Snake on side of road On Nut

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Why the draft's rejection seemed a relief for all sides
JINTANA PANYAARVUDH

BANGKOK: -- THE LONG and protracted journey of Thailand's 20th Constitution came to an abrupt halt on Sunday when the National Reform Council (NRC) shot down the charter draft, delaying the general election for at least seven months.

The military-installed NRC overwhelmingly voted 135:105 to reject the charter draft written by the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), which took around nine months to draw up and review the draft.

The rejection appears to be a relief for all sides, except the CDC.

The anti-coup camp was glad that the junta-sponsored charter draft was rejected, while proponents of the coup were also happy that the junta would get to stay in power a little longer. It worked out especially well for the latter because the junta can maintain order and peace for longer.

It's a win-win situation for the junta. The military can retain power for several months longer and the new Cabinet line-up will have more time to show positive results and win back the hearts of the people.

However, while the majority of the NRC members had several reasons to shoot down the charter draft, what was clearer than the result was who actually voted against it.

According to the results, most of the NRC members who voted against the draft were politicians, military personnel, police officers and public servants.

It was no surprise why the politicians went against the draft. The most controversial issue in the draft they feared was the National Strategic Reform and Reconciliation Committee (NSRRC) since the so-called crisis panel would have more power than the government.

The draft gave the panel special powers to intervene in a political crisis by seizing both executive and legislative powers from the government and parliament in the event that the government could not function and the national administration was seriously compromised.

But the motives of the security officers and public servants for shooting down the draft, which was the decisive voting bloc that caused the draft to fail, were quite interesting.

It's not clear why the junta allowed the draft to be rejected, especially if you consider that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was upbeat about it, particularly the crisis panel. Several clauses in the draft clearly satisfied the junta's needs; for example the "outsider" prime minister, the NSRRC, life ban for politicians who commit electoral fraud or corruption, and having 123 out of 200 senators in the first Senate selected by the government.

So why and how did the junta allow the rejection to happen?

That brings us to another question: why did the NRC members, who were supposed to support the government, as well as the junta who appointed them, vote against the premier's view.

If we believe the widespread speculation that heavy lobbying was done by the junta to urge the NRC not to pass the draft, it would not stretch the imagination too far to suggest that someone from the junta issued an "order" to reject the draft so that the military could retain power longer than stipulated in the road map.

And it would be difficult for Prayut to explain why those who were appointed by him voted against his view, although he kept saying he would maintain the road map and return democracy to the people soon.

Or was he just playing out some well-rehearsed drama to convince the people that he wanted to follow the road map - but in a way that nobody expected?

However, now the new round of charter drafting will begin soon.

A new group of 21 charter drafters will be appointed by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) within 30 days.

No one can guarantee the new drafting team will not put all the controversial clauses desired by the junta back into the new draft. But why not, as the new drafting team will be appointed by the NCPO?

And this time the decision will belong to the voters in a national referendum whether or not to approve the draft.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Why-the-drafts-rejection-seemed-a-relief-for-all-s-30268369.html


-- The Nation 2015-09-08

[lovelomsak]

What the draft rejection is and was ,is simply part of the big plan. The junta is in a win win situation to maintain power. If charter drafts fail they stay in power till one is passed if charter drafts pass they maintain power in writing forever Basically they are telling the Thai people accept the fact we will remain in power for ever either waiting for new constitution or after new constitution,. The junta has the control either way. Thais have to learn to live with that reality.

It isnot about if; its about when. Sooner or later the junta will get what they want. They have control for ever now and willnot let it go till they get it in writing as a constitution.

Edited September 8, 2015 by lovelomsak

[Eric Loh]

I doubt the rejection was engineered by the junta. Prayuth and Prawit have supported the draft before the vote and doubt both these characters would like to lose face. It's more a NRC defiance by the members who represent their provinces and professional fields to vote no to avoid political instability. They don't want to be seen as accomplices of a charter that will further the political division. I also doubt that Prayuth want to stay in power any longer with the economy struggling for the next few years. He would not like his legacy to be labeled as a lame PM.

I also think the political parties will be the happier of the lot as none will want to step in the shoes of the government at this current times of a struggling economy. They will rather see the train wreck happening than to jump aboard. I believe that Prayuth is seeking a exit strategy and we should know more in weeks to come.

[MaxLee]

It just means, the eternal loop of the Elite among themselves from all parties will just continue with business as usual, corruption vs corruption vs corruption vs face.... and the currently ruling powerful institution will continue to rule...

[wabothai]

backwards governing.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

BURNING ISSUE

[Srikcir]

Guess who is oddly silent over the charter rejection? Suthep

He essentially joined Prayut's bandwagon to help promote the CDC draft and get it passed in a referendum. Now he is left fluttering like a bird with a broken wing.

Sometimes fate can be cruel to those who are.

[tbthailand]

It's a win-win situation for the junta.

this is a true statement.

The junta has consistently used it's absolute authority to create nothing but win-win situations for itself and it's backers.

The only hope that the people of Thailand have to get out from under the yoke of the elites and their military boots will be seen when they reject the next constitution in a referendum and demand that a real constitution be written.

They will never be free, however, until they castrate the Generals. Period.

[Dogmatix]

I doubt the rejection was engineered by the junta. Prayuth and Prawit have supported the draft before the vote and doubt both these characters would like to lose face. It's more a NRC defiance by the members who represent their provinces and professional fields to vote no to avoid political instability. They don't want to be seen as accomplices of a charter that will further the political division. I also doubt that Prayuth want to stay in power any longer with the economy struggling for the next few years. He would not like his legacy to be labeled as a lame PM.

I also think the political parties will be the happier of the lot as none will want to step in the shoes of the government at this current times of a struggling economy. They will rather see the train wreck happening than to jump aboard. I believe that Prayuth is seeking a exit strategy and we should know more in weeks to come.

The puzzling thing though is that the military members of the NRC voted against the draft as a bloc. It's hard to imagine they weren't ordered which way to vote, despite the denials.

[taiwanatoa]

Thai Lawyers for Human Rights on the Draft Constitution

http://prachatai.org/english/node/5449?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+prachataienglish+%28Prachatai+in+English%29

also:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/security/683776/143-websites-with-lese-majeste-content-blocked

[tbthailand]

2. TLHR proposes that the 1997 Constitution be restored and enforced since its content is more democratic and its drafting was made with widespread and vibrant participation from the people, though it was revoked after the coup on 19 September 2006 by the Council for Democratic Reform as the Head of State. Its restoration shall ensure the return of democracy in Thailand as soon as possible.

what a great - and simple - idea.

The people in charge today will never do this - it is diametrically opposed to their own vision for Thailand - total control.