With no clear reform plan, suspending poll would be futile

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
With no clear reform plan, suspending poll would be futile
ATTAYUTH BOOTSRIPOOM

BANGKOK: -- BY NOW, all segments of Thai society definitely agree that political reform is inevitable - because there's no denying that elections alone cannot solve the political conflicts that have existed for a long time. If nothing is done, a new government would always face protests from the other side.

Although all agree that reform must be achieved, disputes are ongoing as to whether the February 2 election should be postponed and the reform held first, or not.

Both sides still have wide differences in their stands on reform. In particular, the Pheu Thai Party and the caretaker government see that change must be carried out along with the election.

However, the People's Democratic Reform Committee has insisted that the reform must be done first. The PDRC claimed the election could not be held yet and a "People's Council", whose model has been proposed by the PDRC, must be formed to carry out the reform.

The PDRC has demanded the election be suspended for about one-and-a-half years for the reform process to be conducted to its full extent. The proposal prompted ridicule, with critics alleging that the PDRC was seeking to suspend Thailand's democracy.

By now, political reform proposals are coming from several sectors and each forum appears to have a very high estimation of its own worth. There has been no sign the proposals could be coordinated into one acceptable to all sides.

The forums include one sanctioned by the government, one representing a group of the seven major business organisations, one held by the military, and the PDRC-sanctioned forum. So far, none has managed to iron out differences, and eliminate the cons and synchronise the pros, of all forums. Worse still, no scheme is in sight that could eliminate the differences and join the proposals into one.

It is undeniable that the proposal of the PDRC is the most extreme, because the interim administration that would carry out the reform would need to be proposed by the PDRC itself. Of course, it would be hard for the other side to accept the members of an interim administration selected by the PDRC, and it would be difficult for them to win legitimacy to carry out the reform. Worse still, 18 months is too long a period to delay the election. The country could be damaged, while the international community would be unlikely to accept the interim administration.

An election delay could work if all sides agree to it and if it is not delayed for too long. Most of all, before the election is postponed, there should be first a clear-cut form of reform and details on how it would be done and by whom.

If the current vague proposals were presented to push the country's politics into a vacuum state, suspending the election would be futile. Worse still, it would lead to more severe rifts in society, which could lead to clashes between people of both sides.

Without reform, the election would be futile. But without a clear-cut plan of reform, the postponement of the election could be futile as well.

Without a clear-cut reform proposal that is acceptable to all sides, it would be better to hold an election with political parties proposing their ideas on reform for voters to select.

Moreover, political parties must establish a social contract in which they agree to allow the next government to carry out political reform. The next government must also be ready to face public pressure should it break the reform promise.


-- The Nation 2013-12-19

[ChrisY1]

Suspending the election will only delay the inevitable.....

[ManopY]

Suspending the election will only delay the inevitable.....

And what is "the inevitable..." for you?

[MB1]

Suspending the election will only delay the inevitable.....

And what is "the inevitable..." for you?

The Inevitable for me is that there will be NO CLEAR REFORM PLAN,,,,As seems to be the norm for Thailand over the years, all hot airbull and constant bullshi* in the hub of bullshi* and same same.... It just seems like a game of ping pong to me....

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[chainarong]

There seems to be no clear direction for anybody involved with politics in Thailand, all are making policy on the run , changing the goal posts at every whim, there needs to be a committee formed, from various institutions of respect, (not political parties), this committee has a mandate to bring about proper democratic reform , this is then handed to the elected government, who then acts on these recommendations , and that is where the stumbling block will be , politicians with no other agenda but their own , till this mind set changes ,Thailand will always be a basket case where politics are concerned.

[Chupup]

Could the Reform agender possibly be conducted by the Constitution Judges then voted on, amended , and voted on untill a solution emerges ? after all they ARE the Gardians of the Constitution.............

[ManopY]

Could the Reform agender possibly be conducted by the Constitution Judges then voted on, amended , and voted on untill a solution emerges ? after all they ARE the Gardians of the Constitution.............

The problem is that the actual government and the ruling political part do not recognize the authority of the Constitution Court!!!

[binjalin]

Could the Reform agender possibly be conducted by the Constitution Judges then voted on, amended , and voted on untill a solution emerges ? after all they ARE the Gardians of the Constitution.............

The problem is that the actual government and the ruling political part do not recognize the authority of the Constitution Court!!!

well most people have some sympathy for that stance as many of the higher legal network are a part of the old amart so that is NOT the solution as Parliament should be the place to debate those issue as they are ELECTED not appointed

[honzad]

It seems that the Democrats view on the election is, "we'll take part but only if you promise we will win." I know three year olds who have the same attitude to games.

[tomacht8]

My questions:

Is it really so interesting to lead the country in the next 2 years?

Who likes to explain to the farmers that the rice scheme is not financially viable?

Maybe it is better to make only once an inventory, in terms of finances?

Besides working on reforms, and checking out what is budget wise realistically possible and necessary?

To really solve the country's problems, both political camps must (learn) work together,

for the benefit of the country and around the inner peace to be restored.

Hopefully all remember the birthday speech of their king.

Peace and unity.

Hopefully all responsible leaders look in the mirror and ask themselves:

“Have I really done anything to help my country?”

Starts at times to do your duty for your country and the people.

Many many state leaders and people in key positions have already made enough money

yet for themselves. Many do not have existential fears.

Many of these leaders have lost contact with the people. They do not know what it means:

To work for 300 Baht a day as a construction worker, taxidriver, service worker, etc. or

to feed a family as a farmer.

Greedy and corrupt people should resign.

Please all.

Make the way free for honest people to lead this country.

It is time now to pay back to your country.

Edited December 19, 2013 by tomacht8

[ManopY]

Could the Reform agender possibly be conducted by the Constitution Judges then voted on, amended , and voted on untill a solution emerges ? after all they ARE the Gardians of the Constitution.............

The problem is that the actual government and the ruling political part do not recognize the authority of the Constitution Court!!!

well most people have some sympathy for that stance as many of the higher legal network are a part of the old amart so that is NOT the solution as Parliament should be the place to debate those issue as they are ELECTED not appointed

[tx22cb]

I'm confused.

I read that the law/Constitution specifies giving the mandate back to the voters within 45-90 days after the Govt resigns.

Then someone said that the election could be postponed if all parties agree?!

Let me paint you an analogy.

Isn't this like a scenario in a game of soccer, which is in progress, whereby the Goalie of one side (say the Yellows) is a bit useless and letting goals in by the dozen.

The Y Goalie then has a bright idea - let's allow 3 Goalies per side (hoping to stem the flood of balls hitting the back of his net). Although not allowed by FIFA rules, Y Goalie claims that it's possible if all 22 players on the pitch agree.

Naturally, the opposing team (say Man U) do not agree.

Moreover, most of the 100,000 spectators in the stands do not agree - they like to see more goals, and not scoreless draws. So although these numerous spectators are not on the pitch (they are in the populous North and North-Eastern stands), the spectators begin to boo the Y Goalie's proposal.

FIFA officials also do not agree - they say "Finish this game first, then next year convene the FIFA members to decide how to make the soccer rules more acceptable to all parties".

Man U agrees to this proposal.

The Y Goalie (whose name is PehtuS) does not agree. He fears a further avalanche of goals, so he snatches away the Ref's whistle and blows it until his cherubic face turns blue (and red and white).

Then I wake up - perhaps I've had too much eggnog and all this has been a hallucination ....

[Asiantravel]

There seems to be no clear direction for anybody involved with politics in Thailand, all are making policy on the run , changing the goal posts at every whim, there needs to be a committee formed, from various institutions of respect, (not political parties), this committee has a mandate to bring about proper democratic reform , this is then handed to the elected government, who then acts on these recommendations , and that is where the stumbling block will be , politicians with no other agenda but their own , till this mind set changes ,Thailand will always be a basket case where politics are concerned.

" from various institutions of respect, "

And which “ institutions “ will represent and protect the interests of the rural people of Thailand who currently constitute the majority of voters ?

[Baerboxer]

Could the Reform agender possibly be conducted by the Constitution Judges then voted on, amended , and voted on untill a solution emerges ? after all they ARE the Gardians of the Constitution.............

The problem is that the actual government and the ruling political part do not recognize the authority of the Constitution Court!!!

well most people have some sympathy for that stance as many of the higher legal network are a part of the old amart so that is NOT the solution as Parliament should be the place to debate those issue as they are ELECTED not appointed

How do you know what most people have sympathy towards? Have you carried out some research to support this assertion?

Or do you just assume most people would agree with your particular view?

[Zolt]

There seems to be no clear direction for anybody involved with politics in Thailand, all are making policy on the run , changing the goal posts at every whim, there needs to be a committee formed, from various institutions of respect, (not political parties), this committee has a mandate to bring about proper democratic reform , this is then handed to the elected government, who then acts on these recommendations , and that is where the stumbling block will be , politicians with no other agenda but their own , till this mind set changes ,Thailand will always be a basket case where politics are concerned.

And their mandate comes from? A few thousand protesters? That's not enough.

Here's a more reasonable way to initiate reform.

- The country goes ahead with the elections on Feb 2, because they don't have a choice, and because that's way too short a deadline to implement true reform. Even the year or so proposed by Suthep is too short for that, but way too long to go without an elected government.

- Before the elections, both parties make a strong commitment to reform: To not undertake any charter reform bill or amnesty bill unilaterally, and to go ahead with a major overhaul of the charter per the following rules:

- After the election, both the majority and the opposition get together to hash out how the charter reform committee will be set up: not just the few haphazard ideas thrown around by Suthep but an actual, detailed and transparent plan for how the committee will be selected, what rules they will work under, the main objectives of the charter reform. Both the majority and the opposition should agree on the final methodology. If they fail to do so within 9 months, have a referendum decide which plan will be used. Absolute majority (50% of votes) needed to go ahead.

- Once a plan is selected, the committee is set up and gets to work on drafting the new constitution, while the elected government handle the day to day affairs of the country. Give them about a year and half then have a referendum on the new charter. If it fails half the committee is dismissed and new members are appointed, and they submit a new proposal one year later.

Basically, we shouldn't expect a solid and comprehensive reform effort to take anything less than the full term of the next government. Anything shorter will just be a rush job and lead towards more instability.

[binjalin]

Could the Reform agender possibly be conducted by the Constitution Judges then voted on, amended , and voted on untill a solution emerges ? after all they ARE the Gardians of the Constitution.............

The problem is that the actual government and the ruling political part do not recognize the authority of the Constitution Court!!!

well most people have some sympathy for that stance as many of the higher legal network are a part of the old amart so that is NOT the solution as Parliament should be the place to debate those issue as they are ELECTED not appointed

How do you know what most people have sympathy towards? Have you carried out some research to support this assertion?

Or do you just assume most people would agree with your particular view?

yes of course!!! it's called an ELECTION you know what that is right? you know Dems were beaten last 9 ELECTIONS (wow back to that word again)?

[rubl]

"without clear reform plan, suspending poll would be futile"

Maybe

"without starting on a reform plan, having the poll would be futile'?