CDC split over referendum on parts of new Thai charter

[webfact]

NEW CHARTER
CDC split over referendum on parts of charter

BANGKOK: -- MEMBERS of the Constitutional Drafting Committee (CDC) have differing opinions on whether a referendum should be held on some parts of the new charter - or whether a poll would need to approve or reject the entire draft charter.

The debate has arisen from the fact that some of the charter's provisions are more controversial than others; hence there are calls to have a referendum on only certain controversial issues in order to save time in returning the country to democracy and civilian government.

However, some members also prefer the junta administration to stay on in office if its administrative performance is satisfactory.

CDC member Buntoon Srethasirote said the proposal to have a referendum on parts or specific articles in the charter was not restrained by law.

And although there were critics who viewed that the proposal could be problematic since articles and parts were connected to one another, Buntoon said he did not see that as a difficulty because those linked parts or provisions could be grouped together.

National Legislative Assembly (NLA) vice president Peerasak Porjit said the proposal offered a good alternative option because referendum results pointed to only certain parts or provisions that needed to be amended.

CDC member Wuthisak La rp-charoensup said a charter referendum should be on the whole drafted version because the process of educating the public on how each part or provision of the charter was connected could be complicated and challenging.

CDC vice-chairman Suchit Bunbongkarn said a referendum on parts of the charter could not be held because rejection of certain parts of the charter could affect the others.

Meanwhile, the National Reform Council (NRC)'s political reform panel chairman, Sombat Thamrongthanya-wong, said he would hold a public forum on political reform on May 15, in order to put together a proposal on charter amendments to CDC president Borwornsak Uwanno.

Leaders of political parties, academics and various sectors of the public have all been invited to join the forum to give their opinions.

Former People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leader Suthep Thaugsuban, who is now in the monkhood, said if the country benefited more under the junta administration then there was nothing wrong with it staying in power for another three to five years.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/CDC-split-over-referendum-on-parts-of-charter-30259488.html


-- The Nation 2015-05-07

[Srikcir]

Either the ENTIRE draft gets apporval by the public or it doesn't. It was the NCPO and its clone organizations that decided on a complex and convoluted constitution necessary to assure an elected government would remain legislatively powerless to change the political landscape and marginalize military powers.

The draft could have been done with fewer articles but that would have put the authority of change in an elected government. That never served the military very well and the NCPO never intended for the draft to go before a referendum in the first place.

What could happen is that only selected, minor parts of the draft will be made available for a referendum, if Prayut allows ANY referendum. It is more likely Prayut will either have the whole draft endorsed into law without a referendum and simply table the draft for another year as a means to punish the Thai people.

[Linky]

However, some members also prefer the junta administration to stay on in office if its administrative performance is satisfactory.

Well thats just great. Shouldnt it be the people to decide if the junta is satisfactory?

[greenchair]

Given a vote.

Would the 1997 constitution win.

In a landslide.

Would the 2007 constitution win.

Possibly? ???

Would the 2014 constitution win.

Not on your nelly.

Strangely enough I suspect.

Given the vote

Would apiset win.

Not on your nelly.

Would yingluck win.

Possibly

Would Prayut win.

Probably a landslide win

[wowfactor10]

Its becoming an big issue now...

[greenchair]

Come Prayut.

Get your boxing gloves on.

A show down election.

Winner takes all.

An unheard of election between 2 leaders.

One thrown out before her time.

One known as the man to get things done.

2 leaders campaigning against each other.

The winner will lead the country and join all parties to rewrite a constitution under democratic rule.

I imagine it would be a neck and neck race for votes.

Do the right thing.

Man up thailand.

[phoenixdoglover]

Thai Draft Charter Greatest Hits

Section 40. A person shall enjoy the liberty of communication by

lawful means.

The censorship, withholding or disclosure of communication between

persons including any other act of disclosing a statement in the communication

between persons shall not be made except by virtue of law specifically enacted for

security of the State or maintaining public order or good morals.

Comment: No more immoral conversations with your friends. No dirty joke emails.

[phoenixdoglover]

Thai Draft Charter Greatest Hits, keep rolling on

Section 48. Liberty of mass media to practice in accordance with

professional ethics for the benefit of the public in knowing information and news

correctly, thoroughly and holistically upon public accountability shall be protected.

The closure of mass media business in deprivation of the liberty under

this section is prohibited.

The prevention of mass media from printing news or expressing

opinion, wholly or partly, or interference in any manner whatsoever in deprivation

of the liberty under this section, shall not be imposed except by virtue of law

specifically enacted for the purpose of maintaining the security of State, protecting

the rights, liberties, dignity, reputation, private data, family or privacy rights of

other persons, maintaining public order or good morals or preventing or halting the

deterioration of mental or health of the public.

Comment: This article is so full of qualifiers, any government will be able to censor media with impunity.

[phoenixdoglover]

More Thai Charter Greatest Hits (last one on this thread)

Section 48.

....

No person holding political position shall be owner or shareholder in

mass media business whether in his own name or through his nominee, and no such

person shall act in any manner whatsoever so as to control such business as if he is

the owner or shareholder thereof.

Comment: If you own one share of a publicly traded company you are a shareholder. This provision is overly broad.