POLITICS
Group comes up with plan for interim govt leader
The Nation


Surichai

Academics call on both sides to agree upon impartial leader during 'reforms'

BANGKOK: -- A group of academics and peace advocates yesterday urged rival political camps to forget about appointing a "neutral" prime minister through Article 7 of the Constitution and jointly select an interim non-partisan deputy PM to act as head of government temporarily so that the country can move forward with reform and a general election.

The group includes Surichai Wungaeo and Chantana Banpasirichote, Chulalongkorn University political scientists; Chaiwat Satha-Anand, founder and director of the Peace Information Centre at Thammasat University; and General Ekkachai Srivilas, director of the Office of Peace and Governance at King Prajadhipok's Institute.

For sustainable democracy and a victory for all Thais, both sides should establish a common ground and step over conflicts that could plunge the country into civil strife, the group said.

Both movements should agree upon three objectives - seek a way out of the stalemate that stays within the scope of the charter, find a "non-partisan" person who can manage the country at this critical juncture, and draft a pact to ensure that all sides will join forces to "reform" the country.

Then both camps should agree not to take recourse to Article 7 to get a non-partisan prime minister, because critics harbour doubts that this would be legitimate.

Under the group's proposal, both the pro- and anti-government camps would agree on putting in place a "non-partisan" PM who does not have the full authority normally held by a sitting prime minister. Both then should agree on coming up with clear reform proposals that will be legally binding on the next government. The reform proposals must be drafted before the general election is held.

Both political camps must decide how they would select such a non-partisan leader. Once they come up with a candidate, the present acting prime minister would nominate him as a deputy PM for royal endorsement.

The caretaker Cabinet then must resolve to have that deputy PM serve as acting PM, replacing the current one.

The Pheu Thai Party, Democrat Party, United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship and People's Democratic Reform Committee would nominate three candidates each, who have demonstrated that they are "neutral" in behaviour and actions, possess a clean track record and are widely accepted as having the ability to manage a crisis.

The non-partisan acting PM would then appoint a non-partisan minister to coordinate reform efforts. Not more than 35 ministers would be appointed by the opposition or neutral bodies to resolve the political crisis.

Reform proposals would be submitted to the Election Commission, which would hold an election and a referendum on the same day to save costs and time. The referendum results would be legally binding on the next government.

Both camps should sign an agreement that whoever wins the next election will be in power for one year and the House of Representatives will be dissolved and a snap election called again.


-- The Nation 2014-05-14

jointly select an interim non-partisan deputy PM

Suthep will never agree to this as it has to be 100% his way and only people who support him will be considered.

nothing is going to change here, the corrupt parasites are getting itchy because their money stream has been reduced for almost 6 months.....this will all be over soon for this one reason only........then watch the looting it will be massive

Suthep is the interim govt leader. No need to waste time and money on the western style election. Do it the Thai way.

jointly select an interim non-partisan deputy PM

Suthep will never agree to this as it has to be 100% his way and only people who support him will be considered.

Unfortunately, the other side is exactly the same. And that's the problem. Neither side will give even an inch.

And then, and then, and then ---Along came Jones, smooth talking Jones.

jointly select an interim non-partisan deputy PM

Suthep will never agree to this as it has to be 100% his way and only people who support him will be considered.

You seem to have a lot of your personal bubbles being popped these days

Suthep is noting more than a figurehead for the Thai people who protest with him

So what Suthep wants is only in his mind

My thai wife and friends where part of the protest

Ant they think this idea is great

If Suthep tried to stop it they would protest against Suthep

The stalemate will continue. The matter will be decided in the courts.

Quite a few of the YL-government will face criminal charges. They will not agree unless they are freed from prosecution (a new "small" amnesty bill).

Suthep will not want to comprimise. So it will still be that "judicial" coup.

Sounds like a great idea and one that the majority of thais would support - if all parties would go along with it.

My opinion. The vast majority of the Thai people just want the country to move forward. Probably the majority also wants reforms and also want elections.

Maybe combine this with Abhisit's proposal of having a referendum on the reform proposal, electing a government to implement the reforms. If the parties could agree on an interim caretaker government to setup the reform referendum,...

However, I doubt very much that the PTP/UDD/Red Shirts or PDRC will compromise their positions.

What's wrong with elections? The main problem in Thailand in the inability of those in the minority on election day to accept they must accept the will of the majority.

Sounds fine, but the selection process is wrong. In such stalemate situations, each party should get to pick which members of the opposite party they are happy to deal with. This stops all the post-selection bickering and hatred. It's simple mathematics of game theory.

One amusing alternative is for Thailand to go down the route of how the Venetian Doge was elected.

For a quick version look here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doge_of_Venice#Selection_of_the_Doge.

For a full paper, from HP Labs, on voting theory of the 1268 protocol used up to 1797, and a simplified version of the same protocol: http://www.hpl.hp.com/techreports/2007/HPL-2007-28R1.pdf

Another alternative is to keep waving those flags.

Discussed over bowls of SomTum.......

What's wrong with elections? The main problem in Thailand in the inability of those in the minority on election day to accept they must accept the will of the majority.

May I ask you two simple questions ?

1 Do you believe the country need Reforms ? Yes/No

2 Do you believe both major parties have their own agenda ? Yes/No

If you have answered Yes to both questions you have answered your own question of "what's wrong with elections?"

These suggestions, although well intended are DOA and nobody will agree to them. The PTP was elected by an overwhelming majority of the Thai people and why should they now walk away from running the gov't? I certainly would not, and there might be legal charges brought against anyone walking away from a caretaker gov't. such as the reason why Yingluck would not resign but is probably now celebrating she does not have to put up with this s***t anymore.

This sounds like a really workable plan. Because it would involve all the parties in the conflict - Pheu Thai, the UDD, the Democratic party, and the PDRC. It includes all of them. They would all have a say. Reforms would be part of the arrangement. An election would be held ( for those who ask - why not elections ? ) simultaneously with a referendum and the administration would be bound by those reforms if they passed. And the administration would last one year before another election ( so for those who ask - why not elections - get to have two elections. And a referendum ! ) For those Pheu Thai supporters to say - as their first line of argument, no less - that Suthep would never agree to it, is rather fascinating. The truth of the matter is - Thaksin wouldn't agree to it. But it would be surprising if Suthep didn't. This path gets to reforms. And that's what he wants. This plan is actually much bolder than Abhisit's plan. And again - it involves all the parties. No one gets left out. Not one. It's very, very good, and the best set of ideas in some time.

What's wrong with elections? The main problem in Thailand in the inability of those in the minority on election day to accept they must accept the will of the majority.

May I ask you two simple questions ?

1 Do you believe the country need Reforms ? Yes/No

2 Do you believe both major parties have their own agenda ? Yes/No

If you have answered Yes to both questions you have answered your own question of "what's wrong with elections?"

Answer to question one: Once someone is able to tell me what is his/her/their plans for reform, I will be able to provide you with an opinion.

Answer to question two: Each party in a multiparty democracy should have their own platform and agenda. That is what defines the party. Agendas are not inherently evil.

I only answered one question 'yes'. Are elections ok, now?

Ah, the continual choir of reform with no 'concrete' proposals. There are two basic issues: 1) What exactly are the proposals for reform? and 2) Are the reforms compatible with the existing Constitutional framework?

I'm sure that the MPs and Senators who voted for the Constitutional amendment to return to an elected Senate as was in place in the 1997 Constitution thought they were supporting needed reform. What was their reward? They are now facing removal from office because their vote was regarded an abuse of power. 'Reform' will be always defined in terms of whose ox is being gored. In the present situation, the CC judges are the biggest oxen in the room.

jointly select an interim non-partisan deputy PM

Suthep will never agree to this as it has to be 100% his way and only people who support him will be considered.

Unfortunately, the other side is exactly the same. And that's the problem. Neither side will give even an inch.

The difference being, one constantly gets a majority mandate from the people.

jointly select an interim non-partisan deputy PM

Suthep will never agree to this as it has to be 100% his way and only people who support him will be considered.

You seem to have a lot of your personal bubbles being popped these days

Suthep is noting more than a figurehead for the Thai people who protest with him

So what Suthep wants is only in his mind

My thai wife and friends where part of the protest

Ant they think this idea is great

If Suthep tried to stop it they would protest against Suthep

Ahh yes, constitutional scholars I am sure they all are !!

The minority in Thailand simply refuses to allow the majority party to govern.. I dont like the majority, but I see that they need to be allowed to fail, at which point they will lose their majority. The swings of democracy.

Tezza where is this majority you keep talking and referring to?

Who is providing this sources of information without a ballot to know for sure?

Tezza where is this majority you keep talking and referring to?

Who is providing this sources of information without a ballot to know for sure?

If you bothered to read - and understand - what he said, there was no mention of any majority.

The problem is that there is an impasse between two sets of political groupings and anyone who dares to suggest a possible solution is shot down in flames, usually by the 'elections, elections,elections' mantra supporters who don't understand that democracy does not equate to an election.

Only when both sides are prepared to give some leeway will this problem be resolved. Touting one side's position is really only unhelpful rhetoric.

What's wrong with elections? The main problem in Thailand in the inability of those in the minority on election day to accept they must accept the will of the majority.

Because some on the other side, consider it to be dictatorship by the majority

These suggestions, although well intended are DOA and nobody will agree to them. The PTP was elected by an overwhelming majority of the Thai people and why should they now walk away from running the gov't? I certainly would not, and there might be legal charges brought against anyone walking away from a caretaker gov't. such as the reason why Yingluck would not resign but is probably now celebrating she does not have to put up with this s***t anymore.

"The PTP was elected by an overwhelming majority of the Thai people...."

Is that so?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_general_election,_2011

They got more votes than any other single party that makes them winners in any other country or vote!!!

I hear Tony Blair is available.At an exhorbitant price of course.

They got more votes than any other single party that makes them winners in any other country or vote!!!

No it doesn't. Leaving aside the vexed question of how they obtained their 'overwhelming majority', Al Gore got more votes than dubya but was cheated out of power.

jointly select an interim non-partisan deputy PM

Suthep will never agree to this as it has to be 100% his way and only people who support him will be considered.

You seem to have a lot of your personal bubbles being popped these days

Suthep is noting more than a figurehead for the Thai people who protest with him

So what Suthep wants is only in his mind

My thai wife and friends where part of the protest

Ant they think this idea is great

If Suthep tried to stop it they would protest against Suthep

Ahh yes, constitutional scholars I am sure they all are !!

The minority in Thailand simply refuses to allow the majority party to govern.. I dont like the majority, but I see that they need to be allowed to fail, at which point they will lose their majority. The swings of democracy.

... this seems to be the general feeling of the anti gov, but this is obviously not the feelings of the other side.

There is no 'neutral' between elected and appointed, anyone who would accept such a position is inherently biased against democracy. This is the same crap abhist put forward and described it as a 'peace' plan. These people are no 'peace activists', what are they, peaceful fascists?

same 2 option still exist, democracy or dictatorship;

if thailand is a democracy election will go forward, The Thai people will be asked you they want running their country; Yingluck and her group, or whoever is running against her, they will likly choose yingluck or whoever is the next option maybe Chuvit?! if they hate her so much she will not win.

If it's a dictatorship these idiot brownshirts are allowed to take over the government even though most of the Thai population hates them, or dislikes them.. and no elections don't lie. They will have no mandate, the military and police will not keep order for a dictator when he is inevitably placed under siege by pro democracy activists. at best the dictatorship option is instant civil war.

jointly select an interim non-partisan deputy PM

Suthep will never agree to this as it has to be 100% his way and only people who support him will be considered.

You seem to have a lot of your personal bubbles being popped these days

Suthep is noting more than a figurehead for the Thai people who protest with him

So what Suthep wants is only in his mind

My thai wife and friends where part of the protest

Ant they think this idea is great

If Suthep tried to stop it they would protest against Suthep

I don't think so, I think it is more of a personal opinion which everyone is allowed. The problem here is myself against your wife and her friends.

Every single post you make is "My wife and her friends"

Mate no offence intended but I would like to hear your personal opinion on subjects whilst not having your wife and her friends standing over you whilst you type in favour of the PDRC.

You seem like a guy that asks permission to take a crap. a guy that is totally dictated when he can drink water. when he can walk and even more so what he can say.

Forget the power of your wife and her friends that are controlling your life and break out and grow a pair of balls and have your own say.

Don't be scared of them you are a man and if she dumps you for having a voice and being strong and not a coward then so be it. Many more Thai women will respect you.

I am with you my friend, just man up

If they're really stuck for a non partisan PM I'm free for a few weeks before I head back to Blighty for some R and R.

And I promise I will treat both sides of the political divide with equal contempt.