Analysts take dim view of powerful NSRRC
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- POLITICAL observers view the emergence of a National Strategic Reform and Reconciliation Committee (NSRRC) as contradicting democratic principles and hindering the development of society and democracy.

At a seminar analysing the draft constitution at Chulalongkorn University yesterday, veteran politician Nikorn Chamnong from the Chart Thai Pattana Party said the charter had been well written to solve the problems facing the country in the past decade - whether street protests or the problems in the national assembly.

The charter also provided mechanisms to unlock almost all of past problems. However, the NSRRC, which would be used as a safety lock, could rather block the learning of society, he said.

Likit Theeravekin, a senior political scientist, said it was crucial to look at Article 3 of the draft charter, which stipulates that sovereign power belongs to all Thais. However, many other articles contradict it. For instance, the 123 selected senators and the outsider prime minister would not connect with the people, as they would not be elected by the people.

The NSRRC would have the power to overrule the administrative and legislative branches and therefore also seems not to be connected with the people, he said.

Chantana Wankaew, another scholar from Chulalongkorn, said the NSRRC was designed to resolve conflicts, but would instead create one because it holds absolute power without a scrutinising mechanism.

Buntoon Srethasirote, a member of the Constitution Drafting Committee, said the concerned bodies including the legislature fully acknowledged the controversy caused by the charter draft and the NSRRC.

Perhaps the legislature, which has reserved the right to propose an additional question on the charter referendum, could ask the people if they would accept the embattled strategic committee.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Analysts-take-dim-view-of-powerful-NSRRC-30268097.html


-- The Nation 2015-09-04

Why not cut all the bull and just insert a clause where the military reserves it "right" to take over the government if they believe they are not getting their fair share of kickbacks, brown paper bags or losing control of their profitable "businesses".

They could call it the suthep clause!

A delicate balance with smoke a mirrors needed. How can I maintain power and thus a front

row seat at the trough, while appearing to restore democracy and letting the people think they

have control.

Can't they just keep using NCPO?

Everyone's used to it, they have the members, badges, logo-ed shirts.

"Perhaps the legislature, which has reserved the right to propose an additional question on the charter referendum, could ask the people if they would accept the embattled strategic committee".

That illuminates some of their strategy.

Put so much in there, that one can afford to give some of it up, appear to be magnanimous and "responsive to the people". Yet retain the transference of power from an electorate to themselves in one form or another.