monarchy, but the real intent is to block the military from stopping the Pheu Thai government's political ploys," the source said without elaborating.

This is clearly the intent, but in the long run coup makers must be stopped. The people need to see that the PTP are bent on filling their pockets, and are indeed in the pocket of Thaksin. Until the people take responsibility for their votes, they deserve what they get, and yes that includes bankruptcy and the scorn of the rest of the world.

Which is all that, really, needs to be said. It's not our country, as we are constantly reminded, and the Thais really do need to grow the fck UP. Let them.

[Baerboxer]

This is quite subversive. Yingluck becomes DM and now enjoys "good relations" with the top brass. Now they try to bring in a law that she (with big brother's approval) must endorse future promotions to the rank of general. Guess what, only their relatives, friends, cronies and paid sympathisers will ever get promoted. Once the military are under control the pesky Red Stormtroopers will be surplus to requirements and can be dumped. Emergency decree brings big brother home and he becomes leader. The police and military are under control, and the democratically elected governement can now pass any laws they want, borrow trillions off budget and really get super amply rich. Sweet.

Look to history. Hitler did the same - used the SA brown shirts as private army, until he got control of the military and police. Then bye bye SA and anyone else who wasn't wanted or disagreed. Stalin purged the military to keep control and through is meglania paranoia, so did all the other dictators.

This strategy is hardly subtle yet no one seems to worry about the consequences.

[h90]

Anti coup law, rofl.

By definition:

unsuccessful coups are always illegal, I am sure there are laws.

successful coups are always legal, because they are the legal government per definition.

[belg]

why are there so many generals in thailand ? and why are they all so rich ?

because they can be bought or hired and have deep fingers in all illegal activity

[SOTIRIOS]

..this way these !@#$%^&*( can stay in power forever.......

Edited July 25, 2013 by SOTIRIOS

[nakhonandy]

why are there so many generals in thailand ? and why are they all so rich ?

because they can be bought or hired and have deep fingers in all illegal activity

Well they need a lot of generals don't they?

More to the point why are they not down south doing their job.

Anti coup law, yep that will work. Morons.

[hellodolly]

"If it is placed before Parliament for deliberation and sails through, the government will no longer have to worry about the possibility of a sudden military-led power seizure."

Does the Parliament know what a coup is? They and their laws are being overthrown. They can wave the the anti-coup bill in front of the attackers but it will have little effect against the military weapons pointed at them. Perhaps they haven't taken any notice of what has happened recently in the middle east.

I completely agree with you.

The very idea of the bill just goes to show that the members are complete and utter idiots.

I can just see it now a tank aimed at their head and they are saying what you are doing is illegal.

The soldiers climbing out of the tank and saying so sorry we didn't know carry on with your graft and corruption we will tell the generals they probably were misinformed about the law.

These clowns obviously did not have a pad when they went to school if in fact they did go to school. Is there a law that say's a politician must have an IQ well below average?