Thai politics: Mixed reactions on plan to create a new reform council

[webfact]

Mixed reactions on plan to create a new reform council
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK,
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE DECISION to amend the interim charter to allow National Reform Council (NRC) members to be appointed to a new reform council is a way for Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha to ensure total obedience from the new body, as the members will not be royally endorsed, critics said.

However, others are welcoming the move as they believe the NRC is under-performing.

Chiang Mai law lecturer Somchai Preechasinlapakun said it was clear that NRC members who were against the plan for Prayut to stay in power two more years would not be appointed to the new body, while quiet members would work on pleasing him in the hope of being appointed.

Weng Tojirakarn, co-leader of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, agreed that the new reform body would be composed of "people who can be ordered to toe the line". He warned the government to think twice about the plan and said prolonging its stay could lead to a bloody end.

Yet, NRC member Seree Suwanphanont saw the move as positive, saying it would make the current reformers focus on the draft charter debate, as their terms would expire soon. He said he was ready to leave after his term ends.

Thammasat University political scientist Attasit Pankaew said disbanding the NRC was good because it was under-performing. "These reformers have not produced many results. They merely discuss daily political matters and propose to amend the draft charter. Appointing a new council could be another strategy for the government to actually produce tangible results," he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Mixed-reactions-on-plan-to-create-a-new-reform-cou-30262178.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-12

[noitom]

"To ensure total obedience."

[Bannum opinions]

To ensure total obedience is merely speculation, in all probability correct. But that is just a passing fancy in today's political climate.

The more salient feature of this however, is the creation of another political entity disconnected from the electorate, with veto power over the voters.

The allegiance to Democracy of many in Thailand's political class' is only as strong as their ability to win elections...When they cannot win elections, this allegiance evaporates quickly.

Hence the creation of so-called Independent Agencies to protect them from electoral results that do not favor them......I don't recall how many of these Agencies there are, but the list is expanding rapidly.....Their most overused one one being the NACC. The self-righteous indignation used by this quasi-judicial tool on behalf of the anti-democrats is overwhelming. The election Commission is not far behind....It even went as far as cancelling an election altogether.

These impulses even rise to the level of religious fervor.......There will be some anti-democrats tasked with judging the 'morality' of politicians...a class of people who they demonize at every turn in order to eviscerate electoral politics....Many politicians from one side of the political divide will be found wanting with respect to 'morals'.

Double standards are becoming increasingly institutionalized with the proliferation of these Agencies...

Edited June 12, 2015 by Bannum opinions

[Srikcir]

To ensure total obedience is merely speculation, in all probability correct. But that is just a passing fancy in today's political climate.

The more salient feature of this however, is the creation of another political entity disconnected from the electorate, with veto power over the voters.

The allegiance to Democracy of many in Thailand's political class' is only as strong as their ability to win elections...When they cannot win elections, this allegiance evaporates quickly.

Hence the creation of so-called Independent Agencies to protect them from electoral results that do not favor them......I don't recall how many of these Agencies there are, but the list is expanding rapidly.....Their most overused one one being the NACC. The self-righteous indignation used by this quasi-judicial tool on behalf of the anti-democrats is overwhelming. The election Commission is not far behind....It even went as far as cancelling an election altogether.

These impulses even rise to the level of religious fervor.......There will be some anti-democrats tasked with judging the 'morality' of politicians...a class of people who they demonize at every turn in order to eviscerate electoral politics....Many politicians from one side of the political divide will be found wanting with respect to 'morals'.

Double standards are becoming increasingly institutionalized with the proliferation of these Agencies...

You speak well Grasshopper.