NLA passes 20-year national strategy and reform bills

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NLA passes 20-year national strategy and reform bills
By Kasamakorn Chanwanpen 
The Nation

 

BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) passed both the national strategy and reform bills in the second and third readings on Thursday. Both laws are expected to have a significant effect shaping public policies over the next 20 years.

 

The NLA had a small debate about including the presidents of the lower and upper houses of Parliament and excluding the head of the judicial branch in the strategy committee but resolved to maintain the original stipulations.

 

NLA member Somchai Sawangkarn raised a concern whether the heads of the legislative branch could be trusted, giving the example of the previous elected Parliament’s passage of a blanket amnesty bill at 3am.

 

NLA member Jade Siratharanon said the committee should include all branches of government including the judiciary to ensure balance.

 

Borwornsak Uwanno, a member of the vetting committee, countered that including the heads of Parliament was essential because they would be elected by the people and should be part of the national strategy.

 

Regarding the exclusion of judges from the high courts, Bowornsak said some issues regarding national strategy would have to considered by the courts, implying that the judiciary’s inclusion on the committee would be redundant.

 

The NLA passed the draft in the third reading in a vote of 217 to zero with three abstentions after two hours of deliberation.

 

The NLA also passed the reform bill by 216 to zero with four abstentions after deliberations lasting one hour without major debate.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30318805

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-06-22

[williamgeorgeallen]

now they have to keep the reds from winning the next election or it will all be changed around again. wonder how they are going to do that. oh year thats right the referendum.