Thai students studying for international degrees at Thai universities

[webfact]

POLITICS
PM ready to shorten time before next poll
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- FOLLOWING mounting pressure, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday that he would shorten the road map timeline and hold a general election in less than the previously planned 20 months.

The idea was discussed during a joint meeting of the Cabinet, the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), chaired by Prayut.

The premier said the timeline for a new draft could possibly be shortened, as Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam had earlier indicated. For example, he said the previously envisaged "6-4-6-4" formula, with each number referring to the number of months required for each step of the charter-drafting, consideration and referendum process, could be changed to "4-3.5-4-3.5" instead.

This would make it roughly 15 months, rather than 20 as had been planned.

Prayut also said that the process of charter-writing in Samut Khoi (Thai traditional book), as a traditional way to record charter documents, would consume most of the time in the drafting process as it required pure handwriting to complete the book.

"It will take time because the law says so, and I have to follow it," the premier said. "It's not that I want to stay [in power] longer."

NLA president Pornpetch Wichitcholchai said yesterday's meeting had discussed preparation for the formation of a National Reform Steering Committee (NRSC) and a new Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), because the NLA had to coordinate with the two agencies to draft bills as stipulated in the first amendment to the 2014 interim charter.

Prayut said he might select the CDC members before his departure to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, but final approval will be given after he returns next month. The controversial National Strategic Reform and Reconciliation Committee (NSRCC) is needed to keep peace in the country, the premier said.

"Election is not everything for democracy. Rather, what matters is that those elected need to have good governance," he stressed.

"The elected [future] government will be in charge for four years, so should [the NSRCC] stay for the first five years to fix problems?" he said in regard to the government that would succeed his term in office. "This [the NSRCC] is not in order for me to stay in power," Prayut insisted, commenting on the fact that the committee would include the premier and would be able to exercise special authority over the Cabinet in times of crisis.

The PM declined, however, to say whether the NSRCC clause would be inserted in the new charter draft and, if so, where it would appear, only stating that it was a matter for the future.

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, meanwhile, said Prayut had instructed the Cabinet to help him select 21 CDC members. Prawit declined to reveal the names of the CDC candidates the NCPO would nominate.

He also refused to state whether the new charter draft would include the NSRRC, saying it was premature to say.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said that in order to get a charter draft accepted by the public, there should not be a political context involved in appointing members of the NRSC and the CDC.

He said that to prevent a scenario in which charter drafts are again rejected, the next draft should be written so that if the public rejected it in a plebiscite, it was absolutely clear which constitution should be used instead.

Abhisit recommended that the 2007 charter be adopted in such circumstances. "The 2007 charter is acceptable in terms of democratic content, but some political groups do not accept it; unlike the 1997 charter, which all sectors believe carries flaws and must be wholly rewritten," the former prime minister explained.

British Ambassador to Thailand Mark Kent wrote yesterday on the occasion of Democracy Day that democracy required people's equal right and opportunity to participate in the political process.

"As Thailand once again begins the process of agreeing a new constitution, I hope there will be a full and free public debate on the implications for democracy," he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/PM-ready-to-shorten-time-before-next-poll-30268894.html


-- The Nation 2015-09-16

[EricBerg]

... "the premier said. "It's not that I want to stay [in power] longer."

If he wants to prevent the return of the shina-clan to power he will have to compete in the elections too. He stands a very good chance of winning. Unlike Abhisit others.

[taff33]

... "the premier said. "It's not that I want to stay [in power] longer."

If he wants to prevent the return of the shina-clan to power he will have to compete in the elections too. He stands a very good chance of winning. Unlike Abhisit others.

do you really think he stands a chance of winning,I think you should get out and about a bit more.

[MaxLee]

Just kidding

[Tatsujin]

Seriously? It's gonna take that long cos it's got to be handwritten? What century are we in?

[ramrod711]

"Election is not everything for democracy. Rather, what matters is that those elected need to have good governance," he stressed.

True statement, however elections are a critical step in the process. This little "time out" we are presently enjoying can't and shouldn't last forever. Try to put a system in place that prevents vote buying and unconstitutional amendments. A good start, in my opinion, would be a requirement to vote, you don't vote, you pay a fine. The result might be that the results of an election would represent the entire electorate.

[oneday]

"...The controversial National Strategic Reform and Reconciliation Committee (NSRCC) is needed to keep peace in the country, the premier said.."

Stubborn!

[h90]

15 or 20 month is both extremely stupid.

It is the guarantee that we'll have exactly the same problems again somewhere between 2020-2025.

He should stay at least 5 years and clear the things and don't run away like a coward. If he isn't able to do it, find someone else.

[Oziex1]

Elections are pointless if no real reforms and a serious attack on corruption is not undertaken, and if these measures are taken then it is still a very long road to worthwhile elections and democracy.

[Srikcir]

A lot of scattered thoughts:

"hold a general election in less than the previously planned 20 months." That would mean the NCPO holds power for at least 3 years since the coup, followed by up to another 5 years or longer as the rebranded NSRCC. Blessed Buddha, that's no roadmap to democracy! A trip to Mars and back would be quicker.

Handwriting the charter in Samut Khoi that will consume most of the time in the drafting process? Do a digital version to be followed AFTER approval by the referendum with handwriting it in the Samut Khoi. If not approved no time was wasted.

"It will take time because the law says so, and I have to follow it," So says the man that aboilished the 2007 Constitution, wrote his own constitution, granted the coup amnesty from criminal prosecution and rules by absolute power. Issue a directive and change the process.

Abhisit recommended that the 2007 charter be adopted in such circumstances. So says the man who wanted didn't respect the same constitution and applauded the overthrow of a constitutionally elected government to be replaced with a military ruler. Looks like the desire for power can truly change one's political stripes - a conservative royalist to a moderate populist!

[laocowboy2]

Seriously? It's gonna take that long cos it's got to be handwritten? What century are we in?

The one where one carefully planned spelling error means that they have to start over - general-for-life that way.

[waldroj]

"It's not that I want to stay [in power] longer."

I suggest that Prayut has two options available to him if he is to cling to power into the foreseeable future.

The first of these is to continue to do so as head of the NCPO, the second is to run as a candidate in a “democratic” election by the Thai people.

The first option ensures that he retains power! But, only for as long as his Junta cohorts are prepared to accept his eccentricities.

Despite what he may say, I believe that his background shows that this option is what he is most comfortable with.

Should he wish to chance his arm with the second option, then in my opinion, he had better do it sooner rather than later. The longer he puts off a return to the democratic process, the more this country will be alienated by the West, and the longer will be the recovery process. Also, the more certain will the Thai people become that he has passed his use-by date as a serious democratic leader of this country.

The simple fact of the matter is that he is just NOT up to the task of leading a “democratic” Thailand.

Whilst his intentions may be totally genuine, I believe that he lacks the political skill to foster cooperation between disputing factions. He also lacks the charisma necessary to make people want to freely follow him into the future.

Although he probably believes that he is doing things right, this is NOT the same as doing the right things! The problem for Thailand now is that the right things (the things that really need to be done) seem to be languishing in the too hard basket (even though the junta has now had almost 16 months to achieve results).

As I see it, some of what is not being done with any conviction include:

• Fostering media freedom, and tolerating the negative feedback in a constructive manner. Instead, the junta seem to be taking every opportunity to berate, criticise, and censor;
• Offering frank and honest reporting of progress and achievements during the junta's nightly news broadcast and weekly TV show. There really is no need for spin and propaganda;
• Reforming the lèse majesté laws and tackling human rights issues in accordance with Thailand’s obligations as a party to most of the core international human rights instruments;
• Seeking common ground between the current political protagonists, and offering some concessions (and maybe even some amnesties) to allow negotiations to move forward;
• Reforming both the archaic public sector and the RTP, and demanding they become more accountable for their actions and decisions;
• Truly stimulating the economy with a balance of short-term achievable projects and longer-term ‘sensible’ projects that will benefit the whole country rather than a select few.

[ldiablo]

"It will take time because the law says so, and I have to follow it," the premier said. "It's not that I want to stay [in power] longer."

Let's not forget, he is the Law.