'PM Prayut feared fallout at Parliament' over removal of Charae'

[webfact]

'PM feared fallout at Parliament over removal of Charae'
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE PM's move to change his earlier decision to replace the House of Representatives secretary-general with a legal adviser stems from a desire to prevent a negative backlash from parliamentary officials upset over the replacement, National Legislative Assembly president Pornpetch Wichitcholchai said yesterday.

Pornpetch was responding to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's "backflip'' on his earlier decision to replace Charae Panpruang as secretary-general with Nut Phasuk, an NLA legal adviser.

Prayut issued the order by exercising his power under Article 44 of the interim charter to remove Charae from the post - a power that he claimed was used to facilitate reform and ensure peace and unity in the country.

Prayut on Thursday signed the order to abruptly replace Charae, who was taken by surprise. Pornpetch said the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) removed Charae for negligence over failure to check corruption allegations in procurements believed to have caused a delay in the construction of the new Parliament complex in Kiak Kai, Nonthaburi.

Construction of the new Parliament was supposed to be completed in November, but about only 17 per cent of the work has been done, Pornpetch added.

The NCPO expects that Parliament could face legal battles with the firm in charge of the project due to the delay.

Pornpetch said he recommended that the NCPO appoint Nut to replace Charae as Nut is highly knowledgeable in the legal field and holds a C-11 position, equal to the Parliament secretary-general. He said solving the two legal issues - the graft complaints and construction delay - needed a highly competent official.

He said he did not expect the move to transfer an official across state agencies would be met with strong resistance from parliamentary officials.

But he said Prayut was concerned that any resistance from Parliament would create negative repercussions since the NLA, the National Reform Steering Assembly and the Consti-tution Drafting Commission need the support of parliamentary officials.

He said Prayut had agreed with his recommendation and issued NCPO order No 38 to have Nut reinstated to his former position as legal adviser to the NLA. Pornpetch said he endorsed the most senior Parliament deputy secretary-general as caretaker secretary-general.

He said he would resort to normal appointment procedures to select the new secretary-general. He had no idea yet how long the process would take because some deputy secretary-generals were under investigation.

Pornpetch did not want to see a lawsuit used to solve the delay in building the new Parliament because calling new bids would create damage and take time. "We need a special method to proceed with the construction.''

He said the company behind the project, Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction, complained that the delay was caused by officials in charge of taking over the Parliament plot from Yothinburana School committing malfeasance.

It is alleged they wired money into a bank account that did not belong to Yothinburana School.

NLA secretary-general Wararat Atipaet was chosen to head a fact-finding panel looking into the allegation.

Sources said Parliament deputy secretary-general Chanpen Arnamwat has been appointed caretaker secretary-general.

Meanwhile, Charae refused to comment about his removal saying he was now with the Office of the Permanent Secretary - the Prime Minister's Office - and would do any work as assigned.

Deputy PMWissanu Krea-ngam said Prayut used Article 44 to issue the order because it would have taken six months to appoint a replacement or create a new position.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/PM-feared-fallout-at-Parliament-over-removal-of-Ch-30271220.html


-- The Nation 2015-10-20

[Somtamnication]

Like an upside down, sideways opening of a revolving door going backwards while going uphill down a slope of madness. Just sayin' .

I tried to enable an article 44 style mandate in my house and my 5f2 Thai wife told me to go fluck myself.

[waldroj]

The progress of Thailand’s new Parliament Complex seems to reflect the progress of Thailand’s troubled democracy.

Seems the project had been subjected to a multitude of setbacks even before the 12.2 billion baht contract was signed back in April 2013. At that time Stecon were originally bound by the contract to finish the construction on November 24 this year.

In June, 2014 it was reported that work was then about 400 days behind schedule (due to delays in handing over the site to the contractor).

Despite the delays, back in June this year, Khun Charae was reported as saying the construction cost would still be kept at 12 billion baht!

Now the PM has charged into the saga (waving around his well-used Article 44 card as a way to fix everything, including the taint of corruption now hanging over this project). We now have officials being moved back and forth across State agencies, and a fact-finding panel looking into payment irregularities. There is also the risk of further project delays due to possible legal battles with Stecon. All very reminiscent of the previous administration!

So, it looks as it Thailand’s new hall of democracy, just like its return to democracy, will continue to be moveable feasts for well into the foreseeable future!

[Eric Loh]

Reflects much on the PM's decision making temperament.He is more a choleric type leader and snap at making decision without much thought. A poor quality in a leader.

[Srikcir]

"Deputy PMWissanu Krea-ngam said Prayut used Article 44 to issue the order because it would have taken six months to appoint a replacement or create a new position."

It's an irony that the current government is so insistent with Thai people obey the rule of law when itself must resort to Article 44 to circumvent the a rule of law called "due process."

[smutcakes]

Maybe the PM is starting to realize that making changes is not so easy at it seems. People can criticize elected Governments for not cracking down on all the ills of society, but it is becoming quite clear that if the PM with all the power he has at his disposal is unable to do it effectively, then there is little chance of elected Governments being able to bring about change.

[AGareth2]

removal from office

wasn't that abuse of power?

Ah! S 44

[farangmick]

Reflects much on the PM's decision making temperament.He is more a choleric type leader and snap at making decision without much thought. A poor quality in a leader.

I think I have a similar temperament to the good general. Opinionated, prone to opening mouth without engaging brain, cause offence easily by accident and believe I always know best, despite evidence to the contrary. Fortunately for the UK, I didn't have an army behind me to make myself the PM, so I retired to LOS.

[Stan7444]

The progress of Thailand’s new Parliament Complex seems to reflect the progress of Thailand’s troubled democracy.

Seems the project had been subjected to a multitude of setbacks even before the 12.2 billion baht contract was signed back in April 2013. At that time Stecon were originally bound by the contract to finish the construction on November 24 this year.

In June, 2014 it was reported that work was then about 400 days behind schedule (due to delays in handing over the site to the contractor).

Despite the delays, back in June this year, Khun Charae was reported as saying the construction cost would still be kept at 12 billion baht!

Now the PM has charged into the saga (waving around his well-used Article 44 card as a way to fix everything, including the taint of corruption now hanging over this project). We now have officials being moved back and forth across State agencies, and a fact-finding panel looking into payment irregularities. There is also the risk of further project delays due to possible legal battles with Stecon. All very reminiscent of the previous administration!

So, it looks as it Thailand’s new hall of democracy, just like its return to democracy, will continue to be moveable feasts for well into the foreseeable future!