Pheu Thai MP suggests amendment of Article 291 to appoint non-MP PM

[Mudcrab]

Why is TV all screwed up today? The posts make less sense than usual. Completely out of context?

[Mudcrab]

His proposal seems plausible at first glance...

"Pheu Thai MP Samart Kaewmeechai Thursday proposed that Article 291 of the Constitution should be amended so that a non-MP prime minister could be appointed to end the on-going political crisis."

But then implies a civil war and lays the blame completely at the Democrats feet. It's a bit of a threatening proposition coming from the lips of a sitting MP.

"Samart also voiced concern that the on-going situation would lead to a civil war. He said if Suthep's opponents see that police could not handle protesters, they may take the laws into their own hands, leading to a civil war."

How do you read it?

People have been saying that for ages. It's nothing more than a statement of the obvious, really. The potential for savage violence is clearly there, as we've already seen. Obviously I hope it won't get to the stage where it can be described as a civil war, and I still don't see that as very likely. I'm optimistic that they'll muddle through and get it together somehow before things descend into all out violence.

'If no one here is calling for bloodshed, a quiet threat is always implicit. Occasionally, it's explicit.

"Across the northeast we can seize every government office in every town, in every city, in every province," said Thongplean Boonphunga, a middle-aged rice farmer. The elite may deride Thaksin's followers as uneducated bumpkins, but, she notes, the country people have numbers on their side. "They can't control the whole country. We can," he said.'

http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/thailand-s-farmers-pose-quiet-threat-to-traditional-politics-1.1575649

A la Khmer Rouge

[Mudcrab]

His proposal seems plausible at first glance...

"Pheu Thai MP Samart Kaewmeechai Thursday proposed that Article 291 of the Constitution should be amended so that a non-MP prime minister could be appointed to end the on-going political crisis."

But then implies a civil war and lays the blame completely at the Democrats feet. It's a bit of a threatening proposition coming from the lips of a sitting MP.

"Samart also voiced concern that the on-going situation would lead to a civil war. He said if Suthep's opponents see that police could not handle protesters, they may take the laws into their own hands, leading to a civil war."

How do you read it?

People have been saying that for ages. It's nothing more than a statement of the obvious, really. The potential for savage violence is clearly there, as we've already seen. Obviously I hope it won't get to the stage where it can be described as a civil war, and I still don't see that as very likely. I'm optimistic that they'll muddle through and get it together somehow before things descend into all out violence.

'If no one here is calling for bloodshed, a quiet threat is always implicit. Occasionally, it's explicit.

"Across the northeast we can seize every government office in every town, in every city, in every province," said Thongplean Boonphunga, a middle-aged rice farmer. The elite may deride Thaksin's followers as uneducated bumpkins, but, she notes, the country people have numbers on their side. "They can't control the whole country. We can," he said.'

http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/thailand-s-farmers-pose-quiet-threat-to-traditional-politics-1.1575649

A la Khmer Rouge

All you blokes who said in previous posts that they couldn't/wouldn't /can't learnt the language...at least learn Thai for RUN!!!!!

[Mudcrab]

Just noticed that BKK Pundit has a new post which goes over what I wrote earlier again and also covers more constitutional details. Simply put, a People's Council isn't possible under this constitution.

'Section 3 refers to the National Assembly, but Section 88 sets out what the National Assembly is which is the House of Representatives and the Senate. Section 93 outlines who can be members of the House of Representatives and Section 111 outlines who can be members of the Senate. The only way to form a parliament/National Assembly with any legislative power is to have members in accordance with Sections 93 and 111. Hence, there is no provision for some arbitrary unelected body which has legislative power. Now, a group could be set up who has no power, but that is now what Suthep is talking about.'

http://asiancorrespondent.com/116778/how-can-we-get-a-peoples-assembly/

Correct, on the face. I do not think that Suthep is assuming the current constitution will be in place. He seems to avoid the words except when talking about getting a new PM and using article7. Then he switches to buzzwords like "pure democracy under the king" etc .....

I agree in some ways that the country may be more resistant to a coup than before, and that it will take more staging this time. I have assumed from the beginning that Suthep was merely doing the staging.

If a coup happens (which I can see your argument against it) it would have to be fully prepared in advance,

The new reform laws ready to be implemented, a proposed non-military PM and cabinet ready to step in, The basics of the new constitution ready. and an actual legislative body proposed, OR a 6 month election set in advance Allowing enough time for the reform laws to be understood and for the people to vote on and or amend the new constitution.

Though I have been honest about thinking a coup is a decent option, I am starting to lean more to a judicial answer such as the impeachment option. My brief chats with emptyset (and others) make me think. Those of you that are passionate about the topic and who find yourselves seemingly on the opposite side as emptyset would do well to think about what he says. (I am usually at least marginally on the "opposite side" as he is, and his ideas make me re-think my own. Usually just refining mine but sometimes changing them completely. That is the purpose of intelligent debate.

All very noble. Lets just hope something similarly happens in Thai Politics.

[khunken]

Why is TV all screwed up today? The posts make less sense than usual. Completely out of context?

Some of the posts on this thread have been excellent - if you bothered to read them - and I compliment Jdinasia & Emptyset.

You on the other hand have posted about 5 totally inane comments. If you can't follow a debate, why not go to a thread that matches your comprehension.

Back to topic.

As it seems that the constitution cannot accomodate a non-political PM and government, my suggestion would be a referendum with the following choices:

1. Suspend the constitution and allow an appointed 'Peoples Government' selected by K Anand.

2. Re-write the constitution as per the 1997 method.

3. Maintain the current constitution.

PTP should have had a referendum with points 2 & 3 as choices after the CC ruled earlier this year. Note that the costs of a referendum would be a lot less than the losses currently mounting up over the crisis.

[pomchop]

in other words throw out the PM and all the various people who were ELECTED and let the THUGS put THEIR elite buddies into office....

amazing how the Taksin haters don't seem to even notice this absolute RAW grab for power.....gripe all you want about "dumb red shirts" but how dumb do you have to be to believe that the hand picked puppets of the THUGS wouldn't make sure to line their pockets...

how about they just quit threatening everyone and if their plans are so great get the people to all vote for them?

[mikemac]

....................in other words throw out the PM and all the various people who were ELECTED and let the THUGS put THEIR elite buddies into office................................

---- "An elite in political and sociological theory, is a small group of people who control a disproportionate amount of wealth or political power." ----

All this time you clowns have been crapping on about "elites" I thought you were referring to the Shinawatra regime !

[h90]

in other words throw out the PM and all the various people who were ELECTED and let the THUGS put THEIR elite buddies into office....

amazing how the Taksin haters don't seem to even notice this absolute RAW grab for power.....gripe all you want about "dumb red shirts" but how dumb do you have to be to believe that the hand picked puppets of the THUGS wouldn't make sure to line their pockets...

how about they just quit threatening everyone and if their plans are so great get the people to all vote for them?

again and again and again.

This government was elected with massive vote buying.

This government is destroying democracy (how, there are 1000 postings already)

Suthep wants for a short time a government that is not from ANY party, which makes a new constitution and than make new elections.

He does not want to bring the democrats into government and said this approx. 500 times.

[Sheryl]

Posters are reminded that forum rules prohibit discussion of the monarchy in any political context.

[Thai at Heart]

Its a neat idea.

But it breaks the constitution, so won't the CC have to get involved to judge it constitutional, which it probably can' t be, because of course, it could have the unintended consequence of allowing say, a bloke who comes back to the country, has his criminal convictions to be squished and then, appointed as PM.

Very very dangerous idea to implement something like this.

[gemini81]

in other words throw out the PM and all the various people who were ELECTED and let the THUGS put THEIR elite buddies into office....

amazing how the Taksin haters don't seem to even notice this absolute RAW grab for power.....gripe all you want about "dumb red shirts" but how dumb do you have to be to believe that the hand picked puppets of the THUGS wouldn't make sure to line their pockets...

how about they just quit threatening everyone and if their plans are so great get the people to all vote for them?

Does that mean PTP would have to stop threatening too? And stop intimidating voters by governor, village headman and so on?

I recommend you actually listen to Suthep's requests, as well as demands. You didn't. He is not trying to change nor throw away the laws in the books, but instead force PTP to adhere by them, as well as stop PTP from editing and revising the laws for their personal benefits.

Its not an all democrat party in the protests, it is people from all classes who are fed up with being swindled.

Sounds like you just unpacked your bags, and met a bird who gave you a one sided synopsis on her rural family's thoughts told to them by the drunken village headman.

Edited December 6, 2013 by gemini81

[DonThaiToMe]

It´s just mind blowing that so many people are defending Dear Leader, Suthep Secretary General of the People and his methods.

I wonder how many would accept similar behaviour in their own countries?

A minority opposition attacks and occupies various government buildings, hi-jacks the media to force them to broadcast their "news", etc, etc...

Just mind blowing!

Edited December 6, 2013 by DonThaiToMe