Again Democrat Parlementarian Evicted From Parliament

[waerth]

I know I am posting for a couple of people here only obsessed by supermodels, heirs of rich people and the US. But I keep on trying

 

Nobody seems to care the country is heading for dictatorship.

 

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665768-chaos-in-thai-parliament-after-democrat-evicted/

 

PARLIAMENT AGAIN descended into chaos yesterday after its president Somsak Kiatsuranont ordered 20 parliament police to escort Democrat MP Watchara Petthong out of the chamber after Watchara kept shouting and demanding that MPs spend 30 minutes discussing the rubber-price crisis, which has resulted in protesters blockading roads in the South.

 

During the House-Senate joint session for the second reading of the charter amendment bill, Watchara also demanded documents related to alleged misuse of the hotel accommodation budget from Suwichak Nakwatcharachai, secretary-general of Parliament, although Somsak insisted the documents had already been handed to the MPs.

 

Before being removed, Watchara shouted: "How much longer will [the government] sell the country in order to shore up the price of other agricultural produce?" He was referring to the rice-pledging scheme.

 

All this led to a scuffle with police involving a few Democrat lawmakers, including Trang MP Satit Wong-nongtaey and Surat Thani MP Thani Thaugsuban. Satit said he had a red mark on his neck and went along with another Democrat MP to be examined by the parliament physician. Satit later showed the mark to reporters and said he would file a police complaint against the Speaker.

 

Satit said Watchara fell down during the scuffle and was slightly injured. He vowed that the Democrat Party's legal team would take legal action against the police officers as well, not just Somsak.

 

After prolonged booing following the eviction of Watchara, Somsak eventually called a recess.

 

The police officers first pleaded with Watchara to leave the chamber on his own, but the MP refused. Democrat MP for Yala Prasert Phongsuwansiri said: "Isn't it crazy having police overwhelm MPs? Are you not abusing your power? We don't have to work from now on, we can't, because the Speaker may dispatch police to handle MPs."

 

Pheu Thai's Khon Kaen MP Preechaphol Pongpanit proposed an investigation into the conduct of MPs who created disturbances in Parliament.

[Flashermac]

True democracy means shut up and do as we say.

[baa99]

There are parliamentary rules. You can't just stand up and start shouting to get your agenda items on the table!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJmzMJF9WIk

 

[waerth]

Yes and another rule is that the opposition gets time to speak, which they do not get. Teh Phuea Thai just tell them no you cannot debate things with us. How would you feel if you were in parliament and the ruling party would not give you time to debate your arguments?

[baa99]

... I would feel my party lost the last election!

[waerth]

I hope you were drunk when you typed that. Otherwise I would have to think you were braindead

[Mekong]

The opposition petitioned the Senate on Friday, seeking the impeachment of Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanich for denying Democrat MPs the chance to debate during Wednesday's parliamentary session.

Opposition chief whip Jurin Laksanavisit led 20 Democrat MPs -- most of them dressed in black -- to submit the petition to second deputy Senate Speaker Anan Ariyachaipanich at parliamnent. The petition was signed by 141 Democrat MPs. Mr Anan is ex-officio deputy parliament president.

Mr Anan said the signatures supporting the impeachment request would be verified, which should be completed before Sept 20, and the petition would then be forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

The Democrat MPs wore black to mourn the alleged failure of Mr Nikom and Parliament President Somsak Kiatsuranont, the house speaker, to properly perform their duty, and said they would wear it for seven days.

Mr Nikom abruptly closed Wednesday’s session after only seven of the 57 Democrat MPs listed to speak had debated section five of the charter amendment bill. The section would remove the current ban on family members of MPs and holders of political positions from running for the Senate.

The opposition believed Mr Nikom's action might have violated Section 89 of the constitution dealing with the impartiality of a parliamentary meeting chairman. It also may have breached Section 122 relating to conflicts of interest, given that once section five of the amendment bill became law, it would allow current elected senators including Mr Nikom to run for election to senate seats, Mr Jurin said.

The Democrats also issued a statement condemning Mr Nikon’s performance of his duties. It accused him of violating the rights of fellow lawmakers, of having a conflict of interest and serving the administrative branch.

Commenting on Democrat MP Chen Thaugsuban's action in throwing a chair in the direction of second Deputy House Speaker Wisut Chai-arun’s direction Thursday’s parliamentary meeting, Mr Jurin said Mr Chen was angered by what he saw as the government's attempt to “close the lips†of the opposition MPs.

Mr Chen thought Mr Wisut would close the House session early, while he wanted him to allow more time to talk about rubber planters' problems.

Mr Wisut explained he had no intention of ending the session prematurely, and had only asked MPs to vote on whether to bring the session to a close.

Mr Chen’s behaviour was fired by his concerns over the people’s grievances, which should be common to all MPs, Mr Jurin said.

Mr Wisut said Mr Chen had apologised him after the incident. He said the Democrat MP was actually a calm and rational person and never acted aggressively. The deputy speaker said he unserstood Mr Chen’s feelings.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/368358/democrats-file-petition-for-removal-of-senate-speaker