CDC chief denies attempts to extend NCPO’s term

[webfact]

CDC chief denies attempts to extend NCPO’s term

BANGKOK, 30 May 2016 (NNT) – The chairperson of the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) has brushed aside rumors that the additional question in the referendum will allow the extension of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)’s term in office.

Responding to the circulation of a rumor that the additional question will extend the power of the NCPO for another three terms or 12 years, Meechai Ruchuphan, CDC chairperson, said such a claim is groundless and that it is impossible for the NCPO to stay in office once a new government has been elected.

The additional question asks whether or not appointed senators should be allowed the join elected senators in the selection of the prime minister.

He said all sides are working in unison to steer the nation forward without seeking personal gain.

The chairperson also admitted that there are some groups of people trying to cause misunderstanding and confusion among the public regarding the constitution, while asking the Election Commission (EC) to bring those responsible to justice.

When asked about the recently-held training sessions for volunteers, Mr Meechai said it was very difficult to make the volunteers understand every detail of the draft constitution during the program of only two days duration, but believes that they have acquired sufficient information and knowledge about the draft to assist others, in the period leading up to the referendum.


-- NNT 2016-05-30

[jamesbrock]

Mr Meechai said it was very difficult to make the volunteers understand every detail of the draft constitution during the program of only two days duration

If the CDC are sending volunteers to various provinces to inform the public about issues that they themselves don't quite understand, doesn't that make them one of the groups of people causing misunderstanding and confusion among the public?

One would think that, if they are spending 20 million baht to send these volunteers out, the least they could do is ensure the volunteers fully understand what it is they're supposed to be explaining - even if it meant extending the training program until they did...

[smutcakes]

Can someone correct me if my understanding is wrong.

The lower house and the upper have the same numbers and can both vote on election of a PM.

So say through an election the lower house was more PTP or an alias, presumably the military will appoint a controlling number of persons in the Senate who can essentially swing the vote to the Democrats or another party of their choice.

Essentially a party could win 80% of lower house seats and still get not be elected PM because an appointed Senate vote elsewhere.

Is this correct?

[NongKhaiKid]

Mr Meechai said it was very difficult to make the volunteers understand every detail of the draft constitution during the program of only two days duration

If the CDC are sending volunteers to various provinces to inform the public about issues that they themselves don't quite understand, doesn't that make them one of the groups of people causing misunderstanding and confusion among the public?

One would think that, if they are spending 20 million baht to send these volunteers out, the least they could do is ensure the volunteers fully understand what it is they're supposed to be explaining - even if it meant extending the training program until they did...

Look what Meechai is saying, we have volunteers and are training them but not enough for them to understand what they're supposed to be doing but we are sending them out anyway.

Is there method in their madness, the volunteers will only repeat what they've been told to say , and without always understanding what they are saying, and this is likely to only be what's been decided the public should hear.

Anyway Meechai is a minor player in this game because if, in the national interest of course, the PM decides he and his NCPO are staying on, they will until potentially all hell breaks loose.

Edited May 29, 2016 by NongKhaiKid

[mtls2005]

12 years, even with a "military party" leading a government?

Yeah, right.

When has that ever happened in Thailand? There'd be at least two counter-coups in that period.

That said, the elites/military do want to retain command/control over any "government" forever.

Color mixing 101:

Green is made of yellow and blue... so putting more yellow in the green will only make the green look more yellow-ish

[chainarong]

12 years, even with a "military party" leading a government?

Yeah, right.

When has that ever happened in Thailand? There'd be at least two counter-coups in that period.

That said, the elites/military do want to retain command/control over any "government" forever.

Color mixing 101:

Green is made of yellow and blue... so putting more yellow in the green will only make the green look more yellow-ish

The students and the people in 1973 gave the military a black eye , they may do it again , hence the junta's focus on students , however this time around the military maybe placed into oblivion, the current face saving, Generals in-charge of departments will need to go, as indirectly the Junta's have not stopped ruling Thailand..

[Thailand]

Surely they only require one box on the ballot papers, with "yes" on it, problem solved.

[Winniedapu]

Tommyrot.

The CDC's job was to draft a constitution that gave the junta the opportunity to extend it's hegemony for up to the 20 years they reckon reforms will take.

Did anyone really think they would own up to doing just that?

Watching for pigs on the wing.

W

Edited May 30, 2016 by Winniedapu

[Thailand]

And this "communication" is reminiscent of the verbal miscommunication "send reinforcments we are going to advance" which when it finally reached the ears of those it was meant for came out as "send 3 and fourpence we are going to a dance"!

[Winniedapu]

Quite often, confusion puts people in a state of suggestibility. The Thai government knows this, and so you will quite often see a statement that makes no sense whatever at first glance, more-or-less immediately followed by a suggestion, often couched in such a way as to not appear to be a suggestion at all.

In this case, the confusional statement lies in the first 2 paragraphs and it's also (handily) a bit of misdirection - the second question is not the important voting issue, the draft constitution is and that's the first question. But for these purposes, it suits to pretend the issue of contention lies solely in the second question, and this is the reason it was put in - to confuse and misdirect, because it certainly isn't necessary and the question is already embedded in the draft constitution. Very sneaky of someone, I'm actually quite impressed, even though it would only fool an innocent and wouldn't fool for one moment anyone familiar with these particular black arts.

The suggestion is embedded in the fourth paragraph, and that bit is actually quite subtle - whether by design or good fortune.

It's a bit of a skill-set, but this government is not above spending some serious money to learn how to do lots of things that are a bit of a skill-set (or pay someone to do it of course). It is a part of the propagandist's art; I see American hands behind this - which will be no great shock for anyone except the hardened junta-hugger. It's very deceitful. Nasty.

W

Edited May 30, 2016 by Winniedapu

[mtls2005]

Can someone correct me if my understanding is wrong.

The lower house and the upper have the same numbers and can both vote on election of a PM.

So say through an election the lower house was more PTP or an alias, presumably the military will appoint a controlling number of persons in the Senate who can essentially swing the vote to the Democrats or another party of their choice.

Essentially a party could win 80% of lower house seats and still get not be elected PM because an appointed Senate vote elsewhere.

Is this correct?

500 + 250 = 750

So assuming the upper house votes NLA-like (250:0) [no need for whips], then any party/coalition would need very close to 80% of the lower house, to have any sort of majority.

I think that's a feature, and not a bug?

[tuanku]

Mr Meechai said it was very difficult to make the volunteers understand every detail of the draft constitution during the program of only two days duration

If the CDC are sending volunteers to various provinces to inform the public about issues that they themselves don't quite understand, doesn't that make them one of the groups of people causing misunderstanding and confusion among the public?

One would think that, if they are spending 20 million baht to send these volunteers out, the least they could do is ensure the volunteers fully understand what it is they're supposed to be explaining - even if it meant extending the training program until they did...

1. Misunderstanding and confusion are a desirable outcome, as a full and proper understanding would lead to a massive No vote.

2. Some of the confusion may be to do with the labelling of the outcome of a yes vote "democracy." I can see how that might be hard to get ones head around.

3. 20 million is the budget, it is not what it costs. Some of this money will go to the usual pockets. That alone is sufficient reason to promote the exercise by the beneficiaries

4. Extending the training programme for a year still would not remove the contradictions built into the document around those elected by the people and those with the power.