CDC: Permanent constitution protects and respects people’s rights

Thammarat Thadaphrom

BANGKOK, 13 February 2016 (NNT) - The Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) claims that the new charter when enforced will do a better job in protecting the rights of the citizens than other constitutions Thailand has had in the past.

Speaking about people’s concerns with the first draft, Dr Chartchai Na Chiangmai, CDC spokesperson, said most people were worried about their rights not being protected.

He took the opportunity to give a strong assurance that the new constitution respects all the rights of all the citizens and that the protection of people’s rights is specified in various clauses of the draft.

For instance, in the chapter pertaining to duties of the administration, he said the new constitution allows the public to monitor and be a part of government operations. The chapter also mandates that the state seek the people’s opinions before launching a project in their localities.

-- NNT 2016-01-13

With this assurance I'm sure everyone feels better now.

It's the daily blather. The NNT is fully on board.

Especially the Army people with their amnesty for past, present and future actions as well as the legalization of coups

The Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) claims that the new charter when enforced will do a better job in protecting the rights of the citizens than other constitutions Thailand has had in the past.

Several people beg to differ, Constitutional Law Scholar, Khemthong Tonsakulrungruang, for one;

Despite his protests, Meechai deserves his reputation as the junta’s lawyer.

Drafting committees for the 2007 constitution and the 2015 draft both expanded the protection of rights and liberties. This expansion was intended as a compromise.

http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2016/02/05/liberties-and-rights-lost-under-thailands-2016-constitution/

Well if my post is going to be edited we might as well edit it so that my point is made that the new constitution does not protect and respects people's rights

His draft accurately reflects Prayuth Chan-Ochan’s vision of how to run Thailand successfully. Economic growth is the priority so rights and liberties are considered an annoyance. Environmental protection must go. Dissent is not welcome.

http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2016/02/05/liberties-and-rights-lost-under-thailands-2016-constitution/

Edited February 13, 201610 yr by thelonius
Edited as per fair use policy.

Thats what they say now. It will be a different story if adopted.

The key word in all this is Permanent, just how do they verify that this or any other piece of legislation created by the Junta as Permanent , what is permanent in Thailand , especially if the PTP is successful in being the first to be the elected democratic Government post Junta.......................................... .

Promises, assurances etc are made to be broken and so often here that's a given.

The 2007 Constitution had Article 68 “Right to Protect the Constitution” - how did that work out in reality?

Until the military pledges allegance to the Thai people, then the people's rights cannot be protected.

Twenty constitutions hand-crafted by the military and abolished by the military. The Thai people's rights and liberties are fungible commodities in the eyes of the military.

Only when the military understands and ACCEPTS in the Constitution that it is a mere extension of the Thai people's sovereignty can the Thai people's rights and liberties be considered involatile.

The 2007 Constitution had Article 68 “Right to Protect the Constitution” - how did that work out in reality?

Until the military pledges allegance to the Thai people, then the people's rights cannot be protected.

Twenty constitutions hand-crafted by the military and abolished by the military. The Thai people's rights and liberties are fungible commodities in the eyes of the military.

Only when the military understands and ACCEPTS in the Constitution that it is a mere extension of the Thai people's sovereignty can the Thai people's rights and liberties be considered involatile.

"The 2007 Constitution had Article 68 “Right to Protect the Constitution” - how did that work out in reality?"

You obviously know, but for those that didn't, the junta's favourite political party (tongue firmly in cheek) was accused of breaching article 68 and were therefore actively seeking to overthrow the democratic regime of government.

How so? By the heinous act of attempting to amend the constitution (perfectly legal back in the day) so as the Senate would be fully elected. Plus ca change.

Interestingly enough a former Senator, Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, lodged a complaint accusing Suthep of contravening Article 68 with his street protest which eventually led to the state Thailand finds itself in today. During that protest Suthep actually stated that his aim was to overthrow the democratic regime (the PTP government) "or to acquire the power to rule the country by any means which is not in accordance with the modes provided in this Constitution".

The response by the totally independent Constitutional Court?

The court’s chief spokesman, Pimol Thampitakpong, said Mr Suthep was involved in peaceful and unarmed rallies which were permitted under the constitution.

As for the protesters’ seizure of government offices, which Mr Ruangkrai said was part of Mr Suthep’s unconstitutional attempt to topple the Yingluck administration, Mr Pimol said the seizures had already ended and the House was now dissolved, so there were no grounds to claims the move violated the charter.

As I said, Plus ca change..........................................

Edited February 13, 201610 yr by thelonius

Permanent constitution in Thailand has the life expectancy of a snow ball in hell. And it is always the ones that drafted it that wind up breaking it.

Nothing is permanent I'd the entire constitution can be overrun by a coup. Who are these people kidding?

Dr Chartchai Na Chiangmai, CDC spokesperson, ... took the opportunity to give a strong assurance that the new constitution respects all the rights of all the citizens and that the protection of people’s rights is specified in various clauses of the draft.

the propaganda is strong in this one...

Better protection for the rights of citizens but the army can still do as they like so where's the protection ?

Article 44 is all the protection one could ask for, it's amazing really really.

Unfortunately that protection is limited to me myself and I and can be inacted and extended as I see fit. So the great fire wall that was "just a study" but now confirmed as it always was in full swing, is that giving protection of peoples rights and respecting them? just asking.