NLA session ran like well-oiled Army machine

[webfact]

NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
NLA session ran like well-oiled Army machine
Praphan Jindalertudomdee
The Nation


Junta chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, standing, reads a statement at yesterday

BANGKOK: -- Yesterday was an unusually quiet day at Parliament despite the National Legislative Assembly deliberating the 2015 budget bill.

It was the first time a budget bill had been proposed to Parliament by a junta chief due to the absence of a prime minister.

Before the meeting started, political observers wondered what National Council for Peace and Order chief Prayuth Chan-ocha and his subordinate would wear.

Instead of his usual Army uniform, Prayuth wore a dark suit - the first time he has appeared in public out of uniform since the military seized power on May 22. The other NCPO members also wore suits.

They may be aware that wearing uniforms wouldn't go well in Parliament.

Everything outside and inside the chamber seemed in order.

Unlike normal parliamentary sessions, the NLA and ruling junta members did not have many accompanying aides or guards. There were no traffic or parking problems.

Reporters were banned from entering the usual areas where interviews with politicians took place. Instead, a podium was set up for NLA members in a hall on the first floor and they were interviewed there.

The members were punctual, arriving at Parliament by 10am as scheduled. Seventeen of them were asked to debate the budget bill and were each given 10 minutes to do so. No military officer was part of the debate.

The meeting functioned as if it were being regulated according to Army regulations. There were no protests from NLA members and no one chatted on a mobile phone, texted, or spoke to a colleague.

They listened attentively to the junta chief while he was proposing the bill.

During his speech, Prayuth appeared like a teacher giving a lecture to students.

"Thai people are capable. Many of them are nearly clever but others are not so smart. We need to help each other," he said. "Does anyone have any problems? Does anyone disapprove [of the bill]?"

The members then voted unanimously to approve it.

Although Prayuth looked very serious, he was not without a sense of humour.

He apologised to the members for speaking loudly, joking that he felt anxious and had had a stomach ache since the morning.

When Prayuth, who is expected to be elected prime minister by the NLA on Thursday, talked about that position he joked: "Don't be worried who will become PM. You [the NLA] have to scrutinise the PM to make sure that he will perform well.

"Or will anyone here apply for the post? You can do it now."

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/NLA-session-ran-like-well-oiled-Army-machine-30241214.html


-- The Nation 2014-08-19

[NongKhaiKid]

What else could have happened ?

[chainarong]

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

What else could have happened ?

Err run out of Oil -----Maybe

[NongKhaiKid]

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

What else could have happened ?

Err run out of Oil -----Maybe

Not with all that's available from the slicked down hair.

[Suriya4]

Not unlike a typical north Korea or burmese parliament in session.

[ChrisY1]

The military...... in suits and ties........

[Roadman]

haha ...love it...past thai politicians can suck on that...

[Cake Monster]

A well oiled "Army Machine" is exactly what it was.

[phutoie2]

A well oiled "Army Machine" is exactly what it was.

Having worked with the Thai Armed Forces, "well oiled" is not a term that readily springs to mind.

[Baerboxer]

Not unlike a typical north Korea or burmese parliament in session.

How do you know?

[nidieunimaitre]

Not unlike a typical north Korea or burmese parliament in session.

How do you know?

"unanimously" gave it away.

[klauskunkel]

it was also reported that no one fell asleep during the session, went to the bathroom for a quick snort, played Chicken Run on their mobile, updated their Facebook page with their umpteenth selfie, ate som tam or durian, gratified themselves with a look at certain websites, did not call each other names or threaten to scratch eyes out. All in all very quiet, but no entertainment value...

[Thanet]

Why are they wearing suits and pretending to be civilians?

[nidieunimaitre]

it was also reported that no one fell asleep during the session, went to the bathroom for a quick snort, played Chicken Run on their mobile, updated their Facebook page with their umpteenth selfie, ate som tam or durian, gratified themselves with a look at certain websites, did not call each other names or threaten to scratch eyes out. All in all very quiet, but no entertainment value...

It was also also reported that no one did any critical thinking.

Good to see that this age old Thai parliamentary tradition is respected, regardless of who buys or appoints parliamentarians.

Do as you are told by the current man in charge is part of Thainess.

Critical thinking is an outlandish concept.

[Eric Loh]

Not a bad job just sitting down and pushing the yes button. Taxpayer money at stake but no one complaining.

[dominique355]

Why are they wearing suits and pretending to be civilians?

To give an illusion of democracy where usually there is something called "Separation of Power". One cannot be in the Legislative and in the Executive (e.g. government or army) at the same time. But that's only for a democracy, so no bother for Thailand.

[Thanet]

Why are they wearing suits and pretending to be civilians?

To give an illusion of democracy where usually there is something called "Separation of Power". One cannot be in the Legislative and in the Executive (e.g. government or army) at the same time. But that's only for a democracy, so no bother for Thailand.

Ah, got it.

Military uniform on = dictatorship mode

Business suits on = democracy mode

[ratcatcher]

Not unlike a typical north Korea or burmese parliament in session.

Some might think you don't have a clue.

Myanmar Parliament. Colorful North Korea Parliament. Pretty soldiers.

[Benmart]

Glad to hear and see it.

Regardless of what happened, what was worn or what was said, the nattering nabobs of negativism would criticize the affair.

My thanks to Agnew for the NN of N passage.

[Local Drunk]

Why are they wearing suits and pretending to be civilians?

To give an illusion of democracy where usually there is something called "Separation of Power". One cannot be in the Legislative and in the Executive (e.g. government or army) at the same time. But that's only for a democracy, so no bother for Thailand.

Ah, got it.

Military uniform on = dictatorship mode

Business suits on = democracy mode

Since when do business suits equate democracy? Then again, you would probably say that Yingluck's handbags, Tarit's warrants, Charlem's wine cellar, Surapong's tiger sales, the rice scheme and just about ever breath that the Mastermind ever took etc.. ad nauesam ad infinitum does. . Democracy in Thailand can only ever equated to one word: corruption.

Perhaps you're ok with that?

[ginjag]

Why are they wearing suits and pretending to be civilians?

Yingluck was Minister of Defense and wore Burberry-Chanel etc

[smutcakes]

Why are they wearing suits and pretending to be civilians?

Yingluck was Minister of Defense and wore Burberry-Chanel etc

Yes because Bob Crow wore Primark. Your absence has been noticeable today, but expected.

[dukebowling]

Dictatorships are extremely efficient.

Democracy is not meant to be efficient, it's meant to be fair.

[ginjag]

Why are they wearing suits and pretending to be civilians?

Yingluck was Minister of Defense and wore Burberry-Chanel etc

Yes because Bob Crow wore Primark. Your absence has been noticeable today, but expected.

Not absent, Maybe if some of the splinter group members have a look at some non political topics instead of homing in on these ones, you may find I do not, like some, confine myself to anti army topics.

Thanks for being interested and searching for my posts.

Edited August 19, 2014 by ginjag

[ratcatcher]

Dictatorships are extremely efficient.

Democracy is not meant to be efficient, it's meant to be fair.

Democracy is meant to be fair. Yes, indeed. The trouble was under Thaksin's guidance it was 70% for him and his and 30% for the peasants and proles.

[dukebowling]

Dictatorships are extremely efficient.

Democracy is not meant to be efficient, it's meant to be fair.

Democracy is meant to be fair. Yes, indeed. The trouble was under Thaksin's guidance it was 70% for him and his and 30% for the peasants and proles.

Any examples with factual content?

Edited August 19, 2014 by dukebowling

[dominique355]

Why are they wearing suits and pretending to be civilians?

To give an illusion of democracy where usually there is something called "Separation of Power". One cannot be in the Legislative and in the Executive (e.g. government or army) at the same time. But that's only for a democracy, so no bother for Thailand.

Ah, got it.

Military uniform on = dictatorship mode

Business suits on = democracy mode

Since when do business suits equate democracy? Then again, you would probably say that Yingluck's handbags, Tarit's warrants, Charlem's wine cellar, Surapong's tiger sales, the rice scheme and just about ever breath that the Mastermind ever took etc.. ad nauesam ad infinitum does. . Democracy in Thailand can only ever equated to one word: corruption.

Perhaps you're ok with that?

Actually I thought for a moment all these huge billboards promising "true democracy and happiness" really could be taken literally. Sorry, my mistake.