Cheaters and corrupt politicians may be banned from Thai politics for life

[webfact]

Cheaters and corrupt politicians may be banned from politics for life



BANGKOK: -- Election cheaters and corrupt politicians risk being banned from politics for life under a provision in the Provisional Constitution, warned Professor Bovornsak Uwanno, secretary-general of King Prajadhipok’s Institute, at a seminar on Thailand’s reform held on Thursday.

Unlike previous charters which, among others, focused on corruption in government bureaucracy, he said that the current interim charter set out to deal with corruption in the private sector too.

The interim charter also sought to prevent an individual or a group of people from dominating the entire MPs of a party to the extent that they cannot think by themselves but have to be submissive to their boss, said Bovornsak.

Framers of the interim charter knew that national reform could not be accomplished within a year and hence the new charter which is to be drafted by a panel must carry a clause to make national reform an ongoing process, he added.

(pic : file photo)

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/cheaters-corrupt-politicians-may-banned-politics-life/

[thaipbs]2014-07-25[/thaipbs]

[terryp]

about time ..include their family members too

[shirtless]

also take away their pensions.

[clockman]

It is going to be hard to find any candidates!

[ramrod711]

The interim charter also sought to prevent an individual or a group of people from dominating the entire MPs of a party to the extent that they cannot think by themselves but have to be submissive to their boss, said Bovornsak.

 

I wonder who they might be thinking of?

[djjamie]

The interim charter also sought to prevent an individual or a group of people from dominating the entire MPs of a party to the extent that they cannot think by themselves but have to be submissive to their boss, said Bovornsak.

 

One would be forgiven for thinking that the deformed cousin of the Worachai bill that was swept through parliament with a vote of 307 - 0 when the majority of Thai's did not want it, but one man did is stroll fresh on Bovornsak's mind. He knows it is not democracy when the voice of the people is not reflected in parliament by the peoples elected officials who were elected to represent them in parliament. Those elected officials represented one man. One unelected, accused mass murderer, accused terrorist and convicted criminal fugitive. That is called a dictatorship. 

 

Lets hope this initiative becomes law. It will a sure fire way to legally and quickly remove the PTP from the political landscape because as long as night follows day committing election fraud and being corrupt is part of their fabric and it won't change under strict new laws. 

 

In mature democracies with an educated voter base these parties that are hinted to be involved in these anti democratic actions are usually voted out. Because they were not here it highlights that education is paramount to Thailand's democracy as well. 

[noitom]

They will have to look outside Thailand to find honest untainted personnel.

[ChrisY1]

Being elected nowadays will not be a winning lotto ticket any longer....plus they may actually have to do some work.....

It's a good move that should weed out the older ex members and put them out to pasture...(in the desert preferably).., and hopefully it's an opportunity to get some new, younger, fresh politicians into the system....

[CWMcMurray]

It is going to be hard to find any candidates!

Don't think that will be a problem...

If all the corrupt dont want to run for office anymore, that would perhaps make the honest folks more likely to be willing to run

I know some one who was offered a position of one if the appointed Senators, but they turned it down...

As under the previous system, they were concerned there may be pressure to be corrupt or to make enemies that could effect their family and business

Given this, they decided that there were other avenues they could pursue to give back and help society

Which is understandable but still a shame, as this is likely the type of person who would make a great Senator

Wonder how many other genuinely good and decent Thai people are scared off from getting involved in politics


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[LuckyLew]

Should be no ifs ands or buts, cheaters should be banned for life

Problem is as we have seen, they just someone to stand in their place and call the shots from wherever they flee to

Thailand still has a long way to go ...

[IamNoone88]

No prison term? Just a ban....... its about some hefty sentences were applied.

[bobmac10]

So, who gets to say who's corrupt and who isn't?

Oh wait.... let me see.

it wouldn't happen to be a military nominated anti-graft committee would it?

Gee, what a good idea.

A sure fire way to ensure the military/elite/royalists finally get to cement their puppets into power.

Now no need to have elections, the Democrats will be in power for the next 50 years.

[harrry]

I would completely agree with all political parties being disbanded and made to register as new parties after a suitable waiting period.  I think under the circumstances we have had it is also reasonable that all past ministers at least be not permitted to contest for 5 years.  This may put some new blood in the party but still enables competent people to contribute later if the people do want them.

[Horton Jones]

"'The interim charter also sought to prevent an individual or a group of people from dominating the entire MPs of a party to the extent that they cannot think by themselves but have to be submissive to their boss,' said Bovornsak."

 

 

I've lived in Thailand four years now and was told of this "block voting" mentality in year one. Haven't heard much about it since. A knowledgable Thai explained to me that "Thai democracy not like western democracy, MP's and other elected officials are all under some kind of boss, puyai, and will be told how to vote, or at a local level, what decisions to make." There is a "trickle down" of power of Puyai's from BKK, and an elite that have run this country for years. My own thoughts: Thaksin was OUTSIDE this system and this is the reason he and others are so vilified; it's not really the "business corruption."  Well, even though it may just be rhetoric, it's nice to see the above quote on here as they (supposedly) deal with "corruption" of all sorts. Did I say "all sorts"? Surely it shall be so?!  (I will leave the quote about "cannot think for themselves" alone for the present.)

[cooked]

So how much will they have to pay to get unbanned (sorry, maybe I've been here too long).

[smedly]

about time ..include their family members too

 

 

been saying it for years and IMO is a major contributor to Thailands constant problems with Democracy, the recycle of already well seasoned corrupt officials and MP's every 5 years maintains the criminality in  office

 

Dump the immunity protection also, it is ridiculous that the very people that are supposed to make and enforce laws are protected from prosecution while in office, if anything they should be made examples of and receive stiffer penalties

 

This nonsense about being moved to inactive posts needs serious attention also

 

No more hiding places for these criminals - lock them up and expediate the process

 

and finally dump the stupid defamation law which will go a long way to help expose people suspected of law breaking, it will open a door to proper investigative journalism allowing people to come forward and expose possible wrong doings and corruption in government and public office

[rethaier]

If it weren't for the caveat "may" I'd say this is a step in the right direction.

[playbgnow]

Maybe we have seen the last of Suthep and the Thaksins

[janpharma]

....Whoops!...no more politicians in T'land...

[WitawatWatawit]

This could be taken a little further with a "guilt by association" clause, and thereby strengthen the punitive effects. Someone who is banned under this law should also be forbidden from any contact or association with any registered member of any political party. That would go a long way to curbing backroom dealings (heavy punishment for the registered members) and stopping popular pollies from "accidentally" getting involved in such things as publicity generating events. Also, a pollie banned for life should be required to submit financial statements to the authorities for 10 years (failure to do so would bring a non-suspendable 6 months prison sentence and minimum fine of 50% of his/her assets).

I also hope there are no more educational restrictions on taking a seat - how odious that rule is.

[BillyBobThai]

Such as it should be.  After they finish their prison sentence, they will be excluded for life.

[thailand49]

Another smoke and mirror response to a issue to make the Thais, foreigners and tourist feel better if something is really seriously being done?

 

If they were to actually do it who would be left to represent the country?  I say represent not actually run the country because it seems the country can run by itself or at least by the corrupt Army leaders and police?

 

In articles just last year polls show that it was acceptable to people in this country for corruption to exist?  In another interview with government official they felt lying a little was o.k. as long as it provide calm to the country people?  They lied about the economy, they lied about the rise and fall of the baht, they lied about the rice scheme, they lied about the tourist are coming back and they will meet their target. This is all normal to them and after a while it is normal to me too as long as the baht gets weaker so I can continue to just have fun?

Edited July 25, 2014 by thailand49

[wilcopops]

 

Hmmmmmm....as corruptption is endemic in Thai politics and the judiciary one wonders how they will be sorted out.

However if it is just an exercise to clear out opponents of the current regime, then the process should be a lot easier.

[kamahele]

So, this would mean all current politicians will be banned for life...

[recycler]

This only applies to politicians of the wrong party!

[Larry001]

Been nothing but positive talk and action since the coup. But, this is possibly the best news yet. Lets hope action follows all the talk. Realistically corruption will never be eliminated. But if reduced by 50% then it can only be positive. Heavy punishment for corruption will help towards this aim

[larsjohnsson]

This only applies to politicians of the wrong party!

Very true. That's the purpose of it

[larsjohnsson]

And they have also their new law, saying that the junta and general can't be charged for anything they did at the cup. Or things they do after the coup ;)

[Emster23]

Banned for life or until the next coup, whichever comes first..... I see new category for work permits: honest (somewhat) politician. Thailand seems to be sorely lacking and will be forced to look elsewhere.

[phantomfiddler]

And about time too :)