CDC sub-commission says PM & Cabinet qualifications should be higher than MPs

[snoop1130]

CDC sub-commission says PM & Cabinet qualifications should be higher than MPs

NNT

BANGKOK, 11 December 2015 (NNT) - A sub-commission of the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) has agreed that the qualifications of the Prime Minister and Cabinet members must be higher than that of Members of Parliament.

CDC member Supachai Yavaprabhas, in his capacity as Vice Chairman of the sub-commission to study the structure of the executive branch, revealed that the qualification details will be revealed next week, as the main CDC body must also approve of the sub-panel's conclusions.

Mr Supachai also revealed that the sub-commission has agreed on the organizational structure of local administrations to be similar to the previous constitution of 2007. Meanwhile, revisions to the Election Commission will be addressed in greater detail when drafting organic laws.

-- NNT 2015-12-11

[sjaak327]

Hmm, so are they going to apply those qualification requirements on the current lot

I don't see any reason why a cabinet member suddenly should have "higher qualifications" than an MP.

Qualifications are no guaranthee for anything.

[Orac]

Maybe General or higher?

[Reigntax]

Have you ever heard such crap from a bunch of clowns. What they would like to do is make the qualification that of military but cant work out how to make it acceptable to the population.

By the time an election is held, if ever, the military will control all the troughs.

[tbthailand]

CDC sub-commission says PM & Cabinet qualifications should be higher than MPs

how many stars are required?

[rubl]

I disagree.

In principle the Prime Minister and his/her cabinet should in principle be filled with MPs. As such all only have the qualifications put upon MPs.

I might agree that if an outsider Prime Minister is elected the qualification required could be set higher. The same for cabinet posts filled with non-MPs, assuming there is a valid reason they are selected for a ministrial position.

[NongKhaiKid]

Where are all these extra qualifications to come from, Kao San Road ?

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

So why can not an ordinary honest and intelligent man become a cabinet member or PM? In a country with massive cronyism, bought titles and faked qualifications this is irrelevant.

[MZurf]

CDC sub-commission says PM & Cabinet qualifications should be higher than MPs

how many stars are required?

Not stars, zeros. How about MPs only qualifying if they have more than 10 million, and cabinet members a minimum of 100 million? That should keep the rabble out!

[JAG]

I would assume that the most relevant qualification is that they have been chosen by the electorate.

Imposing any other requirements is in effect saying " You (the electorate) can select who you want to be your MPs, ministers, or Prime Minister, but we will decide if they are suitable."..

Before we are treated to the usual cries of "but but but Thaksin...,, Yingluck was not qualified, Mark is better qualified, elections are not democracy, etc" remember that what this will in effect do is yet again deny the Thai people the right to choose their own government.

But then it has long been well established here that many don't think that the Thai people should be allowed to do so, off you go, fill your boots!

[trogers]

When doctorates can be bought...

We have fine examples of PhD holders from USA who can't speak English better than sex workers...and one wonders how they obtained that piece of parchment!

So what is the point of this higher qualifications?

[waldroj]

What utter bullshit!

The degree-qualification requirement for politicians that had existed in this country in previous charters, is one example of the gross inequality here. Adding further 'class' restrictions only amplifies that inequality.

It needs to be about finding the best leaders, not the 'smartest' (and I use that word loosely).

[rubl]

What utter bullshit!

The degree-qualification requirement for politicians that had existed in this country in previous charters, is one example of the gross inequality here. Adding further 'class' restrictions only amplifies that inequality.

It needs to be about finding the best leaders, not the 'smartest' (and I use that word loosely).

The bachelor degree qualification may have been introduced in what some call the 'peoples constitution' of 1997. See section 107 and section 125.

[ramrod711]

CDC sub-commission says PM & Cabinet qualifications should be higher than MPs

They're opening a can of worms here, soon people will expect MP's to have higher qualifications than regular, ordinary citizens. Other than their bank balances and those of their parents I mean.

[seajae]

they should at least have a real degree and not a bought one like we have seen with some from the US when the person cant even speak english at a 5 year olds level but then that would cause major loss of face if they were outed. All mp's need to have good qualifications and not be there through their or their superiors financial means, you only have to look at some of the idiots we have seen over the years to realize that many do not have the mental abilities or experience to fulfill the requirements needed to be a minister or mp. Doubt it will change as there would be very few that qualified apart from those that have actually attended universities overseas and actually sat the degree and not simply got it through financial means.

[Srikcir]

I disagree.

In principle the Prime Minister and his/her cabinet should in principle be filled with MPs. As such all only have the qualifications put upon MPs.

I might agree that if an outsider Prime Minister is elected the qualification required could be set higher. The same for cabinet posts filled with non-MPs, assuming there is a valid reason they are selected for a ministrial position.

As such all only have the qualifications put upon MPs.

Especially so since the CDC insists that cabinet members would still retain their MP seats.

[h90]

That means Somchai the farmer, even if he has an IQ from 200 and 90% of the population want him, can't get PM?

That is not democratic....Well in Thailand he can buy a few degrees.....

[waldroj]

Any qualification that prevents a citizen from entering politics (let alone becoming an MP) is anathema to democratic principles!

[tuanku]

Any qualification that prevents a citizen from entering politics (let alone becoming an MP) is anathema to democratic principles!

You are under the misapprehension that democratic principles are at issue here. More a protectionism scam - jobs for the boys.

[Thai at Heart]

So it's not enough to win an election. For some reason you have to have a degree or masters of some sort. Next they will specify that the degree must be from a specific university. Oxford maybe?

[Jonmarleesco]

Meaning they should cough up more tea money?

[Jonmarleesco]

So it's not enough to win an election. For some reason you have to have a degree or masters of some sort. Next they will specify that the degree must be from a specific university. Oxford maybe?

You're in Thailand. Degrees are mandatory for any job above cleaner level.

[jesimps]

In UK they have Permanent Under Secretaries (PUS). These guys are the professionals who effectively run the country and are massively qualified. The politicians are only acting on their advice so don't have to be all that intelligent. The politician of course has the last word being the representative of the people.

Does Thailand have the equivalent of the PUS?

[rubl]

I disagree.

In principle the Prime Minister and his/her cabinet should in principle be filled with MPs. As such all only have the qualifications put upon MPs.

I might agree that if an outsider Prime Minister is elected the qualification required could be set higher. The same for cabinet posts filled with non-MPs, assuming there is a valid reason they are selected for a ministrial position.

As such all only have the qualifications put upon MPs.

Especially so since the CDC insists that cabinet members would still retain their MP seats.

Personally I would find it important that the Prime Minister and cabinet retain their MP seat. After all MPs are seen are representatives of the people.