Public interest comes first, says NLA chairman Pornpetch

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Politics
Public interest comes first, says NLA chairman Pornpetch
KHANITTHA THEPPHAJORN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- National Legislative Assembly (NLA) chairman Pornpetch Wichitcholchai has vowed the NLA will uphold the public's interest in its mission to reform the country's legislative branch, even though the people had not directly elected the assembly.

I will do my best to protect the public interest since the NLA was not elected by the people. We will pass the laws that ensure the highest public interests,'' he said.His promise comes after wearing the NLA chairman's hat for two weeks.

Pornpetch may not yet be entirely comfortable in the role of House chairman, but he has had experience in the field already - as House committee member scrutinising bills and debating legal disputes.

Colleagues said it was not surprising the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) picked him as the link between the junta and the House.

Pornpetch has rejected public concern the NLA might write laws in favour of the NCPO in return for their appointments. He explained the NCPO's second stage of reform was to administer the country under the rule of law, even though such a ruling system would not be seen by critics as a full democracy.

"The NCPO has ordered the NLA to pass laws that uphold justice and the rule of law,'' Pornpetch said.

From the moment of being appointed as head of the legislative branch to push forward the reform mission, Pornpetch has been under the watchful eye of the community and the media, since Prime Minister and NCPO chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha declared the reform as the number one task he aims to accomplish.

Pornpetch has established a committee on NLA affairs - or a whip committee - to work in parallel with the National Reform Council in driving the reform mission.

He said the NLA would adhere to the principles of the rule of law and a check mechanism in drafting legislation to uphold public interest and prevent human rights violations.

He admitted that at this stage people were not allowed to directly propose any legislation - but they were allowed to present opinions on any laws through the NRC or NLA. More than 25 people were entitled to do so in accordance with the interim charter.

Pornpetch expressed confidence the NLA would build a sound foundation for lawmakers to pass laws in the highest interest of the people at large and not in favour of any particular groups.

The laws he has been personally inspired to write so far promote the country's democracy to become strong and sustainable, Pornpetch said.

"One thing everyone must realise is that there is not a ready-made legal formula to achieve a certain objective. We always need a set of comprehensive measures to fulfil any goal. For instance, we cannot force people to be moral and honest. We cannot write laws that make everyone richer - but at least we can create laws that help ensure equality,'' he said.

He said the NLA had already drawn up the Charter Drafting Committee selection process by assigning the NLA whips to select the charter drafting committee members on a voluntary basis.

Members do not need to have had experience in drafting the charter, but they must not have interests that conflict with their drafting duties.

He said the country's new charter would uphold main principles of the 1997 Constitution and the 2007 Constitution - like basic human rights, public participation, check mechanisms, empowerment of civic groups with rights in Parliament, suitable roles of the government, judges and law makers and the electoral system.

He insisted the NCPO did not determine what the country's next constitution should be. The junta would give the Charter Drafting Committee a free hand to write a charter that best suited the country, he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Public-interest-comes-first-says-NLA-chairman-Porn-30242223.html


-- The Nation 2014-09-01

[thhMan]

So far, I have read many positive things and I hope more positive action continues, to bring Thailand into line with the rest of the world... There is no reason Thailand cant get rid of the filth thats infested the Government and its sectors and citizens

When the military does step down and let the People vote... will it go back to the garbage it was ?

[worgeordie]

All this change will be for naught,as soon as the Politicians get back in power,

changing laws that prevent them from getting their snouts back into the trough,

they must be very embarrassed (but wont be) to see how well the Country is

now been run, laws will hopefully be passed,that they would never do,as it would

either hurt them in the pocket,or curb the corruption,nepotism,and greed they

thrive on,at last it looks like the status quo will change to the better,hopefully.

regards Worgeordie

[soalbundy]

So far, I have read many positive things and I hope more positive action continues, to bring Thailand into line with the rest of the world... There is no reason Thailand cant get rid of the filth thats infested the Government and its sectors and citizens

When the military does step down and let the People vote... will it go back to the garbage it was ?

yes

[tbthailand]

""The NCPO has ordered the NLA to pass laws that uphold justice and the rule of law,'' Pornpetch said."

in the true spirit of a military junta