Drafters to hold seminar in bid to calm criticism of its political reforms

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Drafters to hold seminar in bid to calm criticism of its political reforms
KRIS BHROMSUTHI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Drafting Committee will hold a seminar this month centred on the political system, politicians and political institutions in the hope of settling differences and creating understanding among the CDC, political groups and parties, and the National Reform Council.

Participants will be given the opportunity to comment on the CDC's proposals on political reform, which committee spokesman Lertrat Ratanavanich has said are not final and can be amended after compromise.

Lertrat said invitations to the event had been sent to every political party, and anyone interested in the topic was welcome to attend, including supporters of the red shirts and the People's Democratic Reform Committee.

The seminar will be held on February 16.

The charter drafters have had rough exchanges with NRC members, especially the council's committee on political reform led by Sombat Thamrongthanyawon, as their ideas regarding political reform clearly contradict.

That is especially the case for electing a prime minister, with the CDC proposing a charter provision that would allow "an outsider PM" during times of crisis and the NRC proposing that the head of government be directly elected.

Alongkorn Ponlaboot, a member of the NRC political reform panel, this week urged the CDC to listen more to the panel's suggestions in order to prevent the new constitution being "shot down".

"I believe there is a high chance the constitution would be disapproved or shot down by the NRC if the CDC does not amend the draft in accordance with NRC political-reform suggestions, with some members already reserving the right to propose the amendments," he said.

Another controversial CDC proposal on political reform relates to senators being given "super powers" - having the additional power to scrutinise Cabinet candidates proposed by the prime minister and having the power to propose bills.

The proposal has been fiercely criticised by many politicians including Pheu Thai's Udomdetch Ratanasatien and the Democrats' Nipit Intarasombat.

The CDC's favourable expression towards the mixed-member proportional representation system has also drawn much criticism, especially over its complexity and the public's alleged difficulty understanding it.

Lertrat said the MMP system would be clearly explained during the seminar.

In a preamble on the event, the CDC said it had "deliberated on new principles regarding the political system, politicians and

political institutions and will consider these principles when drafting the charter provisions".

"However, we are aware that it is very important that a seminar be organised in order to listen to and collect the viewpoints of the NRC and other relevant organisations," the CDC said, adding that it would analyse, collect and synchronise the information provided by participants.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Drafters-to-hold-seminar-in-bid-to-calm-criticism--30253515.html


-- The Nation 2015-02-06

[chooka]

Seminar or mass attitude adjustment? What are they worried about? They already have 93% of the population on thier side. A total waste of tax payer money trying to get the final 7%. Hold an election and you will have the biggest landslide victory in the history of Thai politics.

[NongKhaiKid]

This is one seminar where the organisers won't be warned off or the military turn up uninvited.

So who will be invited ? Probably carefully chosen and unlikely to raise controversial points or ask difficult questions so the end product will be exactly as intended.

[chainarong]

The criticism that the Drafters need to fix is the double speak , muddying the waters with vague idea's and plans , to many saying to much and all contradictory and in general like other times ( Thaksin 2004) have a great way of brushing over the important aspects until all of a sudden they are law, I bring to your attention the case of outsiders , un elected people to be in the government, one hopes that all these type of reforms are put to the people in a referendum before being made into law.

[greenchair]

By the sounds of it. The approval of the nrc , which is overseen by the whip committee , which reports good cooperation to Prayuth will be paramount to any constitution approval.

[rickirs]

"I believe there is a high chance the constitution would be disapproved or shot down by the NRC if the CDC does not amend the draft in accordance with NRC political-reform suggestions"

Let's be honest and call these suggestions what they really are - NCPO directives. Why does the Junta continue to play the game "Now you see democracy, now you don't?"

If this seminar is going to be truly an open and free discussion of the proposed constitution, why not televise it live to the whole Thai constituency? Especially if there is no referendum planned by the NCPO on the draft constitution. The Junta is seriously misleading itself to believe that a constitution created under its tutelage has any kind of mandate from the Thai electorate that will not ultimately seek to amend or dissolve its provisions.