Thai Charter to propose impeachment motion in lieu of no-confidence debate

[webfact]

Charter to propose impeachment motion in lieu of no-confidence debate
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The chairman of the political-reform committee of the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA), Seree Suwanpanont, yesterday defended a proposal to remove no-confidence debates in Parliament.

Seree countered the criticism of former Democrat Party MP Nipit Intarasombat, saying the politician did not fully understand the proposal and had accused his committee of trying to do away with no-confidence safeguards entirely.

He said his committee proposed to replace no-confidence motions with impeachment proceedings. In previous no-confidence debates in Thailand, the prime minister had been empowered to dissolve Parliament if the government did not survive a no-confidence motion. Seree said government dissolution caused political instability and MPs could be stripped of their posts even if they were not at fault.

Seree said the political-reform committee believed that the government lacked effective balance of powers, allowing governments and MPs to collaborate for their own vested interest, leading to corruption.

The committee proposal would address the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches, Seree said, by depriving both the PM of the right to dissolve Parliament and MPs of the right to launch no-confidence debates.

Impeachment petition can be filed

Under the new proposal, however, impeachment petitions could be filed in Parliament against members of the legislative or executive branches who were accused of wrongdoing. If Parliament members voted that they were guilty, they would be stripped of their posts and, if the charges involved corruption, they could also face criminal charges.

The political-reform committee has not yet discussed who would be empowered to file impeachment petitions for Parliament's consideration.

Meanwhile, the NRSA' political-reform committee spokesman Wanchai Sonsiri said the committee would present reforms regarding political-office holders, political parties, and checks and balances on state power.

He said these three areas of reform needed to be stipulated in the charter to solve political issues similar to those the country had faced in the past. The committee plans to forward reform proposals to the Constitution Drafting Commission.

The committee has also considered how to ensure free and fair elections, develop a democratic political culture, and create national reconciliation.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Charter-to-propose-impeachment-motion-in-lieu-of-n-30274861.html


-- The Nation 2015-12-14

[CiaranO]

just farcical stuff this is

[Srikcir]

Threat of impeachment is just another way to crush a free and open parliamentary debate. If the NRSA's goal is to have a completely nonconflicting government, why bother with an elected parliament and PM? Just continue with NCPO's style of absolute rule.

[jpinx]

Threats of impeachment will stifle a healthy debate. Debating a no-confidence motion will cause massive loss of face. Guess which they'll choose

[elgordo38]

Threat of impeachment is just another way to crush a free and open parliamentary debate. If the NRSA's goal is to have a completely nonconflicting government, why bother with an elected parliament and PM? Just continue with NCPO's style of absolute rule.

Thats what they are doing in disguise. They are just introducing a bigger hammer.

[JAG]

Err, why not just issue an "administrative order" to confiscate all their assets?