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CONSTITUTION WATCH
Transfers to be free from politics
Kris Bhromsuthi
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Panel to decide on moves, dismissals from top public posts based on 'merit system'

DRAFTERS yesterday inserted a provision in the new constitution prohibiting politicians from transferring, appointing or dismissing high-ranking public officials including permanent secretaries, with the power delegated to a Senate-appointed committee that will deliberate under a so-called merit-based system.

The committee will have to submit a list of names of people proposed for transfer, appointment or dismissal to the prime minister, and if the PM does not object, the list will be submitted for royal endorsement.

Concerns have been raised over the newly drafted article in terms if its effectiveness in solving the country's deep-rooted patronage system, where public officials in the past have fallen under the influence of politicians.

This has been the case because under the previous charters, elected representatives had the power to appoint or transfer high-ranking public officials.

As a result, only public officials who served politicians received favourable transfers or appointments.

Transferring the power from elected officials to bureaucrats has been criticised as a case of out of the frying pan, into the fire.

Although it might result in the cutting of ties between politicians and public officials, it is feared the move could worsen the patronage system in Thailand's bureaucracy.

However, Constitution Drafting Committee spokesman Kamnoon Sidhisamarn said both politicians and public officials would be regulated by the rule of law.

"If the committee violates the rule of law, it will be punished," Kamnoon said. "The problem that has occurred in recent times related to politically driven transfers and the appointment of ministries' permanent secretaries, which subsequently affected the appointments and transfers of lower-ranking public servants.

"Hence there's an urgency to change, because we believe there's still some hope in this society. Once we attempt to make the change, questions on whether charter drafters are throwing the problem out of the frying pan and into the fire may also arise. But we are aware and are careful about this."

The article states that the appointment of public officials must be based on the merit-based system, and the committee must consist of seven royally endorsed members recommended by the Senate.

Two members will be civil-service representatives, three will be former ministry secretaries selected by current secretaries or other public-office holders of the same rank, and two will be representatives from ministries' moral and ethics committees.

The seven members will decide among themselves who will be the panel's chairman and inform the Senate of their decision.

The Senate will vet the members and reject names it does not approve of.

The committee members can serve only a single three-year term.

There are suspicions that clauses inserted in the charter over the past few days are part of a wider struggle to dilute the power of elected officials while empowering bureaucrats, with the triumphant bureaucrats set to maintain a grip on power in the coming years.

This week, a strict regulation on government spending and the design and implementation of government policy was inserted in the charter. The provision could significantly limit a political party's ability to promote policies during an election campaign, let alone implement a policy once elected.

Last week, the National Reform Council accepted documents by the Anti-Corruption Network led by General Samrerng Pinklang, in which the junta and the NRC were urged to "merge" local administrations nationwide.

This proposal drew contempt from various local administrations, as there has been speculation that the junta wants to reduce the size and power of elected members of local administrations to make way for the Interior Ministry's district offices and local municipalities, which would be centrally administrated.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Transfers-to-be-free-from-politics-30253038.html

-- The Nation 2015-01-31

[Kooweerup]

based on 'merit system'

Well I guess there wont be to many moves or promotions then.

[englishoak]

based on 'merit system'

Well I guess there wont be to many moves or promotions then.

no no its meant in the same terms as making merit..... yknow you hand some money over and in return receive "good karma" or maybe a promotion.

[tbthailand]

yet another control mechanism being built into this constitution to make sure that a democratically elected government can't function and that the organs of state remain under the control of the current military & traditional elite alliance.

just a way to have elections but neuter the government that gets elected.

I guess they don't have any faith that Abhisit can win, do they?? More coffee...

Oh wait, didn't the current 'government' just transfer scores of police officers? Surely that was all merit based and not political, right?

Lot's more coffee...

[marinediscoking]

Absolutely spot on! Only the Junta, or their appointed unelected "good" people, and of course their appointed judges should have the right to sak or transfer public officials. Elected officials being able to hold them to account? Never! How on earth did this non-sense go on so long? I am glad Thailand is coming out of the stone ages.

I know BUT the Shins...

[Robby nz]

A great example of what happened previously is that the minister of the interior appointed the permanent secretary whose job it was to appoint provincial governors.

In turn the governors appointed many of the village heads, meaning that right down to village head level those appointed were beholden to the minister.

Simple solution ; all provincial governors must be elected, all village heads must be elected.

[NongKhaiKid]

LoS to become a meritocracy ?

Someone's having a laugh surely.

[Roadman]

What a bugga...does this mean that when the next elections are called and the next set of Thaksin dictatorial clones are in place, (it's forgone according to the elections is all democracy is clones), that they won't be able to sack the incumbent to place their stooges and family criminals in at control of the police, Attorney General, DSI etc. to carry on their criminal dictatorial activity?

Good call. If Thai politicial scumbags can't serve with democratic principles then limit their rights until they can behave even somewhere close to those principles. That certainly has been lacking for at least the past fifteen years by all parties.

[maidee]

merit base .. lol

so how much money did you deposit in my secret account ?

[ikke]

I would suggest to ban all aged 50+ out of official jobs and politics, problem solved.

[scorecard]

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What a bugga...does this mean that when the next elections are called and the next set of Thaksin dictatorial clones are in place, (it's forgone according to the elections is all democracy is clones), that they won't be able to sack the incumbent to place their stooges and family criminals in at control of the police, Attorney General, DSI etc. to carry on their criminal dictatorial activity?
Good call. If Thai politicial scumbags can't serve with democratic principles then limit their rights until they can behave even somewhere close to those principles. That certainly has been lacking for at least the past fifteen years by all parties.

Well said.

I would like to a few more points:

- Specific criteria in regard to how people are selected for jobs - with a main policy ' appoint the best person for the job'.

- Main selection points: displayed capability to do the job, plus proven high performance record for several years just prior to the selection process.

- Good reports in regard to behaviors and attitudes. Anybody with past convictions or 'smack' for unprofessional past actions automatically disqualified.

- Totally stop the age old approach of appointing the longest serving team member, etc.

- At recruitment / selection all of the above well documented and subject to some form of audit by a multi representative 'committee' (Auditor generals Department?)

[BSJ]

I don't see a problem with that. Of course they could add other measures in time.

But I don't know what will happen if they get it all wrong and the little guy gets caught in the stampede to feather ones own nest. Maybe being friend's with the big guys has it's advantages!

[binjalin]

Now everyone line up - put your hands up if you want promotion... ok that's good now repeat the Twelve Virtues... no one? damn let's go back to the old way... who has 20,000?

[sundrenched]

What a bugga...does this mean that when the next elections are called and the next set of Thaksin dictatorial clones are in place, (it's forgone according to the elections is all democracy is clones), that they won't be able to sack the incumbent to place their stooges and family criminals in at control of the police, Attorney General, DSI etc. to carry on their criminal dictatorial activity?

Good call. If Thai politicial scumbags can't serve with democratic principles then limit their rights until they can behave even somewhere close to those principles. That certainly has been lacking for at least the past fifteen years by all parties.

You're talking as if it's the UN in charge and a panel of retired Swedish and Swiss judges is going to make the appointments.

As a reminder, this is what "good people" looks like:

[chainarong]

Well about time so long as we keep out nepotism , but will the heads of departments be appointed on their capabilities not because they are a General. or Senior member of the military.

Edited January 31, 2015 by chainarong

[binjalin]

What a bugga...does this mean that when the next elections are called and the next set of Thaksin dictatorial clones are in place, (it's forgone according to the elections is all democracy is clones), that they won't be able to sack the incumbent to place their stooges and family criminals in at control of the police, Attorney General, DSI etc. to carry on their criminal dictatorial activity?

Good call. If Thai politicial scumbags can't serve with democratic principles then limit their rights until they can behave even somewhere close to those principles. That certainly has been lacking for at least the past fifteen years by all parties.

You're talking as if it's the UN in charge and a panel of retired Swedish and Swiss judges is going to make the appointments.

As a reminder, this is what "good people" looks like:

I'm scared already! but at least they have youth on their side

[FangFerang]

"with the power delegated to a Senate-appointed committee" Meaning power delegated to a Senate-appointed committee (the Senators, themselves being appointed).

Cronyism. Solidification of power outside the electorate. This side is playing the exaact game the other side was playing, while trying to paint a new face on it.

Maybe they should not use water colors....the rainy season is coming.

[Costas2008]

Now everyone line up - put your hands up if you want promotion... ok that's good now repeat the Twelve Virtues... no one? damn let's go back to the old way... who has 20,000?

I can......do I get a promotion?

[tragickingdom]

Constitution? It is a text that is not worth the paper on which it is written a real competent country does not write every decade a new constitution after they discovered that their elite can't no longer win elections.

In this new piece of legislation aimed at stealing the votes from the poor and lower middle class everything including transfers are political. The entire BS constitution they are working on is aimed to transfer those people who are yellow and have close links to the establishment. More political is not possible. Only ignorant people get fooled by the CDC

[binjalin]

Now everyone line up - put your hands up if you want promotion... ok that's good now repeat the Twelve Virtues... no one? damn let's go back to the old way... who has 20,000?

I can......do I get a promotion?

pseudo Thais don't count Costas

[mikemac]

What a bugga...does this mean that when the next elections are called and the next set of Thaksin dictatorial clones are in place, (it's forgone according to the elections is all democracy is clones), that they won't be able to sack the incumbent to place their stooges and family criminals in at control of the police, Attorney General, DSI etc. to carry on their criminal dictatorial activity?

Good call. If Thai politicial scumbags can't serve with democratic principles then limit their rights until they can behave even somewhere close to those principles. That certainly has been lacking for at least the past fifteen years by all parties.

You're talking as if it's the UN in charge and a panel of retired Swedish and Swiss judges is going to make the appointments.

As a reminder, this is what "good people" looks like:

Where the heck are their banjos ?

[halloween]

yet another control mechanism being built into this constitution to make sure that a democratically elected government can't function and that the organs of state remain under the control of the current military & traditional elite alliance.

just a way to have elections but neuter the government that gets elected.

I guess they don't have any faith that Abhisit can win, do they?? More coffee...

Oh wait, didn't the current 'government' just transfer scores of police officers? Surely that was all merit based and not political, right?

Lot's more coffee...

Right on! How much can you steal if you can't put your relatives, co-conspirator criminal cronies, and those with a PhD in Sycophancy into positions of power. Imagine if they extended this to Ministers. Next they'll ban the party list - you won't even be able to buy the highest political position, let alone reward your drunken inept cronies and keep them out of jail.