Thai govt eyes letting political parties meet

[webfact]

POLITICS
Govt eyes letting political parties meet
WASAMON AUDJARINT,
JAKRAWAN SALAYTOO
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The government will consider whether political parties can resume holding meetings despite the current ban on such activities, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday.

On Monday, Kasit Piromya, a member of the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA), asked the assembly's session to propose to the military-led regime that it permit political gatherings or meetings.

They were outlawed after Prayut led a coup in May last year and launched the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

About 10 NRSA members work with political parties. They should be allowed to meet with their blocs so that they can represent their party's stance on issues in NRSA meetings or on proposals submitted to the government, Kasit said.

"However, I think their agendas for the gatherings should be made clear and obvious," Prayut said during his weekly press briefing.

He would "immediately" approve the gatherings if the parties focused on reform agendas that promote people's well-being rather than election agendas that "politically benefit themselves".

The prime minister's comment possibly reflects recent criticism from some political parties aimed at the new mixed-member apportionment election system proposed by the Constitution Drafting Commission.

"They [political parties' members] shouldn't talk backstage and then fight against each other again," he said, citing how the country had faced political turmoil.

"Should people be taken as [political] hostages?" he said.

People's decisions are crucial to the success of the drafting of the new charter, he said.

"It's up to you how you want the country to be, whether you want it to be safe or want it be clean in politics."

Kasit, a member of the Democrat Party, said he had asked NRSA chairman Tinnapan Nakata to seek Prayut's permission to lift conditions on political meetings, which should be only for discussing national reform and restricted to party premises.

They must not disturb the peace, turn into rallies or create conflicts.

All sectors of society should participate in driving and realising national reform in 2017 and that includes political parties, Kasit said.

The Democrats are ready to let the NCPO observe its collective activities, he added.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Govt-eyes-letting-political-parties-meet-30272679.html


-- The Nation 2015-11-11

[FangFerang]

"He would "immediately" approve the gatherings if the parties focused on reform agendas that promote people's well-being rather than election agendas that "politically benefit themselves"."

By this measure, Suthep and Pra Budda Issara should never be allowed to meet anyone, ever.

[phoenixdoglover]

Time for another speech to the UN lauding the deep commitment of the Thai government to fundamental human rights for all Good People.

[chainarong]

One should feel very humble and grateful that the Junta has taken this step in mending the road to reconciliation, which they have in their wisdom dismantled , however such a gesture has as always strings attached and those concerned would need to consider whether it is worth the hassle and be sure to sweep the venues for hidden mic's and mini camera's........................

[Srikcir]

Outlawed by the Junta:

"A person shall enjoy the liberty to unite and form a political party for the purpose of making political will of the people and carrying out political activities in fulfillment of such will through the democratic regime of government with the King as Head of State as provided in this Constitution." Article 65 of the 2007 Constitution.

That was a liberty guaranteed for the Thai People. Now only to be granted permission to an extent and time that the Junta decides.

[billd766]

Perhaps both major parties will meet in the same room and they will probably shout at or past each other and neither side will listen, as they are both convinced that they are right.