Thai govt may set up its own reform council

[webfact]

POLITICS
Govt may set up its own reform council
The Nation

Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra speaks to a woman in Phetchabun after she blew a whistle at her.

Rejects call for executive decree; Election Commission to draw lots for party election numbers tomorrow

BANGKOK: -- The government yesterday turned down a suggestion by seven private-sector organisations for it to issue an executive decree to allow a political-reform council to be set up - but it looks likely to form such a body itself.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) is likely to proceed with party-list candidate registration today after anti-government protesters ended their blockade of the Thai-Japanese Stadium yesterday. The EC is scheduled to draw lots for party poll numbers at the centre at 9am on Thursday.

Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana said an executive decree in the current situation would be "rather difficult". He explained that a law would not be binding on the post-election government.

He said a working group was studying the relevant laws and gathering opinions to determine whether setting up a reform council could be done by a transitional government. He added however that this matter would be not tabled for the weekly Cabinet meeting today (Dec 25).

According to a source, it is likely the government reform council will be similar to that set up after the student-led uprising on October 14, 1973, when there was no elected House of Representatives. One proposal has called for the council to have 300 members - 200 chosen from representatives of different occupations and 100 appointed from academics. The council's term would be less than two years.

PM's Office Minister Varathep Ratanakorn said he had never heard of an executive decree being issued by a caretaker government, and there was fear of possible legal action if this was done. However, he said the government would heed the proposal to set up a reform council.

Thailand Development Research Institute president Somkiat Tangkitvanich yesterday presented a six-point solution to bring the country out of the current political deadlock.

In an article obtained by the media, Somkiat suggested political reform be processed before a general election, reasoning that any government which comes to power after an election would not want to bring about reform.

"Both the government and the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) agreed that Thailand needs national reform. But both disagreed on whether the election or the reform should come first," he wrote.

"In my opinion, stances of both sides are problematic. They are rather trying to take political advantage than to join hands for real reform," Somkiat wrote, adding that Yingluck Shinawatra and Abhisit Vejjajiva governments both set up national reform bodies but none of their proposals had been implemented.

He said he backed the proposal of seven private organisations that the government immediately set up a body to manage national reforms by issuing an executive decree to create confidence that reform will proceed after the general election.

The reform committee should comprise not more than 30 members, one third nominated by the government, one third by the Democrat Party and the PDRC, and the civic group suggested one third made up of academics, businessmen and working groups such as farmers and labourers who must be accepted by both parties.

The reform committee must not be dominated by any side and must have a mechanism to accept opinions from the public.

Proposals by the reform committee must receive three fifths of total votes in order to get the government to accept any measure - to ensure proposals are acceptable to all sides.

To ensure effectiveness, the reform committee should propose not more than five major urgent reform topics believed to be at the root of political conflicts such as systems and regulations to acquire power, checks and balances, anti-corruption, populism and financial discipline, as well as justice system reforms related to political conflicts.

The committee should present reform measures with a specific timeframe for implementation, starting with simple measures and followed by more complicated moves.

If the government fails to implement reform or intentionally delays the process, the committee should propose that the government dissolves Parliament and calls a new election, he wrote.

The People's Democratic Reform Commission resolved yesterday to withdraw its supporters from the site, declaring their operation a success, in showing the movement's opposition to the February 2 general election.

The EC yesterday resolved to retain its candidate registration venue at the Thai-Japanese Stadium until Friday, EC secretary-general Puchong Nutrawong said.

He said his office had prepared seven back-up venues if they needed to shift to elsewhere. He said the drawing of lots to allocate party-list numbers would be conducted by Friday, the last day of candidate registration.

"If we can't hold the draw the EC has to consider how they will proceed," Puchong said.

Some 34 political parties were regarded as having submitted party-list applications on Monday.


-- The Nation 2013-12-25

[realfunster]

Is that what they call looking down your nose at someone ?

Edited December 24, 2013 by realfunster

[NongKhaiKid]

Why waste time and money going through the motions of a government reform council when its conclusions will be known in advance ?

[ginjag]

Is that what they call looking down your nose at someone ?

PM said "your hair colour, are you a migrant worker" ??? " Do you have papers to prove you are a qualified football referee" ???

[Valentine]

Scrutinising the law to find loopholes so as not to do anything constructive? Seems to me not that long ago they snubbed the law.

[JRSoul]

The attitude to reform and those seeking it is quite evident.

[Thailand]

Is that what they call looking down your nose at someone ?

PM said "your hair colour, are you a migrant worker" ??? " Do you have papers to prove you are a qualified football referee" ???

Pretty stupid picture to put up on a thread relating to a reform council, should be on the harassing to death, we gave up thread?

[waza]

Yingluck looks like she is picking a fight in that pic, another bad look from the PM/DM.

[JRSoul]

Pretty stupid picture to put up on a thread relating to a reform council, should be on the harassing to death, we gave up thread?

Yeah, what would a PM who claims she will set up a reform council and a pro-reform activist who quite likely doubts her sincerity/veracity have to do with it?

[Yunla]

"I accept your Breakdance Challenge!"

Downrock!

Freeze!

[Nibbles48]

Like anyone is going to accept a reform committee put together by that bunch of corrupt shysters.

What will be the first reforms of the agenda?

Exiled politicians of more than 2 years to be instantly cleared of all past crimes .... followed by all street protests to be made illegal with the maximum penalty of beheading??

This government gives a whole new meaning to the term 'control freakary'.

[tominbkk]

It means nothing as long as the govt. is serving Thaskin and Thaksin only.

"Thaksin thinks, Pheua Thai Acts"

Any reform act is a farce as long as the govt. continues serving Thaskin.

[Nibbles48]

It means nothing as long as the govt. is serving Thaskin and Thaksin only.

"Thaksin thinks, Pheua Thai Acts"

Any reform act is a farce as long as the govt. continues serving Thaskin.

And they WILL attempt to use this reform committee to exonerate Thaksin.

Nobody doubt that.

[Thai at Heart]

What a picture.

That's worth 10,000 words.

[MaxLee]

"Govt. may set up its own reform council"

Red way only all the way. You do it our way or die,

[ginjag]

What a picture.

That's worth 10,000 words.

PM........Ip yu wan fite wit me yu hab big ploblum, cos I hab many big famly people make yu go away for good. At my next erection we show yu.

[JoePai]

Is that what they call looking down your nose at someone ?

A poor little excuse for a nose

[Chupup]

I read the head line and the first thing that came to mind was " YOU MUST BE FKN JOKING"

[PeterSmiles]

Govt may set up its own reform council

Keyword being " may "

[Thait Spot]

Poor old Yingluck. Looks like someone defaecated on her Jimmy Choos

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[tomacht8]

Interesting approach.

Corrupt politicians make reforms against corruption.

Having the professionals on board is not bad, because they know how it goes.

But

50 years ago, a Safe construction company made it also like that.

The best safe crackers worked together with the safe construction designers to ensure a safe as possible to build.

Well then these safes were serially broken.

Guess who that was?

Since 50 years, this company no longer practice this system.

Since then are only system designers allowed, who have a clear honest reputation and a non-criminal history.

[Scamper]

No one - at this late hour - truly believes this administration is genuinely interested in any reform that does not serve to strengthen and consolidate its power. The plea of reform that swept Phue Thai to power in 2011 was met with a steady crescendo of attempts to bring Thaksin back, culminating with the massive political blunder of the amnesty bill. So the public already knows what " reform " means to the Pheu Thai party. And this peek-a-boo campaign from Yingluck in Isaan and in Chiang Mai, will convince no one that she - and Phue Thai - don't occupy an alternate universe. Every time she has spoken on this topic in interviews and speeches in the last two and half years, including this week - shows that she hasn't the remotest idea why people distrust this government. And that's jaw-dropping.

[webfact]

POLITICS
Caretaker PM officially proposes "Thailand Reform Council"
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Wednesday proposed setting up of "Thailand Reform Council" to reform politics after the February 2 election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/691714-caretaker-pm-yingluck-officially-proposes-thailand-reform-council/

[klauskunkel]

Govt may set up its own reform council

Now, over the years I have heard all kinds of threats issued by the various governments..., but this, this is waaaayyy over the top!

[tingtongteesood]

How in the hell could anyone trust the government to make reforms in the best interests of the country when all they have done since day 1 is serve themselves ?! Add to that that most of the government is made up of convicted criminals and fraudsters and run by proxy by a fugitive in exile - BLOODY HELL !! They would never do anything that serves the country in favour of themselves - ever !!

[haroldc]

I believe this sort of thing is referred to as "giving the fox the key to the hen house."

Here are my reform suggestions...

1. Corruption related to political office holders

• on conviction of the office holder: mandatory minimum 10 years in prison with no parole or suspension of sentence; confiscation of assets equal to 10 times the amount illegally obtained; fine of 10,000,000 baht; forfeiture of government pension rights; barred from holding political office or official position for life
• for the individuals involved in corrupting the office holder: same as above
• for the individuals responsible for exposing the corruption: 1,000,000 baht reward; 25% of all assets seized and 25% of all fines collected

2. Corruption related to civil servants

• on conviction of the official: mandatory minimum 5 years in prison with no parole or suspension of sentence; confiscation of assets equal to 5 times the amount illegally obtained, fine of 5,000,000 baht; forfeiture of government pension rights; barred from holding an official position or political office for life
• for the individuals involved in corrupting the official, same as above
• for the individuals responsible for exposing the corruption: 500,000 baht reward; 25% of all assets seized and 25% of all fines collected

3. Vote-buying

• on conviction for buying votes: mandatory minimum 5 years in prison with no parole; 5,000,000 baht fine; forfeiture of government pension rights; barred from voting for life; barred from holding political office or official position for life
• on conviction for selling votes: mandatory minimum 6 months in prison with no parole; 100,000 baht fine; barred from voting for 5 years
• for the individuals responsible for exposing the vote-buying: 100,000 baht reward; 50% of all fines collected

Just a thought.

[lostinsurin]

Like anyone is going to accept a reform committee put together by that bunch of corrupt shysters.

What will be the first reforms of the agenda?

Exiled politicians of more than 2 years to be instantly cleared of all past crimes .... followed by all street protests to be made illegal with the maximum penalty of beheading??

This government gives a whole new meaning to the term 'control freakary'.

You do realize that the questions and solutions/answers you pose are just in your head.

[dukebowling]

I believe this sort of thing is referred to as "giving the fox the key to the hen house."

Here are my reform suggestions...

• Corruption related to political office holders

• on conviction of the office holder: mandatory minimum 10 years in prison with no parole or suspension of sentence; confiscation of assets equal to 10 times the amount illegally obtained; fine of 10,000,000 baht; forfeiture of government pension rights; barred from holding political office or official position for life
• for the individuals involved in corrupting the office holder: same as above
• for the individuals responsible for exposing the corruption: 1,000,000 baht reward; 25% of all assets seized and 25% of all fines collected

2. Corruption related to civil servants

• on conviction of the official: mandatory minimum 5 years in prison with no parole or suspension of sentence; confiscation of assets equal to 5 times the amount illegally obtained, fine of 5,000,000 baht; forfeiture of government pension rights; barred from holding an official position or political office for life
• for the individuals involved in corrupting the official, same as above
• for the individuals responsible for exposing the corruption: 500,000 baht reward; 25% of all assets seized and 25% of all fines collected

3. Vote-buying

• on conviction for buying votes: mandatory minimum 5 years in prison with no parole; 5,000,000 baht fine; forfeiture of government pension rights; barred from voting for life; barred from holding political office or official position for life
• on conviction for selling votes: mandatory minimum 6 months in prison with no parole; 100,000 baht fine; barred from voting for 5 years
• for the individuals responsible for exposing the vote-buying: 100,000 baht reward; 50% of all fines collected

Just a thought.

Then you make the lynch mob the corrupt ones. They will set up anyone and everyone.

[MGP]

More details of the encouter revealed!!

[Emptyset]

What a picture.

That's worth 10,000 words.

I agree, but not in the way I think you meant it. The choice of picture says more about The Nation than Yingluck. They chose to use this picture with this story to give the impression that Yingluck was aloof and disdainful of the whistle blowers concerns. In reality, of course, it's the whisteblowers and their leaders who're disdainful of the Thai people's right to choose their government.

Anyway, watch the full video of the incident and tell me if you think the picture The Nation has used here is really representative of Yingluck's behavior towards the protester:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cItWSnMRLNQ

Edited December 25, 2013 by Emptyset