Corrupt politicians should face jail and lifetime ban: NLA deputy chief

[Lite Beer]

Corrupt politicians should face jail and lifetime ban: NLA deputy chief
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- POLITICAL office holders found guilty of corruption should not only be banned for life but also face jail, vice president of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) Peerasak Porchit said yesterday.

Peerasak said yesterday that harsh punishment was needed to deal with corruption problems. He said while he supports the Constitution Drafting Assembly's (CDC) idea of banning corrupt politicians from politics for life, there should also be imprisonment to strike fear in politicians thinking of profiting from graft.

The NLA vice president added however that he didn't agree with the idea of imposing bans retroactively.

For people found to have not fully disclosed their assets when taking office, Peerasak said one must differentiate those who did it out |of failure to be thorough to those who did it |out of an intention to conceal ill-gotten |wealth.

On Friday, the Constitution Drafting Committee resolved to maintain a clause in the new constitution that would ban for life anyone found by a court to be involved in corruption or electoral fraud from contesting an election to become an MP.

But former education minister and key Pheu Thai Party member Chaturon Chaisang said the idea of imposing a retroactive political ban for life on politicians removed from office was politically motivated.

He said the CDC itself was appointed by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), which staged the coup last year to oust the Pheu Thai government.

Chaturon said that applying this selectively to some and not others could only make the political divide worse.

Former deputy commerce minister Poom Sarapol said he has become fatalistic about the prospect of seeing himself banned from politics for life but added that he would defend himself in court.

Poom faces a trial for alleged corruption related to a rice deal under the Yingluck Shinawatra administration which the anti-graft body says was not a real "government-to-government" deal.

In a related development, CDC spokesperson Kamnoon Sidhisamarn said the CDC has resolved to adjust details regarding the immunity of parliamentarians while the House is in session. New additions include enabling the House to vote to decide on whether to waive immunity, as well as automatic revocation of immunity for MPs found to have committed corruption or crimes that could result in a jail term of more than 10 years.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Corrupt-politicians-should-face-jail-and-lifetime--30264732.html

-- The Nation 2015-07-19

[ezzra]

NO,, why? what happened, has the penny finally dropped with the right people? is all the inactive posts

and ministries of keeping errant corrupt politicians have been filled up already?

Thailand will be a much better place if the culprits will pay the price, sure, you can avoid corruptions

all together but it is a step in the right direction.....

[clockman]

Not enough jails!

[Yunla]

All corrupt officials should not only face criminal charges and jail time, they should face their own special charges for "damaging the position." Because the truth is that much of governance relies on the trust of the public to function properly, and when an official is corrupt in Job X, that tarnishes the image of Job X, and corrodes the public faith in this official position in the future. So the damage is not limited to the money lost due to corrupt activities, but to the far more harmful damage done to the public perception of the official structures in question. This has been talked about for decades, and the phrase "slippery slope" has often been used, and rightly so, societal stability and national prosperity relies greatly on how much the public believes in the self-regulating mechanisms at the top. Swift action and serious prison sentences for official corruption will always result in greater public and business optimism, and greater national success. It also sends out a clear message to the younger generation, that corruption is wrong and is not tolerated in professional working life.

[ramrod711]

Peerasak said yesterday that harsh punishment was needed to deal with corruption problems. He said while he supports the Constitution Drafting Assembly's (CDC) idea of banning corrupt politicians from politics for life, there should also be imprisonment to strike fear in politicians thinking of profiting from graft.

.....Or they could just execute them, works for the Chinese....just saying.

[trogers]

It was an honest mistake!

[halloween]

Hard to argue against, isn't it? But we didn't need a junta to carry out this reform, PTP could well have done it, after they had passed their amnesty.

On second thoughts, not even then.

[chainarong]

Let's face it when it comes to looking after your own the Thai Elite sure do , anyone in a political position or appointed as head of Department who is found guilty of a crime must do jail time and automatic life suspension, so I agree fully with Khun Porechit, I have seen Thai politicians from all groups rubbed out and then come back after 5 years none more so than PTP, the return of the rottweiler sparked interest no end .

[halloween]

Peerasak said yesterday that harsh punishment was needed to deal with corruption problems. He said while he supports the Constitution Drafting Assembly's (CDC) idea of banning corrupt politicians from politics for life, there should also be imprisonment to strike fear in politicians thinking of profiting from graft.

.....Or they could just execute them, works for the Chinese....just saying.

Putting the emphasis on "fatal" in k.Poom's "fatalistic"

[smedly]

100% agree with the OP and been saying it for a considerable time, the recycle of banned politicians getting back in office every 5 years needs to end with stiff punishments, jail and asset seizures for those found guilty, plus special investigating agencies and courts set up to deal with the vast numbers, once a few people have been made examples then the incentive to corrupt will drastically diminish

[worgeordie]

It should happen,but won't,even if it was passed,

it would be quickly changed by the next democratic,

but undoubtedly corrupt government.

regards Worgeordie

[smedly]

It should happen,but won't,even if it was passed,

it would be quickly changed by the next democratic,

but undoubtedly corrupt government.

regards Worgeordie

easy fix for that is to write certain laws into the constitution that need a referendum to change, like a special category, and the rest requiring 2/3 majority in the lower house to pass and must also pass the upper house - pretty simple stuff that would more or less eliminate abuse

[Thaddeus]

All corrupt office holders please, not just political ones.

[halloween]

It should happen,but won't,even if it was passed,

it would be quickly changed by the next democratic,

but undoubtedly corrupt government.

regards Worgeordie

Or they could install their own lackeys as top police, bribe others to look the other way, and pass an amnesty for themselves at the end of their term.

Why didn't PTP think of that? (sarcasm)

[NongKhaiKid]

All corrupt office holders please, not just political ones.

but that gets a bit too close to home !

[DrTuner]

But what are they then going to do with all the vacant government buildings?

EDIT: Ah! Heureka! Just weld the doors shut and put a plate "Jail" on them. Solved!

[Bernard Flint]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I SEE

Another con to stay in government without elections, He collupt, he collupt, only me not collupt, so i stay, clever or not??????

[Tatsujin]

Finally!

And please, when it's law, make it retroactive for (let's say) the previous 25 years ... that'll clear out ALL current Politicians and Thailand can start with a clean slate and perhaps for once move forward with people who DON'T only think of themselves.

[Kawapete]

It's never too late to do the right thing, but let's see if this can get majority in a vote among people where many later will have to face the music if it will be reinforced......

[halloween]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I SEE

Another con to stay in government without elections, He collupt, he collupt, only me not collupt, so i stay, clever or not??????

With your head in it's present location, you cant see much at all.

Did it occur to you that those proposing this legislation will have it applied to themselves? And with the 2nd proposal, being in government won't protect them even if they extend their term.

[MZurf]

A laudable initiative. Let's start right at the very top. Let's have a close look at the wealth amassed by Uncle Too and his family.

Hold on, that's not allowed is it????

[Solomon]

NO,, why? what happened, has the penny finally dropped with the right people? is all the inactive posts

and ministries of keeping errant corrupt politicians have been filled up already?

Thailand will be a much better place if the culprits will pay the price, sure, you can avoid corruptions

all together but it is a step in the right direction.....

What should happen to those who overthrow elected governments vie coup-de-tats?

[jayboy]

A laudable initiative. Let's start right at the very top. Let's have a close look at the wealth amassed by Uncle Too and his family.

Hold on, that's not allowed is it????

How many times does it have to be explained? Just because many of the generals running the country have huge fortunes completely unexplainable given their modest stipends, these are "good" and "educate" people so the normal rules don't apply and they should not be questioned about these matters ? In any case didn't you know it is an unviolable law that every time this question is asked the answer is always inherited wealth, rich wife, investment capability equal to that of Mr Warren Buffet,rapid appreciation in value of land holdings etc (strike out which does not apply).

On the other hand "bad" people - even those whose wealth is completely transparent and explicable - should be pursued without mercy.

[halloween]

A laudable initiative. Let's start right at the very top. Let's have a close look at the wealth amassed by Uncle Too and his family.

Hold on, that's not allowed is it????

How many times does it have to be explained? Just because many of the generals running the country have huge fortunes completely unexplainable given their modest stipends, these are "good" and "educate" people so the normal rules don't apply and they should not be questioned about these matters ? In any case didn't you know it is an unviolable law that every time this question is asked the answer is always inherited wealth, rich wife, investment capability equal to that of Mr Warren Buffet,rapid appreciation in value of land holdings etc (strike out which does not apply).

On the other hand "bad" people - even those whose wealth is completely transparent and explicable - should be pursued without mercy.

Could you please nominate those "bad" people whose wealth is completely transparent and explicable being pursued without mercy? Or are they figments of an over-active imagination?

[halloween]

A laudable initiative. Let's start right at the very top. Let's have a close look at the wealth amassed by Uncle Too and his family.

Hold on, that's not allowed is it????

Are you advocating that the proposal include retro-activity, something the proposer has ruled out?

[jayboy]

A laudable initiative. Let's start right at the very top. Let's have a close look at the wealth amassed by Uncle Too and his family.

Hold on, that's not allowed is it????

How many times does it have to be explained? Just because many of the generals running the country have huge fortunes completely unexplainable given their modest stipends, these are "good" and "educate" people so the normal rules don't apply and they should not be questioned about these matters ? In any case didn't you know it is an unviolable law that every time this question is asked the answer is always inherited wealth, rich wife, investment capability equal to that of Mr Warren Buffet,rapid appreciation in value of land holdings etc (strike out which does not apply).

On the other hand "bad" people - even those whose wealth is completely transparent and explicable - should be pursued without mercy.

Could you please nominate those "bad" people whose wealth is completely transparent and explicable being pursued without mercy? Or are they figments of an over-active imagination?

Well Yingluck Shinawatra is a high profile obvious "bad" person who is being harrassed notwithstanding there is zero question about the source of her wealth.

However my comment to which you refer was a final brief point incidental to my main criticism - which of course you completely ignore.

[halloween]

A laudable initiative. Let's start right at the very top. Let's have a close look at the wealth amassed by Uncle Too and his family.

Hold on, that's not allowed is it????

How many times does it have to be explained? Just because many of the generals running the country have huge fortunes completely unexplainable given their modest stipends, these are "good" and "educate" people so the normal rules don't apply and they should not be questioned about these matters ? In any case didn't you know it is an unviolable law that every time this question is asked the answer is always inherited wealth, rich wife, investment capability equal to that of Mr Warren Buffet,rapid appreciation in value of land holdings etc (strike out which does not apply).

On the other hand "bad" people - even those whose wealth is completely transparent and explicable - should be pursued without mercy.

Could you please nominate those "bad" people whose wealth is completely transparent and explicable being pursued without mercy? Or are they figments of an over-active imagination?

Well Yingluck Shinawatra is a high profile obvious "bad" person who is being harrassed notwithstanding there is zero question about the source of her wealth.

However my comment to which you refer was a final brief point incidental to my main criticism - which of course you completely ignore.

Sorry if it is against your rules to question your statements. While not at all accepting that Yingluk's declared wealth is untainted, and getting back to your main statement, you seem to be saying that a person's wealth should be of more interest than their actions in office (holding up Yingluk as an example).

OTOH both the proposer and the PTP person consulted are against retroactivity. Are you arguing for it, or blowing smoke to obscure one of the best proposals heard for many years?

[kaorop]

It was an honest mistake!

Yep what old cow australian speaker of the house said when she took a $5000 helicopter ride to a liberal fund raiser on the taxpayers tab

In los they should wipe the slate clean

[scorecard]

A laudable initiative. Let's start right at the very top. Let's have a close look at the wealth amassed by Uncle Too and his family.

Hold on, that's not allowed is it????

How many times does it have to be explained? Just because many of the generals running the country have huge fortunes completely unexplainable given their modest stipends, these are "good" and "educate" people so the normal rules don't apply and they should not be questioned about these matters ? In any case didn't you know it is an unviolable law that every time this question is asked the answer is always inherited wealth, rich wife, investment capability equal to that of Mr Warren Buffet,rapid appreciation in value of land holdings etc (strike out which does not apply).

On the other hand "bad" people - even those whose wealth is completely transparent and explicable - should be pursued without mercy.

-.

[Kannikapor88]

All corrupt office holders please, not just political ones.

They would have to find 200,000 new RTP officers and good for that but TiT so nothing will happen ever ...