NCPO grabs local admin powers
The Nation

Appointed representatives to fill vacancies in local bodies; bureaucrats to get preference

BANGKOK: -- The ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has made another major move to tighten control on the political base of parties by suspending elections to local administrative bodies and replacing them with appointed representatives. The move is seen as an attempt to curb the influence of political parties over grass-roots people.

NCPO announcements late on Tuesday said no local elections would be held until further notice even when political posts become vacant. The junta has now decided to fill vacant seats by a process of selection and will require that at least two-thirds of local council members be either current or former senior bureaucrats.

However, Chulalongkorn University's lecturer Trakul Meechai said getting bureaucrats to run local administration and councils is equivalent to destroying the system of de-centralisation, which has been established since 1997. The 2006 coup did not make any changes to the local administration structure, he pointed out, adding that this move was weakening the foundations of democracy at the local level.

"Hopefully, the order will be lifted when the country has a provisional charter," he said.


These rules also apply to the Bangkok Council, 61 members of which will be completing their term next month. If more than half of a local council's elected posts become vacant, the remaining members are required to step down to pave the way for appointed councillors.

Election Commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn said he believes the NCPO has put off the elections to deal with the country's current situation. "If elections are held, political rallies and activities will automatically resume, with some political groups trying to seize local political power," he said yesterday.

Thailand had been struggling with political turmoil for several years until the NCPO intervened. After staging a coup on May 22, the junta has vowed to end the political crisis and "return happiness to Thais".

Somchai said the NCPO had reserved many seats in local administrative bodies for bureaucrats, both former and current, possibly because it believes these officials have solid knowledge and abilities judging from their high rank. For the Bangkok Council, two-thirds of its members must hold or have held a C10-level post or above. For other local administrative councils, two-thirds of members must hold or have held a C8-level post or above.

Provincial governors will preside over selection committees.

Local administrative bodies and councils are widely known as the support base of all political parties, as local politicians use these bodies as a ladder to enter the national assembly.

Somchai said it would not be tough to fill the local administrative bodies with high-ranking government officials, but was concerned that these bureaucrats would fail to see things from the people's perspective. "They might be accustomed to the bureaucratic style," he said.

Trisit Siriwan, a Bangkok councillor whose term will expire next month, said local politicians were usually close to constituents and very likely understood people better. "So I hope appointed councillors are allowed to work for just a year or two," he said.

Thawil Praisont, a legal expert of the Democrat Party, said appointed councillors could not be considered representatives of the people. "But I understand we are now in a special situation," he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/NCPO-grabs-local-admin-powers-30238704.html

-- The Nation 2014-07-17

Well can't say that I am surprised, surprised, surprised...

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Hopefully the pest control operation will continue. removal of all of those corrupting elements connected to the last administration must be done.

However those currently in power would be wise to remember that Mr.and Mrs Somchai have realised just how powerful a mass protest movement can be in altering the country's course.

You must use those power wisely General, or you may well find yourself out of power too. .

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Well can't say that I am surprised, surprised, surprised...


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The housecleaning of the cockroaches continues - but some prefer the cockroaches, because they are THEIR cockroaches...

a page right out of fidel's playbook

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a page right out of fidel's playbook

Yawn - go play with your Thaksin love doll

Well can't say that I am surprised, surprised, surprised...

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The housecleaning of the cockroaches continues - but some prefer the cockroaches, because they are THEIR cockroaches...

Ah a man with experience in this.

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After reading the OP I am filled with an overwhelming sense of happiness and a complete absence of divisiveness..

This is what the evolving friendly socialist party in Germany did from 1936 on the conclusion of WWII.

Well can't say that I am surprised, surprised, surprised...

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The housecleaning of the cockroaches continues - but some prefer the cockroaches, because they are THEIR cockroaches...

Ah a man with experience in this.

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another cockroach lover

Be careful what you wish for.

Any attempt at moving towards a democratic Thailand is quickly being eroded.

Be interested to see what part of the happyness sector those "selected" come from.

Well can't say that I am surprised, surprised, surprised...

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The housecleaning of the cockroaches continues - but some prefer the cockroaches, because they are THEIR cockroaches...

Ah a man with experience in this.

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another cockroach lover

He probably is, yes...

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So the logic is that elected local officials can be influence and appointed can't. Well if the appointed senators are a reference to that logic, then this just a illogical move but as the Dem Thawil said "this is a special situation" and we grudgingly agree.

This is what the evolving friendly socialist party in Germany did from 1936 on the conclusion of WWII.

They fire bombed their own party headquarters, and took to the streets rallying supporters.

I don't think you can compare that to Thailand's current situation.

Its not like the hair cut Floyd would give: watch this

Everyone will end up with the same hair cut type of politics? (Just my strange sense of analogy)

This is what the evolving friendly socialist party in Germany did from 1936 on the conclusion of WWII.

They fire bombed their own party headquarters, and took to the streets rallying supporters.

I don't think you can compare that to Thailand's current situation.

The red crowd that sees the power of their beloved dictator Khun T erode does everything to discredit the junta.

It is good that these people who can influence the grass roots are removed.... let them think and vote for themselves.. Not because some boss tells them this.

without adding Taksin to the amnesty this never had happened so hubris led to his downfall, I bet he would give everything to turn back time

Its not like the hair cut Floyd would give: watch this

Everyone will end up with the same hair cut type of politics? (Just my strange sense of analogy)

But you do know what that haircut did.. it made everyone equal and brothers in the army.. that was the purpose of it. So who knows this might bring unity.

Its not like the hair cut Floyd would give: watch this

Everyone will end up with the same hair cut type of politics? (Just my strange sense of analogy)

But you do know what that haircut did.. it made everyone equal and brothers in the army.. that was the purpose of it. So who knows this might bring unity.

After a fashion...

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This is what the evolving friendly socialist party in Germany did from 1936 on the conclusion of WWII.

Might want to check your dates there.

Oh, and its not the same thing.

So if I understand this right, after the next election the different National Council for Peace and Order parties will act both as government and opposition?

Unelected, bureaucratic, centralized control down to the lowest levels of government. Has a system like that ever failed to bring happiness to the people?

Best of all, there will be no corrupt politicians because there will be no politicians. Of course bureaucrats are never corrupt.

"The move is seen as an attempt to curb the influence of political parties over grass-roots people."

This doesn't sound too bad. Actually the grass-root people should have influence over the politicians. IMHO

"The move is seen as an attempt to curb the influence of political parties over grass-roots people."

This doesn't sound too bad. Actually the grass-root people should have influence over the politicians. IMHO

I support the army 100%.

I support Thaksin 1000%.

Oops.

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a page right out of fidel's playbook

Yawn - go play with your Thaksin love doll

Victory Gin line to he left Victory cigarettes to the right. Please prepare for the 2 minute hate.

This is what the evolving friendly socialist party in Germany did from 1936 on the conclusion of WWII.

Might want to check your dates there.

Oh, and its not the same thing.

Right, at least Hitler was a socialist- for Aryans, anyway.

All I can say is GTFO now while the getting is good, going to get very nasty here The Khmer Jaune is rising..

This is what the evolving friendly socialist party in Germany did from 1936 on the conclusion of WWII.

Might want to check your dates there.

Oh, and its not the same thing.

Right, at least Hitler was a socialist- for Aryans, anyway.

All I can say is GTFO now while the getting is good, going to get very nasty here The Khmer Jaune is rising..

Yellow Khmer ? Does this mean you doubt the honesty of the Cambodians who came back to Thailand with valid papers this time ?

Anyway the topic is on Local Admin and only Thai are involved,