NRSA: DPM’s request is only act of concern

[rooster59]

NRSA: DPM’s request is only act of concern

Thammarat Thadaphrom

BANGKOK, 13 March 2016 (NNT) - The National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) says the request of a deputy prime minister to suspend senate elections during the first five years of political transition is only an act of concern.

Alongkorn Ponlaboot, first deputy speaker of the NRSA, said Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha had instructed all bodies of reform to speed up the national reform process as well as the drafting of the new constitution. According to Alongkorn, the Prime Minister wanted to see a successful reform that paves the way for future development of the nation.

Regarding the recent “Four Rivers” meeting, he said the meeting had discussed the possibility of revising the 2014 provisional charter in a bid to allow a public referendum to take place. He however did not disclose any further details.

As for the request of Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan to have all members of the Upper House appointed during the first 5 years of political transition, Mr Alongkorn said the request is only Gen Prawit’s personal opinion and that it was raised out of his concerns of possible political crisis in the future.

-- NNT 2016-03-13

[NongKhaiKid]

What's his concern, he and his pals not keeping their hands on the reins of power ?

[sharecropper]

This flawed and divisive document is already in tatters, and the government seem to be floundering.

With leading Establishment figures (like Abhisit) coming out and criticising it and (General Prem) coming out and criticising lack of real progress on corruption under the Military Government this weekend, it does feel like a shift in thinking about the way forward, at a very high level of the Elite.

[chainarong]

  On 3/13/2016 at 12:36 AM, sharecropper said:

This flawed and divisive document is already in tatters, and the government seem to be floundering.

With leading Establishment figures (like Abhisit) coming out and criticising it and (General Prem) coming out and criticising lack of real progress on corruption under the Military Government this weekend, it does feel like a shift in thinking about the way forward, at a very high level of the Elite.

The writing is on the wall , the 06 Coup Prem gave the country back to a civilian caretaker government within 6 months , Prem knew the challengers, this mob of slows are trying to make Thailand into a military barracks , people will start to tire of this style after having a Thai democracy.

[Srikcir]

the meeting had discussed the possibility of revising the 2014 provisional charter in a bid to allow a public referendum to take place

WHAT?

The NCPO-appointed NLA just met two days ago to unanimously pass an NCPO amendment to the interim charter regarding referendum to define eligible voters so as to pre-empt a boycott of the referendum. The EC is about to millions of baht to distribute thousands of copies of the draft constitution and millions of booklets summarizing the draft to the voters in preparation for the referendum. The EC will spend billions of baht to hold the referendum.

But the NCPO is still undecided as to actually amend the interim charter to allow a referendem? The NLA vote would then seem meaningless as apparaently only the NCPO can amend the charter.

There are only six NCPO members and no doubt NCPO Chief Prayut's personal opinion of holding the referendum will decide the amendment passage. Prayut has admitted that the interim charter intentionally did not provide for a referendum and to date he has never committed to amending the interim charter for a referendum.

If strong public opposition against the draft charter continues to grow, I suspect Prayut may use a PLAN C. Plan B involved NCPO options to a voter rejection of the draft charter.

Plan C might be simply avoid a referendum and follow the same process used for the 1997 draft constitution - the NLA voted and passed the draft interim charter and it was endorsed into law. National conflict would be resolved and the EC saves billions of baht by avoiding a referendum. National elections can then proceed without delay according to the NCPO timetable.

Win-win for Prayut.

[tbthailand]

The National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) says the request of a deputy prime minister to suspend senate elections during the first five years of political transition is only an act of concern.

And the Thai people are not fools. It will be perfectly clear to everyone when the "NCPO" and the generals from the "NLA" move to the "Senate".

In related news, the Junta has stopped asking for "a little more time".

[rubl]

  On 3/13/2016 at 2:44 AM, chainarong said:

  On 3/13/2016 at 12:36 AM, sharecropper said:

This flawed and divisive document is already in tatters, and the government seem to be floundering.

With leading Establishment figures (like Abhisit) coming out and criticising it and (General Prem) coming out and criticising lack of real progress on corruption under the Military Government this weekend, it does feel like a shift in thinking about the way forward, at a very high level of the Elite.

The writing is on the wall , the 06 Coup Prem gave the country back to a civilian caretaker government within 6 months , Prem knew the challengers, this mob of slows are trying to make Thailand into a military barracks , people will start to tire of this style after having a Thai democracy.

Actually on the 1st of October 2006 the military junta appointed Gen. Surayut as Prime minister and 'they' appointed a civilian cabinet. Not really that much different from the current situation.

[rubl]

  On 3/13/2016 at 4:21 AM, tbthailand said:

The National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) says the request of a deputy prime minister to suspend senate elections during the first five years of political transition is only an act of concern.

And the Thai people are not fools. It will be perfectly clear to everyone when the "NCPO" and the generals from the "NLA" move to the "Senate".

In related news, the Junta has stopped asking for "a little more time".

If I may

" It will be perfectly clear to everyone when if the "NCPO" and the generals from the "NLA" move to the "Senate". "

[tuanku]

"Regarding the recent “Four Rivers” meeting,"

I thought there were 5 "rivers". Did one dry up because of the drought?

The first meeting of the so-called five rivers of power in Thailand is set for October 28. The term five rivers refers to the country's five main authorities headed by the National Council for Peace and Order and including the Constitution Drafting Committee, the Cabinet, the National Reform Steering Assembly and the National Legislative Assembly.