Abhisit proposes reduction of state power

[webfact]

Abhisit proposes reduction of state power
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has come up with proposals for those tasked with drafting the new constitution.

Abhisit said that to foster sustainable development and strong democracy for Thailand, the Constitution Drafting Commission should follow democratic principles, which should see state power reduced and the people's power increased.

Abhisit's 10 recommendations are:

1. That the country be governed under a democratic regime with His Majesty the King as head of state, and under a liberal parliamentary system.

2. That people's freedom and rights to democratic participation should be addressed in line with the vision of the 2007 Constitution. The promotion of citizens' rights under the previous draft charter voted down by the National Reform Council should also be taken into account.

3. Decentralisation should be addressed in line with provisions in the 2007 Constitution, and it should be realised at a local level. Elections at a local level should also be promoted along with scrutinising mechanisms.

4. Elections for the House Representatives should reflect people's intentions and wishes. They should give importance to people's votes and avoid stirring divisions generated by fierce competition.

5. Elections should be run cleanly, justly, and be free from vote buying, before, during and after the voting. They should also prevent populist policies which damage the country.

6. Political parties should be empowered so they are able to keep their politicians in check and can develop into parties that truly represent the people. They should not become the tools of politicians, individuals or capitalists. Their members should also be able to participate in decision-making and management within the parties.

7. Check-and-balance mechanisms should be put in place to help create equilibrium of power between legislative, executive and judiciary branches so that the rule of law and accountability are upheld.

8. Effective mechanisms to prevent and suppress corruption should be put in place so that corruption can be eradicated in a timely and effective manner.

9. Reform agendas which are deemed urgent should be addressed along with principles, approaches and supporting content. A referendum should be held to help ensure that commitments are placed on future governments.

10. Reconciliation should be addressed and given importance to help create ground rules for peaceful co-existence in society. Action concerning incidents in the past should be dealt with by judicial processes and end in justice. Amnesty should be limited to ordinary demonstrators or those guilty of minor offences.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Abhisit-proposes-reduction-of-state-power-30272286.html


-- The Nation 2015-11-05

[Bender]

11. And if you lose election, the democrats loser should not stage a coup!

[anotheruser]

Somebody needs an attitude adjustment.

[daveAustin]

If only 10% of those with clout could think how Mark does. He's wasted in Muang Thai.

[Reigntax]

If only 10% of those with clout could think how Mark does. He's wasted in Muang Thai.

If Mark had some policies to govern the country instead of focusing his attention against Thaksin, he may actually win an election.

You cant win by removing opposition, you need to beat them by showing voters you can do a better job.

[NongKhaiKid]

If only 10% of those with clout could think how Mark does. He's wasted in Muang Thai.

If Mark had some policies to govern the country instead of focusing his attention against Thaksin, he may actually win an election.

You cant win by removing opposition, you need to beat them by showing voters you can do a better job.

How about paying more for each vote ? ?

OK, OK just a thought but voters here would understand.

[smutcakes]

Not bad ideas, but hardly ground breaking. I don’t think anything was wrong with the previous Constitution.

Sadly for me time and time again it comes back to the inability, unwillingness, impartiality and lack of trust in the judicial system and independent agencies which means anything they say or do is met with extreme skepticism at best.

If people had trust in these areas, and they were efficient and transparent, many of the problems the country faces were not be here, and people knowing the strength, impartiality, honesty and efficiency of the agencies and judiciary would not even try and be naughty boys and girls.

This is not just from a political perspective either.

[englishoak]

damaged goods.

[Eric Loh]

If only 10% of those with clout could think how Mark does. He's wasted in Muang Thai.

If Mark had some policies to govern the country instead of focusing his attention against Thaksin, he may actually win an election.

You cant win by removing opposition, you need to beat them by showing voters you can do a better job.

How about paying more for each vote ? ?

OK, OK just a thought but voters here would understand.

That would be right down the Democract Party's alley. The get 10 times party donation than their closest rival. They have most of the wealthy urbanites and the ammart. If election is just down to buying voted, Ahbisit will win hands down.

[chainarong]

Mark is on the right page, there is no doubt that HRH has to play a more important part in Thai politics as head of state , very similar to the Westminster design , what Abhisit needs or wants to do is to nullify the boggy from the Country , the Military , in achieving this it will ensure that any stalemate or dispute can be decided by His Majesty the King , this in itself would ensure a much stronger sovereign risk factor for investment and eliminate the military from the equation, with proper management and rules , all the rest will follow ,if the Military Junta was interested in the future well being of Thailand and its people it would be wise to investigate this path. .............

[jayboy]

Point 5 doesn't make much sense.Leaving aside for a moment the definition of populist policies and their pros and cons, I don't think this aspect has anything to do with elections.

A sensible compromise might be for all parties to produce properly costed estimates of their proposed policies.These could be audited by an independent body.

[BlindMagician]

Would be nice if it could actually be implemented and become reality. Unfortunately, there would still be the military and the police doing all the jobs going, except the jobs we expect them to do.

[bangon04]

If only 10% of those with clout could think how Mark does. He's wasted in Muang Thai.

Either he is having a laugh at the voters' expense, or he is allowing the tainted values of his overseas education to colour his better Thai judgment.

In fact he is starting from a low point. The Junta has reduced state power to zero, and any constitution will have the effect of increasing state power.

[DTL2014]

Mark is on the right page, there is no doubt that HRH has to play a more important part in Thai politics as head of state , very similar to the Westminster design , what Abhisit needs or wants to do is to nullify the boggy from the Country , the Military , in achieving this it will ensure that any stalemate or dispute can be decided by His Majesty the King , this in itself would ensure a much stronger sovereign risk factor for investment and eliminate the military from the equation, with proper management and rules , all the rest will follow ,if the Military Junta was interested in the future well being of Thailand and its people it would be wise to investigate this path. .............

i don't agree- monarchies getting involved with politics is always a no no- they should always remain neutral and respect the wishes of the people-(although when vote buying is rampant- it does murky things a little)what i think could work is a dem / military coalition. where the dems get to administer the govt- and the military can police the police.although military should never be involved in politics - or the police for that matter.

Then when stability sets in - they could reduce state power- its a great idea ,transform the govt from regulators to facilitators - and then when economy picks up - they will need to make sure the rural poor also benefit in a sustainable way - we need the farmers to be happy and cushioned in times of economic downturn.

no need to resort to populist policies-all policies should be popular! psychologically they need to distance themselves from chinese government mentality and adopt a mix of singaporean backbone and hong kong style deregulated free economy -with less govt power is a good path

stability and less corruption should be a priority.

Edited November 5, 2015 by DTL2014

[tbthailand]

The elite's uppity little political lap dog speaks out... how charming.

5. Elections should be run cleanly, justly, and be free from vote buying, before, during and after the voting. They should also prevent populist policies which damage the country.

Of course, elections should be "clean" as well as just as well as transparent as well as accessible to all. who besides Suthep could disagree with that?

Now, I know that is obligatory to disparage "populist policies", but seriously, how does this little political yapper link two completely unrelated topics : clean elections with preventing "populist policies"?

I used to think that he might actually be a reasonably intelligent person, ...