Former NRC concerned independent organizations may gain too much power under new charter
NNT News

BANGKOK, 3 February 2016 (NNT) – A former member of the disbanded National Reform Council is worried that independent organizations may be given too much power under the new charter.

Former NRC member Gen. Ekachai Srivilas, said today that the new version of the draft charter embodies many good points which should benefit the country, including the anti-corruption measures.

However, Gen. Ekachai said that he is still worried about the power of all independent organizations to check on the executive branch and politicians, which may be too much and lead to a new round of conflicts.

He stated that his concerns arose even though the Constitution Drafting Commission asserted that many details about various laws will be clearly written in related organic laws, because no clear indication exists as to how this assertion will be put into practice.

Nevertheless, Gen. Ekachai remains confident that the CDC President will listen to all concerns and take any suggestions into consideration when the charter drafters resume work on the draft Constitution.

Source: http://thainews.prd.go.th/website_en/news/news_detail/WNPOL5902020010002

-- NNT 2016-02-02

Being the skeptic I see these independent orgs as only an extra set of people a person or in this case, politician will have to pay off to get away with what they want

The cost of corruption is now much higher......

Well, that's always a worry but you must have independent agencies with 'teeth' as well as an independent judiciary otherwise how can the executive be made accountable? IMO a 'whistle blowing' culture needs to be present and encouraged within such agencies for them to be effective.

'Rome wasn't built in a day' but many might be suspicious that 'let's not clean it up too much on our watch' is an equally relevant phrase.

Well, that's always a worry but you must have independent agencies with 'teeth' as well as an independent judiciary otherwise how can the executive be made accountable? IMO a 'whistle blowing' culture needs to be present and encouraged within such agencies for them to be effective.

'Rome wasn't built in a day' but many might be suspicious that 'let's not clean it up too much on our watch' is an equally relevant phrase.

However it requires that members are appointed independendly from political preference or network membership. It doesn't seem to be the Thai way up to now, including very recent appointments.

Gen. Ekachai Srivilas is a former member of the disbanded NRC.

That's because Gen. Prayut now has a more compliant NRSA and CDC to the NCPO agenda. Independent Organizations that are not responsible or accountable to the Thai electorate to keep an elected government in restraints is the next best thing to a coup for control. Gen. Ekachai should have understood that concept when he accepted NCPO appointmen to the NRC.