Thai politics: 'Junta seeking to retain influence'

[webfact]

'Junta seeking to retain influence'
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION

MAKE-UP OF REFORM BODIES SHOWS MILITARY WANTS ITS MEN TO ENSURE REFORMS ENACTED

BANGKOK: -- THE CHARTER drafters' proposals to set up two new reform bodies have been interpreted by some as a sign that the junta will attempt to retain power or significant influence after the next general election.

The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) inserted provisions in the new constitution about the setting up of a Reform Movement Council (RMC) and a reform strategy committee.

Judging by the composition of the RMC - 60 National Reform Council (NRC) members and 30 National Legislative Assembly (NLA) members - it will be hard for the public not to believe that the junta will seek to retain power or influence.

Another matter that has persuaded political observers that the junta government wants to prolong its power was the rejection of a proposal to prohibit members of junta-appointed organisations, the so-called "five rivers", from participating in the political arena for two years after their terms ended.

That idea was proposed by CDC member Jade Donavanik but shot down by a majority of CDC members and several junta leaders, including Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha. The term "five rivers" refers to junta-installed bodies the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), the Cabinet, the NLA, the NRC, and the CDC.

'Origins of members key'

A political scientist from Thammasat University, Attasit Pankaew, said he would not blame the public for thinking the junta wants to perpetuate it hold on power.

Attasit said national reform plans had been constructed by reform experts in the form of reports even before this government, but those reports were not implemented.

"I agree with the idea of setting up the two bodies to actually implement the reformation plans, but the origin of their members is still an issue for the people, " he said. Attasit believes the RMC requires Reform Council members because they are the people who understand the reform plans the best. However, he said that the council should not include Legislative Assembly members. Instead, he wants to see members of conflicting groups in the council.

Red-shirt leader Weng Tojirakarn, of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), said the decision to set up the two bodies clearly benefited junta organisations.

"It is certain that once the five rivers' terms ends, they should not be involved with politics in the future because they would have finished their works," he said.

"After these agencies came to power they have become so addicted to power they cannot let go."

He voiced strong opposition to the setting up of the two bodies, reasoning that if the five rivers' policies and plans could push the country forward, once there was an election and a new government they would instantly continue the previous government's plans.

"There is no necessity to set up new organisations to push forward national reform, unless what the junta is doing is not the right thing, and then the new government would not pursue the junta's plan," the UDD leader said.

Further, he said establishing the new bodies would be a burden on the country, instead of helping.

He claimed the Prayut government had misused state funds by appointing at least 1,000 members to implement the policies of government agencies, with each appointee paid at least Bt100,000 a month for a combined total of at least a Bt1 billion a month. "All this money spent by the junta government does not benefit the country at all, it only benefits the junta and their people," Weng said.

Deputy leader of the Democrat Party Nipit Intrasombat said that only the CDC, NRC and NLA were attempting to stay in power longer.

"These three 'rivers' are craving more power. Therefore the CDC drafted their charter that way, but the NCPO and the junta government merely accepted the idea of the new bodies," Nipit said.

Thus, the fundamental idea of continuing national reform surely was a good idea since it could not be accomplished within a few years or even 10 years, he said, adding that the key point was the members who will man the reform bodies.

"All 60 million people [of Thailand] are capable of pushing reform. Why do the members [of the new bodies] have to come from the NRC and NLA only and include other reform experts?" he said.

Nipit said if the public believed that such people were not the best to implement national reform, it could affect the new charter.

He suggested that if the reformers want to ensure their plans are implemented after the next election, the CDC should insert a provision in the charter that when a new elected government comes to power it must continue the reformers' policies within two years. And if it did not, the public could gather enough signatures to overthrow the government.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Junta-seeking-to-retain-influence-30256083.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-16

[emilymat]

Last paragraph.:

'gather enough signatures to overthrow the government"

Really?

[Srikcir]

"the CDC should insert a provision in the charter that when a new elected government comes to power it must continue the reformers' policies within two years. And if it did not, the public could gather enough signatures to overthrow the government."

What is it about Thailand that overthrowing the government is the only option to change?

There has always been with elected Thai governments the "vote of confidence" provision that can trigger dissolution of the parliament and new elections. It's time for 60 million Thais to regain their soverneignty instead being led by 60 junta-selected Thais retaining that power. Many countries also use national referendums in lieu of new elections as a means to gauge public support for changes.

What Thailand needs is a change in its governance culture that diminshes the influence of the unelected elitists and maximizes, FOR BETTER OR WORSE, self-governance by the majority.

[Emster23]

"He claimed the Prayut government had misused state funds by appointing at least 1,000 members to implement the policies of government agencies, with each appointee paid at least Bt100,000 a month for a combined total of at least a Bt1 billion a month. "All this money spent by the junta government does not benefit the country at all, it only benefits the junta and their people," Weng said."

One billion A MONTH!!? Are these folks supposed to crack down on corruption, from which they are benefiting greatly? At least not corrupt like that rice scheme... this keeps the corruption up among friends of junta, not any of the common people.....

[elgordo38]

Last paragraph.:

'gather enough signatures to overthrow the government"

Really?

500 bahts a signature hmm

[billd766]

"He claimed the Prayut government had misused state funds by appointing at least 1,000 members to implement the policies of government agencies, with each appointee paid at least Bt100,000 a month for a combined total of at least a Bt1 billion a month. "All this money spent by the junta government does not benefit the country at all, it only benefits the junta and their people," Weng said."

One billion A MONTH!!? Are these folks supposed to crack down on corruption, from which they are benefiting greatly? At least not corrupt like that rice scheme... this keeps the corruption up among friends of junta, not any of the common people.....

But did Weng actually provide ANY proof of what he said or was he just blowing in the wind as he usually does.

ANYBODY can say things like that but the truth is in the proof which coming from the mouth of a UDD leader I personally find hard to believe.

[h90]

"He claimed the Prayut government had misused state funds by appointing at least 1,000 members to implement the policies of government agencies, with each appointee paid at least Bt100,000 a month for a combined total of at least a Bt1 billion a month. "All this money spent by the junta government does not benefit the country at all, it only benefits the junta and their people," Weng said."

One billion A MONTH!!? Are these folks supposed to crack down on corruption, from which they are benefiting greatly? At least not corrupt like that rice scheme... this keeps the corruption up among friends of junta, not any of the common people.....

But did Weng actually provide ANY proof of what he said or was he just blowing in the wind as he usually does.

ANYBODY can say things like that but the truth is in the proof which coming from the mouth of a UDD leader I personally find hard to believe.

How often did we find out that Dr. Weng just lies? Or how often die he speak something and it wasn't a lie....not often I guess.

[FangFerang]

"He claimed the Prayut government had misused state funds by appointing at least 1,000 members to implement the policies of government agencies, with each appointee paid at least Bt100,000 a month for a combined total of at least a Bt1 billion a month. "All this money spent by the junta government does not benefit the country at all, it only benefits the junta and their people," Weng said."

One billion A MONTH!!? Are these folks supposed to crack down on corruption, from which they are benefiting greatly? At least not corrupt like that rice scheme... this keeps the corruption up among friends of junta, not any of the common people.....

That's one billion per month just in initial salaries, much less the 77 who have relatives, some with several jobs. In two years it will be 730 billion, which is more than the rice scheme "COST"...

Um, what am I missing here...must be something...

The title said "Trying to Retain Power" -- um, did anyone even have to say it for others to know it?

Edited March 16, 2015 by FangFerang

[toybits]

Title of another thread reads:

"CDC assured businessmen new charter will truly empower the people"

So which is it gentlemen?

[Godders]

The headline could do with an edit. For "influence", substitute "power".

[jerojero]

Surprise surprise surprise. A true revelation! Of course they want to retain power....how stupid can you be to think otherwise.