New Thai charter to contain built-in mechanisms to prevent parliamentary dictatorship

[webfact]

New charter to contain built-in mechanisms to prevent parliamentary dictatorship



BANGKOK: -- The new Constitution will not weaken political parties as widely feared but will have certain mechanism to prevent parliamentary dictatorship, said Mr Suchit Boonbongkarn, the third vice chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, assured today.

It was reported that most parties which attended a political seminar at the parliament on Monday had expressed concern that the new charter would weaken political parties and slow down development of political parties.

On the contrary, Mr Suchit said that the new charter would promote development of political parties, build accountable parties and politicians and, more importantly, it would have built-in mechanisms to prevent parliamentary dictatorship.

CDC spokesman General Lertrat Rattanavanich, meanwhile, said that the new charter would prevent political parties from fielding their candidates to run independently and later on, after having won the election, incorporating them into the parties to increase their seats in the parliament so as to take control of the parliament.

Under the new electoral system, list MPs will come from six regions instead of eight so that the constituents will be more familiar with the candidates.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/new-charter-contain-built-mechanisms-prevent-parliamentary-dictatorship


-- Thai PBS 2015-02-17

[MaxLee]

New charter to contain built-in mechanisms to prevent parliamentary dictatorship

It IS already (the political brainwashing system, which must not be named ), sponsored by our dear PM and former general....

[heybruce]

Will the new charter prevent military dictatorship?

[oldsailor35]

New charter to contain built-in mechanisms to prevent parliamentary dictatorship

It IS already (the political brainwashing system, which must not be named ), sponsored by our dear PM and former general....

It would be interesting if all these men now setting out the new charter, were made to declare their political leanings. See how many supported the Pue Thai and how many support the Democrats . I wonder ?

[tbthailand]

to prevent parliamentary dictatorship

I believe that would accurately describe the current parliament...

[waitforusalso]

New charter to contain built-in mechanisms to prevent parliamentary independence from the meddling army.

[tbthailand]

This nonsense with "parliamentary dictatorship" is just another example of this 'CDC' showing it's true colors...

They have no intention of creating a democratic constitution, but they do intend to create a constitution which is democratic in name only...

[WhizBang]

They should eliminate the Party List System completely.

If you want a seat in Parlament, then you stand for election and either win, or lose. No party list BS, as it is a sure path to corruption.

Might want to put something into the new charter that places the military under civilian control and makes coups an automatic death sentence.

Edited February 17, 2015 by WhizBang

[scorecard]

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

New charter to contain built-in mechanisms to prevent parliamentary dictatorship

It IS already (the political brainwashing system, which must not be named ), sponsored by our dear PM and former general....

It would be interesting if all these men now setting out the new charter, were made to declare their political leanings. See how many supported the Pue Thai and how many support the Democrats . I wonder ?

How is your 'wonder' about pt and the dems connected to developing a system which aims to prevent parliamentary dictatorships?

(And by the way, such a mechanism is a good idea - think dictatorship / think back over the last few years.)

Or you another member of the team whose job description is to turn everything to a negative?

Edited February 17, 2015 by scorecard

[Thailand]

"Under the new electoral system, list MPs will come from six regions instead of eight so that the constituents will be more familiar with the candidates."?

[Thai at Heart]

Will the new charter prevent military dictatorship?

They all have.

Everyone had a clause that to overthrow the current consitution would be illegal. Unless of course you have a get out of jail free card....like a big tank

[Thai at Heart]

They have every intention of trying to negate the fact that 51% voting equates to 100% control.

Of course, this works wonderfully when applied to companies under law, where Thais sit in the 51%, but evidently not in parliament.

[Fat Haggis]

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

New charter to contain built-in mechanisms to prevent parliamentary dictatorship

It IS already (the political brainwashing system, which must not be named ), sponsored by our dear PM and former general....

It would be interesting if all these men now setting out the new charter, were made to declare their political leanings. See how many supported the Pue Thai and how many support the Democrats . I wonder ?

How is your 'wonder' about pt and the dems connected to developing a system which aims to prevent parliamentary dictatorships?

(And by the way, such a mechanism is a good idea - think dictatorship / think back over the last few years.)

Or you another member of the team whose job description is to turn everything to a negative?

What flavour Is the kool aid today buddy?

[webfact]

CHARTER WRITING
CDC 'not aiming to weaken parties'
THE NATION

Charter bylaws will contain provisions on development of political parties, political system: committee chairman

BANGKOK: -- Sujit Boonbongkarn, chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee's subcommittee on political leaders and institutions, yesterday denied claims that charter drafters' key agenda was to weaken political parties.

He claimed bylaws would contain provisions on the development of parties and the political system, giving way to good politicians and a strong citizens' sector.

Sujit said charter drafters had introduced the mixed-member proportional system in order to prevent "parliamentary dictatorship" by stopping a majority group from becoming too powerful.

Scepticism questioned

Several representatives from political parties, including Pheu Thai and Chart Thai Pattana, expressed concerns at a seminar on Monday and questioned charter drafters' scepticism of politics and politicians and wondered if that was why they were designing provisions to weaken them.

Another CDC member, Nakarin Mektrairat, said charter drafters had collected political parties' opinions on their proposals and would consider them when drafting articles related to political system, politicians and political parties next week in Pattaya.

Nakarin said the CDC had

collected the opinions of all political parties present at the seminar and each opinion would be considered during the deliberation process.

'All proposals will be considered'

He pointed to the example where CDC had taken into account the Democrat Party's recommendations on the appointment of Speakers and deputy Speakers for the House of Representatives as well as the impeachment process. The Democrats had argued that the proposal to have both the House of Representatives and the Senate vote for impeachment could pose problems, as it would be difficult for a politician to be impeached, as they almost always have support of the majority in the lower house anyway.

CDC spokesman General Lertrat Ratanavanich said charter drafters had proposed that political parties that have elected MPs be stopped from merging after elections. He said this proposal came from the National Reform Council's panel on political reform, led by Sombat Thamrongthan-yawong. The CDC spokesman said the charter drafters had designed a six-region constituency for party-list MPs instead of the original proposal of eight because having fewer regions would mean that voters have a chance to choose someone they know about.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/CDC-not-aiming-to-weaken-parties-30254327.html


-- The Nation 2015-02-18

[maprao]

Parliamentary dictatorship means a voted in house MAJORITY

[manarak]

Parliamentary dictatorship means a voted in house MAJORITY

True, but Thailand had the problem of an elected majority going rogue, which nobody could legally stop.

I'm openminded about which mechanisms could be implemented, and I'm interested in knowing the details.

Oppression of minorities by majorities is a growing problem also in Europe, although it's less obvious, and unlike in Thailand it's not about plundering the country, but mostly about stamping out minority lifestyles and about buying votes from idle freeloaders by promising them welfare.

Edited February 18, 2015 by manarak

[englishoak]

In other words, any popular majority will be classed as a parliamentary dictatorship if they feel like it............. ho hum coup no 20 already guaranteed then.

[rubl]

This nonsense with "parliamentary dictatorship" is just another example of this 'CDC' showing it's true colors...

They have no intention of creating a democratic constitution, but they do intend to create a constitution which is democratic in name only...

Parliamentary dictatorship is democratic in name only.

The problem with a democratic constitution is that it doesn't make voters democratic or understanding what democratic means. The CDC may do it's best, but education takes a wee bit longer.

[rubl]

to prevent parliamentary dictatorship

I believe that would accurately describe the current parliament...

Parliament? Does Thailand have a parliament at the moment?

[Fatty123]

An army's job is to protect its population against aggressive invaders. Not to kill more of its own population than enemy combatants and deny them the right to vote for whom they wish. And then expect the nation to make them rich for doing so,

Until Thailand can control its military (to support the people rather than oppress) it will get nowhere. One of two things will happen. Thailand will become more oppressive than it is now. Much more. Or, it will do what Panama did and get rid of the military altogther and ask another nation to protect its borders for favourable trade agreements (with the USA in Panama's case).

Only the Aussies seem a viable 'local-ish' option though for Thailand. Or China

Edited February 18, 2015 by Fatty123

[Bkkbound]

The issue for Thiland is Broader than just politics, the inherent corruption and lack of accountability across all sections of society and institutions makes for a lot of trouble one way or another in the years to come. In many respects Thailand is far worse off as a society (Taksin as much to blame as anyone) than it was 20 yrs ago.

It's so dysfunctional it's hard to see a realistic way forward.

[manarak]

An army's job is to protect its population against aggressive invaders. Not to kill more of its own population than enemy combatants and deny them the right to vote for whom they wish. And then expect the nation to make them rich for doing so,

Until Thailand can control its military (to support the people rather than oppress) it will get nowhere. One of two things will happen. Thailand will become more oppressive than it is now. Much more. Or, it will do what Panama did and get rid of the military altogther and ask another nation to protect its borders for favourable trade agreements (with the USA in Panama's case).

Only the Aussies seem a viable 'local-ish' option though for Thailand. Or China

Yes, but... who controls rogue MPs ?

It's the same kind of constitutional problem as the democratic election of islamists (muslim brotherhood in Egypt, GNC in Libya) - who can stop rogue MPs supported by stupid misguided voters?

Edited February 18, 2015 by manarak

[northernjohn]

They should eliminate the Party List System completely.

If you want a seat in Parlament, then you stand for election and either win, or lose. No party list BS, as it is a sure path to corruption.

Might want to put something into the new charter that places the military under civilian control and makes coups an automatic death sentence.

Good one The general pulls off a coup then shoots himself because it is illegal.

[northernjohn]

An army's job is to protect its population against aggressive invaders. Not to kill more of its own population than enemy combatants and deny them the right to vote for whom they wish. And then expect the nation to make them rich for doing so,

Until Thailand can control its military (to support the people rather than oppress) it will get nowhere. One of two things will happen. Thailand will become more oppressive than it is now. Much more. Or, it will do what Panama did and get rid of the military altogther and ask another nation to protect its borders for favourable trade agreements (with the USA in Panama's case).

Only the Aussies seem a viable 'local-ish' option though for Thailand. Or China

You might want to reread what you posted. Ever since the Army took over the indiscriminate killings for political reasons has ended.

Under the Army no deaths.

Under the PTP quite a few. Who was protecting the citizens them.

what are you talking about

deny them the right to vote for whom they wish

Many of them voted for who they were told to vote for by the village head man.

[Fatty123]

I am surrounded by idiots. Bye for now.

[manarak]

I am surrounded by idiots. Bye for now.

are you living among Shinawatra supporters ?

Edited February 18, 2015 by manarak

[rubl]

I am surrounded by idiots. Bye for now.

If they really bother you and you start to feel threatened you should consider calling the police. In what type of neighbourhood do you live?

Better be careful, my dear nephew.

Take care,

uncle rubl

[heybruce]

They should eliminate the Party List System completely.

If you want a seat in Parlament, then you stand for election and either win, or lose. No party list BS, as it is a sure path to corruption.

Might want to put something into the new charter that places the military under civilian control and makes coups an automatic death sentence.

Good one The general pulls off a coup then shoots himself because it is illegal.

if only it were that easy. Thailand will never be a stable democracy until the military is firmly under the control of the civilian government, though it's hard to imagine how that will be brought about.

[heybruce]

An army's job is to protect its population against aggressive invaders. Not to kill more of its own population than enemy combatants and deny them the right to vote for whom they wish. And then expect the nation to make them rich for doing so,

Until Thailand can control its military (to support the people rather than oppress) it will get nowhere. One of two things will happen. Thailand will become more oppressive than it is now. Much more. Or, it will do what Panama did and get rid of the military altogther and ask another nation to protect its borders for favourable trade agreements (with the USA in Panama's case).

Only the Aussies seem a viable 'local-ish' option though for Thailand. Or China

You might want to reread what you posted. Ever since the Army took over the indiscriminate killings for political reasons has ended.

Under the Army no deaths.

Under the PTP quite a few. Who was protecting the citizens them.

what are you talking about

deny them the right to vote for whom they wish

Many of them voted for who they were told to vote for by the village head man.

"Many of them voted for who they were told to vote for by the village head man."

So many people post things like that. One even offered proof, in the form of stories he heard from his wife's cousin. Funny that ANFREL didn't find evidence of any irregularities on a scale that would have changed the 2011 election outcome, or that Abhisit didn't blame vote buying when he accepted responsibility for the humiliating defeat of the Democrats in that election.

[rockingrobin]

Not knowing the proposed details, I am left to speculate that this is will probably prevent or discourage democratic leadership