Thai politics: Regime's top bodies suggest charter changes

[webfact]

Regime's top bodies suggest charter changes
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- AN UNELECTED prime minister, the open-list MP system and the prime minister's special powers are the novel features in the proposed constitution that the three main bodies of the current regime want dumped, a source said yesterday.

The suggestions for changing the charter draft from the Cabinet, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the National Reform Council (NRC) were to reach the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) yesterday.

The provisions that would allow the prime minister to pass legislation in lieu of Parliament if his government survived a no-confidence debate and to move for a "confidence" vote on himself have been criticised as risking a parliamentary dictatorship, since the PM would be able to avoid checks by the opposition.

Another controversial provision is the one that allows for the establishment of a committee to propose endorsement of a royal pardon for people providing useful information.

The CDC has the right to accept or reject the charter amendments proposed by the major agencies set up by the military after its coup a year ago.

The CDC will submit its final draft to an NRC vote on whether to accept it as is. If it is voted down, the NRC and CDC will be dissolved.

CDC spokesman Kamnoon Sidhisaman said it was likely that the CDC would accept proposals to change the draft as suggested by major actors, including Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva. The agency would spend more time scrutinising controversial provisions such as Articles 181-182 that the Cabinet, NRC and Abhisit want dropped.

"We may remove some provisions to prevent conflicts and improve content in some provisions,'' he said.

The CDC will not rush to vote on any issue if the drafters are split over the principles of the provisions. They will make the decision on the controversial provisions at the final deliberation.

"We expect pressure from all sides because this is a special situation and it's different from the 1997 charter,'' Kamnoon said.

The CDC is expected to have the final draft ready within 60 days. The framers will start working on Tuesday without taking any days off. They will meet at Suan Son from June 22 to July 3. The CDC will take up the provisions one at a time.

It will hold a press conference every day to report on any changes.

Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda said his ministry had submitted its list of recommendations to Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.

It is the CDC's discretion to accept opinions from village heads and kamnan around the country, who were concerned about the reduction of the power of ministry officials and district chiefs, he said.

At the special Cabinet meeting yesterday, he said he expects the decision on the balance of power between local and central administrations.

"I understand the importance of decentralisation, but regional administration is necessary, as it serves as a link between central and local administrations,'' he said.

"The country needs the central, regional and local links. Another important issue is how to ensure a fair local election. If the same group of people wins elections, this could lead to a colonial era as happened in history,'' he said.

Kamnoon said CDC members would begin processing the proposed changes today, and the process would take three days to complete. Some of those seeking changes - about three to five people from each agency - would be invited to give oral explanations from June 2-6.

The CDC will meet today to decide on whom to invite, including representatives from political parties. NRC chairman Thienchay Kiranandana ordered members of the council to attend a seminar on "lessons chairan on dissolving political conflicts and reforming the country towards democracy'' at the Foreign Ministry today.The NRC will look at the lessons from France. The NRC would not schedule any meetings, as the members should be at the seminar, he added.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Regimes-top-bodies-suggest-charter-changes-30260926.html


-- The Nation 2015-05-26

[rametindallas]

The Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) was formed with 99 members: seventy-six of them directly elected from each of the provinces and 23 qualified persons short-listed by the Parliament from academia and other sources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997_Constitution_of_Thailand That's why it was known as the 'People's Constitution'. What will they call this one? The Junta's Constitution?

They should actively solicit feedback from all parts of society unless they think they already know everything and are smarter that everyone else combined; which I feel they do.

[Strangebrew]

Whoa backup "Jack" did I just read if some one gives useful information they can issue a royal Pardon? Now don't get me wrong and no disrespect meant isn't it only the King who can grant Royal Pardon's or am'I completely wrong? Or is the plan to give them powers of the King? I'm honestly confused here.

[canuckamuck]

In this day and age it is unbelievable that an entire nation would put up with this. But the game was fixed for generations now through miseducation and propaganda.

[bkkcanuck8]

Whoa backup "Jack" did I just read if some one gives useful information they can issue a royal Pardon? Now don't get me wrong and no disrespect meant isn't it only the King who can grant Royal Pardon's or am'I completely wrong? Or is the plan to give them powers of the King? I'm honestly confused here.

The way it is written is that a committee can review the evidence and if warranted... PROPOSE a royal pardon for those that are deemed to have provided sufficient evidence. The King is still the one issuing the pardon. So, yes... you are confused.

[FangFerang]

Sourly noted is the lack of controversy over an appointed senate....glaring lack of controversy, especially since Suthep is first in line for an appointment.

Sieg Heil!!

[Anthony5]

There go happy chappy's retirement plans out of the window.

[smedly]

The CDC will meet today to decide on whom to invite, including representatives from political parties

In my opinion - these are the people that should not be involved at all, they have been given numerous chances to improve Thailand and have consistently failed, they should all not only be banned from this process but banned from politics for life

[Anthony5]

The CDC will meet today to decide on whom to invite, including representatives from political parties

In my opinion - these are the people that should not be involved at all, they have been given numerous chances to improve Thailand and have consistently failed, they should all not only be banned from this process but banned from politics for life

And next create political parties named Battalion 1, Battalion 2 and so on?

[meltingpot2015]

Another controversial provision is the one that allows for the establishment of a committee to propose endorsement of a royal pardon for people providing useful information.

In the U.S. the office of the pardon attorney handles pardon applications and makes recommendations to the president. However, it is up to the president to make the decision.

So, in effect, if the Thai National Assembly passes a law for a crime specifying definite jail for life, and the Courts have to hand-down this sentence even for someone who has co-operated with the Police (If someone has been involved in corruption but provide Police with useful information about the major players, then, that person providing the information can apply for pardon). Then the committee after doing their investigations can recommend that person for a royal pardon.

My understanding is that the pardon, is both a check and a balance against a powerful National Assembly.

Edited May 26, 2015 by meltingpot2015