Like it or not, this paper does keep coming out with consistently good pieces ...
OPINION: HOPE, CONFUSION, AND BETRAYAL IN JUNTALAND
Hope, confusion and betrayal. These feelings engulfed me as I watched the parliamentary debate unfold on Wednesday. Junta leader Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha was voted in as prime minister after having ruled for five years as a dictator.
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Many who wish to see a return of democracy were utterly disappointed on Wednesday night after seeing Prayuth gain 500 votes: 249 from his own appointed senate (one senator abstained per custom as senate speaker) and 251 from elected MPs across 19 political parties. Prayuth outscored his rival, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, who received 244 votes.
After five years, the dictator finally faced a grilling in parliament. His absolute power under Article 44 will soon be gone and the junta, the euphemistic National Council for Peace and Order, will cease to exist as well.
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/opinion/2 ... juntaland/
New Election Rules Designed to Keep Junta in Power
Re: New Election Rules Designed to Keep Junta in Power
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: New Election Rules Designed to Keep Junta in Power
Court to rule on PM's eligibility
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/po ... ligibility
Chuan agrees to seek charter court ruling as critics argue Prayut was 'state official'
A former adviser to the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) on Friday welcomed a petition seeking the Constitutional Court ruling on the status of Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, saying it would set a precedent and end all the questions regarding his role as chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
Jade Donavanik, also chairman of the Faculty of Law at the College of Asian Scholars, said he agreed with House Speaker Chuan Leekpai's decision to forward the petition, which was initiated by opposition parties, to the Constitutional Court for review.
The petition, signed by 101 MPs from seven opposition parties and submitted to Mr Chuan last month, wants the court to rule whether Gen Prayut's status as the premier should be terminated because he is a state official and thus is not eligible to hold the post.
According to Mr Jade, Mr Chuan is maintaining tradition by forwarding the dispute for the court review, instead of using his own judgement, and will put an end to interpretations by various people as the Constitutional Court ruling will be binding.
While the constitution says that the regime-appointed Prayut government will remain in office until the post-election cabinet is sworn-in, Gen Prayut's endorsement as the prime minister has raised questions about his eligibility.
According to Mr Jade, the dispute as to whether the NCPO head is a state official has never been tabled before the Constitutional Court for consideration.
"It's the right thing to do to forward the dispute to the court and prevent questions from being raised about whether his actions during this period were legally binding," he said.
The petition wants the Constitutional Court to rule if Gen Prayut's prime ministerial status should be terminated under Section 170(4), Section 160 (6), and Section 98 (15) of the constitution.
In March this year, the Office of the Ombudsman refused to forward a complaint to the Constitutional Court saying that Gen Prayut, in his capacity as head of the NCPO, is not a state official according to criteria laid down by the Constitutional Court with regard to the status of state officials.
Four criteria must be met to be regarded as a state official: being appointed or elected by law; having the authority and duty to enforce laws and perform job responsibilities; being under the command or supervision of the state; and receiving a wage or salary.
However, Gen Prayut's status has not been officially heard by the Constitutional Court.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/po ... ligibility
Chuan agrees to seek charter court ruling as critics argue Prayut was 'state official'
A former adviser to the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) on Friday welcomed a petition seeking the Constitutional Court ruling on the status of Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, saying it would set a precedent and end all the questions regarding his role as chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
Jade Donavanik, also chairman of the Faculty of Law at the College of Asian Scholars, said he agreed with House Speaker Chuan Leekpai's decision to forward the petition, which was initiated by opposition parties, to the Constitutional Court for review.
The petition, signed by 101 MPs from seven opposition parties and submitted to Mr Chuan last month, wants the court to rule whether Gen Prayut's status as the premier should be terminated because he is a state official and thus is not eligible to hold the post.
According to Mr Jade, Mr Chuan is maintaining tradition by forwarding the dispute for the court review, instead of using his own judgement, and will put an end to interpretations by various people as the Constitutional Court ruling will be binding.
While the constitution says that the regime-appointed Prayut government will remain in office until the post-election cabinet is sworn-in, Gen Prayut's endorsement as the prime minister has raised questions about his eligibility.
According to Mr Jade, the dispute as to whether the NCPO head is a state official has never been tabled before the Constitutional Court for consideration.
"It's the right thing to do to forward the dispute to the court and prevent questions from being raised about whether his actions during this period were legally binding," he said.
The petition wants the Constitutional Court to rule if Gen Prayut's prime ministerial status should be terminated under Section 170(4), Section 160 (6), and Section 98 (15) of the constitution.
In March this year, the Office of the Ombudsman refused to forward a complaint to the Constitutional Court saying that Gen Prayut, in his capacity as head of the NCPO, is not a state official according to criteria laid down by the Constitutional Court with regard to the status of state officials.
Four criteria must be met to be regarded as a state official: being appointed or elected by law; having the authority and duty to enforce laws and perform job responsibilities; being under the command or supervision of the state; and receiving a wage or salary.
However, Gen Prayut's status has not been officially heard by the Constitutional Court.
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Re: New Election Rules Designed to Keep Junta in Power
WITH NEW CABINET, THAILAND REPLACES JUNTA WITH ARMY ALLIES
Thailand’s new Cabinet was sworn in Tuesday, creating a nominally elected government after five years of military rule but keeping power in the hands of the same allies of the army.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn presided over the swearing-in of the Cabinet, whose 36 members pledged their loyalty to the constitutional monarch. The Cabinet’s inauguration dissolved the junta that had governed while giving itself almost unlimited powers without oversight.
“Every task has obstacles. Every mission faces problems,” the king told the Cabinet members. “It is normal to take on work and solve problems so that the country can be run smoothly according to circumstances.” The Cabinet then held its first meeting at Government House.
Prayuth Chan-ocha, who as army commander seized power in a 2014 coup ousting an elected government, returns as prime minister. This time he was elected by a parliamentary vote after a March general election that was held under a new constitution and laws enacted by Prayuth’s junta aimed at disadvantaging established political parties in favor of the military and its conservative allies.
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/ ... my-allies/
Thailand’s new Cabinet was sworn in Tuesday, creating a nominally elected government after five years of military rule but keeping power in the hands of the same allies of the army.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn presided over the swearing-in of the Cabinet, whose 36 members pledged their loyalty to the constitutional monarch. The Cabinet’s inauguration dissolved the junta that had governed while giving itself almost unlimited powers without oversight.
“Every task has obstacles. Every mission faces problems,” the king told the Cabinet members. “It is normal to take on work and solve problems so that the country can be run smoothly according to circumstances.” The Cabinet then held its first meeting at Government House.
Prayuth Chan-ocha, who as army commander seized power in a 2014 coup ousting an elected government, returns as prime minister. This time he was elected by a parliamentary vote after a March general election that was held under a new constitution and laws enacted by Prayuth’s junta aimed at disadvantaging established political parties in favor of the military and its conservative allies.
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/ ... my-allies/
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: New Election Rules Designed to Keep Junta in Power
Maybe this should be in "entertainment?
Oh dear, oh dear! Don't those ignorant opposition twats know that I am still the dictator?
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Fiery start to House meet
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/po ... house-meet
PM told to talk in 'read-only' mode
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha engaged in a toe-to-toe face-off with the opposition in a fiery parliamentary debate on the government's policy manifesto on Thursday.
On the first day of the policy debate, Gen Prayut faced a real test as he delivered the government's policy statement in parliament for the first time since he started his second term as premier.
Gen Prayut tried his best to explain all the policies to the opposition despite the occasional flaring of tempers and emotional reactions. However, he admitted he was new to the parliamentary system and that he had a lot to learn and would improve with time.
During the debate, the prime minister cut a fiercely defiant figure, countering criticism from the opposition especially regarding policies aimed at addressing the economy and social disparities, and claims that the government's policy was unclear and impractical.
Initially, Gen Prayut opted to improvise, stressing what he considered to be important. He told parliament that his government was considering implementing the policies that both the coalition and opposition parties had proposed and that they should wait for the process to begin.
But shortly after he started, opposition MPs took turns raising objections, saying that parliamentary regulations required the premier to read out the policy statement word for word.
Unless he read it straight, the parliament's record of the policy statement would be inconsistent with the written statement handed out to MPs earlier, the opposition MPs said.
Parliament president Chuan Leekpai agreed with the objections and asked Gen Prayut to comply with the rules.
Gen Prayut then lowered his tone and read out the policy statement word for word.
Responding to criticism over the high-deficit budget and where to secure the money, he said the high-deficit budget could be funded by either taxes or loans.
"In past governments, annual budgets were estimated at about 2 trillion baht as well. But why did projects to build roads, trains, electric trains, and the Eastern Economic Corridor project not come about, unlike in my government?'' Gen Prayut said.
On the issue of arms procurement, Gen Prayut said it is necessary to buy weapons that can be used efficiently.
"As for graft allegations, go find evidence and sue. Several committees were set up [to oversee purchases]. A submarine can only be procured once in six years, Gen Prayut said.
Addressing the government's policy to build national security and safety, Future Forward Party secretary-general, Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, said that the party upholds the royal institution as much as anyone else.
It is wrong to accuse those who hold different views of being disloyal to the country, he said, adding that the government should issue a policy to bring "political refugees" back to the country as part of efforts to foster national reconciliation.
After keeping calm throughout the day, Gen Prayut ran out of patience at around 9pm when Pol Gen Seripisuth Temiyavej, leader of Seri Ruam Thai Party, questioned his qualifications for the office of premier.
Gen Prayut reacted strongly and pointed his finger at the Seri Ruam Thai Party leader, saying that he thought Pol Gen Seripisuth was like his brother.
The prime minister added that he had changed his mind because Pol Gen Seripisuth did not accord him due respect and honour and walked out of the house, forcing a 10-minute break .
The session was to continue until late last night.
Oh dear, oh dear! Don't those ignorant opposition twats know that I am still the dictator?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Fiery start to House meet
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/po ... house-meet
PM told to talk in 'read-only' mode
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha engaged in a toe-to-toe face-off with the opposition in a fiery parliamentary debate on the government's policy manifesto on Thursday.
On the first day of the policy debate, Gen Prayut faced a real test as he delivered the government's policy statement in parliament for the first time since he started his second term as premier.
Gen Prayut tried his best to explain all the policies to the opposition despite the occasional flaring of tempers and emotional reactions. However, he admitted he was new to the parliamentary system and that he had a lot to learn and would improve with time.
During the debate, the prime minister cut a fiercely defiant figure, countering criticism from the opposition especially regarding policies aimed at addressing the economy and social disparities, and claims that the government's policy was unclear and impractical.
Initially, Gen Prayut opted to improvise, stressing what he considered to be important. He told parliament that his government was considering implementing the policies that both the coalition and opposition parties had proposed and that they should wait for the process to begin.
But shortly after he started, opposition MPs took turns raising objections, saying that parliamentary regulations required the premier to read out the policy statement word for word.
Unless he read it straight, the parliament's record of the policy statement would be inconsistent with the written statement handed out to MPs earlier, the opposition MPs said.
Parliament president Chuan Leekpai agreed with the objections and asked Gen Prayut to comply with the rules.
Gen Prayut then lowered his tone and read out the policy statement word for word.
Responding to criticism over the high-deficit budget and where to secure the money, he said the high-deficit budget could be funded by either taxes or loans.
"In past governments, annual budgets were estimated at about 2 trillion baht as well. But why did projects to build roads, trains, electric trains, and the Eastern Economic Corridor project not come about, unlike in my government?'' Gen Prayut said.
On the issue of arms procurement, Gen Prayut said it is necessary to buy weapons that can be used efficiently.
"As for graft allegations, go find evidence and sue. Several committees were set up [to oversee purchases]. A submarine can only be procured once in six years, Gen Prayut said.
Addressing the government's policy to build national security and safety, Future Forward Party secretary-general, Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, said that the party upholds the royal institution as much as anyone else.
It is wrong to accuse those who hold different views of being disloyal to the country, he said, adding that the government should issue a policy to bring "political refugees" back to the country as part of efforts to foster national reconciliation.
After keeping calm throughout the day, Gen Prayut ran out of patience at around 9pm when Pol Gen Seripisuth Temiyavej, leader of Seri Ruam Thai Party, questioned his qualifications for the office of premier.
Gen Prayut reacted strongly and pointed his finger at the Seri Ruam Thai Party leader, saying that he thought Pol Gen Seripisuth was like his brother.
The prime minister added that he had changed his mind because Pol Gen Seripisuth did not accord him due respect and honour and walked out of the house, forcing a 10-minute break .
The session was to continue until late last night.
- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha rises from his seat to make a point during a face-off with the opposition in a fiery parliamentary debate on the government's policy manifesto on Thursday. Pattarapong Chatpattarasill
- 3269851.jpg (50.89 KiB) Viewed 155 times
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!