Draft constitution for army-run Thailand 'strong medicine'

[webfact]

Draft constitution for army-run Thailand 'strong medicine'
BY AMY SAWITTA LEFEVRE AND PANARAT THEPGUMPANAT

BANGKOK: -- A draft constitution for army-run Thailand to be unveiled this month will be "strong medicine", the constitution panel head said on Wednesday, adding that there was no guarantee it would pass a referendum, meaning a further extension of military rule.

The May 2014 coup ended months of political protests in Bangkok aimed at ousting a civilian government, since when the junta has curbed basic freedoms and pushed back the timetable for elections to 2017.

Meechai Ruchupan, 77, chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, said the constitution aimed to solve long-running problems such as abuse of power by lawmakers, but might not solve decades-long political divisions.

Full story: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-politics-idUSKCN0UY13E


-- Reuters 2016-01-21

[bangkokfrog]

How to try to justify indefinite military rule: continue to serve up unacceptable constitutions!

[Nigeone]

How to try to justify indefinite military rule: continue to serve up unacceptable constitutions!

Yes..your right and this could go on for ever..Maybe they have the taste now and the change of address on the brown envelopes has filtered through to all levels of Thai structures....I use the word structure loosely !!

[MZurf]

They never planned on going anywhere until the upcoming transition has been completed to their satisfaction and a constitution is in place that ensures their eternal rule. Simple as that.

[AlQaholic]

let's face it, the tactics has always been to never get the thing past a "referendum"......

[BlindMagician]

I've said it before...their one and only true aim is to manage the transition that will come due to the inevitable big event.

Everything else is smoke and mirrors.

[Nbarch]

Quelle surprise

[tuanku]

"I can't promise it will be Thailand's last constitution."

Probably the most realistic comment he could make, given the average lifespan of a constitution since the current King was crowned is only slightly over 4 years!

[Jimbo2014]

Brings a new meaning to the term 'general election'. This must be causing a general erect....????

[heybruce]

Key quotes from the full article:

"there was no guarantee it would pass a referendum, meaning a further extension of military rule."

"A second failed draft would give the army additional room to prolong its stay in power, say analysts."

"The army's main goal is still to prolong its stay in power for as long as possible."

"The constitution would be Thailand's 20th in 84 years of often turbulent democracy.

"Continuous making and remaking of constitutions takes up a lot of political energy, can cause instability and does not allow political arrangements to settle," said Sumit Bisarya, Constitution Building Head of Mission at International IDEA."

All statements of the obvious. As already mentioned, the military will stay in power until after the upcoming transmission, and for some time after that. Even after it ceases to be the face of the government they won't willingly let go of behind the scenes power.

[dageurreotype]

They never planned on going anywhere until the upcoming transition has been completed to their satisfaction and a constitution is in place that ensures their eternal rule. Simple as that.

Yes, but What will happen when their raison d'etre is (purportedly) transposed by one most definitely loathed not liked by the populace? Anyone?

[Alwyn]

How to try to justify indefinite military rule: continue to serve up unacceptable constitutions!

Yes..your right and this could go on for ever..Maybe they have the taste now and the change of address on the brown envelopes has filtered through to all levels of Thai structures....I use the word structure loosely !!

I got lambasted at the start of the coup because I thought back then, this one is different and he's not going anywhere. Now more and more people are coming to the same conclusion almost two years on. There is nothing (except maybe another coup) that is going to move this guy and his military cronies and elite paymasters. Why would he leave, he's in charge of a country! I just pray the King stays in good health, if his health fails the country will be a bad place to be.

[oldsailor35]

"Grovelling Suthep" reckons that it is alright !

[Asiantravel]

well that's it then!

Never have invested one satang in this country and never will

[sjaak327]

Strong medicine ? When it comes to democracy in Thailand, this constitution is merely a placebo.

[Squeegee]

I just pray....

'if [actually, when a certain something happens] the country will be a bad place to be.'

(My edit in brackets to keep this post safer.)

On the contrary, better the current situation is over as soon as possible so Thailand can try to move forwards.

There will be a long, drawn out period for respect, then cracks will appear and whatever happens will inevitably happen. I hope it hurries up because right now Thailand is in a very nasty kind of limbo.

If you have toothache you must face having it pulled out. Best it be done sooner rather than later.

Edited January 21, 2016 by Squeegee

[Alwyn]

I just pray....

'if [actually, when a certain something happens] the country will be a bad place to be.'

(My edit in brackets to keep this post safer.)

On the contrary, better the current situation is over as soon as possible so Thailand can try to move forwards.

There will be a long, drawn out period for respect, then cracks will appear and whatever happens will inevitably happen. I hope it hurries up because right now Thailand is in a very nasty kind of limbo.

If you have toothache you must face having it pulled out. Best it be done sooner rather than later.

I disagree and here's why; I think HR the King is the glue that's holding the country together, the Thais worship him. When he passes there will be nobody for the people to look up to, chaos and anarchy will follow. The military will be uncontrollable, there won't be a good outcome.

[JAG]

They never planned on going anywhere until the upcoming transition has been completed to their satisfaction and a constitution is in place that ensures their eternal rule. Simple as that.

Yes, but What will happen when their raison d'etre is (purportedly) transposed by one most definitely loathed not liked by the populace? Anyone?

Well then they will be needed more than ever to maintain "Peace and Order".

Note that their definition of "peace and order" may not be universally accepted. It may be rather closer to the one used by their Burmese counterparts.

[JAG]

I just pray....

'if [actually, when a certain something happens] the country will be a bad place to be.'

(My edit in brackets to keep this post safer.)

On the contrary, better the current situation is over as soon as possible so Thailand can try to move forwards.

There will be a long, drawn out period for respect, then cracks will appear and whatever happens will inevitably happen. I hope it hurries up because right now Thailand is in a very nasty kind of limbo.

If you have toothache you must face having it pulled out. Best it be done sooner rather than later.

I disagree and here's why; I think HR the King is the glue that's holding the country together, the Thais worship him. When he passes there will be nobody for the people to look up to, chaos and anarchy will follow. The military will be uncontrollable, there won't be a good outcome.

I would go with "Squeegee", although you're right, the short term prognosis is probably very messy. But it will have to be gone through.

[Krataiboy]

The coup was engineered to ensure the military/elite oligarchy would be in charge of the country when the throne next changes hands. Anyone who anticipates a return to political normality and democratic elections before this happens is going to be disappointed.