Drafters want a non-elected PM, Chaturon claims

[rooster59]

Drafters want a non-elected PM, Chaturon claims

BANGKOK: VETERAN politician Chaturon Chaisang has claimed the Constitution Drafting Commission is paving the way for non-elected prime ministers and the "dominance of an extra-bureaucratic force".

The CDC has proposed that political parties nominate a PM before a general election.

Chaturon, a former deputy prime minister, said the move to opt for a one-ballot election system instead of the two-ballot system previously used would mean the electorate picks a constituency MP, a party-list MP and a PM in one go.

The one-ballot system would cause confusion to voters, unlike the two ballot system in which electorates have the liberty to pick their favourite candidate, who may not be under the banner of the political party they favour, Chaturon said.

He was also critical of the proposed calculation for party-list votes, which he claimed would result in parties winning more than half the total constituencies becoming minority parties.

"I wonder if this will help pave the way for a non-elected PM. I must admit that CDC chairman [Meechai Ruchupan] is a master of legal techniques who can tactfully create conditions that lead to a non-elected PM scenario and inevitable dominance or influence of an extra-bureaucratic force,'' he said.

Chaturon said the CDC proposals would also lead to political collusion because small parties could nominate the same PM as large parties.

The ex-Pheu Thai MP also opposed the CDC proposal to disband the government if governments MPs are disqualified. "This is a wrong approach as the CDC seeks to punish all, resulting in the collapse of a government," he said.

He said there may be other rules that would cause a government to easily collapse such as the CDC proposal that a constituency MP candidate must have more votes than the number of "no" votes in their constituency.

"Just at the start, we know that the CDC is designing conditions that make elections not a solution of the country but the extra-bureaucratic force is,'' he said.

He said as long as the country did not have a democratic charter, there was no need to go to the polls because the people's voice was meaningless under such circumstances.

"If that is the case, we have to campaign to get the public to reject the charter draft. It is better we do not have an election yet because if the charter draft passes a public referendum, the country will certainly be hit by a crisis,'' he claimed.

Meanwhile, Klanarong Chanthik, chairman of the National Legislative Assembly's panel on political affairs, said his committee had submitted opinions on the new charter to the NLA's special committee scrutinising the charter draft.

The committee suggested that the PM be supported by the House of Representatives and the charter draft did not need to specify whether the PM should be elected or not. The draft should not indicate the conditions for a non-elected PM, it suggested, as this would constitute a problematic scenario as had happened earlier.

The committee suggested that senators should be appointed and have the power to impeach only officials they endorse. A legal body should be established to resolve national crises and promote national reconciliation.

It said the State Audit Commission should take part in the selection process and approve the appointment of the Auditor General, who must be endorsed by the Senate.

The power and authority of the State Audit Commission must be as stipulated in the amendment to the 1999 Charter's organic law on state audit, as this law empowered the commission to oversee the implementation of government policies.

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Drafters-want-a-non-elected-PM-Chaturon-claims-30272956.html

-- The Nation 2015-11-15

[ChrisY1]

"a master of legal techniques who can tactfully create conditions......"

Just doing what he's told..........

[EnglishJohn]

Pheu-Thai MP : A crony who receives benefits and privileges in return for following the instructions of his master, no matter how unethical. He risks being outcast and ruined if he disobeys.

Whatever he says, I want the opposite. I have zero respect for anyone who voted yes to the amnesty embarassment. These reforms are specifically to stop people like him abusing their power in the same disgraceful way again.

[scorecard]

Beware chaturon and his ilk, his intent is as clear as a bell.

Right now there is probably lots of behind the scenes panic and horse trading going on to try to achieve a scenario which keeps the paymaster in control.

And at the same time lots of discussion about the best set up to gain him amnesty.

He's just lying low folks. Beware beware beware.

[oneday]

The CDC and their boss are setting the constitution up to fail any referendum. This of course guarantees the junta will be in charge for years to come...exactly what they want.

[trainman]

Pheu-Thai MP : A crony who receives benefits and privileges in return for following the instructions of his master, no matter how unethical. He risks being outcast and ruined if he disobeys.

Whatever he says, I want the opposite. I have zero respect for anyone who voted yes to the amnesty embarassment. These reforms are specifically to stop people like him abusing their power in the same disgraceful way again.

"A crony who receives benefits and privileges in return for following the instructions of his master, no matter how unethical. He risks being outcast and ruined if he disobeys."

How is that different from any of the current NCPO-appointed members of the NLA?

[candide]

So the appointed NLA committee wants an appointed Senate. Surprising?

[Srikcir]

Meechai's steadfastness is just reflecting Prayut's agenda. Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu "dismissed suggestions the proposed [MMA] system may not respond to people's intent in an election, saying it's alright if people disagreed with it."

Yes, the Thai people can disagree but their disagreement will be ignored for the future of the current rulers. So much for a people's democracy. Best to call it an autocracy aka Thaimocracy.

[Baerboxer]

Meechai's steadfastness is just reflecting Prayut's agenda. Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu "dismissed suggestions the proposed [MMA] system may not respond to people's intent in an election, saying it's alright if people disagreed with it."

Yes, the Thai people can disagree but their disagreement will be ignored for the future of the current rulers. So much for a people's democracy. Best to call it an autocracy aka Thaimocracy.

Ignoring the people - like the 314 who voted to whitewash their party owner and employer of all crimes, charges, and put him above the law you mean?

That showed the real danger ignoring the people can bring. Cost them their lucrative jobs as MPs, Ministers and salaried PTP members.

[phoenixdoglover]

I see it's "Shoot the Messenger Day" on this thread.

Can any of you guys actually refute the central point, that the CDC is promoting provisions for a non-elected PM?

Can any of you give a reasonable argument for why this would be necessary, given that the Parliament will consist of between 400 and 450 elected members, all of whom would be eligible under normal rules?

[chainarong]

In one hand we have Prayut - O - Cha blathering on about fighting corruption , in the other hand you have the CDC encouraging corruption , let's be Frank , Frank money will change hands faster than a bribe at the Mae Sai checkpoint if nominated PM and Senators are going to be allowed , never mind what the drafters want , it's what the people want , another rejection , another year with the Junta , how convenient.............

[WhizBang]

When was Thailand supposed to have it's next election? Seems like 2027 might be a tad optomistic.

[tbthailand]

extra-bureaucratic force

[JAG]

I see it's "Shoot the Messenger Day" on this thread.

Can any of you guys actually refute the central point, that the CDC is promoting provisions for a non-elected PM?

Can any of you give a reasonable argument for why this would be necessary, given that the Parliament will consist of between 400 and 450 elected members, all of whom would be eligible under normal rules?

Yes, it's very simple.

If the 400 - 450 elected members select the Prime Minister, there is a possibility they will select the "wrong person".

We don't know how strong a possibility, but not withstanding the various claims as to the extent of the junta's popularity,( both here and from the junta themselves), the effort they are putting into ensuring that they rather than the electorate retain the power to select the Prime Minister, and therefore effectively the government,, must mean that they regard it as a very real possibility.

You may reasonably substitute "risk" for "possibility".

[Siammodels]

Big names like drafters LOL

They are having trouble waking up in the morning... The people want to know everything about who there voting for.

[tbthailand]

I see it's "Shoot the Messenger Day" on this thread.

Can any of you guys actually refute the central point, that the CDC is promoting provisions for a non-elected PM?

Can any of you give a reasonable argument for why this would be necessary, given that the Parliament will consist of between 400 and 450 elected members, all of whom would be eligible under normal rules?

Yes, it's very simple.

If the 400 - 450 elected members select the Prime Minister, there is a possibility they will select the "wrong person".

We don't know how strong a possibility, but not withstanding the various claims as to the extent of the junta's popularity,( both here and from the junta themselves), the effort they are putting into ensuring that they rather than the electorate retain the power to select the Prime Minister, and therefore effectively the government,, must mean that they regard it as a very real possibility.

You may reasonably substitute "risk" for "possibility".

it's easier to buy a handful of MPs than it is to buy all those votes in Isaan... I'm sure the Generals will make sure that only "good people" become "PM"

[diehard60]

This one will be thrown out also like the last one.

[LannaGuy]

you mean the unelected want the unelected? what a major surprise!

[thelonius]

This one will be thrown out also like the last one.

Maybe, just maybe, that is the idea. Why else would someone appoint, as Chairman of the the Charter drafting committee, a man who has arguably been responsible for more failed constitutions than anyone else in Thai history? I say arguably, because ultimately it has been the army that has been responsible for the failure of those constitutions and they will be yet again.