Lertrat denies special interest move to secure Thai Senate seats under new charter

[webfact]

Lertrat denies special interest move to secure Senate seats under new charter
NITIPOL KIRVANICH
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- LERTRAT RATTANAWANIT from the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) yesterday denied that there was any behind-the-scenes manoeuvring by special interest groups for them to be included among those eligible to run for the Senate under the new constitution.

"I insist there was no lobbying as many claimed. The CDC chairman and his members do not have personal interests in drafting the charter to benefit anyone," he said.

Some provincial members of the National Reform Council (NRC) had reportedly met with CDC chairman Borwornsak Uwanno to ask that they be given the opportunity to participate further in politics, particularly to be candidates for the Senate.

Lertrat pointed out that in the drafting meetings for every article in the charter, there were members who agreed and disagreed with the contents, especially when it came to the sources of senators.

The requirement for 77 senators to come from elections in all provinces came after proposals were gathered from many sides including people attending the hearings held by the CDC around the country.

Tiwar Karnkrasang, an NRC member from Buri Ram, insisted that the rumours that the NRC had asked for favours from the CDC regarding their political future were untrue.

"I insist that I have never negotiated with the CDC chairman to benefit my fellow NRC provincial representatives about being candidates for the Senate.

"Personally, I do not intend to be a candidate, but being a candidate is a right under the constitution," he said.

Senators must come from an election, if not, it would greatly affect the country's democracy, he said.

The NRC's meeting on the draft charter mainly covered national reform and reconciliation. Many NRC members showed enthusiasm in debating on the new independent organisations, particularly the Reform Movement Council.

The draft charter calls for the establishment of the Reform Movement Council and the strategic reform committee to continue promoting national reform plans in the future.

The CDC reasoned that these new bodies would be another mechanism to ensure the plans will be implemented once a new government is formed.

The National Reform Movement Council consists of 120 members - 60 from the NRC, 30 from the National Legislative Assembley (NLA) and 30 from national reform experts in each area.

Tiwar said he supports the council idea but what concerns him was the council's composition.

That this council will have 60 NRC members could be shameful.

"This matter could be perceived as bringing our own people into becoming the new council," he said.

He opposed the 30 members from experts, then claimed he does not see the importance of the NLA in national reform, and the relationship between the NLA and reform.

Boonlert Kachayudhadej, an NRC member, said the charter should also include the CDC as part of the council to prevent the national reform plans going to waste.

The new body also cannot exclude the NRC from its members, he said.

Sakda Sriviriyahphaiboon, an NRC member, said including the NRC in the Reform Movement Council was the right thing to do, because the NRC members were the ones who realised the country's problems and would resolve them.

Another matter that concerned the reformers was the reconciliation committee, as it had the authority under the draft charter to request for pardons once wrongdoers showed remorse before the committee or gave useful information.

NRC member Niphon Naksompop said reconciliation might not be accomplished by pardoning convicts because that prerogative was only with His Majesty the King and this matter would be transgressing on His Majesty's turf.

After all the scrutinising this past week, if the NRC members want changes in the charter made, they have to submit their proposals within 30 days to the CDC. Whether the charter drafters would amend any parts is up for them to decide.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Lertrat-denies-special-interest-move-to-secure-Sen-30258821.html


-- The Nation 2015-04-27

[greenchair]

What a nightmare. Solve one problem , and 4 new problems emerge.

They are all going to be fighting about this for years.

Quite frankly, most of the Thai are tired out from the petty squabbling for the grip on power.

Suthep, look what have you done.

Beautiful thailand. ?

[Chao Lao Beach]

"I insist there was no lobbying as many claimed. The CDC chairman and his members do not have personal interests in drafting the charter to benefit anyone," he said.

next .....

[JAG]

I thought that the whole point of the appointed (sorry," indirectly elected") Senate was that it drew its membership from various groups who had specific areas of interest?

[FangFerang]

Okay -- let's wait and see and take him at his word. Let's do what Thai news agencies never do -- follow-up. I am copying the article, then will wait until the Senate is formed to see...if, coincidentally of course, the members match those who claim to NOT being involved in lobbying or power-grabbing.

I have a good feeling about a bad feeling about this....

[oneday]

"...I insist there was no lobbying as many claimed. The CDC chairman and his members do not have personal interests in drafting the charter to benefit anyone," he said..."

...if you say so...

[soalbundy]

would i do a thing like that ?? trust me, i'm a committee member

[Srikcir]

"The draft charter calls for the establishment of the Reform Movement Council and the strategic reform committee to continue promoting national reform plans in the future."

TRANSLATION:

It won't matter who is elected and what their agenda might be. The Junta shadow government will continue to hold the reins of power.

Edited April 27, 2015 by Srikcir