Thai Senate selection process unlikely to change

[webfact]

Senate selection process unlikely to change
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Drafting Committee will likely maintain the same system for electing senators, CDC spokesman Kamnoon Sidhisamarn said yesterday.

He said although some sectors wanted the charter writers to amend the draft to have all 200 senators come from an indirect election, it was unlikely the CDC would change the current mixed system of direct and indirect elections.

The CDC was only likely to review the composition of selection committees for senatorial candidates, he said.

"As long as it is not yet August 22, changes can be made, depending on what the CDC decides on the issue. In practice, a drastic change may not be possible because it would affect other [charter] articles,'' he said.

Meanwhile, CDC member Jade Donavanik has voiced opposition to a proposal to have the Prayut administration stay in power another two years to reform the country before calling a general election.

Jade said the National Council for Peace and Order had taken control of the country since May 22 last year and started the reform process by laying the foundations for reform platforms.

"If the administration extends its term to reform, this could be translated to mean the reform was inefficient and could be illegitimate," Jade said.

"The junta should transfer the power to other agencies like the National Reform Movement Council and the Strategic Reform and Reconciliation Committee to implement long term reform.''

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Senate-selection-process-unlikely-to-change-30266129.html

-- The Nation 2015-08-07

[tbthailand]

last time I checked, the "direct" part of the senate was voting for pre-selected candidates.

... what's the Russian word for election anyway??

[DKUNPUTAF713]

Certainly will not enhance any chance of a favorable referendum!

[bamnutsak]

The "Good People" will choose 77/78 "acceptable" "candidates" to "run" for "election", unopposed as anything else would cause divisiveness in society. The remaining 123/122 will be appointed from the ranks of the "Good People".

On the plus side, they'll be allowed to amend the 'Constitution'.

What could go wrong?

[Eric Loh]

Get over the song and dance routine, we know what's the end product like.

[Srikcir]

"The junta should transfer the power to other agencies like the National Reform Movement Council and the Strategic Reform and Reconciliation Committee to implement long term reform.''

TRANSLATION:

"The junta should transfer the power to NCPO alter ego agencies like the National Reform Movement Council and the Strategic Reform and Reconciliation Committee to implement long term reform.''

Between a Junta-contrived Senate and its transformation into independent agencies, no democratically elected government will have any freedom of governance without NCPO oversight and approval.

[tajtom]

Unlikely i would say extremely unlikely unless Prayuth falls ill