NLA turns down Dr Raewat Visarutvej’s nomination as the ombudsman

[webfact]

NLA turns down Dr Raewat Visarutvej’s nomination as the ombudsman



BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has rejected the nomination of Dr Raewat Visarutvej as the ombudsman to succeed Mr Sriracha Wongsarayangkoon whose term expired on April 5.

NLA vice president Surachai Liangbonlertchai disclosed that Dr Raewat received 66 supporting votes against 66 opposition votes with 24 abstensions. He said that the nominee failed to get the majority votes needed to pass the test.

An informed parliamentary source said that the NLA held a closed-door meeting to discuss the backgrounds of Dr Raewat during which several questions were raised such as the doctor’s change of name and surname and his political connections.

Some NLA members pointed out at Dr Raewat’s advisory post for then deputy commerce minister Natthawut Saikua and his service as an advisor to former House speaker Somsak Kiatsuranan, a former Pheu Thai MP.

Some NLA members commented that the ombudsman must be politically neutral.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/165812


-- Thai PBS 2016-06-03

[The stuttering parrot]

Must be politically neutral.

Looks like there in for the long haul if they are brining up everyone's past and connections to fill that position without bias.

[Mango Bob]

Politically neutral means not a red shirt. But a military man may be okay.

[Raymonddiaz]

Nla members were not elected but only named.if the guy was yellow everything would be fine but he's red.

[Winniedapu]

Nla members were not elected but only named.if the guy was yellow everything would be fine but he's red.

And this summarises very nicely why Thailand will continue to flush itself down its own toilet.

I have no sympathy for them at all, Thais are their own worst enemy.

W

[ramrod711]

Some NLA members pointed out at Dr Raewat’s advisory post for then deputy commerce minister Natthawut Saikua and his service as an advisor to former House speaker Somsak Kiatsuranan, a former Pheu Thai MP.

Interesting that members of a government that had no respect for the authority of the ombudsman are so interested now.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/591705-thai-ombudsmans-office-stands-up-and-shows-some-claws-analysis/

[NongKhaiKid]

Past political connections and obviously not of the acceptable kind.

It's all but impossible to find anyone / anything here that's truly neutral so revert to type and appoint someone who is or will be on your side.

Independent ? Another word that has no meaning.

Isn't there a military man available who would be ' ideally suited ' for the post ?

[graemeaylward]

Yet again, Thailand shows its expertise in the art of advance planning! The Ombudsman's term of office ended in April. It is now June! Surely it is not beyond the wit of someone in power to mark the calendar in January "Appoint new Ombudsman ready for April"!!!

[NongKhaiKid]

Yet again, Thailand shows its expertise in the art of advance planning! The Ombudsman's term of office ended in April. It is now June! Surely it is not beyond the wit of someone in power to mark the calendar in January "Appoint new Ombudsman ready for April"!!!

Wow, forward thinking and planning.

Now there's an innovation to be conjured with.

[Inn Between]

Yet again, Thailand shows its expertise in the art of advance planning! The Ombudsman's term of office ended in April. It is now June! Surely it is not beyond the wit of someone in power to mark the calendar in January "Appoint new Ombudsman ready for April"!!!

What's the rush? Who needs an ombudsman when Section 44 can resolve all issues?