NEW CHARTER
Panel to make no more changes to draft charter
KANITTHA THEPJORN
PIYANUCH THAMNUKASETCHAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE CONTENT of the draft constitution will get no further adjustments and the punishment in banning corrupt politicians will follow those in the 2014 provisional constitution in order to avoid the draft charter being rejected, said General Lertrat Ratanavanich, spokesperson and advisor to the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC). Meanwhile, Justice Minister Paiboon Kumchaya voiced concerns over the way the charter was drafted, saying it may appear "extreme" to some people.

Lertrat said there would be no further article changes despite the drafting process being extended by another 30 days as the CDC is conclusive on the text. The extended deadline was made only to allow the CDC to review the new charter, said Lertrat.

He added that CDC would issue a national code of ethics for prospective and current politicians and civil servants. Any politician found violating the code could end up being prohibited from engaging in political activities for five years, according to the new constitution.

He said that such legislation is supposed to follow what was stated in Article 35 of the 2014 provisional constitution.

"If we don't design it this way, someone can propose to overturn the draft constitution because it doesn't follow the 2014 interim constitution." he said, adding that the CDC still has to follow the interim charter.

Lertrat also pointed out that the conditions for the revocation of immunity enjoyed by members of parliament while the House is in session will also be as earlier reported to the public. He said only the conditions in revoking the immunity have been amended while the immunity for parliamentarians still exists in principle.

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Paiboon yesterday expressed his concerns over the draft constitution, saying: "No matter how it was written, no one will directly receive all the benefits. That's why the [new] charter can't be written in an extreme way."

Paiboon said the charter drafters should be realistic in what details in the charter are acceptable to the public as things that go against public sentiment are bound to be rejected.

The constitution, he warned, no matter how lofty it was written, will remain a written text while the country's solution depends whether people will trust and agree with it.

"So I would like to ask the CDC to foster good understanding regarding the contents in the new constitution to every concerned party, so they will be willing to sacrifice their own interests for that of national interest." he concluded.

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Panel-to-make-no-more-changes-to-draft-charter-30265031.html


-- The Nation 2015-07-23

Elections soon then?

He added that CDC would issue a national code of ethics for prospective and current politicians and civil servants. Any politician found violating the code could end up being prohibited from engaging in political activities for five years, according to the new constitution.

He said that such legislation is supposed to follow what was stated in Article 35 of the 2014 provisional constitution.

"If we don't design it this way, someone can propose to overturn the draft constitution because it doesn't follow the 2014 interim constitution." he said, adding that the CDC still has to follow the interim charter.

Lertrat also pointed out that the conditions for the revocation of immunity enjoyed by members of parliament while the House is in session will also be as earlier reported to the public. He said only the conditions in revoking the immunity have been amended while the immunity for parliamentarians still exists in principle.

I now officially call this whole process a complete farce, the above key items were IMO the most important items that needed changing if Thailand was ever going to progress forward, it is beyond comprehension why the people would not support these changes in a referendum, those elected to parliament should never be above the law - one law for all the people no exclusions, and a 5 year ban was always a joke and still will be

Thailand you are lost and will always be lost..................angry

I can sleep better now that no freedom of speech, no elections and police recruits in army green will be the norm, at least until 2017.

Typo in the second sentence of para.2, should read:-

The extended deadline was made only to allow the Junta to remain in power longer........

What a country, people who should be held to higher standards than the ordinary man have it all tailored to protect them.

A senior police officer laid ' above the law ' open and clear and not a word from on high has been said.

Parliamentarians enjoy immunity when the house is in session.

How can the country move forward when a ' them and us ' situation is not only in existence but out in the open without any shame and in some instances enshrined in law ?

So the lifetime ban on corrupt politicians has gone because 'some people might not agree with it as it is too extreme'. Utter tosh. The only people arguing will be extremist political supporters and the politicians themselves. What a whitewhash and pile of manure in the form off excuses from the Justice Minister.

Welcome to Thailand - Welcome to corruption in every corner. Another farce, my goodness!

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Paiboon Kumchaya voiced concerns over the way the charter was drafted, saying it may appear "extreme" to some people.

spot on....

roll out the turd...

Bla Bla Bla Bla...................... Lets dance and maybe go Karaoke after

Mr Prayut is never leaving the seat cut the ranting and be honest

His ok a bit of of a power tripper its not the Army its politics and the people have rights to speak FREELY

I cant spell but is ok I are free

Election let me know I will be on my rocking chair with my old wife

I can sleep better now that no freedom of speech, no elections and police recruits in army green will be the norm, at least until 2017.

They won't last that long ..

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?/topic/841587-Corrupt-politicians-should-face-jail-and-lifetime-ban:-NLA-deputy-chief#entry9636330

Well that idea lasted all of 2 days before being binned.

ANother step in the right direction without progress. It's the Prayuth Shuffle --

You put your right foot in, you take your right foot out, you put your right foot in.... and shake it all about.

" a national code of ethics for prospective and current politicians and civil servants"

No code of ethics for the military governance? The military has held government office more often than civilians.