May 1992 group opposes plan for an 'outsider PM'

[webfact]

May 1992 group opposes plan for an 'outsider PM'
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- DEFENCE Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan accepted yesterday that there are supporters and backers of the new charter currently being drafted but he said amendments could still be made and people who oppose the draft have ways to communicate their views to the drafters.

He said that all charter drafters, while appointed by the junta, had independent thoughts and could pursue their ideas and contribute freely, with the collective goal to move the country forward from past conflicts, for the benefit of all 70 million Thai citizens.

Adul Keawboriboon, president of the Commission of Relatives of the May 1992 Heroes, submitted documents yesterday to Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) chief Borwornsak Uwanno, asking him to reconsider the provision that allows a non-MP or "outsider" to become prime minister. "We acknowledge the necessity for the CDC to create an alternative way out in times of political crisis. However, such a provision would allow a PM who does not have to come via an election, who has no connection to the people, which goes against the principles of democratic rulings and could spur a new round of conflict," he said.

However, Adul, offered some ground for compromise by proposing that extra rules be created to control the non-elected PM - a limited time frame for an "outsider PM" holding office in a time of crisis, and that he or she must have a clean record.

In May 1992, there was a popular protest in Bangkok against the prime minister at the time, General Suchinda Kraprayoon. The protesters were angry because Suchinda had not been elected, and the protest escalated into violence and a military crackdown that caused dozens of civilian deaths and left thousands injured.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/May-1992-group-opposes-plan-for-an-outsider-PM-30256704.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-25

[GuyL]

Some people don't want a non-elected PM? Of course! If there is no election, that means that there is no vote-buying either! No wonder why some are against this!

[trogers]

Some people don't want a non-elected PM? Of course! If there is no election, that means that there is no vote-buying either! No wonder why some are against this!

What is a non-elected PM?

[Srikcir]

"a limited time frame for an "outsider PM" holding office in a time of crisis"

Time of crisis has always been the excuse for military coups. There is simply no justification for any body to circumvent the rule of law and the sovereignty of the Thai people to interject its own leadership.

Somehow all the other world democracies have found constitutional ways for peaceful transfer of government democratic leadership without the induction of someone as Head of Government who has no electoral representation. Why doesn't the CDC consider such processes? Of course it can't. The military must reserve its right to abrogate any democratic process - to save democracy.

[GuyL]

Some people don't want a non-elected PM? Of course! If there is no election, that means that there is no vote-buying either! No wonder why some are against this!

What is a non-elected PM?

As stated in the opening post, that is "a PM who does not have to come via an election".

[trogers]

Some people don't want a non-elected PM? Of course! If there is no election, that means that there is no vote-buying either! No wonder why some are against this!

What is a non-elected PM?

As stated in the opening post, that is "a PM who does not have to come via an election".

So in the old system, the Thai citizens cast votes to elect their PM?

[GuyL]

Some people don't want a non-elected PM? Of course! If there is no election, that means that there is no vote-buying either! No wonder why some are against this!

What is a non-elected PM?

As stated in the opening post, that is "a PM who does not have to come via an election".

So in the old system, the Thai citizens cast votes to elect their PM?

Somehow, but indirectly (via the House of Representatives).

For more info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_Thailand

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Representatives_(Thailand)

[trogers]

Some people don't want a non-elected PM? Of course! If there is no election, that means that there is no vote-buying either! No wonder why some are against this!

What is a non-elected PM?

As stated in the opening post, that is "a PM who does not have to come via an election".

So in the old system, the Thai citizens cast votes to elect their PM?

Somehow, but indirectly (via the House of Representatives).

For more info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_Thailand

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Representatives_(Thailand)

So the people elect the members of the House of Representatives. And who nominates and elects the PM?

[GuyL]

Somehow, but indirectly (via the House of Representatives).

For more info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_Thailand

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Representatives_(Thailand)

So the people elect the members of the House of Representatives. And who nominates and elects the PM?

Read the Wikipedia webpages mentioned above. Everything is explained there much better than I could do, as English is not my native language.

[trogers]

Somehow, but indirectly (via the House of Representatives).

For more info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_Thailand

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Representatives_(Thailand)

So the people elect the members of the House of Representatives. And who nominates and elects the PM?

Read the Wikipedia webpages mentioned above. Everything is explained there much better than I could do, as English is not my native language.

Ahhh...the elected MPs nominates and cast votes to elect a PM.

Does that means this draft charter is stipulating a PM can be appointed into office, in time of crisis, by a 3rd party, and thus becomes a non-elected PM?

[Jim walker]

anything to keep the 70million Thais brainwashed and in order the military knows best so you will like this new soldier charter for Thailand.