Reformers hail chance to check charter draft

[Lite Beer]

CONSTITUTION WATCH
Reformers hail chance to check charter draft
THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- NATIONAL REFORM Council (NRC) members yesterday hailed the Constitution Drafting Committee's (CDC) decision to allow the NRC to check proposed charter provisions in regard to reform and political chapters to ensure that they provide answers to the country's problems.

The parts in question include chapter 2 on good political leaders and political institutions, chapter 4 on reform and reconciliation. For Chapter 2, only the first section on a good representative system and good political leaders will be given to the NRC for checking. While from chapter 4, section one and section two on bridging disparities and ensuring justice including achieving reconciliation will be given to the NRC for checking.

The CDC has decided that all the NRC's 18 panels should scrutinise these provisions, prior to the drafters' final deliberation.

Seri Suwanpanont, chairman of the NRC panel on the law and justice system, said he would receive the charter draft tomorrow and finish checking the draft by Friday. He believed the provisional charter draft regarding the law and justice system should be improved because it was too wordy and repetitive. Legislative procedures for Parliament must be concise, fast and efficient.

"The CDC's decision to let us check is good but the question is whether it will accept our proposals to change the draft. The charter should not be just beautifully written but have the essence to tackle the country's problems,'' Seri said.

Saree Ongsomwang, chair of the NRC panel on consumer protection, said the CDC's decision was appropriate and aimed at getting support from the reform council.

Sombat Thamrongthunya-wong from the NRC's panel on political reform said his panel would be happy to check the draft immediately but noted that the CDC must be able to give reasons if it rejects proposals from his panel.

He said the CDC had incorporated provisions to evaluate performances of members of independent agencies and high ranking officials. However, his panel had proposed that the charter should include provisions to evaluate the performance of high-ranking officials of state enterprises and bureaucrats to prevent political interference. Problems reoccurred because politicians often transferred these officials out of their posts without good reason.

Pramon Suteewong, chairman of the NRC panel on fighting graft, said he agreed with the charter drafters' decision and believed the CDC had incorporated his panel's proposal to boost the efficiency of graft agencies.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Reformers-hail-chance-to-check-charter-draft-30253626.html

-- The Nation 2015-02-08

[noitom]

The sharter draft is in good surveillance hands with Seri, Saree, Sombat and Pramon keeping a watchful eye on it. They believe, they're happy, and they agree.

[chainarong]

When you are all happy with the charter and reforms are to your liking , place it to the people in a referendum and lets see what they think of your reforms

[Pib]

But all of the NRC members were handpicked/approved by the NCPO (i.e., the junta). So, you know how the NRC review will end up.

[tbthailand]

yes, indeed, one hand-picked group hailing the chance to review the work of another hand-picked group before it goes to the 'hand' for final changes...

[rubl]

But all of the NRC members were handpicked/approved by the NCPO (i.e., the junta). So, you know how the NRC review will end up.

The charter was drafted by the CDC with participation of members of the public.

BTW how much have you seen of the current draft?

[rubl]

yes, indeed, one hand-picked group hailing the chance to review the work of another hand-picked group before it goes to the 'hand' for final changes...

Go check a bit on the composition of NRC, CDC and their committees.

[rickirs]

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

When you are all happy with the charter and reforms are to your liking , place it to the people in a referendum and lets see what they think of your reforms width=32 alt=coffee1.gif>

That was done previously with what is known as the "2007 Constitution." A national referendum was held on August 19, 2007 for all eligible voters to approve or deny the entire draft constitution. It was accepted by an underwhelming 56.7% with 41.4% against. It was signed into law August 24, 2007. The current draft will be much more complex and radical. I doubt the Junta is going to chance its denial or low approval in a public referendum. More likely it will have the NLA approve it and validate its acceptance by the Thai people with another survey.

[Pib]

But all of the NRC members were handpicked/approved by the NCPO (i.e., the junta). So, you know how the NRC review will end up.

The charter was drafted by the CDC with participation of members of the public.

BTW how much have you seen of the current draft?

The charter is still a work in process and here's a Nov 14 Reuters article summarizing the CDC...please note who appointed the CDC.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/04/us-thailand-politics-idUSKBN0IO0OS20141104

(Reuters) - Thailand's military government appointed a committee to draft a new constitution on Tuesday in a move seen aimed at preventing ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his allies from returning to power.

Nearly six months after the army seized power, a 36-member committee headed by Bavornsak Uwanno, a law academic at the conservative King Prajadhipok Institute who is known to have military sympathies, began work on a new charter.

The committee must propose a draft within four months, before sending it to the National Reform Council and junta, formally known as the National Council for Peace and Order, for approval. Once approved, the charter will be Thailand's 20th since it became a constitutional monarchy in 1932.

[rubl]

But all of the NRC members were handpicked/approved by the NCPO (i.e., the junta). So, you know how the NRC review will end up.

The charter was drafted by the CDC with participation of members of the public.

BTW how much have you seen of the current draft?

The charter is still a work in process and here's a Nov 14 Reuters article summarizing the CDC...please note who appointed the CDC.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/04/us-thailand-politics-idUSKBN0IO0OS20141104

(Reuters) - Thailand's military government appointed a committee to draft a new constitution on Tuesday in a move seen aimed at preventing ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his allies from returning to power.

Nearly six months after the army seized power, a 36-member committee headed by Bavornsak Uwanno, a law academic at the conservative King Prajadhipok Institute who is known to have military sympathies, began work on a new charter.

The committee must propose a draft within four months, before sending it to the National Reform Council and junta, formally known as the National Council for Peace and Order, for approval. Once approved, the charter will be Thailand's 20th since it became a constitutional monarchy in 1932.

36 CDC members, 20 representing NRC, 5 NLA, 4 Cabinet, 6 NCPO

"BANGKOK, Nov 14 -- The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) is confident that political parties will offer their opinions on the content of the new charter, CDC spokesman Gen Lertrat Ratanavanich said today."

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/776520-thai-cdc-confident-political-parties-will-offer-opinions/

2014-11-13

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/776208-several-political-parties-accept-to-participate-in-the-thai-charter-drafting-discussion/

2014-11-15

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Pheu-Thai-says-its-ready-to-offer-ideas-for-new-ch-30247832.html

2014-11-17

"BANGKOK, 17 November 2014 (NNT) - All political parties have accepted the invitation to discuss the drafting of the new charter and its content, says the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC)."

http://thainews.prd.go.th/centerweb/NewsEN/NewsDetail?NT01_NewsID=WNPOL5711170010007

[heybruce]

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

When you are all happy with the charter and reforms are to your liking , place it to the people in a referendum and lets see what they think of your reforms width=32 alt=coffee1.gif>

That was done previously with what is known as the "2007 Constitution." A national referendum was held on August 19, 2007 for all eligible voters to approve or deny the entire draft constitution. It was accepted by an underwhelming 56.7% with 41.4% against. It was signed into law August 24, 2007. The current draft will be much more complex and radical. I doubt the Junta is going to chance its denial or low approval in a public referendum. More likely it will have the NLA approve it and validate its acceptance by the Thai people with another survey.

The 2007 constitution was "approved" in a referendum in which the military appointed government campaigned heavily for approval, campaigning against the referendum was banned, and the military/government made it clear if the constitution wasn't approved they would impose a constitution of their choice on the country.

I'm sure if there's a referendum on this constitution it will be along similar lines, but I think it's more likely the junta will decide a referendum would be "divisive".

[FangFerang]

" For Chapter 2, only the first section on a good representative system and good political leaders will be given to the NRC for checking. While from chapter 4, section one and section two on bridging disparities and ensuring justice including achieving reconciliation will be given to the NRC for checking."

In translation: "You can see the parts we know you won't disagree with."

What a mutual admiration society we have here!

Ironically: "The CDC's decision to let us check is good but the question is whether it will accept our proposals to change the draft."

In translation: "have a nice day. Don't call us, we'll call you."

Edited February 8, 2015 by FangFerang

[tbthailand]

yes, indeed, one hand-picked group hailing the chance to review the work of another hand-picked group before it goes to the 'hand' for final changes...

Go check a bit on the composition of NRC, CDC and their committees.

were you at the Thammsat Chula match?

go team go!