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POLITICS
Meechai wants time to decide on CDC leadership
ANAPAT DEECHUAY
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- FORMER Senate Speaker Meechai Ruchupan has asked for time to decide whether he will head the new constitution drafting committee (CDC), Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said yesterday.

He quoted Meechai as saying that he needed some time to consider the invitation, as he had health issues and did not wish to put himself at the centre of problems. He added that Meechai has time until Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha returns from the United Nations General Assembly on October 1 to decide.

The deputy PM also explained that under the law, Meechai did not have to step down from his post at the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to head the CDC. He went on to say that Meechai was not the only candidate for the post as other people had also put forward nominees.

On his website, www.meechaithailand.com, Meechai dismissed a TV report that said he had declined the invitation to lead the panel, adding that he had called the channel for an explanation. The channel apparently apologised, saying it had mistaken him for former CDC member Mechai Viravaidya.

National Legislative Assembly president Pornpetch Wichitcholchai said Meechai had been part of the NCPO from the very start and choosing him would reflect the principle of picking those who are "in the same boat".

Other alternatives

Ex-PM Anand Panyarachun is also an alternative for the post, he said. "We have to choose from within and there must be a special reason to pick outsiders,'' he explained.

Pornpetch added that he himself would not be suitable for the job if it had to deal with amending laws.

Wissanu said that up to five people have been chosen as CDC members and negotiations with others were not settled yet as they had set certain conditions. He said he had asked some young blood legal specialists, but was not sure they would accept.

Meanwhile, the European Union yesterday called upon the government to respect people's freedom of speech and assembly as the process of writing a new charter is about to kick off.

It said it has repeatedly called for the democratic process to be restored and added that only a full and free public debate in which also critical voices can be heard will allow for true reform and reconciliation.

"The EU Delegation believes that the rule of law and protection and promotion of human rights are crucial elements for stability and progress, and is calling upon Thai authorities to abide by Thailand's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights."

Pheu Thai key member Sudarat Keyuraphan earlier made a similar call for an open public platform. Wissanu said in response to her call that the government and the NCPO had considered this proposal and were looking for ways to ease tensions.

He added that in order to take people's opinions into account for the charter-drafting process, tension must be defused to promote an atmosphere that allows for discussion and reconciliation. Wissanu said he was not sure whether the government had gathered people's opinions, but said the NCPO has been doing so. He said even comments from politicians taken in for "attitude adjustment" were being considered.

Wissanu also asked people to empathise with the NCPO and understand that it needs time to solve problems. Thailand is currently in the second phase of the road map, hence it was difficult to expect things to be the same as before the 2014 coup.

He added that until things return to normal, people have the freedom to express themselves provided they are not too provocative.

In a related report, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said he had heard that some Pheu Thai Party members had applied for posts with the National Reform Steering Committee, but he refused to reveal any names.

However, Chavalit Vichaisut, acting deputy secretary-general of the party denied this, insisting that the party has clarified that it would not send anybody, though party members had the right to apply for the post individually.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Meechai-wants-time-to-decide-on-CDC-leadership-30269517.html


-- The Nation 2015-09-25

[smutcakes]

What is his current post at the NCPO?

Visually it does not bode well, wheeling these old dinosaurs out who have been part of the political class here for generations, who of course have had a hand in creating the issues there currently are in Thai society.

Where are the young, energetic more modern Thai's with fresh ideas? I would prefer to go down a route of younger and more inexperienced than just keep wheeling out these geriatrics.

[bamnutsak]

What's the hurry?

Take all the time you need. It's not like this next Constitution draft will pass a referendum anyway.

This chaps great grandson might not even see another Constitution?

[Srikcir]

"The deputy PM also explained that under the law, Meechai did not have to step down from his post at the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to head the CDC."

Why not just cut to the chase and have Prayut appoint himself to head the CDC?

[deckape]

Just bang out the new Constitution already. It will only be ignored, and then some muppet with epaulets will tear it up.