Thai Democrats slam Somsak over 'unfair' Facebook message

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Democrats slam Somsak over 'unfair' Facebook message
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

Sirichok asks if taxpayers' money wasted on cyber attacks; message removed later

BANGKOK: -- Democrat MPs once again launched an attack on Parliament President and House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont yesterday - only this time it was related to a post on the Parliament's Facebook page in which he defended his performance and behaviour toward the key opposition party on Tuesday.

Democrat MP Sirichok Sopha said the Parliament's official Facebook page contained photographs and comments blaming the opposition Democrat Party for the chaos on Tuesday.

"So the taxpayers' money is now being used to attack the opposition on Facebook?" Sirichok asked Somsak.

The House speaker responded by saying he would look into the matter and order such activities be stopped if anything improper is uncovered.

The post was removed later yesterday.

The Facebook page (www.facebook.com/thaiparliament) is marked as that of a government organisation, featuring a photograph of Somsak and the message: "Parliament President does his job according to regulations. Nobody is above parliamentary rules, and they should be followed by all MPs."

On Tuesday, the page administrator posted new images and a video of the chaos in the chambers. Alongside the photographs, the administrator also posted some parliamentary regulations, with the comment: "The reason behind the chaos in Parliament - ignorance of the rules or just no respect for them?"

The goings on at the Parliament on Tuesday made the headlines yesterday as dozens of parliamentary officers had to be brought into the chambers and over a hundred Metropolitan Police officers were deployed outside the compound.

However, the second day of the deliberation on charter amendments was considerably more peaceful and orderly, though the debate appeared to be stalled for the first three hours due to filibustering and repeated protests.

Eventually, the meeting was able to proceed and parliamentarians managed to discuss the content of the charter amendments after 57 lawmakers - who were earlier barred from speaking at the plenary - were given the green light to voice their opinions.

Democrat MPs denounced the proposed elimination of appointed senators as stipulated in the draft charter amendment bill tabled by the ruling Pheu Thai Party, saying it would undermine the checks and balances. Instead, they called for a referendum to determine what the new Constitution should look like.

Many Democrat MPs took turns arguing that if the Senate was to be completely elected, it would eventually come under the power of a political party that funds the senatorial candidates. The MPs went on to say that it would be dangerous to give senators, who might be under political influence, the power to remove judges and members of the so-called independent organisations.

They reiterated their support for appointed senators, saying they would remain independent partly due to the fact that they can only serve one term.

Democrat MP Watchara Pechthong said having an elected Senate would turn the Parliament into one controlled by "husband and wife, where spouses take up positions in both Houses".

"You must listen to the people's voice before you amend the charter," he warned.


-- The Nation 2013-08-22

[NongKhaiKid]

If an opposition figure, or a non- PTP had made such a post but against Somsak would he or she be threatened with a lawsuit or be invited in for a chat by the BIB ?

I was about to suggest that PTP is out of control whereas they would say they are in total control.

[dickyknee]

"Eventually, the meeting was able to proceed and parliamentarians managed to discuss the content of the charter amendments after 57 lawmakers - who were earlier barred from speaking at the plenary - were given the green light to voice their opinions."

Does this mean the protesting Dems - were correct in their protest?

[Nooky2]

Something is wrong when politicians are so obsessed with Facebook, which means they are spending all their time on the Internet.