Constitution Drafting Assembly Appointed by Royal Decree

[cclub75]

CHON BURI - Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) chairman Squadron Leader Prasong Soonsiri Sunday expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the draft of Thailand's new constitution. He expressed confidence that all debates concerning the new charter could be concluded Wednesday.

The joke word is "debate".

The whole process is turning like a bad farce.

35 members of the Constitution Drafting Committee are going in a closed doors meeting, in a remote location, to vote (with secrecy) and some hot issues, and then they will come out, like a devil from the box : "hello, here is the new constitution".

Great. And then they want to believe us that the referendum is going to be a simple "formality" and that elections will be organized in december.

Meanwhile, they're banning the chat on because they have found "several topics discussed in it undermine national security".

Meanwhile, the Defense Minister say regarding the ridiculous small rally of PTV : "I assume that whoever tries to cause trouble in the country is nothing else but a traitor"

No need to do 1+1 to understand that we are on a bad path... A very bad one.

[sriracha john]

Non-elected PM a non-issue: Prakorn

The debate over whether the next charter should leave room for a non-elected premier is a non-issue, as all but one of the 35 drafters oppose it, Constitution Drafting Committee spokesman Prakorn Priyakorn said yesterday.

Prakorn said the drafters might opt for a secret vote on the issue tomorrow, but even if they did it would not make a difference.

"I'm confident that if there is a vote, only Sriracha Charoenpanich will support it," Prakorn said.

*Please Note: He is not to be confused with Sriracha John, who is not actually participating in the CDC vote*

He said the drafters will follow the 1997 charter which excluded non-MPs from the top post in politics. The 1997 charter was nullified following last September's coup.

Prakorn said debate on the issue had "crystallised" against allowing a non-elected premier but Sriracha's view had to be respected.

Still, sceptics say it may not be that simple as about 20 of the 35 drafters have not expressed definite views on the issue.

There were concerns they shared Sriracha's view, which has raised suspicions of an attempt to open the way for the junta or its representative to appoint a premier. The junta directly appointed 10 of the drafters and the rest were indirectly appointed.

Prakorn said there were about 20 unresolved issues that would be decided by a secret vote tomorrow, although the committee would try to keep their number to as few as possible.

He said he was not worried about public misgivings about the secrecy.

Sriracha, meanwhile, distributed a position paper to rally support for his view yesterday and insisted he would push for a vote on the issue tomorrow.

- The Nation

Edited April 8, 2007 by sriracha john

[Mid]

Prakorn said the drafters might opt for a secret vote on the issue tomorrow, but even if they did it would not make a difference.

give me strength .....................

[Jai Dee]

Buddhism Protection Center of Thailand wants CDC to state Buddhism as the national religion in charter

The Secretary-General of the Buddhism Protection Center of Thailand, Phra Tepvisutthikawee (พระเทพวิสุทธิกวี), wants the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) to state Buddhism as the national religion in the new charter.

The Buddhism Protection Center of Thailand joined the Network of Buddhist Organizations in front of the Parliament yesterday (Apr 8), calling for the CDC to declare Buddhism as the national religion in the constitutional draft. Phra Tepvisutthikawee also asked the CDC members to stop criticizing the proposals of public members to the mass media and said if they could not accept the proposals, they should resign and let people who are more capable to work in their positions instead.

Nevertheless, Phra Tepvisutthikawee says the Buddhism Protection Center of Thailand is ready to fully support the CDC if the proposals have been accepted. He says the Buddhism Protection Center of Thailand will organize a big meeting in Sanam Luang on April 16th, 2007. He says some members have already gathered at Sanam Luang.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 April 2007

[Jai Dee]

Prasong insists charter first draft to be complete on April 19

Prasong Soonsiri, chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, insisted Monday the first draft of the new charter would be complete on April 19.

He said his panel would be able to complete the first draft as scheduled on April 19.

Prasong said the drafting process would not be disrupted because of on-going protests by several groups of activists.

Source: The Nation - 9 April 2007

[Jai Dee]

Constitution drafting chairman sees 'no counter coup'

Thailand's Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) chairman Prasong Soonsiri said here on Monday he was confident that political movements taking place in the country now would not lead to a counter-coup attempt.

Squadron Leader Prasong said he believed that the present political situation would not disrupt the new constitution drafting process, but it was simply an attempt of political groups to heat up the political

climate.

However, he suggested the interim government led by Gen. Surayud Chulanont had to work harder and more efficiently so that mounting pressures on the government would decline and the political temperature would cool down.

The CDC chairman made his comment in response to anti-coup gatherings and protests of some political groups including those identified as supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who was deposed in a bloodless coup on September 19, 2006.

"They are just trying to disturb and upset the administration. Attempts to make new the rounds of political change are quite impossible" said Sq. Ldr. Prasong.

He also assured that the charter drafting process wouldn't be disrupted by the sporadic anti-coup protests.

On the contrary, he said, the first draft of the new constitution would be surely completed within this month.

"We'll get the first draft on April 19 as planned ," the CDC chairman said.

According to the mandated timeframe agreed upon by the military coup-makers' Council for National Security (CNS) and the interim government, the new charter draft will be completed and ready for the

referendum scheduled for late September. If the draft passes the referendum, the new general election will be held in late December.

Sq. Ldr. Prasong said he was confident the charter draft would pass the public vote in spite of attempts of some political groups to convince the public to turn it down.

Source: TNA - 9 April 2007

[ThaiGoon]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/tops...s.php?id=117966

New constitution to widen anti-graft fight

The National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) will be given wider powers to catch corrupt officials at lower levels, the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) has agreed.

The draft for the new charter will give graftbusters authority to investigate C-8 level civil servants, who are division directors or equivalent, as well as higher-ranking government officials.

CDC spokesman Pakorn Preeyakorn said the 35 CDC members, who are working on the details of the charter draft at a beach resort at Bang Saen in Chon Buri, had also agreed on a range of other issues.

The Office of the Ombudsman will have added powers to look into cases involving constitutional and judicial agencies accused of malfeasance or dereliction of duty. The agency will also be able to initiate legal proceedings in cases it views as affecting the public interest, without waiting for complaints to be lodged by damaged parties.

The drafters also agreed in principle that the Election Commission will have total power to issue red cards and yellow cards to candidates suspected of poll fraud while election results are pending. After the results are announced, the courts will take over the duty of ruling on such cases.

[JimmyTheMook]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/tops...s.php?id=117966

New constitution to widen anti-graft fight

The National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) will be given wider powers to catch corrupt officials at lower levels

PM's will still have Carte Blanche then ?

[ThaiGoon]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/tops...s.php?id=117966

New constitution to widen anti-graft fight

The National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) will be given wider powers to catch corrupt officials at lower levels

PM's will still have Carte Blanche then ?

NCC will be given wider powers. So that means, in addtion to the powers they already have, they will be given more. The powers they currently have are obviously being used to investigate and prosecute a certain former PM.

Edited April 9, 2007 by ThaiGoon

[solent01]

For sure, the head men want to put an end to the curuption at lower levels so they can see a higher percentage.......

[ThaiGoon]

For sure, the head men want to put an end to the curuption at lower levels so they can see a higher percentage.......

FYI, the drafters of the new constitution and all members of the current interim government will be banned from running for political office for a few years (if my memory serves me right.)

[solent01]

For sure, the head men want to put an end to the curuption at lower levels so they can see a higher percentage.......

FYI, the drafters of the new constitution and all members of the current interim government will be banned from running for political office for a few years (if my memory serves me right.)

And you think that in the grand stream of things that are Thailand, this will matter one iota?

[ThaiGoon]

For sure, the head men want to put an end to the curuption at lower levels so they can see a higher percentage.......

FYI, the drafters of the new constitution and all members of the current interim government will be banned from running for political office for a few years (if my memory serves me right.)

And you think that in the grand stream of things that are Thailand, this will matter one iota?

What is "this" you are talking about? The topic of this thread or what you quoted from me above?

[solent01]

Sorry Mr Goon, but I was referring to your post above, its a fantastic thought, but this being Thailand, and the love of Tea Money, I can't see it happening, although I wish it so.

[cdnvic]

Counter Corruption has to be taken out of reach of the politicians otherwise it will just become a tool for one government to punish their predecessors. Something like a Supreme Court who are independent of parliament would be more effective.

[jayjayjayjay]

For sure, the head men want to put an end to the curuption at lower levels so they can see a higher percentage.......

FYI, the drafters of the new constitution and all members of the current interim government will be banned from running for political office for a few years (if my memory serves me right.)

I bet you the ASC commisioners will be given long term powers where it be under a continuation of the ASC or as part of the NCCC, this guy Sak and his friends are as power hungry as any politicians I have witnessed, including the ranks of Chavalit, Banharn, Sanot and Taksin. A full cleanup of corruptions will take 30yrs in Thailand, maybe even longer...aka Singapore, but then again,who wants Thailand to be like Singapore?

[OlRedEyes]

[Jai Dee]

Additional constitution threads merged.

[cclub75]

Hey guys... A good one.

The Constitution Drafting Committee is going to debate on "five contentious issues" :

-"Whether there must be a special organisation to resolve a national crisis?"

And then :

The Constitution Drafting Committee is also due to vote on 21 other issues in the draft charter which are considered as not contentious.

-"commanders of the three armed forces should sit in the special organisation created to resolve national crises."

!!!!

So we already know, with low uncertainty, that military will manage a "special organisation" that will take control in case of national crisis. And it will be enshrined into the constitution.

No coup anymore ? What a pitty. Coup will be perfectly legal from now.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=117991

[A_Traveller]

In the same report :-

The Constitution Drafting Committee is also due to vote on 21 other issues in the draft charter which are considered as not contentious.

Among the so-called uncontentious issues which will not be debated are:

- reduction of the duration of compulsory basic education from 12 years to nine;

- the rulings of the Constitution Court are not binding to the other organisations;

Oh good, no moving up the value chain here then, and due process, what due process...

Regards

[Jai Dee]

Chart Thai Party says reduction of MPs affect political parties

The Chart Thai Party admits that the reduction of the number of MPs will affect the political parties.

Chart Thai Party member Sonthaya Khunploem says political parties will have to adjust the number of MPs who will participate in the general election. He says all parties have to follow the constitutional laws even though they would like the number of MPs to stay the same in order to stabilize the political situation. He says the Chart Thai Party will have to look into the details of this issue.

Concerning the origin of the Prime Minister, he says the political parties want the Prime Minister to come from the general election. Mr. Sonthaya says he personally disagrees with other methods of appointing the Prime Minister.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 April 2007

[cclub75]

What a busy day !

We know now the result of the vote of the Constitution Drafting Committee on some burning issues.

Obviously we are going to need time to "digest" everything.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/11Apr2007_news01.php

One point is really surprising : they have decided that the members of the Senate will be appointed (with the 1997 Constitution, senators were elected).

But... we still don't know what exactly will be the powers of the Senate !

[slimdog]

One point is really surprising : they have decided that the members of the Senate will be appointed (with the 1997 Constitution, senators were elected).

Constitution the Kingdom of Thailand (Interim), B.E. 2549 (2006)

Section 30 includes:

In order to eliminate conflicts of interests, no member of the Constitution Drafting Commission shall be a candidate in an election of members of the House of Representatives or senators within two years as from the date he or she vacates from office of member of the Constitution Drafting Commission.

Guess there is no conflict of interest if they are selected...

[Plus]

The Senate has always been an appointed body in Thailand. They have tried to make it elected but it obviously didn't work, especially bipartisan part.

There's no clear purpose for having a Senate in Thailand anyway. It duplicates either the Lower House or the Council of State.

Also Senate's fate seems to be of no interests to anybody.

[hammered]

The Senate has always been an appointed body in Thailand. They have tried to make it elected but it obviously didn't work, especially bipartisan part.

There's no clear purpose for having a Senate in Thailand anyway. It duplicates either the Lower House or the Council of State.

Also Senate's fate seems to be of no interests to anybody.

Well the elected senate had a reputation far worse than any appointed one, so it is no surprise that few people seem to care if it is no longer elected. At this point in its democratic development an appointed senate may suit Thailand. This kind of parallels what happened in the US with their senate. What is more important but few seem to debate is how the constitution can be changed in the future. What is decided on now should not be set in stone and virtually unchangeable because no constitution anywhere in the world is without serious flaws, and all constitutions need to change with time. Getting the balance between making it not too easy and not too difficult is the trick. I wonder why this issue seems to be ignored by all the drafters and even all the academics and pro-democracy people?

It is also interesting that the polical parties in general are crying over the reduction in the number of MPs. Just imagine now they are going to have decide which of their local influential ones cannot run in election. Obviously this will affect the parties with the most questionable ones more than those with few. Lets see which party shouts the loudest.

[sriracha john]

It is also interesting that the polical parties in general are crying over the reduction in the number of MPs. Just imagine now they are going to have decide which of their local influential ones cannot run in election. Obviously this will affect the parties with the most questionable ones more than those with few. Lets see which party shouts the loudest.

It's interesting that the CDA is meeting in Bang Saen as its former mayor Somchai (and now convicted murderer who was released on bail and is STILL on the lam) { http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...=46331&pid= } no doubt had his son and former Thai Rak Thai Cabinet member (and now Chart Thai deputy leader) Sontaya chime in with his displeasure:

Acting Chart Thai deputy leader Sonthaya Khunpluem was dissatisfied with the reduction in the number of MPs.

The former Chon Buri MP said this would complicate the party's selection of candidates for the general election.

However, he still pinned his hopes on the CDA, which could reconsider this controversial proposal.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/11Apr2007_news01.php

[cclub75]

The Senate has always been an appointed body in Thailand. They have tried to make it elected but it obviously didn't work, especially bipartisan part.

There's no clear purpose for having a Senate in Thailand anyway. It duplicates either the Lower House or the Council of State.

Also Senate's fate seems to be of no interests to anybody.

Okay elected Senate last time was a disaster (remember in Bangkok the thousands of small posters of candidates ? The law said that it was forbidden to talk about candidates, their background and ideas, in the medias ! What a "campaign").

Anyway.

However, even if Senate looks like a luxury good on the Thai Democracy shelf, it can be very important.

What if they can review the laws ? Block an amendement of Constitution ? Block a procedure of destitution of the PM ? Block some nominations ?

For that regard, to have an elected Senate or appointed one is very different.

I can see from here the idea of a lower house (elected) where they would make the show, and a upper house, with shadow MPs who... would run the show.

The new Constitution is written by the military, or at least under their influence... I try very hard to not to be paranoid... But it doesn't work.

[slimdog]

The Senate has always been an appointed body in Thailand. They have tried to make it elected but it obviously didn't work, especially bipartisan part.

There's no clear purpose for having a Senate in Thailand anyway. It duplicates either the Lower House or the Council of State.

Also Senate's fate seems to be of no interests to anybody.

[cclub75]

Here is the little gift of the Constitution Drafting Assembly...

New draft charter to grant amnesty to coup makers

A de facto amnesty was given to the September 19 coup makers in the new constitution.

When the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) told the press conference after the half-day secret meeting in Chon Buri, they didn't mention anything about granting amnesty to last September's coup makers in the new charter.

However, the amnesty was stated in Article 299 of the new draft.

The article states: "Whatever has been recognised under the Thai (interim) constitution of 2006 to be legal and constitutional, including all actions related to the incident be it before or after the promulgation of this constitution, will be legal under this charter."

The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...newsid=30031697

[hammered]

The Senate has always been an appointed body in Thailand. They have tried to make it elected but it obviously didn't work, especially bipartisan part.

There's no clear purpose for having a Senate in Thailand anyway. It duplicates either the Lower House or the Council of State.

Also Senate's fate seems to be of no interests to anybody.

Okay elected Senate last time was a disaster (remember in Bangkok the thousands of small posters of candidates ? The law said that it was forbidden to talk about candidates, their background and ideas, in the medias ! What a "campaign").

Anyway.

However, even if Senate looks like a luxury good on the Thai Democracy shelf, it can be very important.

What if they can review the laws ? Block an amendement of Constitution ? Block a procedure of destitution of the PM ? Block some nominations ?

For that regard, to have an elected Senate or appointed one is very different.

I can see from here the idea of a lower house (elected) where they would make the show, and a upper house, with shadow MPs who... would run the show.

The new Constitution is written by the military, or at least under their influence... I try very hard to not to be paranoid... But it doesn't work.

Maybe just follow the US example and have an unelected senate for a considerable amount of time is the way ahead.