Whips want assemblymen to relieve their relatives from parliamentary jobs

[Lite Beer]

Whips want assemblymen to relieve their relatives from parliamentary jobs

BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly’s whips have agreed that relatives and family members of the assemblymen who were appointed their assistants, experts or specialists should be relieved of their jobs retroactively as of March 1.

NLA vice president Surachai Liangboonlertchai said that the whips even if such appointments were not against any regulations but since public sentiments were not in favour of such appointments, the NLA should set a good political example to clear any public doubt about the impropriety of the appointments.

Mr Surachai said some NLA members explained that they appointed their relatives or family members to be their assistants or specialists because they could be trusted and, also, it was difficult to recruit outsiders as the pay was not attractive enough.

“But since the society has made a point about its impropriety, we have to show our spirit,” said the NLA vice president, adding that there should be a regulation specifying clearly what kinds of people are to be prohibited so that there won’t be any problem later on.

He suggested NLA members who appointed their own people to be their aides follow the whips’ decision.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/whips-want-assemblymen-to-relieve-their-relatives-from-parliamentary-jobs

-- Thai PBS 2015-03-03

[Pib]

It's only a suggestion; not a requirement. Me thinks this suggestion will not result in many family members getting pink slips; instead the NLA members may just not hire any more family members during their current term (whenever that may end).

[rametindallas]

Nepotism is so ingrained in the culture that those assembly members never contemplated the optics of their decision to put their familes on the government payroll. For those that don't comply, name and shame them in public. Public shame (loss of face) can be a powerful tool in Thailand although there are some who do not know what shame is (Chalerm/Suthep/Thaksin).

[toybits]

That was really lame. He should have suggested that they excuse themselves from service in the NLA as their integrity is in question.

[iReason]

Now, the relieve NLA members who did it, from their jobs.

"He suggested NLA members who appointed their own people to be their aides follow the whips’ decision."

Don't like the sound of that.

More window dressing?

So the serfs are placated?

[Squeegee]

It's a step in the right direction.

[dinger]

He says that it is difficult to recruit outsiders as the pay was not attractive enough.

Well if the pay is so unattractive why are the family members so willing to accept such a meger salary?

[NeilSA1]

That was really lame. He should have suggested that they excuse themselves from service in the NLA as their integrity is in question.

Yes, and then they should all be flogged to within an inch of their lives.

[halloween]

Reacting to public opinion, and stopping (or at least making some moves in that direction) something which has perceived impropriety, is rather novel for a Thai government, especially one which doesn't need public approval.

I'll leave you to do your own compare and contrast to the last government.

[aussieinthailand]

He says that it is difficult to recruit outsiders as the pay was not attractive enough.

Well if the pay is so unattractive why are the family members so willing to accept such a meger salary?

You really don't know why? it's not the salary where the real money comes from, it's all the perks that come's with the gig that makes it attractive as well as the (other) money that also ends up in their pocket.

[Seastallion]

Nepotism should be curtailed. Let the positions be advertised and the qualifications of the applicants be on record. You can hire your nephew, BUT it has to be shown that he was the most suitable for the job.

[tx22cb]

The assemblymen should feel aggrieved.

They were appointed undemocratically, and martial law forbade anyone from complaining. So why can't they in turn appoint others of their choosing (e.g. nephew) in a similar manner?

[dinger]

He says that it is difficult to recruit outsiders as the pay was not attractive enough.

Well if the pay is so unattractive why are the family members so willing to accept such a meger salary?

You really don't know why? it's not the salary where the real money comes from, it's all the perks that come's with the gig that makes it attractive as well as the (other) money that also ends up in their pocket.

I guess my sarcasm was a bit too subtle?

[Lupatria]

The easy way out would be to publicise the names, education and photos of 18 year old assistants, experts or specialists studying abroad, and housewives declared qualified to give advice to the country's law makers. It is simply an evidence of incapacity if they are needed to run this nation.

[robblok]

Reacting to public opinion, and stopping (or at least making some moves in that direction) something which has perceived impropriety, is rather novel for a Thai government, especially one which doesn't need public approval.

I'll leave you to do your own compare and contrast to the last government.

Indeed.. but they only have to make it mandatory or else there is a problem.

[Langsuan Man]

non elected militarily appointed officials spreading the trappings of power around, what could possibly be wrong with that

To the victors, go the spoils

[dinger]

Would love to see some of the qualifications of these so called "Experts"

[NongKhaiKid]

Potential roadblock to this idea, didn't ' The Man ' say it wasn't a problem ?

[Seastallion]

Would love to see some of the qualifications of these so called "Experts"

Qualifications don't mean competence. Yingluck has bits of paper with red seals and scrolled writing....nuff said.

[chuang]

Will the whip be called up for attitude adjustment....

[Daniel Ingalls]

What wrong with a wife bringing in the lunch meal for him? In many cultures wives help out in the fields side by side with their

husbands planting rice. Who can you trust the most? Your wife of course! With a wife besides a legislator at work, what woman would dare flirt with him on the job! This keep harmony at the work place and at home. If Hillary had a job in the White House, Monica Lewinsky would not be around with her blue dress showing off her point of interest in Government BJ's.

[Srikcir]

Conflicts of interests are for losers. Winners can do what they want.

PM Yingluck transfers Deputy Chief of NSC Thawil to Assistant to the PM because of poor performance and it's a constitutional issue. PM Prayuth appoints his brother as a NLA minister and it's an unquestioned right.

When an elected party coalition wins 51% majority of the House of Parliament, it's destroying democracy. When Prayuth appoints 51% of the NLA with military officers, it's protecting democracy.

[webfact]

NRC president says relatives must resign as NRC members' helpers

BANGKOK: -- National Reform Council President Thienchay Kirananda said if NRC members have appointed their close relatives as their assistants, they must resign in the same manner with relatives of members of the National Legislative Assembly.

He said the laws did not prohibit such practice but since the NLA has decided to ban such practice, NRC members must follow suit.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/NRC-president-says-relatives-must-resign-as-NRC-me-30255307.html

-- The Nation 2015-03-04

[smutcakes]

Nepotism is so ingrained in the culture that those assembly members never contemplated the optics of their decision to put their familes on the government payroll. For those that don't comply, name and shame them in public. Public shame (loss of face) can be a powerful tool in Thailand although there are some who do not know what shame is (Chalerm/Suthep/Thaksin).

Regardless of it being ingrained in the culture, if any NLA member did not possess the foresight/nous to see this as a potential issue given the previous goings on i would seriously question whether they have the mental capacity to even be on the NLA. Its just plain common sense, something which seemingly is in short supply.

As an aside, i noticed that many of the employed assistants and experts had initials like wng comdr, pol gen, ACM etc. Given the recent hullabaloo regarding YS's policeman security guard, i hope we will receive clarification whether these persons are running two jobs/two salaries out of tax payers money. It never ceases to amaze me how many jobs/directorships these people manage to hold down, it does not seem like there would be enough hours in the day.

[halloween]

My, my, a ban on nepotism. I await the PTP supporters rush to bag this. what will Thai politics be like if you can't appoint your favourite retarded cousin or sister to high office?

[halloween]

Regardless of it being ingrained in the culture, if any NLA member did not possess the foresight/nous to see this as a potential issue given the previous goings on i would seriously question whether they have the mental capacity to even be on the NLA. Its just plain common sense, something which seemingly is in short supply.

As an aside, i noticed that many of the employed assistants and experts had initials like wng comdr, pol gen, ACM etc. Given the recent hullabaloo regarding YS's policeman security guard, i hope we will receive clarification whether these persons are running two jobs/two salaries out of tax payers money. It never ceases to amaze me how many jobs/directorships these people manage to hold down, it does not seem like there would be enough hours in the day.

Ah, attack their foresight! Would be a bit hypocritical to mention integrity, eh?

[smutcakes]

The easy way out would be to publicise the names, education and photos of 18 year old assistants, experts or specialists studying abroad, and housewives declared qualified to give advice to the country's law makers. It is simply an evidence of incapacity if they are needed to run this nation.

I accept there are probably some which could be arguably legitimate. However, If it is really found that son's or daughters who are studying abroad have been listed then it is a cut and dry case of fraud and they should be charged as such and sacked immediately.

[smutcakes]

Regardless of it being ingrained in the culture, if any NLA member did not possess the foresight/nous to see this as a potential issue given the previous goings on i would seriously question whether they have the mental capacity to even be on the NLA. Its just plain common sense, something which seemingly is in short supply.

As an aside, i noticed that many of the employed assistants and experts had initials like wng comdr, pol gen, ACM etc. Given the recent hullabaloo regarding YS's policeman security guard, i hope we will receive clarification whether these persons are running two jobs/two salaries out of tax payers money. It never ceases to amaze me how many jobs/directorships these people manage to hold down, it does not seem like there would be enough hours in the day.

Ah, attack their foresight! Would be a bit hypocritical to mention integrity, eh?

I dont think its much of a stretch to suggest that NLA members should have seen the potential issues that employing sons, daughters etc as 'experts' could cause given the political climate and coming to the job on the back of the anti corruption/nepotism/cronyism agenda.

Not sure, maybe its just me but conflict of interests, ethics etc is part of day to day business the world over, and i expect you would not have to be massively clued up to see potential issues with this. Having said that, you obviously believe the foresight to see the potential problem should not be expected, so there are still some out there who have pretty low standards when it comes to the mental capacity of our leaders.

[halloween]

Regardless of it being ingrained in the culture, if any NLA member did not possess the foresight/nous to see this as a potential issue given the previous goings on i would seriously question whether they have the mental capacity to even be on the NLA. Its just plain common sense, something which seemingly is in short supply.

As an aside, i noticed that many of the employed assistants and experts had initials like wng comdr, pol gen, ACM etc. Given the recent hullabaloo regarding YS's policeman security guard, i hope we will receive clarification whether these persons are running two jobs/two salaries out of tax payers money. It never ceases to amaze me how many jobs/directorships these people manage to hold down, it does not seem like there would be enough hours in the day.

Ah, attack their foresight! Would be a bit hypocritical to mention integrity, eh?

I dont think its much of a stretch to suggest that NLA members should have seen the potential issues that employing sons, daughters etc as 'experts' could cause given the political climate and coming to the job on the back of the anti corruption/nepotism/cronyism agenda.

Not sure, maybe its just me but conflict of interests, ethics etc is part of day to day business the world over, and i expect you would not have to be massively clued up to see potential issues with this. Having said that, you obviously believe the foresight to see the potential problem should not be expected, so there are still some out there who have pretty low standards when it comes to the mental capacity of our leaders.

Riiiight! So may be something led them to think this was SOP - I wonder what that could have been?

More to my point, is it only with this government that you choose to find fault, or have you posted against nepotism by earlier regimes, not to mention a few of their other more distasteful practices?

[smutcakes]

Regardless of it being ingrained in the culture, if any NLA member did not possess the foresight/nous to see this as a potential issue given the previous goings on i would seriously question whether they have the mental capacity to even be on the NLA. Its just plain common sense, something which seemingly is in short supply.

As an aside, i noticed that many of the employed assistants and experts had initials like wng comdr, pol gen, ACM etc. Given the recent hullabaloo regarding YS's policeman security guard, i hope we will receive clarification whether these persons are running two jobs/two salaries out of tax payers money. It never ceases to amaze me how many jobs/directorships these people manage to hold down, it does not seem like there would be enough hours in the day.

Ah, attack their foresight! Would be a bit hypocritical to mention integrity, eh?

I dont think its much of a stretch to suggest that NLA members should have seen the potential issues that employing sons, daughters etc as 'experts' could cause given the political climate and coming to the job on the back of the anti corruption/nepotism/cronyism agenda.

Not sure, maybe its just me but conflict of interests, ethics etc is part of day to day business the world over, and i expect you would not have to be massively clued up to see potential issues with this. Having said that, you obviously believe the foresight to see the potential problem should not be expected, so there are still some out there who have pretty low standards when it comes to the mental capacity of our leaders.

Riiiight! So may be something led them to think this was SOP - I wonder what that could have been?

More to my point, is it only with this government that you choose to find fault, or have you posted against nepotism by earlier regimes, not to mention a few of their other more distasteful practices?

Of course its gone on since the beginning of time in Thailand through all Govts, however those Govts did not come to power on the back of a Coup targeted at getting rid of the ills of society of corruption/nepotism/cronyism among others. For this reason alone it makes the whole thing farcical.