Political parties oppose political groups contesting elections

[Lite Beer]

Political parties oppose political groups contesting elections



BANGKOK: -- Political parties have collectively voiced their strong opposition to a provision in the draft charter allowing political groups to field candidates in the next general election.

Making their dissenting voice heard at the first hearing held by the political reform committee of the Constitution Draft Committee to gauge opinions from political stakeholders on seven controversial issues in the draft charter, Mr Samart Kaewmeechai of Pheu Thai party said allowing political groups to field candidates in the elections amounted to a step backward because political groups, unlike political parties, do not normally have policy platforms.

The other six issues include mixed-member proportional representation system, the composition of the Senate, the qualifications of the prime minister, check and balance mechanism, the Election Commission and referendum.

Mr Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, chairman of the CDC’s political reform panel, said that the panel would like to hear inputs from all stakeholders which would be used to amend the draft charter.

He said he hoped the draft charter, if approved, would be used not just for this generation but next generations to come and, therefore, it must be good and durable.

The next hearing is due on Monday and, this time, academics in political science and law would be invited to give their opinions.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/political-parties-oppose-political-groups-contesting-elections

-- The Nation 2015-05-15

[trogers]

The only point politicians want is 'Winner takes all'.

[Chang_paarp]

Not keen on the concept of competition at the swill bucket.

[AGareth2]

Ghandiesque

[seajae]

in other words they want to be able to pocket all the money themselves and do not want any competition, the fact that they are ruled/owned by thaksin and he tells them what to do when he is a wanted criminal on the run is beside the point.Guess they donr want to have lose any of their "profits" paying non party members to vote the way they want them too

[tbthailand]

Political parties have collectively voiced their strong opposition ...

naturally means for some posters here, just Thaksin and his party....

some folks need to learn to read, eh?

[Srikcir]

Sombat hoped the draft charter would be used not just for this generation but next generations to come and, therefore, it must be good and durable.

It must also be coup proof and how is that guaranteed? Certainly the way the charter is written now, the military through its clone organizations essentially remains in control as a shadow government.

In previous coups the military simply abolishes the constitution, grants themselves immunity from the rule of law, and create their own rule of law. How will that stop?

Only when a constitution is created through pluralism (ie., majority of the electorate), protected and enforced by the Thai people will it be sustainable. Current government organizations must be reformed to that end. But such reform may place the military as an enemy of the state.

[lucky11]

You can't be having democracy in democracy, can you!! I say that we should ban the Green Party from politics as all they are interested in is the environment and are stupid hippies.

[Srikcir]

The only point politicians want is 'Winner takes all'.

Not possible under an MMP system being adopted.

[seajae]

Political parties have collectively voiced their strong opposition ...

naturally means for some posters here, just Thaksin and his party....

some folks need to learn to read, eh?

your right you should learn to read or did you miss this bit "Mr Samart Kaewmeechai of Pheu Thai party said allowing political groups to field candidates in the elections amounted to a step backward", seems that you are not able to stick to your own advice

[meltingpot2015]

I heard there was no (or little) mention of the Environment in the UK Green Party Manifesto for the UK General Election 2015. it was more about social issues, like housing and the NHS. Once upon a time, the Tory party in UK attracted only well to do businessman, e.g. ex-Harrods boss Mohamed Al-Fayed. Now, even the stable boy votes for them.

So, lets not count our chickens before they are hatched.

Anyway, wearing flares and growing their hair shouldn't stop anyone from joining a political party. How would this be specified in the draft charter.

Edited May 16, 2015 by meltingpot2015

[greenchair]

Progress will always find a way.

Love will always find a way.

Democracy will always find a way.

If the military stayed out of it.

Who will watch the watchers?

[tbthailand]

Political parties have collectively voiced their strong opposition ...

naturally means for some posters here, just Thaksin and his party....

some folks need to learn to read, eh?

your right you should learn to read or did you miss this bit "Mr Samart Kaewmeechai of Pheu Thai party said allowing political groups to field candidates in the elections amounted to a step backward", seems that you are not able to stick to your own advice

seriously?

let's repeat the relevant part....

Political parties have collectively voiced their strong opposition ...

[meltingpot2015]

Groups tend to come and go...Parties on the other hand, are Long-lasting.

[meltingpot2015]

Progress will always find a way.

Love will always find a way.

Democracy will always find a way.

If the military stayed out of it.

Who will watch the watchers?

Not aware of anywhere else in the world where the military need to intervene so much to watch the watchers. Nowhere!!, and not to the extent (amount of times) the Thai military has intervened.

My feeling is that a system with checks and balances will to a great extent take care of that thorny issue. So Thailand has the National Assembly and the Senate. The Senate both a balance and a check to the National Assembly. Then you have courts also to check the law making powers of those two institutions. i.e. to check if laws that are passed are constitutional.

Then you have commissions like anti-corruption commission, who are watched by the Courts. Military's role is to watch for external threats. Also possibly assist in the event of a natural disaster, e.g. Nepal.

I think that is part of the problem. The mindset that the military will always be there to pick-up the pieces. It's a kin to a child learning to ride a bicycle. As long as you have the two (training) wheels on either side to help the child balance, he/she can ride without any problems. At some point (when is that exact point?...for this s(he) needs to take a leap of faith) you take off the balancing (training) wheels, the child is bound to fall a few times, but putting the balancing (training) wheels back on is no good. S(he) would need to keep at it (without the training wheels).

After a few attempts, the child is able to confidently ride without any support from the training wheels.

[yimlitnoy]

What will become of the Pheu Thai party and their boss if allowing political groups, the red shirts for example, to field candidates in the next general election?