CDC continues to deliberate Thai Senate composition

[webfact]

CDC continues to deliberate Senate composition

BANGKOK, 4 March 2016 (NNT) - The Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) is set to review clauses related to the Senate, as its composition remains a contentious issue.

According to CDC Spokesperson Norachit Sinhaseni, the CDC will continue to hear public opinions over the Senate's composition until they are unanimous. Many have proposed that some senators be nominated, rather than electing all senators into office.

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has welcomed Defense Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan’s suggestion that there should be nominated senators working alongside Members of Parliament. He also dismissed claims that it was his intention to use the nominated senators to monitor the next government, but rather to provide assistance.

Meanwhile, Mr. Norachit affirmed that to promote the people's rights and freedoms, the CDC will stipulate in the draft charter certain roles and responsibilities of the public sector to ensure these liberties will never be compromised.

The CDC has also made a few changes to the draft charter to enhance the protection of human dignity for Thai citizens, given that there is currently no law relevant to this issue.


-- NNT 2016-03-04

[GeorgesAbitbol]

A senate which will be under the heavy influence of the military and establishment.

A senate which will have the power to censor any law or change the next elected government will propose.

A senate which will legitimate coups...

[heybruce]

"According to CDC Spokesperson Norachit Sinhaseni, the CDC will continue to hear public opinions over the Senate's composition until they are unanimous."

Clever. Public opinion will never be unanimous, so the draft constitution will never be finished, and the junta will never give up power. No surprise there.

"Meanwhile, Mr. Norachit affirmed that to promote the people's rights and freedoms, the CDC will stipulate in the draft charter certain roles and responsibilities of the public sector to ensure these liberties will never be compromised."

Huh? Roles and responsibilities to ensure liberties? "The constitution says you are a peasant and have a responsibility to support the military government. That makes you free!"

[chainarong]

The CDC have been deliberating since the Junta took power , just apply the Westminster system and get on with it and stop wasting the public's money on B/S.....................................

[tbthailand]

The Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) is set to review clauses related to the Senate, as its composition remains a contentious issue.

it's not contentious, it is already 100% undemocratic and the only contentious part is that the current self-appointed "PM" wants the senate to be 100% appointed. And then that very obedient Senate can "appoint" the next "PM", whose name just might be "Uncle Too"...

This is another transparent play by the generals to maintain complete control over elected governments.

[candide]

Indirectly appointed or directly appointed, that is the question!

[tbthailand]

Indirectly appointed or directly appointed, that is the question!

LOL,

ok, the serious question is "why" are these Senators there in the first place... ?

[Srikcir]

Many have proposed that some senators be nominated, rather than electing all senators into office.

In a NIDA poll conducted during November 30 and December 1, 2015 - "72.16 percent want senators to represent all groups of stakeholders; 16.42 percent want them to come from academics and 9 percent want them to represent all professional groups."

Poll seems to indicate a majority of those polled want elected senators. How else can all groups of stakeholders have representation?