Borwornsak explains need for 20th constitution

[Lite Beer]

Borwornsak explains need for 20th constitution
KRIS BHROMSUTHI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- CHARTER drafter president Borwornsak Uwanno has told foreign diplomats that the country needed to draft its 20th constitution because politicians took advantage of the 1997 Constitution's emphasis on stable government and strong political parties to forge authoritarian regimes.

Borwornsak was speaking at the 4th KPI International Club Activity event held under the topic "The Path to New Constitution of Thailand" on Thursday night at the Nai Lert Park Hotel.

Diplomats from over 30 countries attended the forum.

However two-thirds of the embassies in Thailand did not send their most senior diplomats. The US embassy didn't send any representative. "We thought in 1997 that we needed to empower strong government and political parties [but] we got governments that were too strong, who dictated [terms] to the Parliament and attempted to control watchdogs and independent agencies," he said.

"As a result, the situation has changed, and there are reasons for change and we need to rethink."

Individual politicians are seen by Borwornsak as key troublemakers. He told foreign diplomats that "politicians have been notoriously untrustworthy, non-transparent, and seemingly lacking morality and ethics, and honesty".

To illustrate his point he pointed to the rice-pledging scheme and the attempt to pass the Amnesty Bill during the Pheu Thai administration.

This is not the first time Borwornsak has been involved in a charter drafting process. The CDC president was secretary of the 1997 Charter drafting committee, and he was a member of National Legislative Assembly following the 2007 military coup that abolished the 1997 Charter.

"Thailand has had 19 constitutions. The one in progress will be the 20th. But we are not the country which has broken the Guinness Book record on the total amount of charters," he said, claiming that the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Haiti had drafted more constitutions.

"We are going to have the same amount as Ecuador next year. This is nothing to be proud of but there are reasons behind that."

Borwornsak was making light of Thailand's high charter count drew laughter from the diplomats.

CDC spokesman Lt-General Nawin Damrikan said the public could play an important role in ensuring this charter would hopefully be the last.

He said he wanted the public to "protect this constitution as if their life depended on it" because it emphasised promoting citizen rights.

There were no critical questions from diplomats during a question and answer session.

UK Ambassador Mark Kent asked about the checks and balances role between the judiciary and the legislature and what was the legislative scope of amending the constitution before the judiciary could intervene.

Borwornsak said the organic law would specify some areas of the constitution could not be amended such as operating a democracy under a monarchy.

He said there would be other areas where lawmakers could make amendments, but details on that would come later.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Borwornsak-explains-need-for-20th-constitution-30256944.html

-- The Nation 2015-03-28

[zaphod reborn]

Being in the company of banana republics in the Carribean and South America is not good company for constitutional governance.

[BigBadGeordie]

"Forge authoritarian regimes", meanwhile back at the ranch the PM says he will envoke section 44 of the interim charter, which gives him ABSOLUTE POWER.

Nothing more to add.

[Srikcir]

"he wanted the public to "protect this constitution as if their life depended on it" because it emphasised promoting citizen rights."

It will only be the day that the Thai military protects the constitution as if their life depended on that democracy will ever succeed in Thailand.

But history has shown the Thai military has little regard for constitutions and rule of law except of its own manufacture. The military can be depended on to protect itself as if its life depended on it to make sure EVERY coup gets amnesty to protect it from the Public!

[Bluespunk]

Could he save us all some time and explain why constitutions 21, 22, 23 24, 25 ad infinitum will be required?

Then the journalists can dust them off when required every two years or so.

Edited March 28, 2015 by Bluespunk

[yellowboat]

There were no critical questions from diplomats during a question and answer session.

Why ?

[diehard60]

OK What rights do the citizens have now???????

[BigBadGeordie]

OK What rights do the citizens have now???????

You have much more rights than before, and you will be put on trial in a Civilian Court , as opposed to a Military Court, should you even contemplate exercising any of them!

I say Civilian Court, but that will only be, SHOULD, the military choose to hand you over after your 24 day re-education detention.

So all looks good ;-)

[NongKhaiKid]

No critical questions from diplomats so does that mean critical as in important or critical as in expressing opposition etc. ?

Even if there were we wouldn't be told unless the diplomats themselves made a statement.

[GinBoy2]

Maybe a better measure would be the longevity of a constitution. True, Ecuador has had 20 constitutions, but that is from independence in 1830. Thailand will have had 20 since 1932....yay, Thailand is once again a world leader!

Oooh, and only 2 of those were PT (post Thaksin). What on earth could have been the reasons for the previous 18, in what was according to to many of the Juntanista's here on TVF a Golden Age, and it was simply the evil Thaksin who singlehandedly plunged the country into chaos and corruption?

Edited March 28, 2015 by GinBoy2

[lewy67]

"We thought in 1997 that we needed to empower strong government and political parties [but] we got governments that were too strong, who dictated [terms] to the Parliament and attempted to control watchdogs and independent agencies," he said.

Yes there is only one institution in Thailand that has the god given right to dictate terms to the parliament and it isn't the political parties. Hence 20 constitutions. Cut the military budget and the number of generals both by 80% and you may see a constitution that stands the test of time.

[EnglishJohn]

"We thought in 1997 that we needed to empower strong government and political parties [but] we got governments that were too strong, who dictated [terms] to the Parliament and attempted to control watchdogs and independent agencies," he said.

Yes there is only one institution in Thailand that has the god given right to dictate terms to the parliament and it isn't the political parties. Hence 20 constitutions. Cut the military budget and the number of generals both by 80% and you may see a constitution that stands the test of time.

.. or you may see one political group take charge because they are prepared to use violence and terrorism against those who oppose them. That's how the Nazis did it.

Sort out the broken society before you cut the power of the Army.

[mrmicbkktxl]

"We thought in 1997 that we needed to empower strong government and political parties [but] we got governments that were too strong, who dictated [terms] to the Parliament and attempted to control watchdogs and independent agencies," he said.

Yes there is only one institution in Thailand that has the god given right to dictate terms to the parliament and it isn't the political parties. Hence 20 constitutions. Cut the military budget and the number of generals both by 80% and you may see a constitution that stands the test of time.

THaksin tried that and is now persona non grata

[lewy67]

"We thought in 1997 that we needed to empower strong government and political parties [but] we got governments that were too strong, who dictated [terms] to the Parliament and attempted to control watchdogs and independent agencies," he said.

Yes there is only one institution in Thailand that has the god given right to dictate terms to the parliament and it isn't the political parties. Hence 20 constitutions. Cut the military budget and the number of generals both by 80% and you may see a constitution that stands the test of time.

.. or you may see one political group take charge because they are prepared to use violence and terrorism against those who oppose them. That's how the Nazis did it.

Sort out the broken society before you cut the power of the Army.

Nice to see you use the Nazi comparison. As a supporter of the current nationalist, militarist government you are well placed to know all about fascism. I reckon it's what Prayuth's followers see when they look in the mirror.