Dems to seek injunction on Thai charter amendment

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POLITICS
Dems to seek injunction on charter amendment
The Nation



Constitutional court petitioned on senatorial selection proposal

BANGKOK: -- THE OPPOSITION Democrat Party will file a petition asking the Constitutional Court to issue an injunction to suspend Parliament's debate of proposed charter amendments on the selection of senators, opposition chief whip Jurin Laksanawisit said yesterday.

Jurin said the petition would state that the government had violated Article 68 of the Constitution by seeking this change to the charter on the selection of senators.

The Democrat Party also resolved to seek an impeachment proceeding against Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanij after he closed a House of Representatives session and refused to allow Democrat MPs to deliberate on the legislation.

He said Nikom's decision to close the session on Wednesday was a double standard because House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont had ruled on August 30 against depriving MPs of their rights to take the House floor by prematurely closing the session.

"Opposition whips believe Nikom did not carry out his duty with neutrality because of conflict of interest and violated Articles 89 and 22. If the charter were amended, he would be able to seek re-election," Jurin said.

If the court finds the petition has validity, the agency will forward it to the Senate to vote on whether to remove Nikom, who might face a five-year political ban if the upper house votes him out.

Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit defended Nikom, saying the opposition MPs failed to propose continuing the session after government MPs moved that the House session be closed.

"The opposition was busy boycotting the meeting without listening to the House chairman's order to call a vote on Article 5. The opposition is acting quarrelsome after its defeat," he said.

Some opposition MPs on Wednesday surrounded Nikom's official seat, yelling at him and calling him "Thaksin's slave".

"Government whip Udomdej Rattansatien said the opposition should first ensure whether the Constitutional Court has the right to suspend a House deliberation. "If they stubbornly file the petition, they will risk losing the public's faith," Prompong said.

Udomdej defended Nikom's decision to close the session. He said that although MPs who had reserved the right to seek a House vote on particular legislation changes had not all been allowed to speak, that was all right.

"If 600 people were to reserve the right to take the House floor [and they all spoke], then we would not be able to legislate any law," he said.

The House on Wednesday voted to pass the amendment to Article 5 by removing the provision that bans parents, spouses and children of MPs and political-office holders from running as senatorial candidates.


-- The Nation 2013-09-06

[Tatsujin]

The UK is very bad for "debates" but at least they get stuff done. Here, it's worse than kids in the playground squabbling over who's turn it is.

Grow the <deleted> up and get on with some proper work instead of worrying about lining your own and your cronies and/or benefactors pockets. You're supposed to be working FOR the people, so get on with it and start practicing a little self-sacrifice for the greater good.

[clockman]

But they are children, with attitude! we see examples every day!

[MrSlatersParrot]

I put it down to the rainy season. Water on the brain.