Passage of Thai govt's Bt2-trillion loan bill will not be smooth

[webfact]

ANALYSIS
Passage of govt's Bt2-trillion loan bill will not be smooth
PIYANART SRIVALO
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- WITH A massive amount of money involved and strong opposition from the Democrats, passage of the Bt2-trillion loan bill faces two hurdles - the Constitutional Court and the Administrative Court.

The House of Representatives will deliberate on the second and third readings of the bill on Thursday and Friday. Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said the government hoped deliberations could be wrapped up in two days, but government chief whip Amnuay Khlangpha said the debate could continue next week if needed.

After the fiscal 2014 budget bill ran into delays pending a Constitutional Court ruling, the government pushed the Bt2-trillion loan bill as an urgent priority in the House to restore investors' confidence and stimulate the flagging economy. Critics see the move as an effort to minimise the risk of a delay, which would threaten the bill's passage.

Pheu Thai MPs have been guided on how to go about the deliberation to ensure smooth passage, with instructions not to protest against the opposition's deliberation unnecessarily, so the House can wrap up proceedings quickly.

They have been ordered not to leave the House compound during the deliberation. Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong and Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt will defend the bill during the House session while other ministers attend a mobile Cabinet meeting in Lop Buri on the same days.

PM's Office Minister Varathep Ratanakorn, deputy chairman of the committee vetting the Bt2-trillion loan bill, said it was likely the deliberation would drag on, because the bill faced no time restrictions.

He said the government earlier planned that the loan bill would take effect around October 1, the start of the fiscal year. Any delay should not be more than two months, so the bill should be effective within the final quarter, he said.

"We admit we are concerned the bill will face a delay similar to that faced by the budget bill after the Constitutional Court was asked to rule on it," Varathep said.

Kanit na Nakorn, chairman of the Law Reform Commission of Thailand, has said the Bt2-trillion loan bill violates the charter, including Article 169, which stipulates that budget allocation is permitted only as outlined in the law on parliamentary budget spending.

Chadchart said the government had drawn up a plan should the court find the bill unconstitutional.

Pheu Thai MPs said the plan would see Parliament vote on whether the Constitutional Court had exceeded the scope of its powers, encroached on the government's power and violated the principle of separation of powers.

But even if the Constitutional Court rules otherwise, the Bt2-trillion loan bill could still face a delay if someone files a complaint with the Administrative Court, making it unlikely the bill will sail through Parliament this week.


-- The Nation 2013-09-17

[ChrisY1]

I for one, hope that this bill gets squashed ...for the sake of Thailand and it's children....50 years to repay this huge debt....hardly a worthwhile legacy for any government to leave behind....

[Baerboxer]

I for one, hope that this bill gets squashed ...for the sake of Thailand and it's children....50 years to repay this huge debt....hardly a worthwhile legacy for any government to leave behind....

Agree. It's a massive mill stone round the necks of future generations. The current government have their own agenda and couldn't give a monkeys about the future - jam today is much more important.

If this happens, there is every chance that Thailand will be forced to default at some point and enjoy the same economic conditions as Argentina, Greece and Cyprus now enjoy! Imagine, some time in the near future someone coming up with the idea of confiscating your bank savings - Whoops, the EU are already at it !!

[Pimay1]

They have been ordered not to leave the House compound during the deliberation.

I like that. I expect the order came from a certain MP from Chiang Mai.

[timewilltell]

This bill is a disaster. What's the point of debate when early every elder Thai I have ever encountered has a severe inability to listen and the comprehension of a 14 year old. Thank goodness the constitutional court is there to stop these muppets. I dot know where Thailand goes from here democratically since its population is ignorant and really not up to voting, its MP's are totally self serving and really do not give a monkeys for Thaiand though they love to say how they or Thailand and generally there is no comprehension of a sustained economic policy.

Thailand is a country occupied by a completely selfish populace with no idea of social responsibility past how it might cause a loss of face to themselves personally. I think this country has a very uphill climb on its hands while its neighbors embrace foreign investment and progress.

China has 15 trillion dollars to invest overseas in property yet little is finding its way to Thailand because of its xenophobic property laws. It's going to Laos, Myanmar and guess whose economy will benefit.

Thailand has to be one of the most bigoted and short sighted nations in the world. Lucky God graced it with a good climate and beautiful girls else it would be .......

[Noistar]

This bill is a disaster. What's the point of debate when early every elder Thai I have ever encountered has a severe inability to listen and the comprehension of a 14 year old. Thank goodness the constitutional court is there to stop these muppets. I dot know where Thailand goes from here democratically since its population is ignorant and really not up to voting, its MP's are totally self serving and really do not give a monkeys for Thaiand though they love to say how they or Thailand and generally there is no comprehension of a sustained economic policy.

Thailand is a country occupied by a completely selfish populace with no idea of social responsibility past how it might cause a loss of face to themselves personally. I think this country has a very uphill climb on its hands while its neighbors embrace foreign investment and progress.

China has 15 trillion dollars to invest overseas in property yet little is finding its way to Thailand because of its xenophobic property laws. It's going to Laos, Myanmar and guess whose economy will benefit.

Thailand has to be one of the most bigoted and short sighted nations in the world. Lucky God graced it with a good climate and beautiful girls else it would be .......

Unfortunately I find little to disagree with in your post.

Thailand is its own worse enemy.

IMO