PM set for unparalleled wider power

[kamui]

Since we have a no politics rule here on the board, it is better not to comment this sudden developement, but Mr. T. already stated last year that he prefers a Singaporian style dictatorship....

 

 

TOP-LEVEL DECISIONS: PM set for unparalleled wider power

The Nation

Published on February 26, 2005

 

Thaksin and one minister may take national helm in times of crisis if King approves Royal decree

 

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is set to gain unprecedented executive power over the Kingdom if a law reforming how the Cabinet operates receives Royal approval.

 

The proposed Royal decree would empower Thaksin to make decisions ?important to the national interest? with the backing of just one other member of the Cabinet, instead of summoning his full Cabinet.

 

Cabinet secretary Borwornsak Uwanno yesterday told a meeting of more than 500 state officials at the Bangkok Convention Centre that the proposed new law would for the first time require a ?legitimate? Cabinet meeting to be attended by at least one-third of its members during a ?normal situation?.

 

But in ?any special case important to the national interest?, in ?emergency situations? and for the ?benefit of secrecy?, the premier can consider issues with just one minister, and then endorse it as a Cabinet resolution, said Borwornsak.

 

The prime minister would later be obliged to inform the full Cabinet of the decision taken. The full Cabinet retains the right to reject the decision.

 

?In a normal Cabinet meeting, the meeting can?t start until there are at least 12 ministers attending, but in an emergency [situation] two people can be a Cabinet,? he said.

 

The Constitution stipulates a Cabinet may have no more than 35 ministers, plus the prime minister.

 

Borwornsak said it would not be the first time the ?Cabinet? was defined as just the prime minister and another minister. During the tenure of General Prem Tinsula-nonda as PM, when faced with a military coup, Prem met with Mee-chai Richupan, a trusted minister, in Nakhon Ratchasima. They issued an exe

 

cutive command on behalf of the Cabinet.

 

The Royal decree, now awaiting final approval from His Majesty the King, is expected to take effect on March 9, before the new government?s formation, Borwornsak added.

 

Political figures and academics ? startled by the move as none of them was aware of it ? were immediately sceptical.

 

Thammasat University public law professor Somkit Lertpaithoon said enabling the PM and just one other minister to issue executive commands might be inconsistent with the Constitution?s definition of a Cabinet.

 

?Two Cabinet members is too few. There should be at least 10 ministers to make a resolution,? he said.

 

The definition and extent of the three criteria for issuing a Cabinet resolution in an emergency should be clearer and more concrete, to avoid any potential abuse of power, said Somkit.

 

Noted political analyst Prayat Hongthongkham said the new executive power for the PM could backfire on Thaksin, as some people might interpret the new law as just another piece of the jigsaw in a plot to consolidate his party?s power.

 

Democrat Party deputy leader Jurin Laksanavisit said the move reflected the government?s growing trend towards centralisation of power.

 

?With two votes deciding on behalf of 36 votes, this might be a one-man or two-man administration,? he said.

 

The proposed law is accessible at www.cabinet.thaigov.go.th.

 

Pichaya Changsorn, Phermsak Lilakul

 

The Nation

[limbo]

Scary but not unexpected.

 

I'm afraid it's the top of the iceberg.

 

Am looking forward to His High Royalness ruling on this.

[krml]

This could be a very scary thing for Thailand. Considering the TRT controls the government any one of his ministers is sure to go along with him on any decision he makes.

[torrenova]

Dictatorship by any other word.

[kamui]

Yep, it seems that a dictatorship is on its way as long as the H.M. the king doesn't interfere. It seems that that there is no other opposition to it. The Democrats are almost eliminated, the media are controlled by Mr. T. and the common people does not seem to object. Maybe Thailand is ripe for it. ::

 

THIRAYUTH?S LATEST WARNING: PM becoming more like Sarit

The Nation

Published on February 28, 2005

 

Academic draws parallels between Thaksin, infamous 1960s dictator

 

In one of his strongest political statements ever, prominent social critic Thirayuth Boonmi yesterday likened Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to the icon of Thailand?s dictatorship era, Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, saying the premier is moving towards one-man rule.

 

However, Thirayuth stopped short of calling Thaksin a ?dictator?, saying he preferred to describe him as a leader with ?absolute power?.

 

?If I call him a dictator, the 19 million people who voted for him might get upset,? Thirayuth said. ?Also, dictatorship does not come from democracy. But democracy with an autocratic ruler can pose a greater risk to the country than other [forms] of democracy.?

 

But Thai people, the middle class and grassroots alike, have grown fond of autocracy under Thaksin because it represents speedy decision-making, independence, individual accomplishment and material success, said Thirayuth.

 

People are becoming used to the idea that immorality can be justified in some circumstances, he said.

 

?Now Thai society seems to think like Thai Rak Thai, and that?s the key to the party?s overwhelming success [in the last election],? Thirayuth said, adding that he would offer a detailed analysis of Thaksin?s political success in another press conference next week.

 

Thirayuth insisted that his remarks were constructive criticism and said he would accept an invitation to meet Thaksin if one were actually extended to him.

 

He said Government Spokesman Jakrapob Penkair had wrongly stated that he had never accepted the PM?s invitations to have a meeting, which was why he decided to break his tradition of not responding to government?s reactions to his criticism.

 

?I never received any invitation from the government,? Thirayuth said.

 

?Jakrapob did not speak the truth, and that discredits him and the government. But if the premier is seriously interested in hearing my views ? not just to make news ? I would be glad to discuss things with him.?

 

The sociologist from Thammasat University said he compared Thaksin to Sarit because the two men led Thailand at its two most important points of transformation ? Sarit in the era of modernisation and development in the 1960s and Thaksin in the era of globalisation.

 

Thirayuth suggested that Thaksin compare his management direction with that of Sarit to avoid repeating the same mistakes. Sarit and Thaksin seem to share similar visions of the country?s development. Both tried to develop Thailand?s economy at all costs, the academic said.

 

?Sarit was Thailand?s first CEO, using absolute political power to push for many changes in the country,? he said. ?Thaksin is doing the same thing. [but] his historical mission is greater than any Thai man in the past 50 years; he should realise the importance of this mission and be mindful when exercising power.?

 

Thirayuth said it took 16 years for Thai society to demolish Sarit?s dictatorial regime and legacy with the people?s uprising of October 14, 1973, but it might take longer to rectify the negative effects of Thaksin?s rule.

 

?He might stay in Thai politics for a very long time, longer than eight years,? Thirayuth said. ?And his removal from power may not come in the form of a mass uprising like in 1973. But it?s too early to forecast now.?

 

While Sarit exported natural resources in the 1960s, Thaksin had shifted to commoditising Thailand?s rich culture and service ethic, he said.

 

The social critic said although he agreed that culture and service were Thailand?s strong points, he cautioned that Thaksin should take care not to cross the line into sacrificing something precious to all Thais: their sovereignty.

 

He said although Thailand?s economy had leapfrogged during Sarit?s era of development, his policies brought about a decline in moral and social values which in turn led to such problems as corruption, prostitution, child labour and depletion of natural resources.

 

Thirayuth encouraged the public to watch and debate Thaksin?s ongoing policies such as free-trade agreements, special economic zones and liberalisation of financial and other economic sectors.

 

Amid declining public faith in political and social institutions ? especially the opposition parties, juridical power and independent organisations ? Thirayuth urged civil society, which has taken shape and strengthened in the past three decades, to become more active in building checks and balances, open ground for public debates and pressure the government for logical responses based on principles and academic research.

 

Thirayuth also said yesterday that Thailand has recently seen several new forms of corruption.

 

He said some of them could be termed ?policy-related corruption? while others involved conflicts of interest. In some cases, new laws were issued to benefit certain groups of business and concession terms were amended to give an edge to some concessionaires.

 

?Thailand has seen some kind of a buffet, from the grassroots level up to the government level. All the parties involved should unite in preventing corruption from affecting the country?s beloved institutions,? Thirayuth said.

 

Nantiya Tangwisutijit, Subhatra Bhumiprabhas

 

The Nation

[Nervous_Dog]

I thnk the Democrats under Abhisit is making a good come back, they are making good lines etc.

 

Dog