NLA passes draft act on improvement of ministries, state agencies

Thammarat Thadaphrom

BANGKOK, 12 March 2016 (NNT) – The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) endorsed a draft act on the improvement of ministries and state agencies, passing it into law with a unanimous decision.

The NLA sitting on Friday voted 162-1 with 4 abstentions to pass a bill on the improvement of ministries, departments and state offices into law. The meeting was chaired by NLA second vice president Peerasak Porjit.

The passing of this bill followed the NLA’s decision to revise the Administration's Anti-Corruption Measures Act, B.E. 2551. The revision allows the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to work independently without having to report to the Office of the Prime Minister.

Under the revised act, the NACC as well as its secretary-general will be supervised directly by the prime minister.

-- NNT 2016-03-12

If the NACC as well as its secretary-general will be supervised directly by the prime minister, how does it work independently?

Furthermore, the Senate will have the power to select, appoint and remove members of the Independent Organizations such as NACC. This essentially can nuetralize any oversight by the elected PM.

The NLA vote on the act was 162 to 1; close to but not exactly unanimous.

With 163 total votes and 4 absentions, there are 33 members missing !

If the NACC as well as its secretary-general will be supervised directly by the prime minister, how does it work independently?

Furthermore, the Senate will have the power to select, appoint and remove members of the Independent Organizations such as NACC. This essentially can nuetralize any oversight by the elected PM.

The NLA vote on the act was 162 to 1; close to but not exactly unanimous.

With 163 total votes and 4 absentions, there are 33 members missing !

This essentially can nuetralize any oversight by the elected PM.

But remember, the plan is to appoint a PM, probably named something like "O-Cha", and not to elect a PM, so the new revision makes perfect sense.

The puzzle pieces are coming together:

5 year "transition"

Selected (appointed) Senate

Non-majority (fractured) lower house

"Alternative" PM

NACC direct report to PM

New Administrative Court

Judges appointed by current Junta

And let's not forget, the PM has announced there will be a new government even if the Charter referendum fails.

Following the roadmap - steamrollers in the lead.

The puzzle pieces are coming together:

5 year "transition"

Selected (appointed) Senate

Non-majority (fractured) lower house

"Alternative" PM

NACC direct report to PM

New Administrative Court

Judges appointed by current Junta

And let's not forget, the PM has announced there will be a new government even if the Charter referendum fails.

Following the roadmap - steamrollers in the lead.

A military controlled democracy. Just like all the previous government's in modern Thai history. Yawn, hardly stirring an uprise. About as interesting as watching paint dry. Nope, it's the Yingluck trial that will stir discontent in the land. Bang her up and the masses will take to the street's.