Thai charter: Politicians against draft 'because they fear scrutiny'

[webfact]

NEW CHARTER
Politicians against draft 'because they fear scrutiny'
TANATPONG KONGSAI,
PIMNARA PRADUBWIT
THE NATION

National ethics assembly and new party-list system would be set up

BANGKOK: -- POLITICIANS have been criticising the draft charter because they fear scrutiny by the new independent bodies the document will set up, Constitution Drafting Committee chairman Borwornsak Uwanno said yesterday.

"What politicians actually worry about are the Citizen's Assembly and the National Ethics Assembly, along with the whole reform chapter, because this chapter will force politicians to obey the reform articles, which is in discord with what politicians intend to do," the CDC chairman said.

Borwornsak pointed out that political parties will under the new charter have to compete with political-interest groups for seats in Parliament and this prospect makes the parties unhappy.

As for the open-list party-list system, it gives the electorate the right to select such candidates themselves, something political parties used to have the sole power to do.

He said the previous system permitted parties to put their favoured candidates on top while those they disliked would be on the bottom of the list.

"Politicians have claimed that this constitution will weaken political parties, but in fact this charter is strengthening people's power," he insisted.

Asked when the next election will be held, the CDC chairman said that if there is to be a referendum, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) would have to amend the 2014 provisional constitution first.

The amendments of the provisional charter would also have to be done before reformers vote on whether they will approve the draft charter or not on August 6, thus prolonging the process by another three months.

If a referendum is held and receives the people's approval, the election might be held in May next year, he concluded.

"I personally believe that a referendum is necessary, while I believe the prime minister himself also wants one," he said.

In a related development, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday said the CDC had drafted the charter in order to create a "parliamentary dictatorship".

Abhisit said the CDC should do away with Articles 181 and 182, which give the prime minister the authority to propose laws or decide which laws would be passed if the opposition does not file a no-confidence motion.

"The opposition parties will not be able to proceed with their work, and it is the first time that a parliamentary dictatorship will be lawfully created under the constitution," he said.

The Democrat leader also complained that there were many issues the drafters could not explain clearly and said he hoped that the CDC would amend those articles.

"If the CDC does not amend the draft and there is no referendum, this new charter will be a time-bomb for the country that will create conflicts no less severe than previous ones," Abhisit said.

, adding that the reason the NCPO staged the coup last year "would go to waste".

The CDC yesterday met to discuss general topics as it waited for the National Reform Council to submit motions for altering articles in the draft charter.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Politicians-against-draft-because-they-fear-scruti-30258971.html


-- The Nation 2015-04-29

[smedly]

If the new charter forces - accountability - transparency - honesty and introduces checks and balances that make it difficult for corruption - abuse of power - breaking the law and election abuse, then that is exactly what the democracy - the country and its people need, it gets a huge thumbs up from me.

I can also see why politicians don't want it - for once in Thailands political democratic history they will be forced to abide by the rules and law and be investigated and punished (held accountable) for their actions, something that is the norm in the west

[Strangebrew]

Hmm yes this could be a problem because if someone watching much harder to be business as usual. So I would venture a guess the same ones who were corrupt might en-mass retire from politics for good. Which would sure keep one clan from running for office.

[Strangebrew]

I also see huge rise in monk-hood too

[Thaddeus]

Those who fear scrutiny are the ones most in need of it.

[AlQaholic]

The assemblies or committees will only be as good as the people who sit in them. Just another tool for the elite to control the politicians.

[NongKhaiKid]

Give power back to the politicians and they can turn the scrutiny on the military, oops can't do that or there will be another coup.

Anyone for chasing the ' chasing their tails ' game ?

[smutcakes]

If the new charter forces - accountability - transparency - honesty and introduces checks and balances that make it difficult for corruption - abuse of power - breaking the law and election abuse, then that is exactly what the democracy - the country and its people need, it gets a huge thumbs up from me.

I can also see why politicians don't want it - for once in Thailands political democratic history they will be forced to abide by the rules and law and be investigated and punished (held accountable) for their actions, something that is the norm in the west

There have always been laws to punish and investigate them, however the politicians were obviously able to influence those responsible for investigating them, and those responsible for investigating and punishing them have obviously been open to be influenced, one would suspect for some kind of benefit. (not just politicians, but all wealthy connected people, including those who will be sitting on all these new bodies)

Why would having another X number of appointed bodies, Committee's, laws etc change any of that?

The only thing having all these new bodies will do cause complete log jams, passing of responsibility etc. Its fairly obvious that everything is going to get bogged down and grind to a halt in short order. The question is, is this the actual intention?

[quandow]

To quote Nancy Pelosi: "But we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it, away from the fog of the controversy."

DON'T read the draft or ask questions - that would indicate critical thinking and, in the Land of Smiles, that is a No-No!

[Srikcir]

"if there is to be a referendum, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) would have to amend the 2014 provisional constitution first."

Under Article 44 the NCPO can unilaterally and immediately amend the interim Charter without consultation or approval from the PM's cabinet, NLA, NRC, the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, etc.

"I personally believe that a referendum is necessary, while I believe the prime minister himself also wants one,"

General Prayut has consistently defended the legalityof not holding a referendum with the excuse that it's not specified in the provisional charter. But if Prayut really believed he wants one, see above - Article 44. He can announce anytime that a referendum will be held once the draft is finalized.

[gandalf12]

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To quote Nancy Pelosi: "But we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it, away from the fog of the controversy."

DON'T read the draft or ask questions - that would indicate critical thinking and, in the Land of Smiles, that is a No-No!

Logic went out the window as soon as you mentioned Nancy Pelosi

[oneday]

"...POLITICIANS have been criticising the draft charter because they fear scrutiny by the new independent bodies the document will set up..."

This article is so clearly written by PRO-Junta reporters its sick. Politicians (unnamed) are against it because it is not Democratic...plain and simple.

[rubl]

"...POLITICIANS have been criticising the draft charter because they fear scrutiny by the new independent bodies the document will set up..."

This article is so clearly written by PRO-Junta reporters its sick. Politicians (unnamed) are against it because it is not Democratic...plain and simple.

Absolutely. Thai politicians have never feared to show responsibility and accountability, even while abroad in self-exile.

[heybruce]

Scrutiny of the politicians is fine, but unless you also scrutinize the civil service, judiciary, and military you'll just re-arrange the corruption, not eliminate it.

[smedly]

The scrutiny applies to the government and all government agencies/public sector including the police, I believe the military are still outside that parameter with a direct line to the top