CDC President unworried whether or not draft charter will pass public referendum

[webfact]

CDC President unworried whether or not draft charter will pass public referendum

BANGKOK, 12 February 2016 (NNT) – The President of the Constitution Drafting Commission isn't worried whether or not the draft charter will pass the public referendum.

CDC President Meechai Richupan said that the public referendum for the latest draft of the Constitution may take place on July 31 – but it can also be before or after that date.

However, Mr. Meechai gave an assurance that the actual date of the public referendum will be within a few weeks of this expected date.

He also said that it is too early to talk about what happens if the draft charter does not pass the referendum or if parts of the previous charters may need to be brought back into use.

The CDC President went on to say that, as no one knows what the future holds, the charter drafters cannot be worried about things that are yet to happen and must do the best with issues at hand.

He added that, whatever happens, everyone should accept what the majority decides as all are living in a democratic society.


-- NNT 2016-02-12

[MZurf]

"...everyone should accept what the majority decides..."

Why should "everyone" accept what the majority decide this time around when the will of the majority has been overruled by the elite time and time again??

"..all are living in a democratic society"

Seriously??

[Lupatria]

There are so many "experts" involved in this charter business by now, I wouldn't be surprised once it is actually finished, it will be confusing as an assembly instruction for IKEA products.

[toybits]

Of Course NOT Worried. At the end of the day, he still gets paid whether his work is accepted or rejected by the majority. No pressure. No pressure at all.

[jaywalker]

It will get shoved though no matter what.

[thelonius]

CDC President unworried whether or not draft charter will pass public referendum

Why should he be? He's 78 years old and has just had two "unexpected" paydays writing convoluted, unworkable constitutions. He's a specialist in failure and claimed that the 1997 charter (arguably the most popular constitution Thailand has ever had) was "unsuitable for Thailand".

This is surely his swansong - nobody in their right mind would call him back to rewrite it...............................................would they?

(caveat: Chairman Tu is still "in charge")

Edited February 12, 2016 by thelonius

[chainarong]

I get the impression that if it doesn't get passed , it is a good excuse to stay a little longer , bearing in mind the first elected Governments first priority should be to take a life style audit on all those connected with the Junta including the current leader , nothing is being implied here, just making sure that what you preach you also do.......................................... .

[tbthailand]

He added that, whatever happens, everyone should accept what the majority decides as all are living in a democratic society.

what a moron...

[tbthailand]

it's hard not to have nothing but compete contempt for these people when the spew nonsense like this...

[tbthailand]

It will get shoved though no matter what.

that appears to be the plan...

[phoenixdoglover]

Apparently somebody told Meechai he has to appear in an NNT "news" item at least once a day while the draft Charter is being considered.

He ran out of sensible material a week ago.

[sjaak327]

Funny guy this Meechai In particular the part where he talks about accepting a majority decision. The very people he works for have not exactly shown to accept the result of democracy themselves, and have put democracy on hold for almost two years now.

[greenchair]

I get the impression that if it doesn't get passed , it is a good excuse to stay a little longer , bearing in mind the first elected Governments first priority should be to take a life style audit on all those connected with the Junta including the current leader , nothing is being implied here, just making sure that what you preach you also do.......................................... .

And that is why the special committees will be set up by the good people, too make sure the government do everything correctly and not damage their good names,after all their hard work to put the country on the right path.

[dominique355]

If I were a Thai and had voting rights, I would be worried.

First of all, I don't know what happens if the new constitution is rejected. But as a voter I must know before I can make a decision.

Then I would be worried if I have been able to hear all the arguments pro and contra the new constitution. We are not exactly experiencing an open and unbiased discussion about it.

Furtheron, what happens between the vote and the election? Will the NCPO still rule with absolute powers (Sec. 44) and be able to postpone election as often as they want?

[thelonius]

If I were a Thai and had voting rights, I would be worried.

First of all, I don't know what happens if the new constitution is rejected. But as a voter I must know before I can make a decision.

Then I would be worried if I have been able to hear all the arguments pro and contra the new constitution. We are not exactly experiencing an open and unbiased discussion about it.

Furtheron, what happens between the vote and the election? Will the NCPO still rule with absolute powers (Sec. 44) and be able to postpone election as often as they want?

"Furtheron, what happens between the vote and the election? Will the NCPO still rule with absolute powers (Sec. 44) and be able to postpone election as often as they want?"

That appears to be the case, unfortunately;

Prayut 'to retain power till new govt is formed'

THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- CHARTER DRAFTERS AGREE FOR NCPO CHIEF TO HAVE AUTHORITY VIA ARTICLE 44 TILL ELECTED CABINET IS READY TO TAKE OFFICE

THE CONSTITUTION Drafting Committee (CDC) has decided that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the Cabinet maintain the power to invoke Article 44 of the post-coup interim constitution until a new government is formed, a source said yesterday.

The CDC amended a chapter in the charter draft allowing the NCPO and the government to have full power, including the right to take recourse to Article 44, which gives Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, as NCPO chief, the mandate to exercise absolute powers.

Under the Article, the PM can exercise power over the executive, legislative and judicial branches for security matters and national interest.

The source said if the road map to democracy was extended by two years, the government could remain in place for that period. This would hold true even though certain provisions in the charter draft stipulated otherwise, the source said. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846915-prayut-to-retain-power-till-new-govt-is-formed/#entry9714535

Edited February 12, 2016 by thelonius

[tbthailand]

If I were a Thai and had voting rights, I would be worried.

First of all, I don't know what happens if the new constitution is rejected. But as a voter I must know before I can make a decision.

Then I would be worried if I have been able to hear all the arguments pro and contra the new constitution. We are not exactly experiencing an open and unbiased discussion about it.

Furtheron, what happens between the vote and the election? Will the NCPO still rule with absolute powers (Sec. 44) and be able to postpone election as often as they want?

"Furtheron, what happens between the vote and the election? Will the NCPO still rule with absolute powers (Sec. 44) and be able to postpone election as often as they want?"

That appears to be the case, unfortunately;

Prayut 'to retain power till new govt is formed'

THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- CHARTER DRAFTERS AGREE FOR NCPO CHIEF TO HAVE AUTHORITY VIA ARTICLE 44 TILL ELECTED CABINET IS READY TO TAKE OFFICE

THE CONSTITUTION Drafting Committee (CDC) has decided that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the Cabinet maintain the power to invoke Article 44 of the post-coup interim constitution until a new government is formed, a source said yesterday.

The CDC amended a chapter in the charter draft allowing the NCPO and the government to have full power, including the right to take recourse to Article 44, which gives Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, as NCPO chief, the mandate to exercise absolute powers.

Under the Article, the PM can exercise power over the executive, legislative and judicial branches for security matters and national interest.

The source said if the road map to democracy was extended by two years, the government could remain in place for that period. This would hold true even though certain provisions in the charter draft stipulated otherwise, the source said. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846915-prayut-to-retain-power-till-new-govt-is-formed/#entry9714535

He is the government now.

He will be the government until the next "elected" government forms a cabinet.

Then he will be the shadow government...

[Srikcir]

it is too early to talk about what happens if the draft charter does not pass the referendum

Look who's talking:

Meechai - there is no substitution charter draft if the current draft is rejected by the people in the referendum

- the CDC did not propose that the provisional constitution be used instead of the permanent one, if the permanent charter fails to pass the planned public referendum.

Prayut - if the draft charter fails to receive public endorsement, a contingency plan has been prepared.

Wisanu - there is no Plan B in case the draft constitution fails to be endorsed in the referendum.

[CantSpell]

Funny guy this Meechai In particular the part where he talks about accepting a majority decision. The very people he works for have not exactly shown to accept the result of democracy themselves, and have put democracy on hold for almost two years now.

Seems they copied the "My democracy" tactic from Yingluck...

YS during Al Jazzerha interview: "they stole my democracy"...

Current government: "you will accept our democracy"....

Different but same same

[sjaak327]

I get the impression that if it doesn't get passed , it is a good excuse to stay a little longer , bearing in mind the first elected Governments first priority should be to take a life style audit on all those connected with the Junta including the current leader , nothing is being implied here, just making sure that what you preach you also do.......................................... .

And that is why the special committees will be set up by the good people, too make sure the government do everything correctly and not damage their good names,after all their hard work to put the country on the right path.

So in other words, no democracy. The Thai electorate cannot be trusted to make the right choice, so the "good people" will make it for them, check.

Do you object to me having a great laugh about this ?

[sjaak327]

Funny guy this Meechai In particular the part where he talks about accepting a majority decision. The very people he works for have not exactly shown to accept the result of democracy themselves, and have put democracy on hold for almost two years now.

Seems they copied the "My democracy" tactic from Yingluck...

YS during Al Jazzerha interview: "they stole my democracy"...

Current government: "you will accept our democracy"....

Different but same same

Yingluck was indeed voted in under a democratic constitution, although already less democratic than the 1997 one.

The next PM would not be able to even say they stole my democracy (which I suspect to be a translation error more than anything). The next one will simply have to go if the army says so, no need for a coup even. They have it all covered.

[rubl]

CDC President unworried whether or not draft charter will pass public referendum

Why should he be? He's 78 years old and has just had two "unexpected" paydays writing convoluted, unworkable constitutions. He's a specialist in failure and claimed that the 1997 charter (arguably the most popular constitution Thailand has ever had) was "unsuitable for Thailand".

This is surely his swansong - nobody in their right mind would call him back to rewrite it...............................................would they?

(caveat: Chairman Tu is still "in charge")

Maybe he wants to die in the saddle like that American Supreme Court judge ?

[rubl]

He added that, whatever happens, everyone should accept what the majority decides as all are living in a democratic society.

what a moron...

Depends on what was said in Thai. Maybe the translation should have been

"He added that, whatever happens, everyone should accept what the majority decides, as all who are living in a democratic society."

[rubl]

Funny guy this Meechai In particular the part where he talks about accepting a majority decision. The very people he works for have not exactly shown to accept the result of democracy themselves, and have put democracy on hold for almost two years now.

Seems they copied the "My democracy" tactic from Yingluck...

YS during Al Jazzerha interview: "they stole my democracy"...

Current government: "you will accept our democracy"....

Different but same same

Yingluck was indeed voted in under a democratic constitution, although already less democratic than the 1997 one.

The next PM would not be able to even say they stole my democracy (which I suspect to be a translation error more than anything). The next one will simply have to go if the army says so, no need for a coup even. They have it all covered.

Less democratic? The only blot was the last article on amnesty for the coup leaders. The rest was either identical to the 1997 version or contained clarifications and improvements.

[sjaak327]

Funny guy this Meechai In particular the part where he talks about accepting a majority decision. The very people he works for have not exactly shown to accept the result of democracy themselves, and have put democracy on hold for almost two years now.

Seems they copied the "My democracy" tactic from Yingluck...

YS during Al Jazzerha interview: "they stole my democracy"...

Current government: "you will accept our democracy"....

Different but same same

Yingluck was indeed voted in under a democratic constitution, although already less democratic than the 1997 one.

The next PM would not be able to even say they stole my democracy (which I suspect to be a translation error more than anything). The next one will simply have to go if the army says so, no need for a coup even. They have it all covered.

Less democratic? The only blot was the last article on amnesty for the coup leaders. The rest was either identical to the 1997 version or contained clarifications and improvements.

Such as a half appointed senate, check less democratic.