New Thai charter: Political observers cautiously optimistic

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Political observers cautiously optimistic
POLITICAL REPORTERS
THE NATION



CRITICS SEE CHARTER DRAFTING CYCLE AS JUNTA PLOY TO KEEP POWER

BANGKOK: -- THE newly-appointed constitution drafters were cautiously welcomed by political observers yesterday, though critics suspected they might end up writing the new charter in a way that would please the junta.

Critics said that the charter drafting cycle was designed to keep the military in power, DPA reported.

Kan Yuenyong, an analyst at Siam Intelligence Unit think-tank, said the junta's aim of a constitution that gave the military overarching powers remained unchanged. "At the end of the day, the junta has the same aims it did before," Kan told Reuters.

"It believes the political system doesn't work and they need an umbrella organisation to oversee the country and weaken the electoral process - but how they will do that and make it more palatable to people remains to be seen."

Paiboon Nititawan, a member of the now-defunct constitution drafting committee (CDC), was confident the newly appointed CDC would do its job well as it didn't have to fight with the National Reform Council and the draft would go directly to a national referendum.

Besides, the new body had seen issues arise during the term of the previous charter-drafting panel. It should be able to handle whatever problems faced it in the future, Paiboon said.

Also, he said he was confident with the chairman, Meechai Ruchupan, who was prudent. The process should be able proceed just fine, Paiboon said.

Akanat Promphan, secretary to the People's Democratic Reform Founda-tion (PDRF), was satisfied with the qualifications of the new CDC members, reasoning that they had the ability to create a draft to bring about reforms in the country. He even referred to Meechai as "Thailand's No 1 charter designer".

"People should be optimistic and open to the new members," he said. "As their upcoming work may be continued from the previous, fairly-good draft, which was good enough to go through a referendum."

In return, the CDC should be open to listening to opinions and responding to concerns from the public. Akanat referred to how the previous CDC had inserted points of reform in the charter draft, as proposed by the People's Democratic Reform Committee, the PDRF's preceding body.

"I hope that the 21 members draft a charter suitable to social contexts, acceptable by international communities," he added. "And having mechanisms to solve crises to prevent any sacrifices from the people - like those [we had] in the past."

Weng Tojirakarn, a key figure from United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), yesterday said he felt indifferent about the new CDC composition and its chairman.

He said there was nothing more to the Constitution than that it would be written in line with the NCPO's wishes. Meechai was a legal server sitting in the military council and had written a few charters [already] serving coup makers.

Weng warned that if the new charter was not democratic and did not pass the referendum, the junta would have to answer to a lot of questions. He had announced on the international stage a couple of times that this was his road map to democracy.

However, Weng suggested that the powers-that-be consider bringing the 1997 Constitution into use again because it had been admired by the people as "a true people's Constitution."

Suriyasai Katasaila, a political activist-turned-lecturer, said that the overall standard of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC)'s 21 members was not outstandingly different from that of the previous one.

The new team was also not one of variety, Suriyasai continued. A proportion of members with bureaucratic backgrounds was also comparatively high, he said, [which could result in a] bureaucratic mindset infiltrating the charter drafting process.

Although many committee members were experts with clean backgrounds, he added, they still had not produced any remarkable reform-related works.

Meechai was appointed as chairman probably because he gained the trust of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), of which he was also a member. The trust, however, could turn into a double-edged sword as people might view the current CDC as merely a branch of the NCPO.

"Meechai's roles in drafting previous charters were necessary to work on the current one," he said "but he also needs to understand that social contexts have changed a lot. There should be more space provided for civil society, too."

He also wished they could pick up positive points from the 1997 and 2007 charters and the recently rejected draft, seeing that they should emphasise the concepts of civic politics.

He also hoped that the CDC could bring about practical reforms to the country, especially in gap narrowing and resource manipulation.

Adul Keawboriboon, president of the Commission of Relatives of the May 1992 Heroes, said relatives were uncomfortable with the new CDC's chair, saying Meechai had once drafted a Constitution that led to chaos in the country. During that time, many people were injured and killed and there was conflict among Thai people, he said.

The relatives were worried that history might repeat itself, Adul said. Their main concern was that there would be an attempt through the charter to allow the powers-that-be to stay on, just like the outsider prime minister in the previous draft who had been removed, Adul explained.

However, Adul said he was partly relieved because Prayut had declared that he did not wish to become an outsider PM. The relatives hope he keeps his word, he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Political-observers-cautiously-optimistic-30270275.html


-- The Nation 2015-10-06

[NongKhaiKid]

' Steering ' Council ?

Let's hope they can steer better than the average driver here.

[Somtamnication]

Nice colour wheel, but it's missing yellow.

[oneday]

There is NO mystery here. EVERYONE knows what it will take to vote "yes" on a charter. If they do not fix the "undemocratic" sections of the charter then this junta has no interest in Democracy or an election in 2017. They only have self-interest in maintaining their power and control.

[Jonmarleesco]

Ten political fractions? And what are forty nine security officers doing on the steering council?

[bamnutsak]

Adul Keawboriboon, president of the Commission of Relatives of the May 1992 Heroes, said relatives were uncomfortable with the new CDC's chair, saying Meechai had once drafted a Constitution that led to chaos in the country. During that time, many people were injured and killed and there was conflict among Thai people, he said.

The relatives were worried that history might repeat itself, Adul said.

History, repeat itself? In Thailand? Surely not.

Maybe if they taught some "real" history, some would learn, and not keep making the same mistakes?

[mark131v]

Ahh, more picked 'good people' making all the decisions for the masses what could possibly go wrong....?

Nepotism, corruption, cronyism nope they are 'good' people so could never happen again.....

[JAG]

Ten political fractions? And what are forty nine security officers doing on the steering council?

4 on the gate, 2 with mirrors on sticks for looking under your car,

1 standing in the road outside blowing a whistle and waving a red flag, being totally ignored by the traffic,

4 in the car park blowing whistles and gesturing furiously,

1 on each of the 7 entrances to the building, with a torch (flat battery) to look in your bag,

3 on the desk in the foyer gazing at a computer screen,

6 sitting in the corner eating somtam,

and the list goes on...

[mark131v]

Nice colour wheel, but it's missing yellow.

Think you will find it is all yellow mate....

[Srikcir]

Publicly elected officials - ZERO

The make up of the Junta-appointed NLA is more balanced than this CDC. And that's not saying much in terms of representing the Thai electorate. With Meechai in control of the draft, I am cautiously pessimistic.