National Legislative Assemby Selects Its President

[Jai Dee]

National Legislative Assemby starts selecting its president

National Legislative Assembly that convenes for the first time start select their president on Tuesday.

The NLA members will select their president among three candidates; Former senate speaker Meechai Ruechuphan, former National Security Council chief Prasong Soonsiri and former Interior Minister Purachai Piemsomboon.

Two other candidates Ammar Siamwala and Juree Wijitwatakarn withdrew themselves from the contest.

Source: The Nation - 24 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

Meechai says he does not expect to win speaker post

Former Senate speaker Meechai Ruchuphan said Tuesday that he did not expect to win the post of the speaker of the National Legislative Assembly.

He was speaking to reporters before attending the first meeting of the NLA.

When asked whether he would be disappointed if he failed to win the post of NLA speaker, Meechai said he did not expect it.

Source: The Nation - 24 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

Activists call on NLA members not to elect Meechai as speaker

A group of five activists Tuesday called on the members of the National Legislative Assembly not to elect Meechai Ruchuphan as NLA speaker.

The five, led by Anan Laolertworakul, a lecturer of Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Arts, turned up at Parliament at 8 am.

They submit their letter to two NLA members, Sangsit Piriyarangsan and Surichai Wankaew at 8 am before the first meeting of the NLA.

Source: The Nation - 24 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

Legal expert set to edge out Prasong if 40 undecided members stay split; talk of dirty tricks at first session today

Law veteran Meechai Ruchuphan looks likely to edge out Prasong Soonsiri in a fierce contest to be president of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), which will hold its first session today.

Political sources said both sides were neck and neck in their contest to become the president of the NLA, with each mustering support of at least 100. There remain about 40 swing votes, spread among representatives of the academics and the media.

"From a survey with our colleagues in the NLA, the votes for Meechai and Prasong are very close. The decisive votes should come from the remaining 42 votes, who have not decided whom they would support," said Adm Bannawit Kengrieng, deputy permanent secretary at the Defence Ministry.

Adm Bannawit said he personally would cast his vote for Prasong because he was decisive and could move fast.

However, another member of the NLA said if other candidates were nominated to contest the presidency, then Prasong's votes would be undermined further because Meechai's supporters have already formed a strong base.

Other nominees for the NLA presidency include Gothom Arya, former National Economic and Social Development Council head; Suraphol Nitikraiphoj, rector of Thammasat University; Sujit Boonbongkarn, a former judge of the Constitution Court; and Juree Vichid-vadakarn, secretary-general of Transparency Thailand.

"The only way to beat Meechai is to get Prasong to withdraw as a candidate and then nominate only one name," an NLA member said.

In the first session of the NLA, 88-year-old Khunying Nanthaka Supraphatanand, who is the most senior member, will act as chairperson of the session to vote for the president.

But supporters of Prasong claim that Khunying Nanthaka is part of a game plan to help Meechai win the presidency.

"We don't know yet what the rules are for picking the president. It depends on the chairperson of the session. One only has to take a look at the chairperson to realise who is gaining the upper-hand in this contest," one supporter of Prasong said.

Meechai, a former president of the Senate, played a key role during the coup by acting as legal adviser to the military elite, who staged the coup to oust the caretaker government of Thaksin Shinawatra. Prasong also advised the military rulers on most political moves during the coup.

Khunying Nanthaka has a close working relationship with Meechai.

Apart from picking the president for the NLA, the members will also vote for the first and second deputy president. The Meechai camp has designated Gen Jaral Kulavanich and Pojanee Thanavaranich as candidates for first and second deputy president respectively. The Prasong camp has nominated Dr Chai-anan Samudvanija and Sangsit Piriya-rangsan, respectively.

Meechai has also enjoyed strong support from Gen Vinai Phathiyakul, secretary-general of the Council of National Security, the body of military rulers behind the coup. However, key military rulers have rejected this link as groundless.

Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the army chief, said he has never exercised his power to lobby for anybody to become president of the NLA. "We can't get involved in the democratic process. These candidates are all knowledgeable. We would like to have the selection process done in a democratic way. Any candidate who gets the majority vote will become president," he said.

Gen Sonthi said he would not approve a military general being head of the NLA because it would not look good for Thailand's image in the international community.

Meechai's candidacy has been strongly opposed from several political groups, who claim that he used to serve Thaksin before and also authored a legislative bill to give clemency to the military rulers under Gen Suchinda Kraprayoon, who staged a coup in 1991.

Source: The Nation - 24 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

30 protesters call on NLA members to resign

A group of 30 protesters rallied outside Parliament on Tuesday to denounce as members of the National Legislative Assembly as accomplices in the robbery of the nation's democracy.

The protesters, most of them lecturers and members of non-governmental organizations, called on the 242 NLA members to immediately resign.

They called on the government to organize the election by using the 1997 Constitution as the rules for an elected Parliament to reform politics.

The protesters turned up in front of Parliament at 9 am.

They said an interim parliament appointed by dictatorial coup makers had no right to reform politics.

The said the NLA was the chamber of robbery accomplices and they placed a black wreath against the NLA.

Some of the protesters also carried empty bins, which they said they would give to some university lecturers who joined the NLA to place over their heads. The protesters said the lecturers should be ashamed of themselves to sit on the non-elected chamber set up by dictators.

Source: The Nation - 24 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

Meechai voted as NLA speaker

National Legislative Assembly (NLA) vote Tuesday to select Meechai Ruchuphan as its president, beating two other candidates; Prasong Soonsiri and Purachai Piemsomboon.

Meechai, a former senate speaker, won 167 votes out of 242 NLA members while Prasong got 47 and Purachai 27. Two other candidates; Ammar Siamwala and Juree Wijitvatakarn, withdrew themselves from the contest.

Before NLA started the voting, NLA members agreed to a proposal that they would vote twice to select the president out of concerns that the president would possibly not get more than half of the chamber.

However as Meechai won more than half of the 242 NLA, the second round was not necessary.

Political observers earlier said that there would be a fierce contest between Meechai and Prasong, with Meechai would edge out Prasong with narrow margin.

The NLA will then select the deputies.

Meechai, a former president of the Senate, played a key role during the coup by acting as legal adviser to the military elite, who staged the coup to oust the caretaker government of Thaksin Shinawatra. Prasong also advised the military rulers on most political moves during the coup.

Source: The Nation - 24 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

Meechai elected Speaker as post-coup Thai parliament convenes

BANGKOK, Oct 24 (TNA) - Thailand's top legal expert has been elected Speaker of the Kingdom's unicameral National Legislative Assembly.

Gaining 167 votes--or 71 per cent of 235 votes cast for the leading candidates--was 68-year-old Meechai Ruchuphan, Prasong Soonsiri placed second with 47 votes--20 per cent of the total, while Dr. Purachai Piamsomboon placed third with 21 votes, or 9 per cent.

Five weeks after the September 19 bloodless coup d'etat that brought down the Thaksin Shinawatra administration, Thailand's 242-member National Legislative Assembly has begun to function as the Kingdom's single-chamber parliament after being appointed by the Council for National Security (CNS).

The first session was presided over by 88-year-old veteran parliamentarian Nanthaka Suprapatanan, the oldest legislator in the chamber.

Mr. Meechai, 68, twice served as Senate Speaker and is considered the Kingdom's top legal expert. He was Prime Minister's Office Minister during the administrations of Prem Tinsulanonda and Chatichai Choonhavan.

Civil groups cried foul over his candidacy, arguing that his record was tainted as he had served deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and also engineered a bill to grant clemency to the millitary rulers who conducted a coup d'etat in 1991 toppling the Chatichai administration.

The runner-up, Prasong Soonsiri, 79, is former secretary-general of the National Security Council and was once secretary of the prime minister Prem Tinsulanonda.

Two duo ran neck-to-neck in pre-session straw votes.

Dr. Purachai Piamsomboon, a former deputy prime minister and interior minister in the Thaksin administration, was dubbed "Mr. Clean" for his staunch anti-corruption line, Dr. Purachai announced his retirement from politics early 2005 to spend more time with his family. Brought into government for his known integrity and long-term acquaintance with Mr. Thaksin, Dr. Purachai ruffled feathers among politicians and bureaucrats alike.

Under the interim charter, the National Legislative Assembly is mandated to serve as the House of Representatives, the Senate at the same time. NLA members may submit motions to question cabinet members, but the ministers have the right to refuse to answer. Legislators cannot pass a vote of confidence or no-confidence, leading critics to suggest the NLA does not have enough power.

The militarily-appointed NLA includes persons from all walks of life--including politicians, academics, retired and presently serving civil servants, representatives from Muslim organisations in the far South, civic group members and media professionals.

Some critics labelled it "the Chamber of Generals" as the largest single group--35 persons, or 14 per cent--are military officers.

Source: TNA - 24 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

Charan, Pochanee elected deputy NLA speakers

Gen Charan Kullawanich and Pochanaee Thanavaranich were elected deputy speakers of the National Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.

Charan, secretary-general of the National Security Council, received 170 votes in the contest for the first deputy speaker.

Pochanee, a former director-general of the Insurance Department, received 128 votes and become the second deputy speaker of the NLA.

National Legislative Assembly’s President Meechai Ruchuphan (left) talks to his deputy, Gen Charan Kullawanich, during a break on Tuesday.

Source: The Nation - 24 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

NLA uses new president selection process

The meeting of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) today progressed slowly after a member suggested for another round of voting for the NLA President.

The NLA meeting started at 10 AM today, and the main agenda was the selection of the NLA President. Five candidates for this position included Mr. Meechai Ruchuphan (มีชัย ฤชุพันธ์), Squadron Leader Prasong Soonsiri (ประสงค์ สุ่นสิริ), Mr. Ammar Siamwala (อัมมาร์ สยามวาลา), Mrs. Juree Wijitwathakan (จุรี วิจิตรวาทการ), and Police Captain Purachai Piemsomboon (ปุระชัย เปี่ยมสมบูรณ์). Mr. Ammar and Mrs. Juree later withdrew their candidacies, resulting in 3 candidates left.

Khunying Nanthaka Suprapatanant (คุณหญิงนันทกา สุประภาตะนันทน์), the temporary chairperson of the meeting, used a presidential selection process as stated in the 1991 NLA Meeting Regulations. The candidate with the most votes will be appointed as the president.

Since there were three candidates, they might receive equal votes, and therefore, Mr. Sophon Suphapong (โสภณ สุภาพงษ์), a NLA member, made a proposal to the meeting that the members should vote twice instead. Two candidates with the highest votes in the first time will compete again for the second time. Mr Sophon’s suggestion was supported by some members.

Discussion about this issue took about an hour and finally the meeting approved the new selection process. Ballots were distributed to the members to write down a name of a candidate of their choice. This secret vote is different from those carried out by the upper and lower houses of parliament which require the voters to mark a cross in designated space in a ballot.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

The govt to clarify details of its policy to NLA

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has indicated that the government is preparing to clarify tge details of its drafted policy to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), while stating that Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC) will start its operation in the beginning of the next month.

Following the Cabinet meeting today, Gen. Surayud revealed that the Cabinet has already completed the details of drafted policy. He said that the drafted policies will be proposed to the NLA after its amendment.

As for the supervision of the SBPAC, the Prime Minister said that the center will be under the responsibility of three ministries, which are the Interior Ministry, the Defense Ministry, and the Justice Ministry. The SBPAC is expected to begin its operation next month.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 October 2006

See also this thread.

[Jai Dee]

Meechai win sows divisions

Prem, Sonthi welcome his election but critics worry it could worsen civil rights

Despite blessings from respected figures, the election of law veteran Meechai Ruchuphan as the speaker of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) was met with suspicion yesterday.

Somphan Taecha-athick, an academic of Khon Kaen University, said Meechai's election as NLA speaker would worsen the state of civil rights, which had been abused by the junta since the coup of September 19.

"Meechai is an old guard who has written a number of laws giving power to the state rather than the people," said Somphan.

Privy Council president General Prem Tinsulanonda congratulated Meechai on assuming the post of NLA speaker, saying he is a good person as well as a highly-qualified law expert.

He believed that Meechai would be able to effectively lead the assembly.

General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, leader of the Council for National Security (CNS), yesterday des-cribed Meechai as "the best choice".

Somphan said he was concerned that as people have been suppressed by the CNS over freedom of expression, while having long suffered from many laws initiated by Meechai, the country's future will fall into the same old situation of state domination over civil rights.

Somphan believed that Meechai was the only choice of the CNS because he had been involved in drafting its statements, orders and the interim charter.

"All circumstances pointed to Meechai being pre-selected even before the NLA vote," he said.

Meechai, a former senate speaker, was elected although he had been opposed by activists and academics for his record of serving deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as a legal adviser to his government.

In the first NLA session to select the speaker yesterday, he won 167 votes out of 242 NLA members while his fierce contender Prasong Soonsiri got 47 and Purachai Piumsomboon 21.

Chaturon Chaisang, the Thai Rak Thai Party's acting leader, said the selection of Meechai was of no use to the people because he would only follow orders of the most powerful body - the CNS.

"The result didn't surprise me at all because it had been fixed at the beginning," Chaturon said.

As the junta had picked all the NLA members shortly after it deposed Thaksin, he believed the selection of Meechai to serve as NLA Speaker was also planned at the time.

The CNS, Chaturon said, wanted to back Meechai because its leaders knew he would respond positively to any of its orders.

Meechai's entry will not improve the NLA's image, which had been ruined by disputes among its members over a power struggle to back their men to win the speakership, he said.

In recent days, NLA members had been divided in their support for the two leading contenders, Meechai and Prasong Soonsiri. Both sides were neck and neck in the contest before the former won the seat. Chaturon warned the NLA would need a "very good" reason to tell those who did not support the coup why its members had become involved in power control instead of building faith and trust.

Meechai himself pleaded with his critics to give him a chance to work before evaluating the performance of the NLA.

"I will try my best to steer the NLA as a credible lawmaking body," he said. NLA member Surapol Nitikraipoj, also rector of Thammasat University, believed the anti-Meechai groups would stop their moves because most of the NLA members had voted for Meechai without any attempts to lobby for votes.

"All sides have to accept the result and respect the assembly's decision," he said.

Source: The Nation - 25 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

PM finalized government policies

The Prime Minister of Thailand, Gen. Surayud Chulanont, revealed after the Cabinet meeting yesterday that the Cabinet has considered the details on the newly drafted government policies, and they will be announced to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) to ensure that all policies have been revised.

On the other hand, the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC) has been approved to deal with the southern unrest, and three ministries will together help administer the center. They are the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Defence, and the Ministry of Justice. For the details of the processes, they will be discussed later on. However, the Prime Minister expects that the SBPAC can start working within November and more residents in the South can participate in solving the unrest.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

NLA Speaker Meechai and his team paid homage at the Parliament

The National Legislative Speaker, Mr. Meechai Ruchupan, has asserted that he will not intervene in the works of the Constitution Drafting Assembly.

Mr. Meechai together with the NLA Vice Presidents, Gen. Charan Kullawanit and Mrs. Pojanee Tanawaranich, paid respect to the statue of the holy spirit in the Parliament. Later, Mr. Meechai said he is concerned about the criticisms, but his performance as the NLA President will respond to those remarks.

He also mentioned about the accusation in reference to the Constitution that he has the authority to become the Speaker of the Constitution Drafting Assembly since he is the NLA Speaker. He responded that this is a misinterpretation because the role of the NLA Speaker is unrelated to the process of drafting the Constitution. The Constitution Drafting Assembly will appoint its Speaker, and he could not interfere with its works.

As for the NLA meeting to declare the government policy, Mr. Meechai disclosed that the meeting will take place on November 2nd. The scope of this meeting will depend on the members’ interests, and it will be different from the other former meetings because most members are not politicians.

Meanwhile, Mr. Meechai said he has no comment on the corrected announcement of the Council for National Security (CNS) on limiting certain human rights because this issue is up to the government and the CNS to consider.

At the same time, Gen. Charan affirmed that vote-blocking activities did not take place during the NLA Presidential election. He also believes that people cannot be forced to vote for certain candidate. Regarding to the pressures from various sides, he would like them to reconcile and work together for the good of the country.

Mrs. Suwimol Bhumisingharaj (สุวิมล ภูมิสิงหราช), the NLA Secretary-General, said she had coordinated with the CNS to bring the name list of the NLA President and Vice Presidents to bestow to His Majesty the King.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

Labour Minister: new Labour Permanent-Secretary must be selected from officials under the ministry

Labour Minister Abhai Chanthanachulaka (อภัย จันทนจุลกะ) confirmed that the new Labour Permanent-Secretary must be selected from officials under the ministry.

He said that the picture will become clearer in 15 days. He further explained that the position of the new Labour Permanent-Secretary will go to the one who is most familiar with the Labour Minsitry's work. Mr Abhai said the post will go to an outsider if no one his senior officials are interested in taking up the position.

As for the Cabinet’s earlier approval designating Mr. Surin Jirawisit (สุรินทร์ จิรวิศิษฐ์) to be caretaker Labour Permanent-Secretary, he said that he has yet received any report on the matter.

However, he said that he will find the suitable person to take the position from C 10 officials by considering on seniority and competency.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

An NLA member confident of NLA Speaker's performance

The former Permanent Secretary for Defence and member of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), Gen. Oud Buangbon (อู๊ด เบื้องบน), believed that NLA Speaker Meechai Ruchupan’s performance will be accepted by the society because he has tremendous experience, knowledge, and capability to solve the current problems.

Gen. Oud said NLA Speaker Meechai is highly capable and should perform well. In addition, he believes Mr. Meechai will be able to solve the problems satisfactorily. He also affirmed that there were no vote-blocking and lobbying during the selection process within the NLA.

The former Permanent Secretary for Defence said nobody could have such an influence on the NLA members because each of them is educated, capable, and prudent. However, he admitted that certain NLA member may have an informal meeting beforehand in order to coordinate their ideas for the good of the country. He also insisted that he is not a representative of anyone, and believed that the NLA members are from different backgrounds. Thus, if they are unsatisfied with the result, complaints would exist.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 26 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

NLA to consider discussion outline of the government policy

The National Legislative Assembly will have a meeting to determine its framework tomorrow.

The NLA meeting will be held tomorrow at 9:30 AM, and its agenda is to acknowledge His Majesty the King’s royal command to appoint the NLA Speaker and Vice Presidents. Another topic of discussion is the establishment of the draft convention panel to regulate the NLA meeting.

The NLA members will also consider the outline of the government policy, which will be declared on November 3rd instead of November 2nd as Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont will be working in the deep South on that day.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 26 October 2006