Thai Senate may provide breakthrough to end political impasse

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Senate may provide breakthrough to end political impasse
Supon Thanukid
Phochana Phichitsiri

BANGKOK: -- THERE are grounds to concur with the view of optimists that Thailand's six-month-long political crisis is about to unfold or is nearing the end.

First, there's the simple fact that nothing lasts forever, something that Buddhism clearly preaches. The People's Democratic Reform Committee cannot indefinitely continue their anti-government rally in the baking sun or the rain day in and day out.

The government camp, meanwhile, cannot stubbornly cling to power after suffering a series of setbacks. Its latest calamity is seeing the country's first female PM Yingluck Shinawatra being removed from her post through what government supporters claim is a "judicial coup". They said Yingluck's decision to remove National Security Council Thawil Pliensri in favour of a relative did not merit the extreme verdict that ousted the PM.

The next judicial casualty could be acting PM Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan. The Election Commission (EC) has suggested it may ask the Constitutional Court to deliver a ruling on whether the acting premier has the authority to countersign a Royal Decree to set a new date for a general election. Such an eventuality would again put the government camp on the back foot.

However, a victory for the anti-government camp is nowhere in sight either. A PDRC call for the Senate Speaker, presidents of the three top courts and the Election Commission chairman to nominate a non-partisan PM based on Article 7 of the charter has met with stony silence from top judges and others. Critics have slammed the proposal, saying it will only expose the justice institution and independent agencies to accusations of taking sides if they accept the PDRC's proposal and act beyond authority or scope of law.

With the country's economy spiralling towards recession and people nationwide suffering the consequences of the power struggle, both sides are under pressure to meet each other halfway. They know there will be no winners if there are clashes and violence because the military will be forced to stage a coup if the situation gets out of control. As Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha has put it: "Soldiers will be the people's last resort".

Calls are getting louder for someone to be a knight in shining armour who can come to the country's rescue. A chink of light in the political darkness shone when newly elected acting Senate Speaker Surachai Liengboonlertchai declared that the Senate was the only institution left that could solve political crisis.

He made the statement after 88 (of 150) members of the Senate met on Tuesday and concluded that the Upper House could play a key role in getting the country out of the political quagmire. Surachai said the Senate would prepare a "road map" in which all parties in the conflict would be given a chance to strike a compromise.\

The Senate's solution may be similar to one suggested recently by a group of academics and peace advocates. That is to appoint an interim government headed by someone with no political affiliation that is accepted by both sides. The government would stay in power temporarily to draft a reform plan, which would go to a public referendum held concurrently with the general election. The referendum result 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. After that the House of Representatives would be dissolved and a snap election called again.

This sounds like a win-win situation because the government camp can have the elections they crave for while the anti-government camp can have reforms before election, as they have long demanded.

-- The Nation 2014-05-16

[Mango Bob]

Never going to happen without an elected government by the people and for the people is in place. People have a right to elect those who will make laws and reforms for them, not someone handpicked by the elite to hold their hands and tell them what to do.

[Thailand]

The senate should tell all involved.Hold free and fair elections with all parties participating and jail those that oppose them by violence and intimidation.

Bit of a no brainer.

[millwall_fan]

The senate has a large number of unelected senators - largely from the very institutions that support Suthep - baying for an unelected PM - no knights in shining armour there.

The chance of all parties finding a 'compromise' PM, and agreeing to the type of reforms there should be, are zero anyway.

An election is the only recourse that is acceptable. Then the newly elected government with a fresh mandate from the people and enact whatever reforms are necessary. My advice would be to start with the judiciary.

Edited May 16, 2014 by millwall_fan

[jcb2001]

Never going to happen without an elected government by the people and for the people is in place. People have a right to elect those who will make laws and reforms for them, not someone handpicked by the elite to hold their hands and tell them what to do.

Not when the current care taker has totally screwed up and destroyed the country. Do you think this is the type of government that the people of Thailand wanted and voted for? So many false promises.

Edited May 16, 2014 by jcb2001

[Stradavarius37]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Never going to happen without an elected government by the people and for the people is in place. People have a right to elect those who will make laws and reforms for them, not someone handpicked by the elite to hold their hands and tell them what to do.

Not when the current care taker has totally screwed up and destroyed the country. Do you think this is the type of government that the people of Thailand wanted and voted for?

Red and Yellow make Orange - and just as smart!

Edited May 16, 2014 by Stradavarius37

[winstonc]

Never going to happen without an elected government by the people and for the people is in place. People have a right to elect those who will make laws and reforms for them, not someone handpicked by the elite to hold their hands and tell them what to do.

Not when the current care taker has totally screwed up and destroyed the country. Do you think this is the type of government that the people of Thailand wanted and voted for?

no they didnt expect to get what they have been given..even the farmers thought they were going to be paid..next week..no no sorry i meant next week..

[jonnyscot]

Maybe if public enemy number one comes back from Dubai to serve his jail him, everything else will fall into place

quote name="Thailand"

The senate should tell all involved.Hold free and fair elections with all parties participating and jail those that oppose them by violence and intimidation.

Bit of a no brainer.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[noitom]

Preposterous to contemplate that Thai politicians could reconcile this process in agreement. Everyone knows that they have self centered objectives, agendas, and constituencies who are counting on them for money grab. With no discussion of law and order , upholding it and enforcing it along with prohibiting government contracts to be signed without a due diligence check and balance, any talk of putting a band aid on the Thai cancer will fail.

[Piichai]

The chance of all parties finding a 'compromise' PM, and agreeing to the type of reforms there should be, are zero anyway.

Actually, it's a lot easier than you think!

Don't forget that PTP has chosen not to participate in the talks, so there's little chance of anyone in the committee working to derail things.

[Cnxforever]

The senate should tell all involved.Hold free and fair elections with all parties participating and jail those that oppose them by violence and intimidation.

Bit of a no brainer.

Agree - but what do you expect from a bunch of yellow appointed puppets?

Yesterday their speaker suggested that the law should not stand in their way! Bending and ignoring the law on all sides- is exactly what brought Thailand to the brink!

[espinoza]

Do you think appointed senators and side taking judges lasts for ever ? Thats the root of the problem.

Sent from my SM-N900 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[oneday]

"Critics have slammed the proposal, saying it will only expose the justice institution and independent agencies to accusations of taking sides if they accept the PDRC's proposal and act beyond authority or scope of law."

Not if they pick a truly non-partisan PM. You had the balls to kick Yinglunk out and 9 or so other MP's so now have some balls and float some non-partisan names and get the ball rolling you cowards. Get this government back on track.

Optionally, set the election date now!

Edited May 16, 2014 by oneday

[h90]

Never going to happen without an elected government by the people and for the people is in place. People have a right to elect those who will make laws and reforms for them, not someone handpicked by the elite to hold their hands and tell them what to do.

Learn some history...begin at Europe, go America and than Asia. Most of the good big changes were made by unelected governments.

[h90]

The senate should tell all involved.Hold free and fair elections with all parties participating and jail those that oppose them by violence and intimidation.

Bit of a no brainer.

Actually they are doing exactly that by appointing a reform government that changes the laws to get rid of all the vote buying and cheating and holds than free and fair elections.

Reason: just telling doesn't help.

[h90]

The senate has a large number of unelected senators - largely from the very institutions that support Suthep - baying for an unelected PM - no knights in shining armour there.

The chance of all parties finding a 'compromise' PM, and agreeing to the type of reforms there should be, are zero anyway.

An election is the only recourse that is acceptable. Then the newly elected government with a fresh mandate from the people and enact whatever reforms are necessary. My advice would be to start with the judiciary.

at elections Thaksin will buy the votes for 1000 Baht, won't let the Democrats promote themself in the east and north and run a strong control of the media.

He'll win and won't make any reforms.

But even if the Democrats win, maximum they would do are some little reforms, as they are part of the system.

[Tywais]

Accusation of paid to post and replies to it have been removed.

[bigbamboo]

Accusation of paid to post and replies to it have been removed.

I don't believe there's any truth in these rumours about people being paid to post.

Not at the money they're offering.

[billd766]

Accusation of paid to post and replies to it have been removed.

I don't believe there's any truth in these rumours about people being paid to post.

Not at the money they're offering.

I wish somebody would pay me to post.

I am bored doing it for free.

[fab4]

Never going to happen without an elected government by the people and for the people is in place. People have a right to elect those who will make laws and reforms for them, not someone handpicked by the elite to hold their hands and tell them what to do.

Not when the current care taker has totally screwed up and destroyed the country. Do you think this is the type of government that the people of Thailand wanted and voted for?

no they didnt expect to get what they have been given..even the farmers thought they were going to be paid..next week..no no sorry i meant next week..

Well you all know the answer, vote in people you do want - not that it is applicable to you in any way unless you are part of the electorate.

Edited May 16, 2014 by fab4

[Scamper]

" ... the Senate would prepare a "road map" in which all parties in the conflict would be given a chance to strike a compromise. "

This is what generally gets left under the radar. Both Phue Thai and the UDD have been invited to the talks. They refuse. The path presented here makes a lot of sense - to both Pheu Thai and to the PDRC because ...

- such a path would ensure both elections and reform - something both major parties want. This is a profoundly reasonable proposal. It satisfies both party's demands. It would end the conflict, and pave the way to an election - Pheu Thai wants that - and it would path the way to reform - the PDRC and Democratic party want that. To not even sit down and talk about it is beyond crazy and even self-destructive - especially as the alternative is a mere replication of the conditions that thwarted the February 2 election. Pheu Thai doesn't know what they have here, because of one reason and one reason only - Thaksin never ever wanted reform in the first place. And he is determined to block it at every turn. The problem with his strategy is that it just creates perpetual paralysis. Thankfully, there are enough people with minds who are interested in utilizing them. That is the hope of this.

[jennywren]

See the Senates top PDRC supporter, Paiboon was crucified in TV debate by Chewit the other night.

With the elected Senators pulling out of the Informal talks that these are, there can't be a serious chance that anybody would believe a PDRC appointee could be put forward by the rump of the senate as a Neutral PM.

Got to see them try and get anything done whatsoever other than order the army to form a protecive circle around them.

[darren84310]

The senate should tell all involved.Hold free and fair elections with all parties participating and jail those that oppose them by violence and intimidation.

Bit of a no brainer.

You're absolutely right in principle. However, the politicians here seriously lack any principles.

Free and fair elections... so no bribes for votes?

[rubl]

See the Senates top PDRC supporter, Paiboon was crucified in TV debate by Chewit the other night.

With the elected Senators pulling out of the Informal talks that these are, there can't be a serious chance that anybody would believe a PDRC appointee could be put forward by the rump of the senate as a Neutral PM.

Got to see them try and get anything done whatsoever other than order the army to form a protecive circle around them.

Must have missed the debate, any link to it?

BTW 'the elected Senators' number 76 out of a total of 150. The informal meeting had 88 senators present. A group of elected senators who stated they represent 50 of them, boycott talks.

No name for neutral PM yet. Difficult with each side objecting against the other sides proposal out of principle rather than out of objective arguments.

PS why would the army need to protect the Senate? Will some pro-Yingluck remaining government be violent? Is CAPO preparing to airdrop special forces? Now that would be something even our chief advisor Surapong would have problems with explaining to foreign envoys and diplomats in terms of democracy

Edited May 16, 2014 by rubl

[Maestro]

Removed a post that was in violation of forum rule 1 and the 11 replies to it.

[seajae]

talk about sh*t flying round the room, looks like the ptp/red supporters have really got their knickers in a twist. Thaksin can see his end is nigh and is trying to get his lackies to cause as much sh*t as possible to stop Thailand sorting out the problems (and his corrupt practices), this has nothing to do with whats good for the country its simply about whats good for thaksin so they will try everything to stop the sentate from fixing the problem and getting reforms in place that will stop all the corruption thaksin,the ptp and reds are running.

[seajae]

double post

Edited May 16, 2014 by seajae

[Kered]

The senate has a large number of unelected senators - largely from the very institutions that support Suthep - baying for an unelected PM - no knights in shining armour there.

The chance of all parties finding a 'compromise' PM, and agreeing to the type of reforms there should be, are zero anyway.

An election is the only recourse that is acceptable. Then the newly elected government with a fresh mandate from the people and enact whatever reforms are necessary. My advice would be to start with the judiciary.

Do you really think that another mandate paid for by Taksin would be good for the country? The system needs to be cleaned up first.