CDC review composition of senate next week

Thammarat Thadaphrom

BANGKOK, 12 March 2016 (NNT) – The Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) is expected to discuss the composition of the senate next week.

According to CDC chairman Meechai Ruchuphan, the drafting team will review the provision concerning the origin of the senate next week. The CDC will also deliberate a request raised by Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan who proposed that all members of the Upper House be appointed during the country’s political transition.

When discussing the issue, he said all drafters would put the people and the country’s best interests first.

In the meantime, Gen Prawit said his request, if heeded, would pave the way for a complete reform of the country during the next five years while expressing his belief that the CDC would review the request with the utmost caution.

-- NNT 2016-03-12

It's a way for the military to hold on to some power and make sure the reforms go their way not anyone elses way.

The appointments should be voted in by the people , it is only a shallow excuse to blame a political transition , everyone is well aware of the corruption, the manipulation a Junta without scruples can develop, be honest with yourselves for a change and ask yourselves how much money will change hands when nominations are called for, you fool no one.................................

The CDC will also deliberate a request raised by Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan who proposed that all members of the Upper House be appointed during the country’s political transition.

I expect the junta will win. Somehow, some way.

The turd being rolled by the CDC is already undemocratic and will only lead to a "fake democracy", but this little gem of a power struggle is a move by the junta to institutionalize military control over the so-called civilian government.

all members of the Upper House be appointed during the country’s political transition.

Why the rush to form the Senate before a new gvernment is elected?

Some of the powers of the appointed senators:

- impeach only Senate endorsed officials

- approve the appointment of the Auditor General
- approve and remove members for independent organizations (ie., EC, NACC) and their agents

- approve legislation passed by the House of Representatives,

When one considers that current and former members of the NCPO, NLA, Cabinet, NRSA, NRC, and their relatives are eligible for selection as senators, the Senate can exercise significant power over an elected government's agenda. Otherwise, an elected government might influence the selection of candidates for the senate.

Politics is most definitely not my choice for discussion. In my simplistic view I always thought that it was a senate's job to oversee, vote yea or nay on passing rules and laws anyway. It looks to me that the junta was to be 100% sure it can Vito any issue it wants to, in this case.

The CDC will also deliberate a request raised by Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan who proposed that all members of the Upper House be appointed during the country’s political transition.

I expect the junta will win. Somehow, some way.

The turd being rolled by the CDC is already undemocratic and will only lead to a "fake democracy", but this little gem of a power struggle is a move by the junta to institutionalize military control over the so-called civilian government.

Yes, yes, but is there anything that the populace can do about this? No, do the people know or even care about this? Maybe, you see Thai's I think like to be under control, be told what to do, be given a little rule book of do's and don'ts, it's reassuring to them. Making big decisions is for the big people, as long as my family is OK, do what you want. Local issues matter the national issues are for the puu yai, big people.