Thai politics: Reformers 'should give explanations'

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'Reformers should give explanations'
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Reformers should write statements in support of their votes on the draft charter, a political observer has suggested.

Suriyasai Katasila, deputy dean of Rangsit University's Social Innovation College, yesterday suggested that each member of the National Reform Council (NRC) make an individual statement supporting their vote - to pass or not to pass the charter - to prevent possible criticism of their decisions.

Suriyasai, who is also director of the Thailand Reform Institute, said he believed a graceful and legitimate historical resolution could be achieved with such an action.

"The votes on the new charter could be regarded as a significant milestone determining the path of reform, and at the same time it is also a significant factor to the political road map," he said.

"So, the NRC members should give an additional statement on top of their votes as the public has high expectations on them during the last phase of their work, which is voting on the draft constitution."

He observed that although the votes would be done openly with each member verbally indicating whether or not they approve of the draft, it was possible that some might cast their votes just to follow the trend or because they were lobbied.

The public would not be aware of motives behind the votes or if each member had voted independently, he said. Suriyasai said personal statements could make the votes graceful and dispel a perception of mitigating circumstances regardless of how the result turns out.

In a related development, Anusorn Iamsa-ad, Pheu Thai's deputy spokesman, hit at "progress" made by the reformers and charter drafters, questioning why they have come to a point where their opinions on the new charter are so varied despite the fact that they worked on it together.

He said it was incredible how the "five rivers" had brought Thailand to the point where they are so busy with the prospect of voting down the charter and thus giving the powers-that-be an excuse to stay on, and tossing it to people to decide.

"To use the reform as an excuse to stay on will only harm the economy. To not set a date for the election will undermine international confidence in Thailand, as there are many indications now showing the powers-that-be are seeking to make the non-democratic regime permanent," Anusorn said.

He said the excuse of "reform before election" was unreasonable and asked if any reforms had been accomplished in the past year. He also noted that reform was a continuous process that has no end.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Reformers-should-give-explanations-30266270.html


-- The Nation 2015-08-10

[EnglishJohn]

Pheu-Thai's flippant remark shows their true attitude to the Thai people :

".. giving the powers-that-be an excuse to stay on, and tossing it to people to decide."

Just like tossing some scraps to the dogs.

[Emster23]

"prospect of voting down the charter and thus giving the powers-that-be an excuse to stay on," hmmm one wonders if that was the plan all along. Of course could point out that since junta came to reform but couldn't, perhaps an exit and return to previous form of government might be in order? Nah.......