Prayut not barred from 'crisis' panel

[Lite Beer]

Prayut not barred from 'crisis' panel
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- CDC SAYS KEY AIM OF REFORM COMMISSION IS TO AVOID POLITICAL DEADLOCK AS IN THE PAST

THERE are no rules in the new constitution that prevent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha from becoming part of a commission that will have the power to suggest solutions in times of political crisis, a spokesman for the Constitution Drafting Committee said yesterday.

Kamnoon Sidhisamarn said that the transitional clauses would specify further details about this matter as well as set out the authority |and scope of the National Strategic Reform and Reconciliation Commission (NSRRC).

"The constitution drafters would prefer to see office holders from the post-election government on the commission. But the existing rules do not prevent General Prayut from joining it," Kamnoon said.

Critics allege that the proposed NSRRC is an attempt by the powers that be to maintain their power over elected governments. The panel's term will be five years, which covers the entire tenure of the next administration as well as a part of the term of the succeeding one.

Kamnoon said that the NSRRC would aim to prevent a repeat of the dangerous political deadlock experienced before the coup in May last year.

He said the commission, which would have special powers under the new charter, could only stay formed longer than five years through a national referendum.

Manit Suksomjit, the second deputy chairman of the CDC, likened the NSRRC to having fire engines that would be needed only in case of an emergency.

"The commission is part of the mechanism to help when the Cabinet cannot function. The panel's duty is stated in the constitution's transitional provisions. Their power may be invoked or not. It depends on the situation," Manit said.

"It is like you have fire trucks ready in case of a fire. If there is no fire, you don't need to use them," he added.

Constitution drafter Paiboon Nititawan explained that there were four steps to activate the use of the NSRRC under the new charter.

If a conflict emerges that threatens national security, and the Cabinet and political institutions such as Parliament are unable to solve it under normal mechanisms, the NSRRC would consult with the Constitutional Court president to come up with measures aimed at restoring peace, he said.

The NSRRC would vote on |the measures proposed, and support from at least two-thirds of its |members is required before a |measure can be applied, he said.

Manoon Siriwan, a member of the National Reform Council, said he was convinced the NSRRC would help ensure that the elected governments would serve honestly for the benefit of the country.

He agreed that this mechanism was not in line with the universal democratic principle but it was necessary to prevent a recurrence of the political crises Thailand had experienced in the past.

Regarding the suspicion that the commission was an attempt by the powers that be to stay in power, Manoon said: "You may interpret this matter that way. You can see both positive and negative sides of it. It depends on how you look at it."

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Prayut-not-barred-from-crisis-panel-30266644.html

-- The Nation 2015-08-15

[Dr Bruce]

This is a great idea, when the next elected government do anything to help the people outside of Bangkok they can wheel out Suthep to cause a crisis, protect him with corrupt courts and then step in to solve the crisis without all of the bad publicity caused by having a coup.

[arthurboy]

Anyone who thinks the 'crisis panel' will not influence any elected government is living in cloud cuckoo land. Despite claims to the contrary, the panel will be consulted on policy prior to rubber stamp approval by the elected bodies.

Add to the mix the fact that all parties and individuals eligible for election (with a few token exceptions) will have already been vetted and approved to a such a degree that Thailand will end up with a puppet government.

Equally, the claim that the panel will only intervene in crisis situations to prevent a breakdown of government etc. and consequent military action is deceptive. This mechanism will simply serve as a standing reminder and threat that - in reality - another military coup will never be far away.

This whole thing is a farce.

[NongKhaiKid]

Well, a crisis panel will never be short of work but what's the sense of yet another panel / committee staffed by people from within the existing set up, answerable to and controlled by the same people ?

[Fat Haggis]

And day by day the wool continues to be pulled over the Thai people's eyes and decks stacked and the game rigged!!

[tbthailand]

Prayut not barred from 'crisis' panel

yeah, of course not...

but I'm just a tiny bit surprised that they make it "official"...

[baboon]

And day by day the wool continues to be pulled over the Thai people's eyes and decks stacked and the game rigged!!

...It gets to the point where it becomes boring, which of course suits The Establishment down to the ground.

[jerojero]

Who cares what is or is not in the Constitution. He has Art 44 and ultimate control over Everything! Who would enforce his being barred? Ha ha. Utter stupidly among this news article.

Edited August 15, 2015 by jerojero

[Srikcir]

Hi. I'm General Prayut and I'm here to help you help yourself.

[tajtom]

What a lot of shit designes to confuse the public charter charter charter LOL..... You blokes are full of it.

It takes you around 1 day to lay down the ground rules.

And 2 years for a public vote haha.... In the mean time new police and poli.s lining there fat pockets why the Thai people still live on rice and visitors are not welcomed happily. And forced to pay more baht to be here, HORAY great charters

[Fat Haggis]

And day by day the wool continues to be pulled over the Thai people's eyes and decks stacked and the game rigged!!

...It gets to the point where it becomes boring, which of course suits The Establishment down to the ground.

Worse mate, it gets to the point the people don't know the difference and apathy sets in, spend months "conditioning " the population and soon they accept what shouldn't be,as the norm.

[ginjag]

Love it when all you minority guys select one subject that suits your daily needs. Topic is a lovely carrot for you.