Charter drafters decide to excise first reading of bill by Senate
KHANITTHA THEPPAJORN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) has agreed to remove the Senate's first reading - the in-principle approval - in passing a law. The in-principle approval is a privilege reserved only for Lower House members, CDC spokesman Udom Rathamarut said yesterday.

In deliberations on law by the legislative branch, the House of Representatives has the authority to propose a bill, which would be deliberated in three readings. In the case of a budget, it must also be approved by the prime minister, he said.

After passing three readings by the House, the bill must be proposed to the Senate. In the new charter draft, the Senate would consider it in two readings - amendment and final approval. This is aimed at reducing the legislation process and to enable passing the law within a timeframe, Udom explained.

Usually, the deliberation should be finished within 60 days. Should the Senate not get it done in time, it would automatically be deemed to have approved the bill, the spokesman said, adding that for the budget act, the timeframe is 30 days.

Udom explained that although the first reading had been done away with, the Senate could still reject or approve the bill in the last reading. However, traditionally, the Senate acknow-ledges the Act before it is proposed to its convention. It usually set up extraordinary committees to deliberate the content, he said. So, the reading for the in-principle approval was rather unnecessary, he said.

He also said the CDC had agreed to set out in the draft that the Senate could not amend any law that would contradict the principles proposed by the House.

Also, any bill concerning the Constitution or a related organisation, when passed by the Senate, must be submitted to the concerned independent agencies. They should consider whether the bill would impede them from performing their tasks or whether it would contradict the principles of their responsibilities. If not, the bill would be submitted for royal endorsement. If there is any disagreement, it should be resolved by the Constitutional Court.

Udom also revealed details about the recruitment of the Senate. Initially, the drafters had agreed there would be 200 senators in total coming from indirect election. They would be selected by their profession guilds, which are now roughly divided into 20 major groups, he said. The Election Commission would be responsible for naming the guilds, he said.

The selection would be at three levels - district, provincial and national level. Their qualifications would be in accordance with their mission, the spokesman said. The EC would deal with that matter, Udom told.

However, to make sure they are not nominees of politicians, senators would not be provincial representatives, he added. Rather, they would truly represent their guilds, he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Charter-drafters-decide-to-excise-first-reading-of-30274291.html


-- The Nation 2015-12-04

Uh oh.

Thin end of wedge approaching.

Yet another book that will never be published. Why don't they ask K.K.Rowlins to write it.

CDC still going with a legislative Senate that is not directly elected by the Thai electorate. Got to keep an autocratic valve on the legislature to prevent a runaway elected legislature.

"In the case of a budget, it must also be approved by the prime minister"

That's all well and fine. If the House and PM can't agree on a budget, there is no budget and the government shuts down. A nice check and balance. However, what if the PM was replaced with a nonelected PM who has no party affiliation or is affiliated with the parliament minority? The budget process can essentially become a tool of a parliament overthrow.

^^ As Baldrick said,

"A cunning plan, Mr Blackadder, as cunning as a fox with two tails!"

Edited December 4, 201510 yr by JAG